INTRODUCTION
Probably Italy’s most famous cruise port – and certainly one of the busiest as anyone who has battled their fellow tourists for a glimpse of Saint Mark’s Basilica will attest – Venice is a city made for cruising.
Sailing into Venice via the Guidecca Canal takes visitors right into the heart of the city and this alone is worth the price of admission. But, with ever-increasing pressure from the locals about the effect of cruise ships sailing straight into the city, this could soon change. Regardless, there’s no city quite like it.
PORT VIEW
Irrespective of whether a ship docked in Venezia Terminali Passeggeri or Stazione Marittima, the city centre of Venice is within walking distance.
Venice’s famous water taxis are also an option, but they can be very expensive, with prices as high as €20 for a five-minute ride.
NEED TO KNOW
Getting lost in Venice’s maze-like alleyways and streets is always a possibility – even Google Maps can struggle to keep track of location, so it is best to set off back to the ship in plenty of time.
Major Italian fashion houses can be found at the Le Mercerie, while the T Fondaco dei Tedeschi department story is full of luxury brands.
Venice is also famous for its seafood, and there are plenty of restaurants serving a diverse range of freshly caught fish.
WHAT WE LOVE
St. Mark’s Basilica: This incredible cathedral is laced with architectural styles ranging from Byzantine to Arabic, and its magnificent interior has countless frescoes and mosaics. It is advisable to purchase a ticket before arriving in the city.
Burano: Want to escape Venice’s maddening crowds? Consider paying a visit to the picturesque island of Burano – found in the Venetian Lagoon. This quaint little fishing village is lined with colourful houses, and is also one of the best places in Venice to find authentic Venetian lace – it even has its very own Lace Museum.
Bridge of Sighs: Venice has more than 150 canals running through it. And all that water means that there’s a pressing need for some way to cross them. Enter Venice’s famous bridges. Although the Grand Canal-spanning Rialto and Ponte dell’Accademia bridges are suitably impressive, it is the famous (and original) Bridge of Sighs which draws the crowds.
Gallerie dell’Accademia: Fans of Venetian art will love the Gallerie dell’Accademia, which outlines the development of Venetian art from the 14th to 18th centuries. The museum is in the Sestiere Dorsoduro district, on the south side of the Grand Canal, and has plenty of rooms to explore.
SELLING TIPS