Venice Travel Guide: Flights & Hotels

Venice is built on more than 100 small islands linked by canals and bridges, with no cars anywhere in the historic center — everything moves by foot or by boat, including the famous vaporetto water buses and gondolas. St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge draw the biggest crowds, but the Cannaregio and Dorsoduro districts stay noticeably quieter.

April-May and October offer mild weather while avoiding both summer crowds and the acqua alta (high water) flooding more common in autumn/winter. Venice now charges a day-tripper entry fee on certain peak dates, so check current requirements before a day visit.