Ville et Village - European Vacation Rentals
Venice Information

Venice is a dream of a city. Byzantine palaces, ornate arched bridges, elegant piazzas. Built on 117 islands, it has 150 canals and 400 bridges! Just to wander through its labyrinth of streets is a major attraction here. The city is so beautiful it draws you in. The narrow streets are quiet with just the sound of footsteps and the lapping of water against the buildings.

Many people plan to come and spend just a day seeing the Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. But that is just doesn’t reveal the true delights of this wonderful city. Renting an apartment in a neighborhood and spending a week or several days is the only way to really discover this jewel. In Venice, rentals can start any day of the week. Many of the apartments rent for less than a week.

Our selection online is just a sampling of our listings. Call or e-mail us with your party size, your exact dates and your requirements and we’ll send a choice of properties to consider for your stay. See all properties in this region.

 

How to get there

There are 2 major entries to this incredible city. You can fly into the airport and then take the boat across to the Piazza San Marco. Or you can arrive by either train or car to the Piazzale Roma. From here travelers take the vaporetto, the Venetian “bus” service, a motorized ferry that travels up and down the Grand Canale. There are no cars in Venice.

 

Walking in Venice

You must walk if you stay in Venice. The vaporetto that is so much fun to take, motors up and down the Grande Canal and also visits the outlying islands. However to get around on the island once you’ve landed at your “stop” you must walk. And you even walk up and down, even though the island is flat. Why? Walk a few blocks and you’ll come to a tiny humpback bridge crossing a small canal. Or follow a narrow street around a corner and end up at a lovely open square with a bridge to cross a larger canal. You have to step up this bridge, too. You often see parents with children in strollers getting help navigating up and down the bridges. And as the buildings on the islands are all quite old, few of them have elevators, and often apartments require walking up a flight or two. More walking.

Venice is divided into sestieri or neighborhoods. Addresses are given by sestiere, but frankly are hard to find. So getting lost in Venice is an age-old experience. However, there are signs galore directing the pedestrian to any variety of locations: Piazzale Roma, Piazza San Marco… and sooner or later, you end up at a location you recognize. Thus the major physical “sport” for the tourist in Venice is walking.

 

Getting past the Piazza San Marco

The Piazza San Marco is the most famous location in Venice with its spectacular palaces, its elegant cafes and it beautiful view out to the sea. The Piazza San Marco is also the starting point for all tours. This area can be flooded with groups of tourists following guides holding aloft their umbrellas as groups of foreigners follow in a flock. Why not select a location that is a bit away and discover what it is like to live in a Venetian neighborhood?

 

The Sestieres

Venice is divided into several sestieri or neighborhoods. Each has its charm. They are all within walking distance of everything. They all have restaurants and groceries within a short walk. Read about each and then you can decide where you’d like to be.

San Marco

Includes the Piazza San Marco, the Rialto bridge and most of the area with the famous hotels. This is a beautiful area, with lots of stores with all variety of local crafts, jewelry and clothing.

Castello

Just to the east of San Marco, it includes the Arsenale where the ships of the Venetian Republic were once built. It is a very large residential area and gives easy access to San Marco.

San Polo

Is located across the Rialto Bridge and has the famous fish and food market in it. Here, too, is the Fenice, the beautiful opera house that recently was rebuilt after its fire. This is a terrific location as it has many residential areas and yet is central.

Cannaregio

Is a lively neighborhood where tourists hardly venture. Because of that, it is the location of choice for many people to rent. The old Jewish Ghetto is located here. There are broad streets with open-air food markets. From here you can walk to the train station crossing some bridges. Or you can walk to the Piazza San Marco.

Dorsoduro

This is across the Grand Canal from San Marco where the Getty Museum is located. The Ponte Accademia is the major bridge to cross to reach San Marco. It is a pretty residential area with some lovely piazzas. This is the neighborhood where the university is located and thus there are some student hangouts that are fun to be around even if you’re not a student!

S. Croce

The Santa Croce is the neighborhood across from the train station. It is a bit father, but it still very walk able. It has the most parks in Venice and has a very local feeling which is nice.

Giudeca

This is the island across from San Marco. This is not walk able to the rest of Venice. It is, however, a traditional area of the city about 10 minutes by boat from San Marco.

 

Attractions

There is so much to see and do, most people just get a small taste of Venice. There is definitely enough to occupy you for a full week. You can visit the Tourist Office and get walking tours of all the neighborhoods. Or simply wander the streets. In the morning visit the food market near the Rialto Bridge to see the merchants selling a wonderful selection of fresh fish and produce. This is one of the most special markets in Italy. Visit one of the famous museums, like the Getty. Walk into the Basilica in the Piazza San Marco. Take a boat to Murano and visit glass factories. Go the beach at the Lido. Visit the old Jewish Ghetto. Walk from one end of Venice to the other. Take the vaporetto all the way around the island. Sit at a café in the Piazza San Marco and listen to music. Attend an opera at the Fenice or a concert given at a local church.

 

Food & Wine

Venice is often criticized for its lack of authentic cuisine. This is mostly because due to the large number of tourists who come here year round, there are many restaurants that cater to foreigners. However, Venice has lots to offer in fine cuisine. Many restaurants specialize in the “snacks” that Venetians are so fond of, the cicchetti. Seafood is beloved in this city, and the variety of dishes is incredible. Prosecco is the famous sparking dry white winter that is enjoyed in the late afternoon tossed back in a bar, standing up. Every sestiere has a large selection of local restaurants and bars where you can find great local food. There are of course, a few famous restaurants like Harry’s Bar off the Piazza San Marco, which are worth a special trip, but be wary of high prices.

 

Local Crafts

Venice is famous for many beautiful handicrafts that are for sale in elegant little shops. Hand made masks for Carnival are beautiful and represent characters in ancient theater. There are intricate hand made marionettes and puppets. Venetian blown glass is famous worldwide and products include everything from chandeliers to glasses to artwork. Jewelry, clothing, leather goods, fine stationary… the list continues. Shopping here, or even just window shopping is lots of fun.

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