• Menu
  • Menu

How To Avoid Getting Lost in Venice Italy in 2024

Venice!  Don’t we all love her but it is the craziest place in the world to find your way around. Everyone who visits Venice always regales stories of getting lost in Venice.  It is just a matter of fact. It is one place, though, that you don’t want to get lost in especially if you have heavy suitcases like us. We have written this article in the hope that we can help you on how to avoid getting lost in Venice.

Before you attempt to visit Venice we would suggest you learn some useful Italian phrases for travelers.

We planned 4 nights in Venice but you can do Venice in one day with careful planning.

If you love luxurious hotels with elegance and charm we share with you the 10 best hotels in Venice for you to choose from.

Even better, if you can spend 2 days in Venice you can wander the canals, visit the churches and even travel to Murano and Burano.

There are so many things to do in Venice with kids make sure you allow enough time to see everything and to also factor in some downtime too!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).

Do You Love Listening to Podcasts?

Check out this podcast on Venice from our friends at Beach Wine Travel

 

Always check the Tourist Information Centre out first
But there is a queue!

FAQs for Your Visit To Venice

What is the best month to visit Venice?

Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit Venice avoiding the peak tourist season of summer.

What is Venice famous for?

Venice is famous for its canals and Carnivale which occurs during February.

How many days should I spend in Venice?

We would recommend spending at least 3 nights and no more than 7 nights.

Can we visit the islands of Venice – Burano and Murano on a day trip?

Burano and Murano is the perfect day trip from Venice.

What months does Venice flood?

The typical months were between October and January but recently floods can occur any time there is a high tide.

How much does a Gondola ride cost?

A gondola ride in Venice can cost upwards of Euros 100 + for group. Check out this tour here.

Book your Private Rialto Bridge Gondola Ride here

  • Avoid the crowd and take a moment for yourself on the peaceful canals
  • Discover the magic of Venice from its famous canals
  • Enjoy a private experience exclusive to you and your group
  • Should you stand up whilst drinking coffee?

    It is cheaper to stand at the bar and drink coffee like the locals do than to sit down.

    What is the time in Venice?

    Venice is GMT +1.

  • What are the best Instagrammable spots in Venice?
  • There are the usual Instagrammable spots but there are some hidden Venice Instagram spots that you don’t want to miss too!
  •  

    Getting Lost in Venice – Don’t do what we did

    One day back in 2013 we arrived into Venice Railway Station (Santa Lucia, by train from Milan.  We were looking forward to our 4 nights of adventure in this city of canals, great restaurants, tourists and well, thousands of tourists seeing it was mid-summer! As there was a queue at the Tourist Information Centre we set off to find our hotel representative with only hand-written directions.  This was mistake #1.

    With directions in hand, we headed towards the first bridge outside the Railway Station believing this to be the famous Rialto Bridge. Mistake #2. We traversed alleyways and canal bridges dragging our heavy bags up and down these bridges, over cobblestones and down alleyways, with no idea of where we were heading.

    First of many canal bridges
    First of many bridges.

    Mistake #3.  Heavy bags. This is why we now travel the world with just a carry-on.

    Down one of the side streets, we came across a Gondolier and asked him for directions. Mistake #4 – Our friendly Gondolier, who turned out not to be friendly, was fed up with tourists asking him directions so he sent us in the opposite direction to where we should have been heading. All Venice canals look the same when you are tired and anxious.

    Great photo opportunity but where are we?
    Great photo opportunity but where are we?

    Are we still lost in Venice?

    It was hot, our patience was being tested big time, one more canal bridge and the bags were going to go over the top, hoping for them to float to their destination or probably sink because of their weight.

    One more corner, one more bend and two angels (local workers) appeared.  Looking at the directions in hand they showed us to the nearest Vaporetto stop.  We had euros but the Vaporetto stop was unmanned and we could not purchase tickets, so we jumped on board hoping not to get caught.  Our two angels advised us on how many stops to the Rialto, looking confused we explained we had just walked from the Rialto.   Our two angels were now looking confused saying ‘it is in that direction not where you have just come from’. We arrived at the Rialto Bridge.  Looking aghast at the sight of this magnificent bridge, with many pedestrians crossing and the gondoliers swarming around looking for business, we realised our big mistake.

    It takes a man to lift these two pints at once
    It takes a man to lift these two pints at once.

    We fell into the nearest cafe and asked for two large beers.  Mistake #5. The largest steins of beer we had ever seen arrived within minutes, so heavy that we needed two hands to lift this very cold welcoming beverage to your lips, (if you were a woman).  That mistake cost us 40 euros (for two beers, yep!). 40 Euros! The joys of travel.

    The famous directions that didn't direct!
    The famous directions that didn’t direct!

    Now, what happens when you drink copious amounts of beer, apart from the need to find the nearest toilet, you become quite intoxicated.  Intoxication and directions do not go hand in hand.  After a few attempts by both of us to walk outside the cafe to see where we actually were, we asked for directions from the waiter and lo and behold he pointed in the opposite directions to more alleyways and canal bridges.

    This does not look right!
    This does not look right!

    We seemed to be lighter in the foot as we struggled with our bags that seemed heavier now as we dragged them around the back streets of Venice.

     

    Umm......where are the crowds.
    Umm……where are the crowds.

     

    Where to now?
    Where to now?

    Our anticipated arrival time now hours ago, we eventually find the reception area and our representative for our accommodation called Sweet Dreams.

    We were then told that we have to walk a short distance to our accommodation which was not far away.  So back the way we had just come, over more bridges, down more alleyways, over the very congested Rialto Bridge, more bridges and more alleyways we arrived at a square in front of a cafe where our representative sits down and gets us more beer.

    All smiles but where is our accommodation?
    All smiles but where is our accommodation?

    But where were we exactly?  Where is our accommodation and why are we drinking more beer? We will end our tale of beer, bags and bridges here, as there is another story about our accommodation. Our accommodation happened to be down a side alley from this cafe, our representative was keen for us to bring more business to his friend who was the owner of the cafe. (Well, it was either that or he had problems with our accommodation, and the only way to pacify us was to buy us a beer or two!). It turned out he had problems with our accommodation.  You can read our Tripadvisor review here. (We do not recommend that you book Sweet Dreams in Venice unless you want a nightmare!).

    Venice all is forgiven with views like this
    Venice all is forgiven with views like this!

     

    And this....
    And this….

    Our Top Tips For How To Avoid Getting Lost in Venice

    Purchase a Venice Map and Guide Book

    Venice Italy Map

    Venice Map
    Venice Map – looks small doesn’t it that is until you get lost
    1.  Purchase an e-sim for Europe.
    2.  Download Google Maps Italy or use Maps.me for directions.
    3.  Ask your accommodation host for directions and print them out.
    4.  When you do arrive at your accommodation (hopefully not getting lost) take some snapshots of some of the corners and alleyways that you went through. Notice restaurants and squares along the way and make a mental note of them or take a photo to remind you.
    5. As silly as it sounds take a photo of your entrance door if you are staying at an Airbnb or an Apartment.  At night this will come in handy, we found that not many had any numbers shown on them.
    6. Street addresses in Venice are made up of a number and the district
    7. If you are asking for advice we can recommend asking for directions for a square or a major site close by. The locals will be able to point you in that direction and hopefully, you can make your way from there.
    8. Our top tip is to get lost.  We had some amazing and funny experiences when we were actually lost.  Down one street we found a tiny bar where we stood up with the locals at 3 in the afternoon and enjoyed a prosecco or two.

    Things To Do In Venice Italy

    Wondering what the top things to do in Venice are? Check out the tours below through Get Your Guide.  We would also recommend a visit to Murano.

    Where to stay in Venice

    Hotel Montecarlo at Calle Degli Specchieri 463 San Marco offers accommodation and free breakfast in a 17th-century building. The famous Bridge of Sighs is 400 m away, while the Rialto Bridge is less than a 10 minutes away on foot.

  • Guest review: The breakfast spread was stunning. The lovely staff kept bringing out different cakes; we could have spent hours there! Great coffee! Friendly and informative front desk staff. An elevator in a building from the 18th century! Only a 10 minute walk to St. Mark’s Square and the Vaporetto Water Bus to the airport.

  • Hotel Abbazia at Calle Privli de Cavaletti 68 Cannaregio is a romantic hotel 1.2 km from Ponte di Rialto and offers free breakfast. Set in a restored monastery, Hotel Abbazia is in the quiet Cannaregio district of Venice, 100 m from Santa Lucia Train Station. The hotel features a large courtyard garden with bar.
  • Guest review: The location was excellent especially if you were travelling with suitcases – close to the station and a 2 minute walk. The staff at the front desk were excellent and friendly and helpful!

  • Hotel Rialto at Riva del Ferro at Ponte di Rialto San Marco overlooks the Grand Canal and the Rialto offers private balconies, free WiFi and free breakfast and a rooftop terrace.
  • Guest review: Location was perfect. Breakfast was nice and the staff were amazing particularly those in the breakfast room.

  • Hotel Mercurio Venezia at Calle del Fruttariol San Marco is a family-run 3-star hotel close to St Mark’s Square and offers free breakfast and free Wifi. Just 100 m from La Fenice Theatre and a 5-minute walk to St. Mark’s Square, Hotel Mercurio features views of the Barcaroli Canal.
  • Guest review:

    Everything was really great. The staff are extremely friendly. I would like to express my gratitude to Ms Monica who was really very friendly, kind, and helpful. She provided really nice recommendations for activities, restaurants, concerts, and visits to Venice. The room was very clean, and so was the bathroom. They can offer you water and hot drinks almost all the time and the breakfast was also great in terms of food and the nice staff who meet you with a kin smile each morning. The location of the hotel is also very good as it is nearly close to everything and easily reachable from the statin Santa Lucia by walking, water taxi r a mixture between walking and fairy.

    I am really satisfied and want to recommend this place to other travellers

  • For more hotel options in Venice:

    TripAdvisor Venice

    We should have checked reviews on TripAdvisor before we booked our “sweet dreams” accommodation.  We recommend you check out Tripadvisor before booking.

    Getting To Venice

    The airport in Venice is the Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and is located on the mainland 8 km north of the city.

    You can book your Express Bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice City Centre here.

    You may like to travel by shared water taxi from the airport to your hotel in the city centre – more details here.

    Cheap Flight Deals to Venice

    Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our go-to when researching and booking flights throughout the world.

     

    Our Related Italy Posts

    A Day in Pompeii

    A Day in San Gimignano

    Visit the Piazza del Duomo in Florence

    Rome Travel Tips – Discovering the beauty and history of Rome

  • 7 Best Italian Lakes to Add To Your Bucket List

    Travel Insurance

    World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

     

    To Travel Too Travel Shop

    Travel smarter and safer with products from our To Travel Too Travel Shop.  If you are looking for the latest luggage, guidebooks or travel accessories we have you covered with over 800 travel products to choose from.

     

     

    Travel ShopWe have over 800 travel-related products in our To Travel Too Shop.

     

    Pinterest

    Are you on Pinterest? We are at To Travel Too and we have many travel-related boards check us out at Pinterest.  If you enjoyed our article why not pin it to your board.

     

     

     

     

     

totraveltoo

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to To Travel Too – Australia’s top Baby Boomer lifestyle and travel blog, with an international worldwide audience in mind, run by the married couple, freelance writers and full-time travellers Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith. Come with us as we explore the world. Our two mantras that we live by are 'chase time not money' and 'age is no barrier when it comes to travel'.

View stories

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.