All Text and Photograhs Copyright David Garwood 2009-2023
A Street Level Guide For First Time Visitors to Venice
Updated: 15 February 2024
Venice is the Serene City.
I'm not sure why it captivates me quite so much. As a photographer the reason is easy - the light is unique and the location a treasure trove of fascinating images. Stand at the edge of the Grand Canal by San Marco at dusk and look towards Salute. As the sky changes from blue, through pink, to orange you'll understand why countless artists have visited this serene city. Take a vaporetto along the canal and observe modern trade taking place between the beautiful and historic buildings. Do this as the water sparkles like diamonds and you'll begin to experience the magic.
A well-informed lady in the tourist office once told me that 95% of tourists never explore further than five minutes from St Mark's square. Incredible. While a fabulous location, Piazza San Marco is only part of what Venice has to offer. Walk through the backstreets, get lost (and you will..) and enjoy everyday Venetian life. Washing hangs over the canals, fruit and vegetables are sold from boats on the narrow canals and the cafes bustle with local life. All in a stunningly beautiful setting.
In publishing this site I hope to encourage you to visit this most fantastic City and to equip you with information to enjoy your time there to the full. Visiting Venice for the first time can be a confusing experience so here you'll find information about walking, the vaporetto service, eating, drinking, the main sites and some activities that are a little off the beaten track. There is also some information about the various sestieri: San Marco, Castello, Canarregio, Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsorduro together with some suggestions for visiting the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
In putting the site together, I have tried to cut through some of the standard information you'll find in the guidebooks, included some tried and tested hints and tips and put a personal perspective on the whole Venice experience. I hope you find it useful.
This is a non-commercial guide based purely on personal experience. Any advertising material is included to help with the upkeep of the site but hasn't, and never will, influence the content in any way.
URGENT INFORMATION: In order to deal with the problem of overtourism, the Venice City Authorities will be imposing a tourism tax on day trippers (contributo di accesso) on peak weekends between April and September 2024. In 2024 the tax will only apply on certain "testing" days. The cost of the tax will be £5 per day and you will need to go to here in order to pay the fee and receive a bar code on your phone which can be inspected by municipal officers. If you are staying for more than a day you do not have to pay the tax but should carry some documentation to show your hotel/hostel booking details. (If you are staying in a hotel you will, of course, have city tax added to your bill on departure).
:You are visitor number
I'm not sure why it captivates me quite so much. As a photographer the reason is easy - the light is unique and the location a treasure trove of fascinating images. Stand at the edge of the Grand Canal by San Marco at dusk and look towards Salute. As the sky changes from blue, through pink, to orange you'll understand why countless artists have visited this serene city. Take a vaporetto along the canal and observe modern trade taking place between the beautiful and historic buildings. Do this as the water sparkles like diamonds and you'll begin to experience the magic.
A well-informed lady in the tourist office once told me that 95% of tourists never explore further than five minutes from St Mark's square. Incredible. While a fabulous location, Piazza San Marco is only part of what Venice has to offer. Walk through the backstreets, get lost (and you will..) and enjoy everyday Venetian life. Washing hangs over the canals, fruit and vegetables are sold from boats on the narrow canals and the cafes bustle with local life. All in a stunningly beautiful setting.
In publishing this site I hope to encourage you to visit this most fantastic City and to equip you with information to enjoy your time there to the full. Visiting Venice for the first time can be a confusing experience so here you'll find information about walking, the vaporetto service, eating, drinking, the main sites and some activities that are a little off the beaten track. There is also some information about the various sestieri: San Marco, Castello, Canarregio, Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsorduro together with some suggestions for visiting the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
In putting the site together, I have tried to cut through some of the standard information you'll find in the guidebooks, included some tried and tested hints and tips and put a personal perspective on the whole Venice experience. I hope you find it useful.
This is a non-commercial guide based purely on personal experience. Any advertising material is included to help with the upkeep of the site but hasn't, and never will, influence the content in any way.
URGENT INFORMATION: In order to deal with the problem of overtourism, the Venice City Authorities will be imposing a tourism tax on day trippers (contributo di accesso) on peak weekends between April and September 2024. In 2024 the tax will only apply on certain "testing" days. The cost of the tax will be £5 per day and you will need to go to here in order to pay the fee and receive a bar code on your phone which can be inspected by municipal officers. If you are staying for more than a day you do not have to pay the tax but should carry some documentation to show your hotel/hostel booking details. (If you are staying in a hotel you will, of course, have city tax added to your bill on departure).
:You are visitor number
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The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under our control. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, we take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.