Why visit
Venice is 118 islands, 400 bridges, and a fragile lagoon you can cross by vaporetto. Visit in shoulder season; the crush of high summer hurts everyone.
Venice at a glance
City population
250k
Metro: 560k
Elevation
1 m
3 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Rome
Airport
VCE
Marco Polo
Founded
421 CE (by tradition)
Getting around
Vaporetto (water bus) + walking; no cars anywhere in the historic city
Signature dish
Cicchetti, sarde in saor, risotto al nero di seppia, fegato alla Veneziana
Neighborhoods for travelers
San MarcoCannaregioDorsoduroSan PoloCastelloGiudecca
Italy at a glance
Country center
42.8°, 12.8°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
301,336 km²
116,346 mi²
Country population
58.9 million
195/km²
Subregion
Southern Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+39
Language
Italian
Demonym
Italian
Internet
.it
UN
Member state
ISO code
IT / ITA
Where in the world
42.8° · 12.8°
Italy
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Did you know
- Venice is built on 118 small islands connected by 400+ bridges: constructed on wooden piles driven into the mud over centuries.
- The city has no roads: only canals, narrow alleys (calli), and small squares (campi). Even ambulances are boats.
- The population of the historic city has fallen from 175,000 in 1951 to under 50,000 today as locals are priced out.
- Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country (60+).
- Venice is built on over 100 small islands in a lagoon, connected by 400+ bridges.
Bordering Italy
Traveler notes
- Vaporetto day pass (24–72 hours)
- Burano and Murano islands combine in a half-day
- Biennale alternates art + architecture years
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Venice
What currency is used in Venice?
Venice uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Italy?
The primary language is Italian.
What is the international calling code for Italy?
The calling code is +39.
What airport serves Venice?
Marco Polo (IATA: VCE).
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