How we spent three days in Venice
We spent three days in Venice in May and were blown away by the beauty of the city. The island of Venice is famous for its canals and waterways, which separate it from the Italian mainland. As a result the most popular mode of transport in the island is by boat (or gondola) and there are no cars in the historic centre. We loved walking and sailing around Venice and found the city was even more impressive than we had expected.
This is what you need to know about planning a trip to Venice including where to stay and what to do.
How to get to Venice
Venice has an airport on the mainland, which you can fly to directly from most major airports in the UK. However we were already in Italy when we travelled to Venice so we arrived by train. This was very simple, as there is a large station on the island which is connected to the mainland by bridge. If you’re coming in from the airport it’s likely that you will also need to arrive by train – although there are frequent buses and coach services too.
How to get around Venice
If you’re staying in the old town of Venice the best way to get around is either on foot or by water taxi. The city is very walkable as it is small, and since there are no cars or bikes (there are too many bridges and steps) it is very safe to walk around.
If you’re going a little further afield the best option is to catch a water taxi. They aren’t cheap – a single ride is €9.50. But if you’re travelling throughout the day it makes sense to get a 24 hour pass which pays for itself if you’re getting more than 3 journeys. You can tap in using your phone or bank card at any ferry point and your total will be determined after the 24 hour period.
Where to stay in Venice
We stayed at Combo Hostel in Venice which is one of the most incredible buildings we’ve ever stayed in. It dates back to the Middle Ages and used to be a monastery. One of the main stairways in the building is complete with frescos across the high ceilings – it’s truly impressive. But the rooms, bar, and gym are all very clean and modern.
Many accommodation options in Venice are quite expensive but we found Combo to be fairly affordable, and you get 10% off in the cafe and restaurant if you’re a guest.
It’s located in the northern side of Venice close to Cannariego and 5 minutes walk from a ferry stop that takes you directly to the train station or over the water to Murano and Burano.
Venice visitor tax
If you are visiting Venice as a tourist you will have to pay a visitor tax. If you are staying in the old town you can register to prove that you have accommodation in the island, and the overnight visitor tourist tax you pay when you check out (or check in) will mean you are exempt from the additional city tax for visitors (called the Venice Access Fee).
If you are not staying in Venice and are visiting for the day then, as of 2026, you must pay a fee for every day that you visit. You will still have to pay the city tax for tourists wherever you are based, and then pay the Venice Access Fee on top of this.
It sounds annoying and unreasonable but Venice is very small and it is literally overrun by tourists. The old town itself really no longer feels like a place where locals are able to live. So it’s not a surprise that visitors to this beautiful place are expected to make up for the fact that the city is now almost unliveable for the people who are from here.
Register and pay, or apply for your exemption on grounds of being an overnight tourist here.
The best things to see and do in Venice
Despite its small size there are thousands of things to see and do in Venice. The good news is, you can easily fit most of the main attractions into a long weekend. These were our favourite things to see and do in Venice:
Piazza San Marco
See the famous glass in Murano
Walk over Ponte di Rialto
Visit the island cemetery of San Michele
Walk along the water in Dorsudoro
Eat cicchetti and drink spritz in Cannaregio
Explore Giardini della Biennale in Castello
Explore the piazzas of San Paolo and San Marco
Where to eat and drink in Venice
We loved the food and drink in Venice and were surprised by how affordable it was considering how touristy the city is. Our favourite thing was to wander from bar to bar eating cicchetti and drinking aperols – in fact, I don’t think we had a full sit-down meal here once… But be aware: if you’re eating outside you will be a main target for seagulls stealing your food!
These were our favourite places to eat and drink in Venice:
Ai Do Leoni
Osteria Al Squero
Al Timon
Bacaro ae Bricoe
Osteria ai Cacciatori
Osteria Senza Fondo
Bibenda
El Borrachero
Cantina del vino Già Schiavi
Find out more about our favourite spots to eat and drink in Venice here.
Is Venice expensive?
Yes and no. We were able to find affordable accommodation and places to eat and drink in Venice (and we visited during the Biennale so it was very busy).
What isn’t cheap is transport. The taxi boats start at €9.50 for one ride, which might take less than 10 minutes. And if you want to go on one of the famous gondolas then you’re looking at €90 for a 30 minute ride.
So overall you can visit Venice on a budget but it definitely isn’t the cheapest place to visit in Italy. But that’s not a surprise since it’s such a famous tourist destination.
Is Venice worth it?
Yes. Despite the costs and the tourist tax and the tourist trap that is the gondola rides, Venice is definitely worth visiting. We absolutely loved the food, the architecture, and the beautiful winding streets, bridges, and stunning canals. It’s really amazing to see how the waterways work just like roads connecting everything around the city. If you’re considering a trip to Venice let this be your sign to book the flight.
Is Venice safe?
We found Venice to be safe. But like any touristy city you should be aware of thieves, scammers, and pickpockets. We didn’t experience any crime and felt safe even walking around at night. Although I did have a pizza slice stolen from my hand by a seagull..!
What to pack for a trip to Venice
We spent three days in Venice in May. This is what I packed:
A t-shirt
A vest top
A shirt
A light jumper
A pair of shorts
A pair of jeans
A pair of wide-leg trousers
A pair of Converse trainers
A pair of sandals
A cap
Sunglasses
A shoulder bag
A book
An EU plug adapter
A water bottle
Daily toiletries + SPF
Passport
Find my full Venice packing list here.
Find out more about how we spent two weeks in Italy here.