Neighbourhoods
San Polo
Quieter, local-feeling, close to the Rialto Market.
Cannaregio
The Jewish Ghetto and a genuinely un-touristy residential feel.
San Marco
The main event — St. Mark's Square — but the most crowded by far.
Things to do
St. Mark's Basilica, early entry
Free to enter, but the line moves faster before 9:30am — worth the early start.
Cannaregio evening wander
Where Venetians actually eat and drink — a world away from San Marco's tourist-menu restaurants.
Rialto Market, morning
A working fish and produce market — go before 11am when vendors start packing up.
Eating & drinking
Any bacaro (Venetian wine bar) for cicchetti
Small plates and a glass of wine, standing at the bar — the genuine local way to eat here, and far cheaper than a sit-down restaurant.
Day trips
Local logistics
City-specific transport and safety notes — for country-wide context, see the Italy guide.
On foot and by vaporetto (water bus) only — there are no cars. Budget more time than a map suggests; Venice's alleys don't follow a grid.
Very safe; the main hazard is getting lost, which is honestly part of the experience if you're not on a tight schedule.
Pacing & budget
Pacing: 2 nights minimum — day-trippers miss the city at its best, early morning and after the day-tour crowds leave by early evening.
Budget: One of Italy's most expensive cities, especially for dining in San Marco — eating in San Polo or Cannaregio meaningfully lowers cost.
Visa, money, culture & transport for all of Italy
Currency, key phrases, getting around by train, and everything that applies to your whole trip — not just Venice.