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Venice and its Lagoon

Venice · Italy

Background

World Heritage since
1987
Type of site
Cultural
Republic of Venice
810–1797

Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. UNESCO calls the whole city an extraordinary architectural masterpiece, in which even the smallest building holds works by artists such as Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese.

The Republic of Venice lasted from 810 to 1797, when Napoleon ended it. The listing covers the city and the whole lagoon, including Murano, Burano and Torcello: more than 70,000 hectares in all.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 5th c.Venice is founded on the islands of the lagoon
  2. 810The seat of the republic moves to the Rialto
  3. 10th c.Venice becomes a major maritime power
  4. 1797Napoleon ends the republic
  5. 1866Venice joins the Kingdom of Italy
  6. 1987Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    St Mark's Basilica
    The golden basilica on the square; the GoGo guide books entry online to skip the line.
  2. 2
    Doge's Palace
    The seat of the republic, with the Bridge of Sighs; Wikivoyage recommends the Secret Itineraries tour.
  3. 3
    Rialto Bridge and Market
    The icon of the Grand Canal, with the morning fish market beside it.
  4. 4
    Grand Canal
    The main waterway, best seen from a vaporetto.
  5. 5
    Murano and Burano
    Glassblowing and painted houses out in the lagoon.
  6. 6
    Cannaregio and the Ghetto
    The world's first ghetto and the quieter canals.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Day-Trip Access Fee
Day visitors on peak days pay an access fee online in advance; overnight guests are exempt but must register, says Wikivoyage.
Everything Ends on Foot
The last part of any journey is a walk from the nearest jetty, so pick a hotel with that in mind.
Pack Light
Narrow streets, bridges and marble steps: hard suitcase wheels are a nuisance.
Pickpockets in the Crowds
Venice is safe, but keep valuables close in the busiest parts.

San Marco and the Rialto

From the GoGo Venice guide · Open the Venice Guide ›

  1. 09:30
    St Mark's Basilica1 hr
    The golden basilica.
  2. 10:45
    Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs2 hrs
    The palace of the republic.
  3. 14:30
    Rialto Bridge45 min
    The bridge over the Grand Canal.
  4. 15:30
    Cicchetti in a Bacaro45 min
    Small plates and a spritz.
  5. 19:00
    Gondola at Dusk40 min
    The back canals as the light goes.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Nov (105 mm), driest Jan (53 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Padua's Scrovegni Chapel and botanical garden are 30 minutes by train, and Vicenza and Verona are each about an hour away.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 394 · Wikipedia: Venice · Wikivoyage: Venice (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Venice guide · UNESCO listing