Venice Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8.4/10
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October to avoid summer crowds and heat; February for Carnival.
- Population
- 0.3M
Overview
Built across more than a hundred islands in a lagoon, Venice is a labyrinth of canals, bridges, and Byzantine palaces with no cars in sight. St. Mark's Square, gondola rides, and the colorful islands of Murano and Burano make it utterly singular.
Getting around
There are no cars; explore on foot and by vaporetto water buses, with water taxis and gondolas for hire.
Local etiquette
Cover up in churches, avoid sitting on bridge steps, and don't picnic in St. Mark's Square.
Safety
Venice is very safe; the main risks are pickpockets in crowds and slippery, flood-prone walkways.