World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
With so much shoring up work and construction (even the waterfront by St Mark’s Square is currently blighted by hulks of metal and workers) getting around Venice and appreciating its attractions is currently slightly more problematic than usual. That said, often the best plan for sightseeing in Venice is to have no plan at all. Those who choose to follow a map soon end up on a one-way street with a watery end, or cut off by construction.

For initial sightseeing, it is advisable for visitors to get on one of the main well signposted tourist thoroughfares from the train station to St Mark’s Square, either via the Rialto or Galleria dell’ Accademia. As water is so integral to the city, another recommended way for tourists to get a feel for Venice and its layout is to take a vaporetto ride from Piazzale Roma, located in the far east of the city, right along the wide artery of the nearby Grand Canal to St Mark’s Square in the centre. The Grand Canal provides an insight into the very essence of Venice, with all sorts of waterborne craft, from vaporetti and speeding water taxis, right through to the more leisurely traghetti and, of course, the ubiquitous gondola.

All along the length of the Grand Canal are some of the most renowned sights in Venice, from the charming arch of the Rialto Bridge and the artistic treasure trove of the Galleria dell ‘Accademia to the more modern charms of the canal-side restaurants and the avant-garde art Mecca of the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Breaking away from the water, there are the attractions of St Mark’s Basilica, the Doges’ Palace, Basilica dei Frari and Scuola di San Rocco.

Elsewhere around the Venetian Lagoon are the enticing islands, such as Murano, renowned for its glass, Burano, famous for its lace, and Torcello, famous for looking much like Venice would have before the builders moved in. On a clear day, taking a vaporetto over the lagoon to the Lido is also recommended to see the city shimmering across the water with a hulk of snow-capped mountains as a dramatic backdrop.

Tourist Information
Azienda di Promozione Turistica (APT) Giardini Ex Reali, San Marco (Venice Pavilion)
Tel: (041) 522 5150 or 529 8711. Fax: (041) 523 0399.
E-mail: info@govenice.org
Website: www.turismovenezia.it
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1730.

Other tourist offices are located on St Mark’s Square, the train station and on the Lido, at Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta.

Hello Venezia (tel: (041) 2424; fax: (041) 271 4730) can also provide information on transport, cultural events etc. in Venice. They have English speaking operators.

Passes
The complicated VeniceCard (tel: (041) 2424; website: www.venicecard.it) is split between ‘blue’ and ‘orange’ variations, with the former including public transport and toilets, and the latter providing access to some of the city’s museums. Then there are variations between senior and junior cards, with the junior card available to those under 29 years old, the disabled and guides. One-day blue cards cost 14 for seniors and 9 for juniors, with orange cards priced at 28 for seniors and 18 for juniors. Three- and seven-day passes are also available. Three and seven-day blue cards cost 29 and 51 for seniors, 22 and 49 for juniors respectively. The three and seven-day orange cards cost 47 and 68 for seniors, 35 and 61 for juniors. Transport to/from Marco Polo airport can be included for an extra 20. The Venice Card is available from railway stations, tourist information offices and online.

The Chorus Pass (tel: (041) 275 0462; fax: (041) 275 0494; e-mail: info@chorus-ve.org; website: www.chorus-ve.org) includes entry to 15 of Venice’s churches, including the spectacular Frari church and Palladio’s Santa Sede Redentore. The pass lasts for one year and costs 8, with proceeds going towards the upkeep of some of Venice’s most historic parish churches. This pass is available for purchase at the tourist office, which will also provide a full list of the participating churches and their locations. Passes can also be purchased from the churches themselves.

The excellent value Rolling Venice Card (tel: (041) 274 7645), available to those aged 29 or under and valid for one year, costs just 5 and gives a range of discounts at many of Venice’s attractions. The Rolling Venice Card is available for purchase from the railway station and tourist information offices.