Venice flights and travel guide

Flights to Venice land tourists in one of the most romantic cities of Europe. The beautiful Italian city is set on grand canals, where cars are banned, bridges connect the city and everyone travels by boat.  The stunning, sometimes crumbling buildings along the banks of the canals date back centuries, to a time when Venice was one of the most important trade towns in Europe.

The historic centre is divided into six quarters – San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio and Castello. Visitors can explore each quarter by taking a gondola and travelling down the Grand Canal, which intersects each district. San Marco is the most famous, though it can become very crowded during the summer months. Many travellers prefer to book flights to Venice during the spring or autumn to avoid the heaviest crowds and see the city in a little more peace. But at any time of year the jaw-dropping beauty of Venice is bound to impress.

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Venice climate

The summertime is hot and sticky in Venice, and can feel a little oppressive. Sirocco winds bring in heat from the south and this is the time when late afternoon thunderstorms sometimes hit. There is often flooding in November, as the winter season tends to begin with heavy rainfall. Wintertime is cold, temperatures range from zero to about 7. Spring is crisp and clear and often the best time to see the city.

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When to fly to Venice

Peak Season:
Because of its popularity and the amount of things to do inside, Venice is a year-round destination. The busiest season for tourists is April to October, especially during the Easter vacation and midsummer. In the wintertime, Christmas, New Year, and Carnevale (February) are also very busy. If visiting during this time it will be harder to find cheap flights to Venice and prices for hotels will also rise.

Off Season:
The rain in November and December often causes flooding. With the dampness the winters can also be cool and sometimes the city is blanketed in snow. This is the time when hotels offer reductions on the rate of rooms and cheap flights to Venice may be easier to find.

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Getting downtown Venice

One of the most glamorous ways of arriving in town from an airport, a waterboat service runs into the city centre. Or you can catch a water taxi to your hotel. By road, taxis and buses are available.

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Getting around Venice

Venice’s unique geography limits transportation to two methods: walking and boating. Cars and bicycles are banned in the city, but you can take water buses/ferries, water taxis and gondolas. The water buses (vaporetti) mainly serve the Grand Canal and you’ll have to wrestle with crowds in the summer. 

Water taxis aren’t cheap, and they’ll cost extra if you have large bags or are travelling at night, on Sundays or holidays. 

While gondolas may be the quintessential Venetian form of transport, they’re also very costly. Walking is the most enjoyable way to get around the city. Embrace getting lost. The city isn’t very big and wandering through unknown streets and squares is part of the its charm.    

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Venice insider information

• The first place most tourists visit is Piazza San Marco. Explore 11^th century Saint Mark's Basilica, where the remains of Saint Mark the Evangelist lie. Afterwards, stop for coffee in one of the most famous squares of Italy. Prices here are high, but it’s worth the extra euros to sit back and watch the world go by.
• Venice is the city of bridges. There is the Rialto Bridge, Ponte degli Scalzi (Bridge of the Barefoot), Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) and Ponte dell'Accademia. The latter takes its name from the Accademia di Belle Arti, Venice’s school of art.
• The Rialto Market is bustling and – unlike many of the popular buildings – busy with locals rather than tourists. Fish and vegetables are on sale. Arrive early to mingle with the Venetians and watch some real Italian life.
• One of the most beautiful churches in Venice is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. In 1630, when Venice was ravaged by the plague, the Senate declared that if the city was spared more deaths a new, spectacular church would be built, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and “salute” (health or salvation).
• One of the best views of the many palazzi in the city is from the Grand Canal. The most sublime are the Doge’s Palace, Palazzo Grassi, Ca' d'Oro (Palazzo Santa Sofia) and Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which houses the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

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Venice airports

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