Venice Hotels & City Breaks

About Venice

Built on stilts and forming an archipelago of 117 small islands, Venice reposes on a liquid tapestry of calm canals and lazy lagoons 2,5 miles (4km) from Venice's mainland. The city's luminous quality is glimpsed from gliding gondolas and explored on foot through narrow calli, linked to one another by ornate stone bridges. Painted palazzi, Byzantine basilicas and Baroque domes compete with the dove-flocked piazzas that reach the ultramarine waters.
The wealth of Venice is evident in Piazza San Marco and alludes to when the Venetian republic was a dominant mercantile power, trading silks, spices and gemstones carried overland by Bedouin caravans and shipped to Mediterranean ports. Nowadays, modern craft navigate between six ancient sestieri, bearing carefree stowaways to St Mark's Basilica, the Palazzo Ducale and on up the Grand Canal to the Rialto, where palazzi lining unhurried channels display architectural styles spanning five centuries.
Become tempted by Venice's food market below the Rialto Bridge and after having enjoyed a meal head to the shopaholic joys of the Mercerie, which runs between Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. Perhaps cross the short stretch of water that leads to the glass-making island of Murano and the lace and linen enclave of Burano.
Venice Lido is the largest island here and benefits from an 8 mile (13km) long beach, which at the turn of the 19th century, created a premier resort for international aristocrats. Regular vaporetti, exclusive motor launches and public water buses transport visitor to another world in the time it takes to drink a cappuccino. Venice is a permanent carnival, rejoicing in a masked ball in February that swirls visitors into a sensual atmosphere peopled by gallant heroes and bewitching courtesans.

The Highlights

• The Grand Canal
• Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square)
• The Rialto Bridge
• Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)
• The Islands of Burano, Torcello & Murano

Multi Centre Holidays

Experience the best of both worlds and combine your Venice holiday with another Italian destination. Citalia offer a fantastic range of multi centre holidays, perfect for taking in all that Italy has to offer.

Pre-bookable Excursions

Please note: Excursions operate seasonally. Some site entrance tickets may be payable locally.

Islands Tour: This boat trip gives you a quick taste of three of Venice's most interesting islands. After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the gardens of St Elena and the Lido you'll arrive at Murano, famous throughout the world for its glass making. You will visit one of the factories to see how glass is still traditionally blown. You'll then head to the picturesque island of Burano, made up of brightly coloured fishermen's houses and a small network of canals. The final stop is at the barren island of Torcello, which has only 100 inhabitants and is the home of Venice's first cathedral.
Half Day Excursion from £16 pp

Walking Tour of Venice: An enchanting guided walk around the most important buildings in Venice's centre such as the Basilica, Clock tower and Doge's Palace. From St Mark's square you will go down the back streets to Santa Maria Formosa and to the magnificent church of San Giovanni e Paolo, past Marco Polo's house and along the Mercerie (Venice's main shopping street) back to St Mark's Square. 
1 Hour 30 Mins Excursion from £17 pp

Tour of the Doge's Palace: A guided tour around the famous Doge's Palace, which brings to life Venice's past. This 14th century building is where the ancient Venetian republic exerted control over the city. The palace encompasses the living quarters of the Doge, government courtrooms and also the prisons where the legendary Casanova was once housed and is linked by the famous Bridge of Sighs.
1 Hour Excursion from £26 pp

The Golden Basilica: A guided tour of one of the world's most majestic Cathedrals. Packed with Venice's treasures your guide will explain the history behind this Byzantine work of art with its beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlay floors.
1 Hour Excursion from £15 pp

Grand Canal Boat Tour: In a city built on water, a Grand Canal Boat Tour is the ideal way to admire the beauty and uniqueness of Venice. Cruise along the most beautiful avenue of the world, Venice's Grand Canal (with a maximum of 12 people). This is by far the best way to admire the amazing architecture of non-stop palaces and churches through to the Rialto Bridge.
1 Hour Excursion from £25 pp

Gondola Serenade: Probably the first thing you think about when someone mentions Venice are the Gondolas. So don't miss out on the opportunity of being serenaded along its many canals. A fantastic viewpoint for capturing this enchanting city on camera whilst soaking up the atmosphere and being entertained by a gondolier.
35/40 Mins Excursion from £35 pp

Private Gondola ride: No stay in Venice is complete without your own Gondola ride. These traditional vessels, which were designed especially for getting around the lagoon, are still the most elegant forms of transport in the city. Let the Gondolier guide you through the labyrinth of canals, perfect to mark a special occasion and of course an utterly romantic experience.
35/40 Mins Excursion from £100 pp between 09:00-18:00 (from £126 pp between 18:00-21:00)

Ducal Venice: Walking Tour of Venice plus the Doge's Palace tour booked for the same day.
3 Hour Excursion from £40 pp

Byzantine Venice: Walking Tour of Venice plus the Golden Basilica tour booked for the same day.
3 Hour Excursion from £30 pp

Inside Venice: The Golden Basilica plus the Doge's Palace tours booked for the same day.
2 Hour Excursion from £38 pp

Absolute Venice: Walking Tour of Venice, the Doge's Palace tour plus the Golden Basilica tour booked for the same day.
Half Day Excursion from £54 pp