Venice

Italy

Cityscape: Archipelago of alleyways
City life: Walking on water

Truly one of the most beautiful cities on earth, Venice is a maze in which to lose yourself, wandering its charming, traffic-free alleys.

Drifting along one of the hundreds of canals by gondola or watertaxi, you can admire Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Give Piazza San Marco a chance to sink in, then follow the locals away from the touristy main drags to the best restaurants, hidden churches and lively markets.

Pictured: Ca Maria Adele

Boutique hotels in Venice

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Venice

Getting there

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Venice has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Eating, drinking & dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Venice. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…

Smith Maps

Here is the map of Venice; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.

Taxis: Use waterbuses (€5 a journey). They all take the same route; the difference is how many stops they make. You can hail or call a watertaxi.
Tipping culture: Five to ten per cent is expected.
Packing tips: Comfortable shoes; mosquito repellent in summer.
Recommended reads: Death in Venice by Thomas Mann; The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan; A History of Venice by John Julius Norwich.
Cuisine: Traditional dishes include fegato alla Veneziana (calf’s liver), cuttlefish in its ink, and seafood risotto. Wines are among Italy’s best.
Currency: Euro.
Dialing codes: Country code for Italy: 39. Venice: 041.
Do go/don't go: August is hot, sticky and full of tourists. Autumn can be lovely.