Venice is one of Italy’s most picturesque cities. Beautiful floating palaces of stone surrounded by an ancient network of canals, built on a group of 118 islands and these small islands are linked with 400 bridges. These islands are located in the Venetian Lagoon, which sits just off of the mainland of Italy. With its Gothic architecture, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, wide piazzas, and narrow canals, Venice is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Venice is divided into six sestieri, neighborhoods that have distinctly different characters. San Marco is the heart of Venice and home to Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, and the Rialto Bridge, surrounded on three sides by a great loop in the Grand Canal.

Most tourists spend the majority of their time here, along with Dorsoduro (Pont dell’Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute), and San Polo. Santa Croce, located on the western end of Venice, is the main transportation hub. The bus station, parking garages, and train station are located here. Cannaregio, Castello, and Giudecca are where many local Venetians live, but these sestieri make great places to go for a stroll if you want to escape the tourist crowds in the heart of Venice. Finally, Murano, Burano, and Lido make great day trips from Venice, but you need to have at least three days in Venice in order to have enough time to do this.

History of Venice

Venice in the Early Beginnings: Refuge and Foundation

The history of Venice begins in the 5th and 6th centuries when people from nearby Roman cities fled to the lagoon islands to escape invading Germanic tribes. These early settlers built homes on wooden piles driven into the mud, gradually forming a network of communities across the marshy islets. As the Eastern Roman Empire weakened, Venice began to develop its own political structures, laying the groundwork for what would become a unique maritime republic. By the 8th century, Venice had its first Doge, and although nominally under Byzantine control, it was already charting a path of growing independence.

Venice in the Middle Ages: Rise of a Maritime Republic

During the 9th to 13th centuries, Venice emerged as a dominant naval and commercial power in the Mediterranean. The city’s strategic location between East and West allowed it to flourish through trade with the Byzantine Empire, North Africa, and the Levant. The construction of St. Mark’s Basilica in the 11th century, housing relics allegedly stolen from Alexandria, symbolized both spiritual prestige and worldly ambition. Venice’s influence expanded through military ventures, most notably the Fourth Crusade, during which it played a decisive role in the sacking of Constantinople in 1204. The spoils of this campaign further enriched the city and adorned its churches and palaces.

Venice in the Renaissance: Wealth, Art, and Power

The 14th to 16th centuries marked the golden age of Venice. The Republic solidified its dominance over maritime trade, controlling routes to the East and securing a vast commercial empire stretching from Cyprus to the Adriatic. This wealth fostered an extraordinary cultural and artistic flowering. Venice became a beacon of Renaissance art and architecture, with figures like Titian, Bellini, and Tintoretto defining its artistic identity. Lavish palazzi were built along the Grand Canal, and institutions like the Arsenal and the Venetian Senate demonstrated the city’s administrative and industrial prowess. Despite occasional setbacks, such as the plague of 1348, Venice remained a symbol of stability and opulence.

Venice in the Early Modern Period: Decline and Preservation

By the 17th and 18th centuries, Venice’s dominance began to wane. Shifts in global trade routes, particularly the rise of Atlantic trade, weakened its economic position. Meanwhile, its political independence was threatened by the growing power of neighboring states. Nonetheless, Venice retained its cultural prestige, becoming known for its Carnival, music, and literature. Composers like Vivaldi and playwrights like Goldoni thrived in this period. In 1797, the Republic of Venice came to an end when Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the city, transferring it to Austrian rule shortly afterward. This marked the beginning of a new, more subdued chapter in Venice’s history.

Venice in the Modern Era: From Occupation to Cultural Icon

During the 19th century, Venice changed hands multiple times before becoming part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy in 1866. The city faced new challenges, including industrialization, flooding, and the slow decline of its port. However, its appeal as a romantic and historical destination only grew. In the 20th century, Venice established itself as a global cultural capital, hosting events like the Venice Biennale and the Venice Film Festival. Despite modern pressures, including overtourism and environmental threats, Venice continues to captivate the world with its unique beauty, historic legacy, and enduring mystery.

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Visiting Venice for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Venice on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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