An architectural marvel, the Italian city of Venice sits atop 118 islands in a lagoon that flows to the Adriatic Sea. With its iconic canals, gondolas, churches, palaces, and bridges, it’s also one of the world’s most well-known travel destinations. Most of the buildings in this unique city were constructed between the 13th and 18th centuries, and the overall look of the city has remained the same for over 500 years. It’s no surprise that Venice’s old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1980s. The city has a myriad of laneways and bridges which you can explore by foot, and an abundance of museums, churches, galleries and shops — many in close proximity to Venice holiday rentals. Venice is known for its great seafood and pastries, with plenty of local favourites that serve up fresh produce.

The easiest way to get to Venice is by air, and the main airport is Venice Marco Polo (VCE), which is around a half an hour’s drive from the city centre. From the airport, you can get to your holiday apartment in Venice by city bus, express shuttle, water bus, or taxi. There are no cars in the city centre, but it’s possible to leave your vehicle in one of the big car parks outside the historic city and proceed on foot. Once you’ve arrived, the easiest and most logical way to get around this floating city is by boat. You can also walk around many of Venice’s laneways and bridges.

Venice is a great city to visit at any time, and hosts a range of events throughout the year. The city is usually at its busiest in the summer months of June, July, and August, when most Italians are on their annual holiday. The temperatures can get very warm, but the long evenings are ideal for dining al fresco. September to November is an ideal time to visit as the weather is a little cooler and the city is considerably quieter after the summer period. During winter, Venice can get quite cold, and there is a greater chance of rain and flooding — so if you’re visiting then, be sure to pack your gumboots. Spring is another ideal time to visit, with moderate temperatures and fewer visitors.

Explore the city on foot

You can’t leave Venice without exploring its many churches and museums. There are close to 150 churches in the city, and a collection of museums including the Scuola Grande Di San Marco, Punta Della Dogana, Murano Glass Museum, Palazzo Grassi, and Palazzo Grimani. The city also has close to 500 bridges, and though many of them are private, you can still spend an entire day finding out why Venice is often called the “city of bridges.” The Rialto Bridge is the most famous and crosses over the Grand Canal.

Explore the city on water

Taking a ride down the Grand Canal in one of the city’s many gondolas is an unforgettable and very special Venetian experience. However, you don’t need to hire a gondola to explore Venice the way it should be done — on the water. You can kayak, borrow a private boat, or even take a trip in one of the city’s water buses.

Sample the seafood

As a port city, Venice is renowned for its mouth-watering seafood, and it’s a big part of the local diet. While you can find seafood on almost every menu in the city, you can also head to the Rialto Market to find some of the best fresh, local offerings such as cuttlefish, anchovies, and clam. Other popular Venetian dishes you may wish to try include risotto and bigoli pasta.