Venice

There is nowhere else like Venice. Built across 118 islands linked by some 400 bridges, the city has no cars — only canals, footpaths and boats. Beyond the postcard scenes of St Mark's and the Grand Canal lies a quiet maze of backstreets where you can lose the crowds entirely.

Top Things to Do in Venice

St Mark's Basilica glitters with golden Byzantine mosaics, and the neighbouring Doge's Palace tells the story of the Venetian Republic — its Secret Itineraries tour reaches rooms most visitors never see. A gondola ride is touristy but unforgettable, especially through the quiet inner canals at dusk.

Take the vaporetto down the Grand Canal for the best-value sightseeing in the city, and hop over to the islands of Murano (glassblowing since 1291) and brightly painted Burano.

Tours Worth Booking

• Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica skip-the-line tours
• Gondola rides, shared or private
• Murano and Burano island-hopping boat tours
• Secret Itineraries tours of the Doge's Palace

Best Time to Visit

April–May and September–October bring the best weather and slightly thinner crowds. Summer is hot, busy and expensive. Winter is quiet and atmospheric — and the famous Carnival in February fills the city with masks and costumes.

Getting Around

Venice is entirely walkable, though getting lost is part of the charm. Vaporetto water buses run along the Grand Canal and out to the islands; a multi-day travel pass quickly pays off. From the airport, water taxis and the Alilaguna boat connect directly to the centre.