Discover Venice
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Venice.
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Must-see attractions in Venice
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 17 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Venice is a celebrated city and very rightly so. It is very romantic because of its breathtaking canals and palaces. A cruise down the Grand Canal will very likely be one of life's most unforgettable experiences. On a practical note, the city forms a governmental unit of Italy called a commune. The islands of Venice form the historic centre of the city. Marghera and Mestre are the modern industrial centers on the mainland and they are also part of the commune of Venice. A lagoon separates the islands of Venice from the mainland. A roadway over the lagoon carries traffic between the mainland and two of the islands. Automobiles, buses and train
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Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Venice
Halal restaurants in Venice
Venice’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 19 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
veniceStella Sahaba Kebab
Address: Campo Sestiere Santa Croce, 182, Venice, Italy 30125 Cuisine: Middle Eastern A halal certificate is displayed in the restaurant as proof. Hours: from ten in the morning to eleven in the evening Telephone: 0418105730 Mobile: 00393294534726 Email: [email protected]
veniceAl Paradiso
The owner of this eatery, Giordano welcomes all diners personally and makes sure their needs are catered to. Operating in a small dining room with a cheerful and simple décor this place is always busy so a reservation is essential. The food here is exceptionally good and the chef is creative and gives dishes a unique twist. The Pappardelle "al Paradiso" is a pasta with seafood sauce and risotto with shrimp and grapefruit are the specialties. The entrées are also very tasty and well presented. The ‘panna cotta’ is the most celebrated dessert here.
veniceAntiche Carampane
This restaurant serves most of the classic fish dishes Venice is known for. These include mixed seafood antipasto to fish soups, pasta, and fish grilled to perfection. New additions like seafood and fruit salads for starters and entrées like turbot with citrus sauce are also very popular. Desserts are also magnificent here. The owners, Franco and Piera’s son Francesco has turned some family recipes into classics by adding and subtracting a few ingredients and greatly improved the presentation of this elegant restaurant.
veniceAntico Martini
This restaurant was initially a café when it was initiated way back in 1720. Owned by the Baldi family, they have maintained the restaurant as a vivacious and cheerful eatery especially at the outdoor tables in summertime. Their most famous dishes include risotto di frutti di mare and fegato alla Veneziana which are prepared to perfection. It is very conveniently located right across the opera house. The prices here are a little steep.
veniceAvogaria
Avogaria is one of the most modern and fashionable restaurants of Venice. The food and the architecture and décor are very contemporary. The décor of the dining room and the garden is simple yet very elegant. The predominant cuisine here is Pugliese, a region in the south of Italy. Most in demand from among the primi include orecchiette (small, round pasta) with turnip tops, and zucchini involtini (roll-ups) made with fresh stracciatella cheese. Pugliese cuisine also lays great emphasis on fresh seafood.
veniceDo Forni
This is a very busy restaurant that serves superb Venetian cuisine. The large menu greatly emphasizes on sea food with some continental dishes. Do Forni is very well decorated and posh. The dining rooms have been divided into two design themes, the main room is decorated country-style and the front room décor emulates an Orient Express car, which makes the area very unique and charming. Cuisine Venetian, International Hours Daily noon-3pm and 7-11pm
Venice masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Mosques
There are no known mosques in Venice. But according to local newspapers, a parish Church turns into a mosque every Friday for the Muslims to pray. In the parish of Our Lady of Assumption of Ponzano near Venice, the pastor of the parish, Don Aldo Danieli, 69, two years ago decided to open the doors of the church to Muslim immigrants and keep a portion of his own house including a kitchen and some additional space for their use. On Fridays an average of 200 Muslims offer prayers here. But in the month of Ramadan, the number goes up to 1000-1200 people.
Centro Islamico di Venezia
Via C. Monzani, 11, Venezia, Italy
Halal Italia
Viale Francesco Crispi, 58, Vicenza, Italy
Ente Nazionale Sordomuti
Via Cime di Lavaredo, Italia
Where to stay in Venice
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
veniceBauer Il Palazzo
Situated in a busy area of the city, the Il Palazzo is an extremely luxurious hotel. The management is excellent at pampering the guests and making them feel comfortable. The hotel is grand in its décor with high ceilings, Murano glass, marble bathrooms, and damask drapes. The 44 rooms and 38 suites have been decorated magnificently. The walls are covered with tufted Bevilacqua and Rubelli fabrics. Most rooms have extensive views and a safe, refrigerator, DVD and Wi-Fi system. Guests are served breakfast on Venice's highest rooftop terrace, accurately called Il Settimo Cielo or Seventh Heaven. The seventh floor also houses the outdoor hot tub and offers breathtaking views of La Serenissima. The hotel offers its guests an in house restaurant, room service, bars, gym, laundry service, Internet terminal etc.
veniceCa' Angeli
This elegant and expensive B&B is located on the third and top floors of a palace that stands on the banks of the Grand Canal. It was formerly the residence of an architect and has been converted. It has a homely feel but at the same time it is exquisitely decorated with classic furniture including an 18th-century briarwood bureau, an original icon, as well as 18th- and 19th-century art. Either the Grand canal or a side canals provide picturesque views from the five rooms and two suites. There's also an attic apartment which could be suitable for groups or small families. Guests are served a sumptuous breakfast of cheeses and meats from local producers in a salon overlooking the Grand Canal.
veniceCa' Formenta
Located in a residential part of the city, this 15th century hotel offers high-quality services and a canal-side entrance for guests arriving by water taxi. The front rooms boast a splendid view of the lagoon. From one of the back rooms one can get access to a pleasant rooftop terrace with tables. The 12 rooms and 2 junior suites offer facilities of a safe, refrigerator and Internet. In the hotel, room service is available along with a bar, laundry service, Wi-Fi hotspot. Some pets are also allowed.
veniceHotel Antico Doge
Decorated in impeccable Venetian style, this former home of Doge Marino Falier, has walls covered with beautiful textiles and elegant furnishings. Some rooms have beautiful views of the city and baldacchini or canopied beds and hardwood floors. Guests can avail facilities of a safe, Internet and Wi-Fi hotspot. The hotel is located in a lively section of the city, with the main road passing right next to it, making commuting to most parts of Venice easy. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast, laid out beautifully in a dining room with a frescoed ceiling and a Murano chandelier.
veniceLa Calcina
The La Calcina is located along the Zattere. Some of the 27 rooms and 5 suites offer panoramic views of the extensive Giudecca Canal. Guests can make use of the hotels altanas or wooden terraces to sunbathe or have a cup of tea in the cosy reading corners created in the candlelit lounge with soft classical music playing in the background. The rooms on the first floor are accessible by a stone staircase and they have parquet floors and unique art deco furniture. Fresh snacks and drinks are available throughout the day at Piscina bar and restaurant. Meals are either served in the well-designed dining room or on the waterside terrace. Apartments are also available if desired.
History and today in Venice
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
Exchange Rates
The currency used in Italy is the Euro (EUR).
City Information
Fast Facts
Location:: Northern Italy, the capital of the region Veneto Local City Name: Venezia Area: 412 km2 (159.1 sq mi) Population: : 271,252 Density: 658/km² (1,704/sq mi) Dialing code: 041 Postal code 30100 Currency: Euro (€); Ethnic mix:: Mostly Roman Catholics; Languages:: Italian, French, German, Slovenian, Albanian
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Public Holidays
1 Jan New Year's Day. 6 Jan Epiphany. 5 Apr Easter Monday. 25 Apr Liberation Day. 1 May Labour Day. 2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic. 15 Aug Assumption. 1 Nov All Saints' Day. 8 Dec Immaculate Conception. 25 Dec Christmas Day. 26 Dec St Stephen's Day.
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When to go
Venice gets very good weather in May, June, September, and early October. The weather is hot in July and August and at times unbearably so. April and late October/early November can be unpredictable because it could rain, be sunny, cool, or damp. The number of visitors is a little less than usual during this period.
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Venice Residents
The people of Venice are continually affected by the water that surrounds them. The water influences their food and housing as well as their mode of transport. For example seafood is the main course of a typical Venetian meal. Houses and other buildings do not stand on solid ground but on wooden piles (posts) driven into the mud. Almost all Venetians are Roman Catholics. Since about 1950 thousands of Venetians have left the islands to live in the mainland communities of Marghera and Mestre. They have moved chiefly because the mainland offers greater job opportunities and a lower cost of living. The modern apartment buildings in these communities also attract many Venetians. Most of the buildings on the islands were erected hundreds of years ago and there is no room to build new housing.
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Visa Information
When entering Italy, all foreigners must carry documentation to validate the reasons and duration of their stay. For residents of most countries a visa is required, it can be applied for at the Italian Diplomatic and Consular Representations of the country of residence.
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Venice History
The first settlers of Venice arrived on the islands during the A.D. 400s to escape barbarians who were invading Italy from northern Europe. Fishing and trading was the basis of early Venetian economy and they traveled along the Adriatic coasts in search of new markets. By the 800s, Venice was trading with Constantinople now Istanbul and cities on the Italian mainland and northern coast of Africa. Gradually Venice transformed into an independent city-state ruled by nobles.
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Venice today
Venice is a celebrated city and very rightly so. It is very romantic because of its breathtaking canals and palaces. A cruise down the Grand Canal will very likely be one of life's most unforgettable experiences. On a practical note, the city forms a governmental unit of Italy called a commune. The islands of Venice form the historic centre of the city. Marghera and Mestre are the modern industrial centers on the mainland and they are also part of the commune of Venice. A lagoon separates the islands of Venice from the mainland. A roadway over the lagoon carries traffic between the mainland and two of the islands. Automobiles, buses and trains use terminals on those islands. More than 150 canals take the place of streets on all the islands of Venice and fundamentally boats provide transportation. Black flat bottomed boats called gondolas once served as the chief means of transportation on the islands. Today, motorboats have replaced most of the gondolas. More than 400 bridges cross the canals and link the main islands of Venice. A network of narrow alleyways called calli run between the buildings on the islands.
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Shopping in Venice
Explore 17 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
veniceBoutique Giorgio Armani Venezia
(Garments, accessories & shoes) Address: Calle Goldoni 4412, San Marco, 30124 Venezia Phone: 0039 041 5234758 Website: www.armani.com
veniceBurano Lace? Merletti D'Arte Martina
San Marco 307-337, Burano - Venice Vast selection of Burano Lace Open - Daily 9 - 7 pm Cerentola San Polo 2718, calle dei Saoneri - Venice Specialized in Burano Lace Open - Monday - Saturday 10 -1p / 4 - 8 p Murano Glass Murano Glass Tour - A two and a half hour guided tour of Murano Island, which includes a visit to the Glass museum and the glass factory. Murano Collezioni Fondamento Mani 1/cd, Murano - Venice Glass factory producing high quality Murano glass ware Open - Daily 10 - 6 pm Mazzega - Murano Fondamenta da Mula 147, Murano - Venice Murano Glass ware Open - Daily 9 - 5.30 pm Schiavon - Palazzo del Vetro Fondamento Vetrai 15, Murano - Venice Murano Glass ware Open - Daily 9 - 5.30 pm
veniceDittura Gianni
(Shoes) Address: san vio 871, 30123 Venezia Phone: +39-41-523-1163
veniceExpensive Shopping Information
There are countless attractive shops in Venice and several vendors of trademark Venetian wares such as glass and lace. Whether these goods are genuine is debatable but they are often pleasing to the eye. For those who are willing to pay the high price, there are jewelers, antiques dealers, and high-fashion boutiques with world-class quality and at the same time bearing a uniquely Venetian flair. There craft and art studios around Venice where high-quality, one-of-a-kind articles, from handmade shoes to decorative lamps and mirrors are available. One should mark the location of a shop that interests you on your map or you might not be able to find it again in the network of tiny streets.
veniceMarkets on Lido
Venice residents, head to the street market put up on Tuesdays, where everything is up for sale. From shoes to salami to clothes and gadgets, everything is available at reasonable prices.
Signature sights in Venice
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Venice
Plan around 10 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
venicePalio of the Ancient Maritime Republics
The Palio is an annual boat race between the four Italian Maritime Republics or 'Republiche Marinare' (Amalfi, Genova, Pisa, Venezia), that sailed the seas in the middle ages. It takes place on the Mediterranean sea at Amalfi and Genoa, on the Arno in Pisa and on the lagoon in Venice, to celebrate the history and memories of many great sea struggles, particularly between Venice and Genoa. The idea for this race or regatta was conceived in 1955 and the first race was held in Genoa. At the opening ceremony of the regatta, a parade is held with people marching in historical costumes decorated with standards of the ancient republics. This is followed by a historical pageant comprising 400 boaters with participants attired in period costumes and carrying flags and festoons, trumpets and drums, riding on horses and sedan-chairs.
veniceThe Carnival of Venice
On the Carnival of Venice (Carnevale di Venezia), held annually, Venetians put on elaborate masks and costumes and turn the streets into a huge party. The carnival starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. According to historical records, the first carnival was held in 1097, and for centuries the people of the city have very enthusiastically celebrated the days prior to Quaresima or Lent, the period of abstinence leading up to Palm Sunday. The word carnivale when divided in two, carne literally means meat and levare means to remove. The event was named so because during Lent eating meat is prohibited.
veniceSaint Mark's day
On the 25th of April the feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist is celebrated by Venetian men by presenting a long stemmed red rose called the 'Bòcolo' to their beloved. The unique tradition is kept alive by the Venetians by celebrating this feast each year with a lot of verve.
veniceAscension Day of Festa della Sensa
This is the day on which the marriage between Venice and the sea is celebrated. Back in history the Doge would sail out on his ship named "Bucintoro" and throw into the sea a ring of gold. These days the ceremony has taken a simpler form, as the Mayor of Venice, civic dignitaries and religious and military representatives sail to the Port of S. Nicolò and perform the ring throwing ritual.
veniceVogalonga
The Vogalonga is a rowing marathon all around Venice and the Lagoon. Each year the number of participants, especially from other countries increases. Sometimes the number of competing boats goes up to 1500. The race starts in the morning with a large number of boats of various sizes and shapes gathering in St. Mark's Basin opposite the Doge's Palace and then setting off on an approximately 30 kilometre long route, rowing between lagoon islands before heading back to Venice along the Rio di Cannaregio to end at the Punta della Dogana.
Venice tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
veniceBoat Tours
Venice Walks & Tours Tel: (041) 520 8616 www.tours-italy.com This company offers a boat tour of the Grand Canal. This 70 minute tour includes refreshments as passengers go down some lesser-known canals in a luxurious motor launch. The tour takes per ride, a minimum of five and a maximum of eight people daily.
veniceVenice Tours
Many efficient travel agencies display posters of half- and full-day walking tours of the city's main attractions or sights. Some of these tours are part of those organized by American Express and should cost approximately 21€ ($27) for a 2-hour tour and 34€ ($44) for a full day tour for each person. An organized tour of “The Islands of the Venetian Lagoon" for 3 to 4 hours includes brief stops on Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands.
veniceWalking Tours
Walks Inside Venice Tel: (041) 524 1706 www.walksinsidevenice.com Comprehensive English-speaking tours around the city are organized by this company which also caters for small groups of up to 12 people and charges by the hour (most tours are three hours long). Sights include the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace and the Cannaregio District. The tours very often leave from the hotel in which the client is residing or sometimes from St Mark's Square. The tourist information offices also book other cultural, historic and artistic tours.
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Venice travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
