City in Veneto, Italy
Venice
Car-free canal city with no equal for beauty and atmosphere, best for a short stay or a quiet wander. Day-trip crowds, high prices and flooding are the trade-offs; staying in Cannaregio helps.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,700–3,830Comfortable, one person · €2,400–3,400Details
- Value for money18/100Better value than 17% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 29°CDetails
- Air quality22 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · PollutedDetails
- Internet109 MbpsFixed broadband, Italy medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and drunk by locals; public fountains in squares provide free refills.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$90–146Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundVaporetto (ACTV)Very walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are accepted in most places.Details
Where to stay in Venice
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Cannaregio | Local feel, bars, Jewish Ghetto, cheaper stays |
| Dorsoduro | Students, art museums, calm evenings |
| Castello | Quieter eastern streets and local life |
| Mestre | Much cheaper mainland base, 10 min by train |
Apps that work in Venice
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Trenitalia: National rail tickets, delays and strike notices
- Italo: Private high-speed trains, often cheaper
- Taxis: There are no cars on the islands. Water taxis are the only door-to-door option and cost far more than vaporetti.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Italy.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are accepted in most places. Some small bars, bacari and market stalls prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Use bank ATMs (Bancomat), not Euronet machines; always decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Bills often include coperto (€1–4 per person) or a service charge; round up or leave a few euros for great service.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; tap a bank card at metro gates in Rome and Milan.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Hotels and rentals must register every guest with police, so expect to show your passport at check-in.
Emergency numbers
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F, L · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
TIM, Vodafone and WindTre sell prepaid tourist SIMs at airports and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Italy
Going to Venice solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.