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Venice

Go to Venice by train (or hire car if you prefer). Visit the Piazza San Marcos.Night in Venice. 

Recommended time to leave the hotel: 1h-1h30min before trains departure

Click the transport tab, and you will see how to get from Florence to Venice and how to book your tickets at the best price. 

How to get from Florence to Venice:

To go from Florence to Venice it is a good idea to take the train as it is the most practical and comfortable alternative (there is nothing to see on the way and Italian motorways are not exactly a marvel). It is not essential to book but it is advisable.

If there are more than two of you, it might work out cheaper to go by car, but it is still more practical by train. Should you want to go by car, hire it for an extra day and leave it at Venice station (Venice-Mestre). It takes around 3h20min along the A1 motorway (around 10€ in tolls).

Introduction to Venice:

The best way to enjoy Venice is to walk and walk because you will be constantly discovering wonderful corners of the city. We point out below our favourite areas and those places that you shouldn´t miss but if you see an alley that grabs your attention, go and explore it. In Venice the longest way round is often the best way round. You will be getting away from the tourist circuits and you will find the true essence of the city.

As far as museums are concerned, you will be able to find plenty in the city but they are not the main attraction. The route we propose is to stroll through Venice and live its squares, alleyways and bridges, and to enjoy its hidden corners, to have a drink or eat. 

Arriving in Venice:

The first thing that you must do on arriving in Venice is to go to the transport offices of ACTV - Venezia Unica. If you are coming by train, you will find them in the station itself, by car it is easier to head for the Piazzale Roma and in the airport if arriving by plane. Pick up there the daily passes for the vaporetto (see "Get around" section) and a map of the city and public transport. From the Piazzale Roma or the train station take the Vaporetto to the stop nearest your hotel. 

Visit to the Piazza San Marcos:

  • Brief description: without doubt the most famous place in Venice (and consequently the most crowded with tourists). It is curious to see it in Spring or Autumn when the tide rises so much that it completely floods the square twice a day. Ask at your hotel about tide times, as they constantly change. Disembarking from the vaporetto, turn left and cross the first bridge. You will then walk over another bridge from where the Palazzo Ducale can be seen with its famous Bridge of Sighs, (parallel to the bridge you are crossing), so called because those condemned to death crossed over it on their way from the court to their cells and so caught their last glimpse of Venice and the sea. Keep walking until the entrance to the square on the right-hand side. Past the Dogue´s palace you will see St. Mark´s Basilica and the famous brick campanile. At the end of the street that takes you to the square you will be able to make out the Clock Tower. 
  • How to get there: catch the vaporetto (line 1) and get off at the San Marco stop. 

Visit to the Palazzo Ducale:

  • Brief description: situated in St. Mark´s Square itself, this gothic palace was the residence of the dogues, the seat of government and of the court of justice and prison of the Republic of Venice.
  • How to get there: in St. Mark´s Square (on the left as you get off the vaporetto). 
  • Cost: 20€ (includes the Palace, but also Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana). If there is a long queu, you can go to Muso Correr and buy the ticket there (you can save up to 1 hour!). You can also buy tickets in advance on the museum´s official web, with 0.5€ extra charge. 
  • Length of visit: 1h 30min. 
  • Opening times: 9.00-17.00 in Winter (Nov-Mar) / from 9.00-19.00 the rest of the year. Last entry 1h before closing. 

Visit to St. Mark´s Basilica:

  • Brief description: in St. Mark´s Square, if you wish, you can go and see the basilica although its real charm lies in its exterior facade (remember-no entry allowed if you are wearing sleeveless tops or shorts or with a backpack - there is a cloakroom where you can leave backpacks). 
  • Length of visit: 30min.
  • Cost: free. 

Visit to St. Mark´s bell tower (Il Campanille):

  • Brief description: opposite the basilica you will find the bell tower (Il Campanille), used for years as a lighthouse for vessels and as the city´s watchtower. It has 5 bells, each of them assigned to a particular task: set the begining or end of the day, midday, and even the meetings of the board of the Republic. You can go up by lift (almost 100m!) and there are excellent views of the whole city: St. Marks church, la Iglesia de la Salute, San Giorgio Maggiore... in clear days you can even see the Murano Island.
  • Length of visit: 30min.
  • Cost: 8€
  • Hours: from 09.30 10 17.30 in winter, from 09.00 to 19.00 in spring and from 08.30 to 21.30 in summer. 

Gondola ride:

  • Brief description: gondolas are no doubt one of the most iconic symbols of Venize. Nowadays they are just used by tourists, and prices have become quite abusive. Gondolas allow you to see the city and its bridges from another point of view, but the experience can be quite slow and touristic. If you still want to do it, follow the tips bellow.   
  • Where to start the ride: one of the best points to take the gondola is Piazza San Marcos (in the main channel, just next to the vaporetto stop). That way you get directly into the small channels, not loosing time in the great one. 
  • Ride cost: ask the gondolier. Normally they start at 100?, but with a bit of bargaining you can get to 70-80?. 
  • Ride duration: about 45 minutes. 

To have dinner tonight, we recommend you walk a little bit to Castelo district, where some of our favorite restaurants are.

Recommended restaurants in Castello - Arsenal area:

Without a doubt our favorite is Trattoria Pizzeria Al Vecio Portal, which is set in a quiet spot (Campiello della Pescheria). There is an interior garden and it is very popular with the locals. House specialities are the fish dishes (Ravioli di Pesce, Spaghetti alle vongole, the tuna..,). You can eat for a good price, about 10-15€ per person.

Placed in a more lively are (though still full of locals) is Al Vecio Calice, located at the beginning of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and with a pleasant terrace overlooking the sea. If you just want to snack, they have excellent cichetti, bruschetas and focaccias. But if you are hungry, they prepare the typical pasta recipes of Italian cuisine (9-11 €). Excellent tagliolini ai frutti di mare and penne all'arrabiata, although the truth is that all are good. The pizzas are more for tastes (there are those who love them and who hate them :-). The wine glasses will go for 3-5 €.

Another alternative (if the previous one is full) is El Refolo, also on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (more towards the center, on the other side of where Calle del Forno starts). Their specialty is the high quality sausages, which you can take in rations (tagliere of 10-19 €), or in small sandwiches (paninettos at 2,20 €). Accompany it with a fantastic glass of red wine (€ 3-4) or a Spritz (€ 3).

Booking train Florence-Venice:

If you decide to travel by train, take into account that there are two companies: TrenItalia (a public sector company) and Italotreno (a new private high-speed train company). As they are continuously compiting on price, we recommend you to check both websites. Usually ItaloTreno has more availabilty with the low cost rate but TrenItalia's train frequency is higher. The journey takes a bit longer with Trenitalia (2h40min vs 2h05min).

Smart Link: Trenitalia official website for Italian trains and ItaloTreno.

Booking details: select in the browser:

  • One-way
  • From Firenze to Venezia (at ItaloTreno select Venezia S.L. -Santa Luzia station-)
  • Day and rough time you want to leave
Once you have been given the alternatives, make sure Santa Maria Novella (FI.SMN) is the departure station and Venize Santa Luzia the arrival station, choose the alternative that suits you best and continue with the purchase process (see "Get around" tag for a detailed manual on how to make a reservation).

Trip length: 2h40min with TrenItalia and 2h05min with ItaloTreno.

Cost: With Trenitalia we recommend travelling second class: economic rate is about 29€ (first class 65€) although sometimes there is the supereconomy rate at 19€. With ItaloTreno there are 3 classes (Smart, Prima and Club) and 3 levels of rate. We recommend you Smart Class (21€ with low cost rate and 26€ with economy rate).

Recommended hotel in Venice:

Due to the peculiar characteristics of Venice the hotels tend to be small and expensive. For that reason it is especially difficult to find a vacancy in the high season. In the low season it is not only easier to find a room but it all tends to be much cheaper. There are also cheaper hotels on the outskirts of Venice but we would not recommend them at all if you really wish to enjoy Venice.

We will show you below our favourite hotels and B&Bs with a price guide for the high season (Spring-Summer).

Smart Choice: Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo

  • Smart Link: book on the hotel´s web or send them an email (info@alpontemocenigo.com).
  • Price: 175€ double room / night with breakfast included (approx. £140)
  • Address: Santa Croce 2063, 30135, Venezia (see map). Tel. +39 041 524 47 97. E-mail: info@alpontemocenigo.com.
  • How to get there: Take vaporetto no. 1 (N at night) from the train station (the Ferrovia stop) or from the Piazzale Roma if you have arrived by car. Get off at the San Stae stop (3rd stop from the station). Cross the bridge that you see on your left and walk some 30 metres along the Fondamenta Rimpetto Mocenigo until you recch the private bridge that gives direct entrance to the hotel.
  • Description: Small, old, refurbished Venetian palace right in the centre of Venice. The rooms are fantastic, decorated in the Venetian style, and with all the comforts of a hotel. Breakfast is continental served on a terrace in the centre of the palace. It is a perfect location because without being in one of the most touristy areas it is full of charming spots, you can walk to the Ponte Rialto and the vaporetto stop is only a few steps away.
  • See Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo at TripAdvisor.

Other recommended hotels:

Basic choice:

Premium choice:

  • 3C B&B 100-250€ double room with breakfast (approx. £84 - 210). Totally renovated building, it is not so authentic as a small palace but you can get good prices. In a very good location a few metres from Plaza San Marcos. Information about prices and rooms via email (venicebb3c@gmail.com). See 3C B&B at TripAdvisor.

Search engine recommended for Venice: Booking.

NOTE: you should reserve 2 nights in Venice on this Smart Route.

  

Recommended time to leave the hotel: 1h-1h30min before trains departure


Click the transport tab, and you will see how to get from Florence to Venice and how to book your tickets at the best price. 

How to get from Florence to Venice:


To go from Florence to Venice it is a good idea to take the train as it is the most practical and comfortable alternative (there is nothing to see on the way and Italian motorways are not exactly a marvel). It is not essential to book but it is advisable.

If there are more than two of you, it might work out cheaper to go by car, but it is still more practical by train. Should you want to go by car, hire it for an extra day and leave it at Venice station (Venice-Mestre). It takes around 3h20min along the A1 motorway (around 10€ in tolls).

Introduction to Venice:


The best way to enjoy Venice is to walk and walk because you will be constantly discovering wonderful corners of the city. We point out below our favourite areas and those places that you shouldn´t miss but if you see an alley that grabs your attention, go and explore it. In Venice the longest way round is often the best way round. You will be getting away from the tourist circuits and you will find the true essence of the city.

As far as museums are concerned, you will be able to find plenty in the city but they are not the main attraction. The route we propose is to stroll through Venice and live its squares, alleyways and bridges, and to enjoy its hidden corners, to have a drink or eat. 

Arriving in Venice:


The first thing that you must do on arriving in Venice is to go to the transport offices of ACTV - Venezia Unica. If you are coming by train, you will find them in the station itself, by car it is easier to head for the Piazzale Roma and in the airport if arriving by plane. Pick up there the daily passes for the vaporetto (see "Get around" section) and a map of the city and public transport. From the Piazzale Roma or the train station take the Vaporetto to the stop nearest your hotel. 

Visit to the Piazza San Marcos:


  • Brief description: without doubt the most famous place in Venice (and consequently the most crowded with tourists). It is curious to see it in Spring or Autumn when the tide rises so much that it completely floods the square twice a day. Ask at your hotel about tide times, as they constantly change. Disembarking from the vaporetto, turn left and cross the first bridge. You will then walk over another bridge from where the Palazzo Ducale can be seen with its famous Bridge of Sighs, (parallel to the bridge you are crossing), so called because those condemned to death crossed over it on their way from the court to their cells and so caught their last glimpse of Venice and the sea. Keep walking until the entrance to the square on the right-hand side. Past the Dogue´s palace you will see St. Mark´s Basilica and the famous brick campanile. At the end of the street that takes you to the square you will be able to make out the Clock Tower. 
  • How to get there: catch the vaporetto (line 1) and get off at the San Marco stop. 

Visit to the Palazzo Ducale:


  • Brief description: situated in St. Mark´s Square itself, this gothic palace was the residence of the dogues, the seat of government and of the court of justice and prison of the Republic of Venice.
  • How to get there: in St. Mark´s Square (on the left as you get off the vaporetto). 
  • Cost: 20€ (includes the Palace, but also Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana). If there is a long queu, you can go to Muso Correr and buy the ticket there (you can save up to 1 hour!). You can also buy tickets in advance on the museum´s official web, with 0.5€ extra charge. 
  • Length of visit: 1h 30min. 
  • Opening times: 9.00-17.00 in Winter (Nov-Mar) / from 9.00-19.00 the rest of the year. Last entry 1h before closing. 

Visit to St. Mark´s Basilica:


  • Brief description: in St. Mark´s Square, if you wish, you can go and see the basilica although its real charm lies in its exterior facade (remember-no entry allowed if you are wearing sleeveless tops or shorts or with a backpack - there is a cloakroom where you can leave backpacks). 
  • Length of visit: 30min.
  • Cost: free. 

Visit to St. Mark´s bell tower (Il Campanille):


  • Brief description: opposite the basilica you will find the bell tower (Il Campanille), used for years as a lighthouse for vessels and as the city´s watchtower. It has 5 bells, each of them assigned to a particular task: set the begining or end of the day, midday, and even the meetings of the board of the Republic. You can go up by lift (almost 100m!) and there are excellent views of the whole city: St. Marks church, la Iglesia de la Salute, San Giorgio Maggiore... in clear days you can even see the Murano Island.
  • Length of visit: 30min.
  • Cost: 8€
  • Hours: from 09.30 10 17.30 in winter, from 09.00 to 19.00 in spring and from 08.30 to 21.30 in summer. 

Gondola ride:


  • Brief description: gondolas are no doubt one of the most iconic symbols of Venize. Nowadays they are just used by tourists, and prices have become quite abusive. Gondolas allow you to see the city and its bridges from another point of view, but the experience can be quite slow and touristic. If you still want to do it, follow the tips bellow.   
  • Where to start the ride: one of the best points to take the gondola is Piazza San Marcos (in the main channel, just next to the vaporetto stop). That way you get directly into the small channels, not loosing time in the great one. 
  • Ride cost: ask the gondolier. Normally they start at 100?, but with a bit of bargaining you can get to 70-80?. 
  • Ride duration: about 45 minutes. 

To have dinner tonight, we recommend you walk a little bit to Castelo district, where some of our favorite restaurants are.


Recommended restaurants in Castello - Arsenal area:


Without a doubt our favorite is Trattoria Pizzeria Al Vecio Portal, which is set in a quiet spot (Campiello della Pescheria). There is an interior garden and it is very popular with the locals. House specialities are the fish dishes (Ravioli di Pesce, Spaghetti alle vongole, the tuna..,). You can eat for a good price, about 10-15€ per person.

Placed in a more lively are (though still full of locals) is Al Vecio Calice, located at the beginning of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and with a pleasant terrace overlooking the sea. If you just want to snack, they have excellent cichetti, bruschetas and focaccias. But if you are hungry, they prepare the typical pasta recipes of Italian cuisine (9-11 €). Excellent tagliolini ai frutti di mare and penne all'arrabiata, although the truth is that all are good. The pizzas are more for tastes (there are those who love them and who hate them :-). The wine glasses will go for 3-5 €.

Another alternative (if the previous one is full) is El Refolo, also on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (more towards the center, on the other side of where Calle del Forno starts). Their specialty is the high quality sausages, which you can take in rations (tagliere of 10-19 €), or in small sandwiches (paninettos at 2,20 €). Accompany it with a fantastic glass of red wine (€ 3-4) or a Spritz (€ 3).

Booking train Florence-Venice:


If you decide to travel by train, take into account that there are two companies: TrenItalia (a public sector company) and Italotreno (a new private high-speed train company). As they are continuously compiting on price, we recommend you to check both websites. Usually ItaloTreno has more availabilty with the low cost rate but TrenItalia's train frequency is higher. The journey takes a bit longer with Trenitalia (2h40min vs 2h05min).

Smart Link: Trenitalia official website for Italian trains and ItaloTreno.

Booking details: select in the browser:

  • One-way
  • From Firenze to Venezia (at ItaloTreno select Venezia S.L. -Santa Luzia station-)
  • Day and rough time you want to leave
Once you have been given the alternatives, make sure Santa Maria Novella (FI.SMN) is the departure station and Venize Santa Luzia the arrival station, choose the alternative that suits you best and continue with the purchase process (see "Get around" tag for a detailed manual on how to make a reservation).

Trip length: 2h40min with TrenItalia and 2h05min with ItaloTreno.

Cost: With Trenitalia we recommend travelling second class: economic rate is about 29€ (first class 65€) although sometimes there is the supereconomy rate at 19€. With ItaloTreno there are 3 classes (Smart, Prima and Club) and 3 levels of rate. We recommend you Smart Class (21€ with low cost rate and 26€ with economy rate).

Recommended hotel in Venice:


Due to the peculiar characteristics of Venice the hotels tend to be small and expensive. For that reason it is especially difficult to find a vacancy in the high season. In the low season it is not only easier to find a room but it all tends to be much cheaper. There are also cheaper hotels on the outskirts of Venice but we would not recommend them at all if you really wish to enjoy Venice.

We will show you below our favourite hotels and B&Bs with a price guide for the high season (Spring-Summer).

Smart Choice: Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo

  • Smart Link: book on the hotel´s web or send them an email (info@alpontemocenigo.com).
  • Price: 175€ double room / night with breakfast included (approx. £140)
  • Address: Santa Croce 2063, 30135, Venezia (see map). Tel. +39 041 524 47 97. E-mail: info@alpontemocenigo.com.
  • How to get there: Take vaporetto no. 1 (N at night) from the train station (the Ferrovia stop) or from the Piazzale Roma if you have arrived by car. Get off at the San Stae stop (3rd stop from the station). Cross the bridge that you see on your left and walk some 30 metres along the Fondamenta Rimpetto Mocenigo until you recch the private bridge that gives direct entrance to the hotel.
  • Description: Small, old, refurbished Venetian palace right in the centre of Venice. The rooms are fantastic, decorated in the Venetian style, and with all the comforts of a hotel. Breakfast is continental served on a terrace in the centre of the palace. It is a perfect location because without being in one of the most touristy areas it is full of charming spots, you can walk to the Ponte Rialto and the vaporetto stop is only a few steps away.
  • See Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo at TripAdvisor.

Other recommended hotels:

Basic choice:

Premium choice:

  • 3C B&B 100-250€ double room with breakfast (approx. £84 - 210). Totally renovated building, it is not so authentic as a small palace but you can get good prices. In a very good location a few metres from Plaza San Marcos. Information about prices and rooms via email (venicebb3c@gmail.com). See 3C B&B at TripAdvisor.

Search engine recommended for Venice: Booking.

NOTE: you should reserve 2 nights in Venice on this Smart Route.