Getting around the lagoon
No cars run in Venice: vaporetto, water taxi and your own two feet are the only ways to get around. Here's how it works.
Why there's no "car rental" page
Venice's historic centre is built on islands linked by pedestrian bridges: there are no roads for vehicles, so renting or driving a car in the lagoon simply isn't possible. The one exception is Piazzale Roma, where buses arrive and where car parks serve visitors coming from the mainland — from there on, it's on foot or by water only.
Single ticket or pass
A single ACTV ticket is relatively expensive and valid for 75 minutes. For stays of more than a day, the 24h/48h/72h passes are almost always worth it if you'll use the vaporetto more than 2-3 times a day.
Vaporetto vs water taxi
The water taxi is private, fast and expensive (often €70-100 per ride): useful with heavy luggage or larger groups. Otherwise, the public vaporetto is the most practical and affordable choice.
Carnival, the Biennale, the Historic Regatta
Carnival takes over the city in February, the Art/Architecture Biennale alternates between April and November, and the Historic Regatta colours the Grand Canal on the first Sunday of September.
See what's onExhibitions at the Doge's Palace and civic museums
Venice's civic museums change their exhibition programme seasonally, with temporary shows at the Doge's Palace, Ca' Pesaro and the Correr Museum.
See the current exhibitionSunset gondola ride and a bacaro crawl
A gondola ride at sunset on the Grand Canal, or a bacaro crawl through Cannaregio's wine bars and cicchetti: two very different ways to close the day.
See evening experiencesRun a business in Venice?
Restaurants, bacari, tour operators, craft workshops: if you'd like to be featured in this section or in "What to See", get in touch.
Spazio riservato agli operatori locali del territorio.