The Venice Experience
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Helpful Venice Information
Venice Basics:
Venice is built entirely on water. It is made up of 116 islands, connected by 150 canals and over 400 bridges.
When viewed from above, Venice looks like the shape of a fish. It is divided loosely into six districts (sestieri) -
San Marco, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce and Cannaregio. In addition, surrounding these main
areas are the islands of Giudecca, the Lido, Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Each district has it's own distinct character.
San Marco is the central hub of the city, where you find, among other landmarks, the Basilica of San Marco,
the Doge's Palace, the Piazza San Marco and the Campanile. This is also where most tourists in Venice will
spend their time sightseeing.
Dorsoduro, which makes up part of the head of the fish, is home of students, artists, popular museums
(Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim's) and the University.
Castello, the tail fin of the fish, is the largest sestieri, and contains a wide variety of monuments, churches,
museums, the Arsenale, the Giardini and the Biennale. It's is also where you where you will find a taste of
everyday Venice back in it's less frequented neighborhoods.
Cannaregio runs from the train station and meets up with Castello. This area is also less populated by
tourists, and is most noted perhaps for being home of Venice's Jewish Ghetto area.
San Polo sits in the center of Venice on the east edge of the Grand Canal. It's in this district where you will
find the Rialto market, and Campo San Polo, famous for outdoor movies in summer time in the campo.
Santa Croce is also an area which sees fewer tourists, but is filled with local trattorias and pizzerias. It also
boasts Ca Pesaro which houses the Modern Art museum in Venice. Piazzale Roma, the parking garage and
only area of Venice where cars will be found is here in Santa Croce.
Venice is built entirely on water. It is made up of 116 islands, connected by 150 canals and over 400 bridges.
When viewed from above, Venice looks like the shape of a fish. It is divided loosely into six districts (sestieri) -
San Marco, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce and Cannaregio. In addition, surrounding these main
areas are the islands of Giudecca, the Lido, Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Each district has it's own distinct character.
San Marco is the central hub of the city, where you find, among other landmarks, the Basilica of San Marco,
the Doge's Palace, the Piazza San Marco and the Campanile. This is also where most tourists in Venice will
spend their time sightseeing.
Dorsoduro, which makes up part of the head of the fish, is home of students, artists, popular museums
(Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim's) and the University.
Castello, the tail fin of the fish, is the largest sestieri, and contains a wide variety of monuments, churches,
museums, the Arsenale, the Giardini and the Biennale. It's is also where you where you will find a taste of
everyday Venice back in it's less frequented neighborhoods.
Cannaregio runs from the train station and meets up with Castello. This area is also less populated by
tourists, and is most noted perhaps for being home of Venice's Jewish Ghetto area.
San Polo sits in the center of Venice on the east edge of the Grand Canal. It's in this district where you will
find the Rialto market, and Campo San Polo, famous for outdoor movies in summer time in the campo.
Santa Croce is also an area which sees fewer tourists, but is filled with local trattorias and pizzerias. It also
boasts Ca Pesaro which houses the Modern Art museum in Venice. Piazzale Roma, the parking garage and
only area of Venice where cars will be found is here in Santa Croce.
Other useful links:
Venice Webcams
Venice maps
Venice tourist board
Venice Webcams
Venice maps
Venice tourist board
Venice Weather - Check on local daily weather conditions
Acqua Alta- High Water in Venice is to be expected during a winter visit, when high tides flood the lower
lying areas of the city, causing water to spill over into the surrounding streets and squares. Elevated pathways
( duckboards) are put out so that you can walk above the water. Venice has recently instituted a system of
sirens to give warning of higher than normal tides. The horns are as follows: (warning: they are annoying)
Initial siren to get your attention:
Tone 1: This tone will sound if the
tide will be above 110 cm:
Tone 2: These tones will sound if the
tide will be above 120 cm:
Tone 3: These tones will sound if the
tide will be above 130 cm:
Tone 4: These tones will sound if the
tide will be above 140 cm:
If you hear one of these horns you will certainly find places where you cannot go without boots - the
duckboards do not cover all areas of flooding, primarily those associated with transportation or government
offices. You can buy boots for about 15 Euros, or you can buy temporary plastic shoe covers that appear
when there will be high water. And remember: Local etiquette requires no splashing!
More information about Acqua Alta can be had here.
Restaurant Reviews - Eating in Venice can be a little tricky. There are plenty of great restaurants where
you can have a very good meal at a decent price (for Venice). Here are a few at which we have eaten
personally, along with our review.
Acqua Alta- High Water in Venice is to be expected during a winter visit, when high tides flood the lower
lying areas of the city, causing water to spill over into the surrounding streets and squares. Elevated pathways
( duckboards) are put out so that you can walk above the water. Venice has recently instituted a system of
sirens to give warning of higher than normal tides. The horns are as follows: (warning: they are annoying)
Initial siren to get your attention:
Tone 1: This tone will sound if the
tide will be above 110 cm:
Tone 2: These tones will sound if the
tide will be above 120 cm:
Tone 3: These tones will sound if the
tide will be above 130 cm:
Tone 4: These tones will sound if the
tide will be above 140 cm:
If you hear one of these horns you will certainly find places where you cannot go without boots - the
duckboards do not cover all areas of flooding, primarily those associated with transportation or government
offices. You can buy boots for about 15 Euros, or you can buy temporary plastic shoe covers that appear
when there will be high water. And remember: Local etiquette requires no splashing!
More information about Acqua Alta can be had here.
Restaurant Reviews - Eating in Venice can be a little tricky. There are plenty of great restaurants where
you can have a very good meal at a decent price (for Venice). Here are a few at which we have eaten
personally, along with our review.
Venice municipality website
Local Venice information
Museum ticket booking
Rail Europe link
Italian for travelers
Local Venice information
Museum ticket booking
Rail Europe link
Italian for travelers
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Getting Around Venice - because Venice is an island surrounded by lagoon, the only way to get around is
by boat or on foot. Public water buses, private water taxi's, gondola's and a host of other types of boats are
utilized in daily life here. This section contains information and tips to help you on your way.
by boat or on foot. Public water buses, private water taxi's, gondola's and a host of other types of boats are
utilized in daily life here. This section contains information and tips to help you on your way.
Venice Festivals - Venice has many special events and festivals throughout the year. Carnevale is perhaps
the most well known of these, and attracts thousands of tourists. This section provides a description of
Venetian festivals and significant occasions.
the most well known of these, and attracts thousands of tourists. This section provides a description of
Venetian festivals and significant occasions.
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Cruise Information - You need to know how to get to and from your ship, and what to do with your luggage
after you get off. Most of the answers are here.
after you get off. Most of the answers are here.
