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Table of Contents
How to get to your hotel from Marco Polo Airport
Getting from Marco Polo Airport to your hotel in Venice can feel a little confusing at first, especially if it’s your first time visiting. There are three main ways to do it, and the best option really depends on your budget, where you’re staying and how much you want to keep things simple after a flight.
1. Private water taxi
This is the most direct and stress-free option. You’ll be picked up straight from the airport dock and taken as close to your hotel as possible by boat. It’s definitely the most expensive choice, but if you’re travelling as a group or just want the easiest arrival, it can be worth it. No dragging luggage, no changing transport and a pretty memorable first impression of Venice.
2. Alilaguna water bus
The Alilaguna is a much more affordable way to arrive by water and one of the most popular options. From the arrivals hall, just follow the blue “Water Transport” signs to the dock and board the line that stops closest to your hotel. It’s straightforward to use and gives you that classic boat arrival without the private water taxi price tag (a single ticket is €18 and a round ticket costs €32).
3. Bus to Piazzale Roma + vaporetto or water taxi
You can also take a bus from Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma and then switch to a vaporetto or water taxi to reach your hotel. This is usually the cheapest route, but it does involve changing transport and navigating busy areas with your luggage. I personally didn’t choose this option because I didn’t want to deal with two different journeys after a flight and preferred something more direct.
Each option has its pros and cons, so it’s really about what suits your travel style best. If you’re unsure which water bus line or stop is best for your hotel, feel free to drop me a message and I’ll help you work it out.
How to get around in Venice
Venice is a car free city which means the main public transport is the vaporetto, the water bus system that connects all the major areas across the lagoon. It is very easy to use once you get the hang of the stops and timings, and it becomes part of the trip rather than just a way of getting from one place to another. A single ticket costs €9.50 but the prices add up quickly if you use it more than twice a day, so buying a pass makes a big difference to your budget. You can pre book a 24 hour, 48 hour, 72 hour or even a 7 day vaporetto pass on Klook which keeps everything simple and organised.
Booking your pass through Klook also means you can use my code THEGIRLSTRIPTOKLOOK to save on the ticket. Vaporetto Pass Prices on Klook:
TIP – The pass only becomes active when you validate it for the first time at a vaporetto stop. From that point the countdown begins for the duration you selected, rather than from the day you bought it.
How many days do you need in Venice
I recommend at least 3 days in Venice, but if you want time to explore without rushing I think 4 days is ideal. This is exactly what I did and it allowed me to see the main sights and still have a full day for Murano and Burano, which add a completely different side to the trip. Venice looks small on a map, yet you can fill your days easily and still feel like there is always something new to see. Having four days means you can visit museums, enjoy a gondola ride, see the famous landmarks early in the morning, then slow down in the afternoon when the light hits the buildings in the most beautiful way.
Where to stay in Venice for first timers
Choosing the right area makes a huge difference to your trip because each part of Venice has its own story and its own atmosphere. It helps to think about what matters most to you whether that is easy access to landmarks, relaxed evenings by the water, or somewhere that feels lived in and authentic.
San Marco
This is the most famous part of Venice and home to St Mark’s Square, the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Staying here means you can step outside and be in the heart of the city instantly which is perfect if you want to make the most of your time.
Best Hotels in San Marco
San Polo
One of the oldest areas in Venice and known for the Rialto Market which has been running for centuries. It is full of restaurants, wine bars and smaller shops which make evenings here really enjoyable.
Best Hotel’s in San Polo
Castello
Castello stretches out from St Mark’s Square into more residential streets and it’s where I stayed on my first visit. I loved it because it was quieter, yet I still had great access to the vaporetto which made getting around very easy.
Giudecca
Giudecca sits across the water from the main part of Venice, and it is known for open views and peaceful hotels. It is a lovely choice if you want to escape the crowds at the end of the day and the vaporetto links are quick, so you never feel too far from the main areas.
Best Hotel’s in Giudecca
Dorsoduro
This area has a strong artistic background and is home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Accademia Gallery. It feels cultured and relaxed, with lots of small cafés and places to sit by the water. If you enjoy art, pretty streets and quieter moments this area is perfect.
Best Hotel’s in Dorsoduro
Cannaregio
This area is great for travellers who want a more local feel. It has charming canals, good value restaurants and a slightly slower pace compared to the centre. It is also practical because many airport boats stop here, so arriving and leaving is simple.
Best Hotel’s in Cannaregio
Free things to do in Venice
Libreria Acqua Alta
This bookshop became famous for storing books in bathtubs and boats to protect them from Venice’s regular flooding. It opened in the early 2000s and its creative displays are now part of its charm, with the book staircase made from flood damaged books becoming one of its most recognisable spots (great for photos).
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous views in Venice and sits in the city’s old trading area. The current bridge was built in the 1500s and has small shops along the top, making it a lovely place to walk across and take in the Grand Canal.
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is the most iconic square in Venice, surrounded by grand buildings that have been at the heart of city life for centuries. It feels beautiful at any time of day, but early mornings give you the chance to enjoy it before the crowds arrive.
Watch the gondolas
Gondolas have been part of life in Venice for centuries and watching them glide along the Grand Canal is such a simple way to enjoy the city. You can stand almost anywhere by the water and get lovely views without spending anything.
Things to do in Venice with prices
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace was once the political centre of Venice, and you can still feel the importance of the building as you walk through its grand halls. Many of the rooms are filled with huge paintings and ornate details that give you a sense of how powerful Venice once was. The tour also takes you across the Bridge of Sighs which links the palace to the old prison. It is one of those attractions that genuinely helps you understand the city, so it is perfect for first time visitors. Fast track admission tickets starts from £26.25.
St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica is known for its gold mosaics, marble columns and a blend of styles that reflect Venice’s connections with different cultures across Europe and beyond. It is one of the most important buildings in the city and once you step inside you can see why. The mosaics shimmer in the light, and every part of the church feels detailed. Skip the line entry tickets start from £17.45.
Gondola Ride
A gondola ride is one of those classic Venice moments that feels even more special when you experience it in person. The gondolier guides you through peaceful side canals and gives you views you would never see on foot. It is calm, scenic and such a lovely way to enjoy the city with friends. If you are travelling as a group the price becomes much more reasonable because you can split it between five people. Prices start from £130 for up to 5 people.
Traghetto Gondola
A traghetto is a simple but fun way to experience a gondola without the full tour price. These public gondolas ferry locals across the Grand Canal and the ride lasts around a minute. It is quick, cheap and a great way to try something very Venetian while moving between areas of the city. It costs It costs €2 and you can directly pay the oarsman when you board.
La Fenice Opera Entry
La Fenice is one of the most historic opera houses in Italy, and it has been rebuilt several times after fires which adds to its story. The interior is incredibly elegant with gold detailing and a classic theatre layout that feels very grand. The self guided tour lets you take your time and explore the spaces properly, and it is a lovely way to spend part of an afternoon if you want something cultural (or to hide away from the rain like we did). Skip the line admission prices start from £12.25.
St Mark’s Campanile
The Campanile offers one of the best views in Venice and it is very easy to reach because there is a lift to the top. Once you step out you get a panoramic view over the rooftops, the lagoon and the square below which makes the ticket completely worth it. It is a great place to get photos and to appreciate how unique the layout of the city really is. Tickets start from £21.89 and also includes an audio guide.
Where to eat in Venice
Cafe and Coffee Spots
- Serra dei Giardini
- Sullaluna
- Fluffy Brunch
- Pasticceria Prosdocimi
- Moro Cafe
- Cafe Florian
- Bar Cà Pesaro
Dessert
- I Tre Mercanti
- Suso Gelatoteca
- Gelateria Gallonetto, dal 1985
- Dolce Vita Venezia
Rooftops
- Skyline Rooftop Bar
- La Terrazza Bar
- Top of the Carlton
- Ca’ Sagredo Rooftop Terrace
- 28.5 Rooftop
Restaurants
- Moro Restaurant Venice
- Venice M’Art
- La Zucca
- Osteria Alla Frasca
- Ristorante Sempione
- Dal Moros (takeout pasta spot)
- Pasta & Pasta (takeout pasta spot)
3 day itinerary to Venice
Day 1 in Venice
Piazza San Marco
start early to see the square before it fills up
St Mark’s Basilica (skip the line)
go straight in while you’re already here, the mosaics are one of those things that really do live up to the hype
Doge’s Palace
right next door and one of the best ways to understand Venice’s history
St Mark’s Campanile
head up for the 360 views of Venice
Gondola ride
an amazing shared experience if you’re with friends
Day 2 in Venice
Rialto Bridge & area
walk across the bridge, explore the surrounding streets and soak up the old trading heart of Venice
Traghetto gondola
hop on for a quick, very Venetian way to cross the Grand Canal (€2, takes about a minute)
Libreria Acqua Alta
don’t miss the staircase made from flood damaged books (great photo stop)
La Fenice Opera House
worth visiting just to see the inside, think gold details, velvet balconies and a classic theatre layout that feels incredibly grand
Day 3 in Venice
Murano & Burano Day Trip
this half day tour is perfect if you want something different from the main city
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute
when you’re back in Venice stop off here which is free to enter
Here’s a map with all of the sights I mentioned in this post, as well as the food spots and hotel recommendations.
I hope this ultimate guide to Venice has helped you plan your trip and gave you a few new ideas to add to your itinerary. Don’t forget, if you’re booking any of the activities I mentioned on Klook you can get an extra discount with my code THEGIRLSTRIPTOKLOOK.
