Venice accommodation from NZ$100

Things to Do in Venice

Thousands of years have given “The Bride of the Sea” plenty of time to amass tourist attractions galore. With accommodation near St. Mark's Square, you can start making your friends jealous right away: The contrasting domes and spires of Saint Mark’s Basilica, the intricate arches of Doge’s Palace and the cobalt blue Torre dell’Orologio clock tower are all located here.

Left your stuff at one of our hotels in Venice? Good: now get moving! On the way to your gondola ride (you know you have to!), walk over the Bridge of Sighs, a completely enclosed, white limestone bridge created for prisoners on their way to interrogation in Doge’s Palace. Don’t worry, you won’t be walking a green mile today. Just a historic one.

Venice holidays aren’t all about the ancient past, however. The city’s Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of Europe’s best collections of modern art, with masterpieces by everyone from Jackson Pollock to Alberto Giacometti. The Punta della Dogana museum showcases even more modern art with rotating exhibits of painting, photography and sculpture. Of course, if statues are your thing, you’ll have a “marble-ous” time in Venice—just don’t take it for “granite”.

Getting To & Around Venice

Flights to Venice land at Marco Polo Airport (VCE), but you won’t have to be an expert explorer to find transportation into the city. There are trains running to Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia stations, and from there you can catch a bus anywhere within the city and beyond.

If you want to channel Marco Polo and take lots of trips outside the city, one of Wotif’s car hire options is the way to go. If you’re sticking to one neighbourhood for a day, consider renting a bicycle or scooter; you’ll save some cash and you won’t have to worry about parking.

Upcoming Events

The Venice canals will try (and probably succeed) to woo most of your time. Can you imagine a better way to spend your Venetian holiday than singing “That’s Amore” from the seat of a gondola? Your gondolier may hate it, but we aren’t judging. Still, every once in a while the city will whisper sweet nothings into your ear and lure you back to solid ground. And with so many events on the itinerary, we say you should answer the call.

Each September, Venice holds La Biennale di Venezia (AKA The Venice Film Festival). Grab a seat, and you could be rubbing elbows with some of the best modern storytellers of our time on the island of Lido. Talk about having a night to remember! The annual Regata Storica (Historic Regatta) also takes place in September. Ditch your bags in Venice accommodation, put on your best boat shoes and watch 300 boats sail through the Grand Canal.

Come the fourth Sunday in October, the Venice Marathon comes to town. What’s that, you say? How can people run through canals? The race begins in the country town of Sta and makes its way to the centre of Venice via roadway (no snorkel mask necessary!). A quick note: Places to stay in Venice book up quickly during these times, so reserve your room early!

Get Outside!

Sure, the art exhibits in Venezia send out a siren song to your creative-loving heart. And the allure of authentic pasta begs you to sit down for many indoor meals. Just don’t forget to spend some time beneath the Venetian sun! Local canals offer more than gondola rides; you can also rent a kayak and row your way through some of the city’s back streets. Of course, if you want to give your arms a rest, activities like a Romantic Waterways gondola ride are never far from reach.

Even finding the best food in Venice can turn into an outdoor excursion. Embark on a walking tour, and soon you’ll be sampling spoonfuls of the gelato in between forays into local alleyways and treks over charming bridges. If that doesn’t get your blood pumping enough, there are two skydiving vendors just north of the city.

Hop on a water bus, and in just a few minutes you’re standing on the shores of Lido di Venezia. The island rests between the Venetian Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea, and it has plenty of fine sand for you to run through your toes. Set up shop on a public beach, or rent some space on a private beach.

Must-See Spots

Have just one day in Venice? Povero bambino (poor baby)! No matter, you can still have a Grand Canal-sized good time. Begin your adventure by partaking in a tradition that dates back seven centuries: browsing the Rialto Market. Watch local restauranteurs get the freshest of catches from local fishmongers, and buy a few pieces of fresh fruit to fuel the rest of your day. Sound peachy? Good.

Venture to St. Mark’s Square, where the Basilica of San Marco is always standing at attention, looking over this iconic patch of pavement. Nearby, the Campanile di San Marco offers the best view of Venice from its observation deck. You can see as far as the Alps on a clear day.

Spend your afternoon getting lost. No, really. Some of the best spots in the city are to be found just around unassuming corners and behind older-than-you doors. Have yourself a Venetian Spritz (or three) along the way. Finish your day by dining on fresh fish from the Rialto Market—waterfront restaurants abound.

Listen to the whispers of Venice, then book great deals on Venice hotels with Wotif. In a city full of stories, it’s time to create some of your own!