GAY VENICE
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in VENICE?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
WHAT TO SEE in VENICE?
10 THINGS TO SEE in VENICE
Canal Grande
"The most beautiful road in the world". It may seem strange but one of the things we like to do in Venice is to get on a Vaporetto and navigate the Canal along its almost four kilometers that separate Piazzale Roma from Piazza San Marco. We like to let ourselves be captivated by the charm of the facades of Renaissance palaces that overlook the water directly. Ca' d'Oro, Ca' Rezzonico and Ca' Foscari are just some of these. A much more expensive and much more touristy alternative is the classic gondola ride; A private tour of about 40 minutes can be around ninety euros. An option to save money is to share the gondola with other people (here you can book the tour that's right for you in advance). It is certainly a fantastic experience that offers the possibility of crossing places otherwise inaccessible on foot. Our favorite point to take pictures of the Canal is the Accademia Bridge, from here the sunsets over the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute are breathtaking.
Rialto Bridge
The oldest of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal and one of the many symbols of Venice. A few steps from the bridge is the Loggia of the fish market, where Venetians still buy fish every morning.
San Marco Square
One of the most famous squares in the world overlooked by some of the most important buildings in Venice: Palazzo Ducale, the Basilica of San Marco, the Clock Tower and the Campanile.Being one of the lowest points in the city, the square is one of the first areas to be flooded during the Acqua Alta phenomenon (Consult this website for tide forecasts updated in real time).
St. Mark's Basilica
Another emblem of the city. Built in 828 to house the relics of San Marco, it is considered a masterpiece of the Byzantine style. Here you can book your visit avoiding queues.
Doge's Palace
Adjacent to the Basilica, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Venice and therefore one of the busiest. To skip the line and fully enjoy the visit, we advise you to buy the ticket on this site.
Bridge of Sighs
Passing over the Rio di Palazzo, it connects Palazzo Ducale to the Prigioni Nuove. Originally, prisoners were made to pass over this bridge to be transferred from the halls of the magistrates, where they were judged and sentenced, to the prisons. The name derives from the sighs that they would have emitted looking at Venice and the sky for the last time. Here you will find an interesting tour to be able to see the bridge and the Prisons from inside.
Acqua Alta Library
In Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, hidden in a small square is this beautiful bookshop. Outside the most popular tourist routes, in recent years it has also become an attraction for tourists looking for the perfect photo, losing a little the charm of the past. The books are stored inside a gondola, in a bathtub or on shelves raised off the ground to escape the Acqua Alta phenomenon (unfortunately this was not enough in the recent high tide episodes). Buying a book here, even just a small souvenir or a bookmark, means contributing to the maintenance of this little Venetian jewel. The open spaces at the back of the bookshelf and the cats snoozing among the books make this place truly magical. Open every day from 9 to 20.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
This museum based in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni certainly needs no introduction. In the past we happened to participate in one of the aperitifs organized in the museum garden and we immediately fell in love with it. The terrace directly overlooking the Grand Canal is simply wonderful.
The Giudecca
The island separated from the center of Venice by the waters of the canal of the same name. If you want to get away from the crowds of tourists and enjoy a fantastic view of San Marco and the Dorsoduro district, this is the right place. An authentic part of the city where young artists and craftsmen have opened their businesses in recent years. If you want to end the day with an aperitif in a chic and elegant setting, we recommend the terrace of the Hilton Molino Stucky.
Murano and Burano
To reach these islands in the Venetian lagoon, we advise you to take the vaporetto from Fondamenta Nove, in the northern part of Venice; in this way you can stroll through quieter streets off the beaten track. The first islands you meet are those of Murano, famous all over the world for its glass. Continuing the navigation you arrive instead at Burano, known for its lace and colorful houses. Without a doubt our favourite.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Classic Venice - Google Maps
Day 2 - Alternative Venice - Google Maps
Day 3 - Murano, Burano and Torcello - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
IMPORTANT: ACTV public service ferry tickets can be purchased at the various ticket offices near the embarkations, at tobacconists' shops or easily online on this page: purchase of Venice transport travel tickets .
10 BEST EXCURSIONS from VENICE
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Murano, Burano & Torcello
Verona & Valpolicella
Treviso, Asolo & Valdobbiadene
Vicenza, Marostica & Bassano del Grappa
Padova & Colli Euganei
Lago di Garda (Bardolino, Peschiera, Sirmione & Desenzano)
Riviera del Brenta, Stra & Ville Venete
Dolomites
Rovigo, Chioggia & Delta del Po
Mantova & Sabbioneta
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in VENICE?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in VENICE
Axel Hotel Venezia **** (NOW CLOSED) ® Tested by World Mappers
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Hotel Palazzo Stern **** ® Tested by World Mappers
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Hotel Antico Panada *** ® Tested by World Mappers
WHERE TO EAT in VENICE?
BEST RESTAURANTS in VENICE Quality / Price
€€€ - Osteria Anice Stellato
€€ - Paradiso Perduto
€€ - Enoteca al Volto
GAY NIGHTLIFE in VENICE
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in VENICE
Ground Bar by Axel (Gay Hotel & Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Juice Berry (Cruising Bar - Mestre)
Trash & Chic (Disco - Mestre) ® Tested by World Mappers
TRAVEL TIPS about VENICE by World Mappers
Do you want to visit historic Ateliers and enter the heart of the Venetian tradition linked to costume and Carnival? Then take a look at our special articles with unpublished period costume photos:
Are you planning a trip to Venice in the summer? Don't miss the Festa del Redentore which is held every year on the third weekend of July. On this occasion a floating bridge was built to connect Venice to the island of Giudecca. The most awaited moment is the fireworks display on the waters of San Marco which is held on Sunday evening, but there are many parties in the city during this weekend.
If you don't want to give up a Gondola ride but don't want to spend a fortune, there are some points along the Grand Canal where a public transport service is available every day which, for two euros (for non-residents), allows you to cross the canal from shore to the other. Here you will find the stazi, as they are called, from where the gondolas leave.
Best Museums and Art Places in Venice, if you want to know more we recommend this site www.visitvenezia.eu/musei-a-venezia
The Most BEAUTIFUL PANORAMIC POINTS of VENICE
One of the most beautiful things to do in Venice is to "climb" one of its best panoramic points, terraces or ancient towers from which to contemplate the great beauty of this city from above. Our favorites are:
from the terrace of this luxury shopping centre, located near the Rialto Bridge, you have a fantastic view of the Grand Canal and the city centre. Admission is free, you just need to book it in advance for free through this page.
Payment. One of the most beautiful viewpoints at the top of "Venice's most famous staircase". From here you will enjoy a magnificent view over the Venetian roofs.
Payment. The best view of the historic center directly from Piazza San Marco.
Payment. On the island of the same name, to enjoy a 360 degree view of Venice and the Venetian lagoon.
The Tradition of the Bacari
The BEST BACARI in VENICE
The "Bacari" in Venice are an institution. These are taverns where you can drink a glass of house wine (the famous Ombra) accompanied by Cicchetti, typical appetizers of Venetian cuisine, at a good price. Don't miss the sardines in saor, the polenta crostini with creamed cod and the thousand variations of meatballs. The Best Bacari in Venice recommended by us and by our Venetian friends are:
Vino Vero ® Tested by World Mappers
(natural and delicious wines)
Ca’ d’Oro Alla Vedova ® Tested by World Mappers
(the meatballs here are to scream)
Al Timon ® Tested by World Mappers
(phenomenal cicchetti)
Taverna al Remer ® Tested by World Mappers
(for us it's like being at home, every time we go back to Venice we carve out some time for a Spritz sitting directly on the Grand Canal a few steps from Rialto)
"SECRET VENICE"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Venice
Outside the classic places to visit of the city, there is a "Secret Venice" that has simply bewitched us. Here are the 10 Things and Places to See in Secret Venice:
Jewish Quarter of Venice - One of the oldest ghettos in Europe, in the Cannaregio district. Even today it is the center of the Jewish community in Venice.
Calle Varisco - In the Cannaregio district, don't miss the narrowest street in Venice (only 53 centimeters wide). You can find it near Campo San Canciano.
Scala Contarini Del Bovolo - A real jewel of Renaissance architecture. This spiral staircase (in the Venetian dialect bovolo means just that) is located outside the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, in the San Marco district near Campo Manin. The view from the top is beautiful (there is an entrance fee).
Squero San Trovaso - In Venetian dialect, the squero is the shipyard where the famous gondolas were built. The one in San Trovaso is still active and can be visited.
Sotoportego Zurlin - The sotoportego in Venice is a passage under the houses. The one that leads to Campo Zurlin is the lowest in the whole city. Legend has it that a doctor was called here by the daughter of a sick woman. In reality the girl had been dead for some time and what she had seen the doctor was actually a ghost.
Underground Canale - This canal passes under the choir of the Church of Santo Stefano and can only be reached by water.
Ponte Chiodo - In the Cannaregio district, on the Rio di San Felice, it is one of the two bridges in Venice without a parapet.
Borges Labyrinth- on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, near the Basilica, there is this labyrinth made up of thousands of box trees.
Teatro Italia - The famous Venetian theater which has now become the site of a supermarket.
Palazzo Tetta - One of the few houses in Venice (perhaps the only one) to be bathed by the water of the canals on three sides.
GAY FRIENDLY TOURS
Do you want to discover the city more deeply through Venice's Best Gay Tours? We recommend the following local operators:
Gaily Tour - Tour Operator offering tours and excursions dedicated to the LGBT + community throughout Europe. Special Tours and Gay & Lesbian Friendly Guides ready to make you discover the beauties of this destination. Info & Booking: info@GailyTour.com
Venice • Classic Tour
Explore the city center of Venice with our Gay/Lesbian Guide, starting from St. Mark's Square and the view the St. Mark's Golden Basilica, built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian architecture. Admire the Canal Grande, Rialto Bridge and Bridge of Sights, created at the beginning of the 17th century to serve as a link between prisons. Then continue to Doge's Palace, official residence of the Venetian ruler for a special visit (skip-the-line entrance fee included). Included: * Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours) * Entrance Fee Skip-The-Line – Doge’s Palace
Venice • Gay Tour & Thomas Mann’s Secrets
Live the two different souls of Venice with our amazing Gay Tour, mixing a panoramic tour of the city and the experience of following the route of one of the most important German writer, Thomas Mann, and its romance and masterpiece “Death in Venice”, a story of passion and love between the writer Gustav von Aschenbach and Tadzio, a charming boy. During the tour take a look to the most ancient bookstore of Venice, the famous “Libreria Acqua Alta” in Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, a mysterious place where books are conserved in gondolas or bathtubs. After the tour enjoy and relax with a romantic gondola tour through the picturesque canals. Included: * Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours) * Gondola Tour (max 4 people per Gondola – for Single Traveller the Gondola Tour is shared)
Venice by Night • Gay Tour
Enjoy an enlightened Venice and an amazing walking tour through Venice’s gay & lesbian bars and clubs to live on your skin the magic atmosphere and LGBT scene of the city. You will live the authentic experience of the traditional Venetian Bacaro Tour, tasting “chicchetti” in different bars accompanied by prosecco and spritz. Enjoy your included food and drink (also alcohol free drink available) and own the night ! Included: * Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for Night Tour (2 hours) * Bacaro Tour through Gay Friendly Bars
What to See near Venice ?
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