Venice Destination Guide

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Things to See & Do in Venice
Guide to Sightseeing in Venice

Venice is a unique city and an ordinary street is an attraction in its own right. However, the many palazzi and piazze are absolutely stuffed with artistic and architectural treasures.

All visitors to Venice should consider buying the Venice Card. This gives you use of the main tourist services around the city for its duration, including optional discounted Alilaguna transfers to and from the airport, vaporetto services in the city, use of public toilets around the city and admission to key museums and attractions. Venice cards are available for various durations of one, three or seven days, and are available in two versions - Blu, which gives free public transport and use of toilets, and Orange, which includes admission to museums including the Doge's Palace.

Blu

1 day: EUR14, adults; EUR9, children
3 days: EUR29, adults; EUR22, children
7 days: EUR51, adults; EUR49, children

Orange

1 day: EUR28, adults; EUR18, children
3 days: EUR47, adults; EUR35, children
7 days: EUR68, adults; EUR61, children

Gondola Ride

The most romantic way of touring Venice's canals is in a gondola. You can find gondolas (and gondoliers, naturally) for hire at almost all the main tourist points and along the Grand Canal. The limousines of Venice's waterways, a gondola can carry up to six people - although your partner might think it bad form if you were to "cab share" on a romantic tour of the city's canals. A gondolier will normally take you on at least part of the Grand Canal and to St Mark's (San Marco) basin during your tour, but exact routes depend on where you embark.

Prices vary slightly but are usually around the EUR65 mark in the day and EUR80 at night. Unlike some things in Venice gondola tour prices are not open to haggling and if you do it's likely to offend the professional pride of the gondolier.

Doge's Palace

Standing in St Mark's Square the Doge's Palace is the grandest building in the city. Started in the mists of the 9th century the palace has undergone revisions and rebuilding regularly throughout its history and, architecturally, is an eclectic mix of styles. Inside, the palace is packed to the rafters with art drawn from many periods but particularly the Renaissance. The rooms of the Doge are sumptuously decorated in stark comparison to the far more Spartan prison rooms in the complex.

Open: daily 09h00-19h00 (Apr-Oct); 09h00-17h00 (Nov-Mar). Admission: EUR11, adults; EUR5.50, children (includes admission to Museo Civico Correr and Torre dell'Orologio). Tel: +39 041-271-5911.

Bridge of Sighs

Although technically part of the Doge's Palace this completely enclosed bridge is an enduring image of Venice. Used to transport prisoners from the gaol on one side to the palace courts on the other it was Englishman Lord Byron who (envisaging the condemned taking their last glimpse of Venice's beauty) originally dubbed the structure "The Bridge of Sighs", or "Il Ponte dei Sospiri".

In actual fact few condemned prisoners would have walked the 16th century bridge, but it is still a powerfully beautiful structure. Admire its charm from the exterior before crossing it through the palace. Included in the cost of palace entrance.

The Campanile

The Campanile dominates St Mark's Square. This huge bell tower is visible from all over the city, and is a useful landmark to aim for if you get lost wandering Venice's alluring back-streets. Like most things in Venice the campanile has a colourful history. The whole thing actually collapsed as recently as 1902 but amazingly nobody was injured (apart from an unfortunate cat) and the tower was swiftly rebuilt. The view from the top, out over the lagoon and the city, is probably the best in Venice.

For a fee and weather permitting, an elevator takes visitors to a high viewing gallery. Open: daily 09h00-19h00 (Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct); 09h00-21h00 (Jul-Aug); 09h30-16h15 (Nov-Mar). Admission: EUR6.

St Mark's Basilica

The centrepiece of St Mark's square the huge basilica dates back to the 9th century. However, even this hasn't been immune from the Venetians' grandiosity and wealth, and was first extensively rebuilt in 1063. Further programmes of restoration and renovations have kept the basilica in a fantastic state of repair. The dome with its attendant murals and frescoes is particularly spectacular. Prepare to be dazzled by the brilliantly gleaming gold altar screen.

Piazza San Marco. Open: Mon-Sat 09h45-16h30, Sun 14h00-16h00 (Oct-Apr); Mon-Sat 09h45-16h00, Sun 14h00-16h00 (May-Sep). Before 09h45 open only for private prayer and mass from the Piazzetta dei Leoncini door. Some areas of the basilica charge an admission fee. Shorts and vest tops are not allowed. Tel: +39 041-522-5205.

Rialto Bridge

The Ponte di Rialto was once the only permanent bridge connecting one side of the Grand Canal with the other. For this reason it has a powerful place in Venetian history. The architectural masterpiece is now permanently teeming with holidaymakers eager to get the best view down the Grand Canal, and locals equally eager to hawk their souvenirs to passing tourists from the bridge's twin arcades.

At the foot of the bridge is the Mercato Di Rialto (Market of Rialto). Although it's a working market, even the Venetians consider it somewhat special, with its natural flamboyance and range of products drawing tourists and locals alike.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The most complete modern art collection in Venice the Peggy Guggenheim makes a welcome break from the Renaissance art and architecture that is so much part of Venice. The collection was originally privately owned by tycoon Peggy Guggenheim who made her home in Venice in the Palazzo Venier dai Leoni. When she died in 1979 she bequeathed her entire collection, including works by such notables as Kandinsky, Ernst and Dali, to "The Peggy Guggenheim Foundation", which now displays them in the building where its benefactor once lived.

Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. Open: Wed-Mon 10h00-18h00. Admission: EUR10, adults; free, children (under 12). Tel: +39 041-240-5411.

Museum of Naval History

Outside the centre of the city is the Museum of Naval History (Museo Storico Navale). Housed in an old warehouse near the Arsenale (where the Venetian Navy used to sail from) this naval museum shows off Venice's proud seafaring history. Over four floors the museum is stuffed with full-sized ships and naval models. Highlights include the model of the Bucintoro - the state barge - and the museum's gondola collection, which demonstrates the changing fashion of this unique boat over the years. While here take the opportunity to wander round the Arsenale area - this is where master boatbuilders can be seen making or repairing modern day gondolas.

Museo Storico Navale. Riva degli Schiavoni. Open: Mon-Fri 08h45-13h30; Sat 08h45-13h00. Admission: EUR1.55. Tel: +39 041-244-1399.

Gallerie dell'Accademia

The most important gallery in one of the most artistic cities in the world the Accademia is the biggest and best collection of Venetian art on earth. The gallery's 24 rooms are packed with the distinctive works of such geniuses as Giambellino, Cima da Conegliano and Giorgione. Highlights include Titian's last painting, Pieta, and the nine-canvas cycle of paintings entitled Stories from the Life of St Ursula by Carpaccio. A visit to Venice is incomplete without at least one trip to the Accademia and you'll need two to do the entire collection justice.

Dorsoduro 1050. Open: Mon 08h15-14h00; Tue-Sun 08h15-19h15. Admission: EUR6.50, adults; EUR3.25, children. Tel: +39 041-522-2247.

Santa Maria dei Frari

Often known just as "the Frari" this massive Gothic structure is second only to St Mark's in Venice's plethora of great churches. The Frari arguably outdoes its rival in its incredible works of Renaissance religious art that makes the church one of the best haunts in Venice for art lovers.

Look out in particular for pieces by Tintoretto, Bellini's "Madonna and Child with Saints" and Titian's altarpiece "The Assumption". Titian himself is actually buried in the church and has an impressive memorial within, although even he is outdone by the simple majesty of the pyramidal memorial to sculptor Canova, also buried here.

Campo dei Frari. Open: times vary through the year, but generally Mon-Sat 09h00-18h00; Sun 13h00-18h00. Admission: EUR2.50. Tel: +39 041-275-0462.

 

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