Venice
Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces.
Details
Before visiting any town or city make sure you know the basics. General details and important information.
- Emergency Services: 113
- Language: Italian
- Currency: Euro
- Country Code: IT
- Travel Visa: None required
- Population: 263,996
Risk Level
Researching various official sources, we perceive the risk to holiday makers and travellers are as follows;
Travellers Tips
Top travel advice and interesting tip bits of information from experienced travellers.
Emergencies
For the Emergency services just dial 113 from any phone.
The dispatcher/operator may or may not speak English.
Hospitals
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Tourist Offices
Travelling Around
In Venice, you use the vaporetto boat (public transport on water). It is the number 1 transportation in Venice. These boats are moving on the Grand Canal and take you to Lido, Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Vaporetto line 1 is the service on the Canal Grande and stops at every station.
Airports
Gatwick Airport www.gatwickairport.com
Heathrow Airport www.heathrowairport.com
London City Airport www.londoncityairport.com
Stansted Airport www.stanstedairport.com
Train Stations
Kings Cross Station www.networkrail.co.uk
St Pancras International Station stpancras.com
Victoria Station www.networkrail.co.uk
Venice Safety
What are the top safety tips?
For young people, a rolling Venice card can be purchased at the airport for €4 granting discounts on entry to a number of museums, attractions and concerts. This also enables you to purchase the three day travel ticket for €20.
If staying in Venice for a number of days, the three day travel ticket available from any Hello Venezia office or Marco Polo airport for a young person’s price of €20 with a Rolling Venice card is well worth getting. The ticket allows unlimited Vaporetto travel for 72 hours giving you freedom and hassle-free travel.
In the city of Venice it is against the law to feed the pigeons, although this is not a serious crime you could still be fined. The birds are seen as a pest in the city.
Sometimes you might be approached by individuals who want to carry your bags, get a water taxi for you or take you to your hotel. But be aware of this as these people will probably ask you for money after helping you.
Venice is known as one of the safest cities in Europe, but there are still opportunists, be aware of your belongings at all times and always check the bill once to have finished dining or paying for goods.
Where can I keep up with the local news?
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What are the areas to take extra care?
St Marks Square is not an area you should avoid but you need to be aware that pickpockets and opportunists operate in the area, keep an eye on your belongings at all times and make sure your valuables are out of sight.
What are the common crimes?
Pickpockets
Beware of pickpockets as they tend to operate in tourist areas, keep your belongings secure at all times and be careful if strangers try to make conversation or distract you as it could be an attempt to steal your valuables.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud, cloning cards can be an issue be careful where you use your cards. Also if you are withdrawing money from cash machines make sure you cover your pin and be discreet about the amount of cash you withdraw.
Suitcase Helpers
Be cautious of men offering to help you carry luggage, particularly around Piazzale Roma. Although not dangerous, they may demand a large payment in return that you are not willing or were not expecting to pay.
Improve Your Personal Safety
Knowledge – the more you have the better equipped you are.
Awareness – the more you see the safer you become.
Response – the right reaction can change a situation.
Annual Events
Annual events allow a city come together for some amazing experiences. If visiting at this time, make sure you have your accommodation booked and are always aware of your surroundings when travelling around.
Events
Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica (Venice International Film Festival)
The 11 day Venice Film Festival is situated along the main Lido esplanade where official competition screenings take place. It usually takes place in late August or early September each year and is one of the highlights on the filmmaker’s calendars, not just for the amazing locations but the people that the festival attracts. It’s a great opportunity to see some world glass actors in the flesh and experience the buzz of the red carpet.
The most famous masked ball in the world. Venice’s pre-Lenten Carnevale is one of the most amazing events on the years calendar, the city goes to town in creating elaborate structures in piazza San Marco to be used as a stages for acrobats, dancers and other performers. All the masks worn have a two fold purpose, to give an escape from everyday life and to conceal the wearer’s identity. The party begins in February each year. It is a once in a lifetime event offering a wonderful other timely experience.
For music lovers, Venice offers a rich array of concerts by professional and amateur musicians in theatres, halls and churches. The home of Vivaldi, Baroque and opera is easily found as is jazz and choral performances. Concerts in period dress by I Musici Veneziani in the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro are recommended. Concert tickets may be discounted when bought in advance and/or with the Rolling Venice card. Close to St Mark’s Square, the Teatro San Gallo presents daily a theatrical show giving a humorous insight into Venetian life.
Venice Highlights
Where else is great to visit?
The Grand Canal forms one of the mayor traffic routes in the city and water taxis and transport is available. It is well worth taking a trip along to canal to see some of the amazing buildings lining either side, its also one of the best ways to see the city. For a cheaper alternative to a gondola ride, take the vaporetto from Piazzale Roma early in the morning to beat the crowds, securing a seat at the back of the boat, and journey up the grand canal for great views from the water.
An 11 Km section of beach in Venice, the sands are fine and the waters calm and pretty safe for swimmers. Its a great are to chill out in the city, great for families and couples alike.
Even if it’s just for a glance of the unusual spiral staircase visible from the outside, look for the well hidden Calle Della Vida where the Bovolo Palace, named after a snail shell (Bovolo), can be found
Santa Maria della Salute which when translated to English means Saint Mary of Health. It is a Roman Catholic church located in the Dorsoduro sestiere. It stands between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco making the church a beautiful sight when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water.
Are there any galleries or museums to visit?
A stunning building housing hundreds of intricate paintings on the walls and ceilings. With a €2 discount for under 26s and just 5 minutes from Piazzale Roma, this spectacular hall is worth a visit.
Murano
Murano is a series of islands just outside of Venice, they are linked by bridges and is a very beautiful area to visit. Also very famous for glass making especially lamp work. There is a glass museum that is well worth checking out for some amazing works of art created in glass.
The famous St Mark’s basilica is definitely a must see when visiting Venice with is walls adorned with millions of mosaic tiles. Make the most of it by visiting between 11.30 and 12.30 when the golden tiles are illuminated. If you’re looking to save time, queue jump tickets can be bought in advance. A visit to the Basilica’s museum above for €4 is also worth while detailing the mosaics and offering great views over the basilica and piazza from the terraces.
What are the highlight attractions?
Burano is a beautiful Venetian island reached easily by a 40 minute Vaporetto ride. Take a leisurely stroll around the streets filled with brightly coloured houses. The main piazza has a range of restaurants offering the perfect opportunity to try Burano biscuits, chocolate salami or a glass of Spritz.
Is one of the four bridges that go over the Grand Canal and is the oldest. It has great significance to the Rialto market, with many high end shops on the bridge. Rich pickings for any visitor to the city.
One of the most famous Opera houses in Europe, it has a great history of world class musicians and composers putting on performances. The Opera house has not been free of trouble, in 1836 the building as stuck down by fire but was quickly rebuilt by the family owners. Its well worth a visit if you are in the city.
The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace with the new prison. It has a very famous history and used to be the last view the convicted prisoners saw before their sentence was carried out. Well worth seeing from inside and out.
This is a master piece of Gothic architecture, built between the 14th and 15th century the building has undergone many changes throughout the years taking on influences from each time period. The museum and rooms inside are well worth visiting giving detailed knowledge of the cities history and culture.
Back Streets
While the famous tourist attractions are well worth a visit, one of the best things to do in Venice is explore the charming backstreets. Narrow winding passage ways and tiny bridges each with their own personality lead to attractive squares or ‘campos’ where you can often find a water fountain and orientate yourself if armed with a good map which is advisable. Leave plenty of time for wandering and soaking up the Venetian atmosphere sitting on the canal side as the gondolas pass by to see the real life heart of Venice. Food and drink prices are also considerably cheaper here than the main tourist areas for just as good, if not better quality.
