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Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Built on more than a hundred islands, the city's architecture is a mixture of Renaissance, Byzantine and Gothic styles. In Venice, as in no other city, the reality proves to be yet more impressive than the publicity. Romantics simply must travel in vaporetti, the city's 'water buses', or take a traghetto gondola to cross the width of the Grand Canal in truly romantic style. There are many other attractions, museums, concerts and the Venetian Carnival to enjoy.

Enlightened talents such as Marco Polo, Vivaldi, Titian, Caneletto and Casanova bear testimony to Venice's rich artistic, musical and romantic heritage, whilst commercial success from its key trading position linking the East and West have blessed this city with a reputation for wealth and grandeur.

Of course the famed canal with its graceful bridges, the elegant sun-drenched squares, narrow alleyways and boutiques, elaborate churches and acclaimed markets still enthrall visitors to Venice, yet even in one of the world's most visited cities there are hidden gems. Art lovers, gourmands and aesthetes in general will find much to enjoy off the beaten track: areas like Cannaregio, the Jewish Quarter, the islands of Burano, Murano and Lido offer excursions full of character and history, and some of the best itineraries for discovering them are published at the Comune di Venezia site. Tour Venice offers a diverse range of high-end, customized tours that provide an insider's view of the city.

The Musei Civici Veneziani - which conserves and promotes Venice's cultural attractions - has a useful website on Venice's finest museums and art collections, themed under 18th-century Venice, St Mark's Square, contemporary art and natural history and ethnography.

The best time of year to visit the city is during the spring and autumn when the weather is cooler and the crowds are fewer.


Venice Attractions

Basilica di San Marco
Piazza San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 041 522 5205 | Fax: +39 041 520 8289

One of the most precious Christian relics, the body of St Mark, was recovered by a miracle and buried beneath the Basilica di San Marco. The church is a jewel in the Venetian crown and a symbol of the power and wealth that Venice once attained. The outside is elaborately decorated with beautiful marble and amazing mosaics, including one from the 13th century. Inside there are an endless amount of mosaics on the walls and ceiling, which help to dim the natural light to create a mysterious, exotic atmosphere. Also inside is the Pala d'Oro, which should not be missed as the 10th-century golden alterpiece is embellished with nearly 2000 precious gems and 255 enameled panels. The Belltower (Campanile) is Venice’s highest building and offers unparalleled views. After collapsing in 1902, the tower was rebuilt to replicate the 15th century structure. Visitors can take an elevator all 97 metres to the top. Opening hours are 9am to 7pm daily (9.30 am to 5.30pm in winter).


Palazzo Ducale
Piazza San Marco 1, Venice
Tel: +39 041 522 4951 | Fax: +39 041 528 5028

The Doge's Palace served as the official Venetian residence of the Doges, who were the elected officials of the former Venetian Republic. This splendid, Gothic-style palace was a showplace for the artistry, architecture and craftmanship of the day. In addition to living quarters, the palace contained offices, meeting rooms, law courts and its infamous prison cells, which are connected to the palace by the Bridge of Sighs.

Canal Grande
Venice

Illustrating the uniqueness of Venice, this great 'road of water' is the most beautiful street in Venice. One can glide along the Grand Canal and be surrounded by the most opulent architecture. The atmosphere is absolutely unforgettable, as the splendour of the Grand Canal is unparalleled. To meander along the canal by gondola is literally to take a journey through Venetian history.

Gallerie dell'Accademia
Campo della Carità, Dorsoduro 1050, Venice
Tel: +39 041 522 2247 | Fax: +39 041 521 2709

This amazing gallery contains the finest collection of Venetian art. You can see renowned works such as Pieta by Titian, The Tempest by Giorgione, Veronese's Christ in the House of Levi and Bellini's Madonna Enthroned. Twenty-four separate rooms house works by all the great Venetian artists.

Ponte di Rialto
Over the Grand Canal, Venice

Arched high over the Grand Canal, Ponte di Rialto is the most famous of the city's bridges. Built seven times, today's bridge was constructed by Antonio di Ponte in 1591. It's in the centre of the city's old trading area, and trades such as wine, coal and iron are still reflected in the nearby street names. To this day, shops are strung along this famous bridge, selling jewellery, linens and Murano glass.

Chiesa dei Frari
Campo dei Frari, San Polo, Venice
Tel: +39 041 522 2637

Due to the size and style of this massive church, it is often compared with the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo. The architecture displays fine detail around the plain brickwork, but due to the sheer size of the building it appears rather rigid and plain, although nonetheless pleasing to the eye. The outside appearance is reflective of the Franciscan lifestyle, which focused on spirituality and poverty. Inside, there are Venetian treasures including the extraordinary Titian altarpieces and Bellini's Madonna and Four Saints.

Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
Calle dei Furlani, Castello 3259, Venice
Tel: +39 041 522 8828

This structure was once a brotherhood devoted to charitable works. Here, between 1502 and 1507 AD, Vittore Carpaccio painted an exceptionally interesting series of paintings, known as the Cycle of St George. Other works of Carpaccio are also displayed, showing the beautiful colour and vitality ever present in his works. St George and the Dragon is a favourite, as the painting demonstrates the romance and courage of heroic chivalry.

Scuola di San Rocco
Campo di San Rocco, San Polo 3058, Venice
Tel: +39 041 523 4864

This school of painting is richly decorated with Tintoretto's mystically spiritualistic paintings from the 16th century. Tintoretto was skilled at embodying emotions into his paintings, drawn from emotive chapters in the Bible.

Ca' d'Oro
Calle della Ca' d'Oro, Cannaregio 3933, Venice
Tel: +39 041 523 8790

This Venetian Gothic palace displays incredible opulence with its elegant Gothic architecture and decor. The mansion was given the name Ca' d'Oro, or House of Gold, because the façade was once gilded, but over time it has suffered from erosion. Through restoration, the original majestic colours of the façade reflect in the Grand Canal once again. Ca' d'Oro houses the Franchetti Gallery, which is dedicated to Venetian Byzantine art. Among this gallery's fine collection of paintings, sculptures and Flemish tapestries is the renowned Saint Sebastian by Mantegna.

Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Venice

Formerly known as the Campo delle Maravege (marvels), this square is appropriately full of wonderful sights. The grand sculpture by Verrocchio, Monumento di Bartolomeo Colleoni, now stands in the square. The infamous John Ruskin praised Verrocchio's sculpture as 'one of the noblest works in Italy'. Also, the largest church in Venice is located here, the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo.

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute
Campo della Salute, Dorsoduro, Venice
Tel: +39 041 423 7951

The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute is a famous Venetian landmark, guarding the entrance to the Grand Canal. After the 1630 plague subsided, this gigantic, white-domed, 17th-century church was designed by Longhena and officially dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. This majestic church demonstrates serenity and grandeur through its bold baroque architectural style.

Ca' Rezzonico
Fondamenta Pedrocco, Dorsoduro 3136, Venice
Tel: +39 041 241 0100 | Fax: +39 041 241 0100

This gigantic baroque mansion contains the most dazzling ballroom in Venice. Also inside is the Museo del Settecento Veneziano, which is home to a number of fine pieces from 18th-century Venetian artists, including an admirable series of frescoes by Tiepolo.

Chiesa di San Sebastiano
Campo San Sebastiano, Dorsoduro, Venice
Tel: +39 041 528 2487

Rich decoration embellishes the inside of this 16th-century church where the painter Veronese established his reputation by painting amazing frescoes whilst still in his twenties. Veronese continued to produce astounding works within the church throughout his career and was eventually buried here. The opulent nature of Veronese's art beautifies the church and makes it unique.

Chiesa di San Zaccaria
Campo San Zaccaria, Castello, Venice
Tel: +39 041 522 1257

This is a wonderful church, built in the 15th century and incorporating the former 9th-century church that was originally on this site. The inside is literally covered with paintings, including Bellini's Sacra Conversazione and Tiepolo's Flight into Egypt.

Correr Museum
Piazza San Marco 52, 30124 Venice
Tel: +39 041 2405211

The Museo Correr charts the art and history of Venice through paintings and sculptures, with a superb neoclassical section and fascinating history of the Republic. The Correr is Venice's main historical museum for weapons, documents, costumes and coins.