Venice

Venice, Italy

There is no other city like Venice. It has 180 canals and 450 bridges connecting 118 small islands and magnificent buildings. It is a city rich with museums and historical landmarks of great artistic and cultural importance. The transient feeling and the quiet everyday life bring the whole together. The beauty of it all is truly apparent.

Population:

261,905

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 112
Carabinieri Force: 113
Fire Brigade: 115
Emergency Medical Service: 118

Opening Hours:

Shops in Venice are usually open 9:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 20:00, with some variations depending on the time of year.

Newspapers:

Il Gazzettino
La Nuova Venezia
La Voce di Venezia
Venezia made in Veneto

The City

Historical evidences suggest that refugees founded Venice. When Germanic tribes ravaged northern Italy in the 5th century, many mainlanders escaped to this difficult-to-access area on the Adriatic Sea.

Over the centuries the refugee community grew into the most powerful trading port in the Mediterranean. At its peak, Venice counted 3.000 trade ships and 300 navy vessels. After Napoleon's fall, it became part of the Austrian Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, but after the uprising in 1848, the city reached its independence once again. Shortly after, in 1866, Venice was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. 1932 saw the opening of the motor and rail bridge between Venice and the mainland, which led this city to come out on top as a tourist destination.

It is hard to navigate around the city, but don’t let that put you off, as this is part of Venice’s charm. Leave the other tourists at St Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge and explore the maze-like little neighbourhoods instead. The most interesting areas and islands are Cannaregio, SanPolo/Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.

Do & See

Venice is the only city of its type in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing a cultural absolute, demanding preservation and transmission to future generations. The whole city is a unique sight in itself, and to enjoy its exceptional beauty, the best way to explore it is by foot.

Dining

Venice has a large variety of restaurants. As usual with Italian cities, the best dining experience can be enjoyed at a simple neighbourhood trattoria off the tourist rabble. Venice has many culinary specialities, like bigoli in anchovy sauce or castraure — tiny artichokes with Parmesan shavings and olive oil.

Make sure to always look at the bottom of the menu to see if a service fee is added to your bill. "Service included" or "12% added/charged" means that another 12% of the total cost will be added to your bill. "Non cover" means no service fee will be included in the price and there will be no additional charge.

Cafés

When it comes to cafés in Venice, you can find the best value places located a couple of blocks away from main tourists strips. Stay alert while taking a stroll and find your own favorite café!