Venice 101: 15 Smart Tips Americans Should Know Before Visiting
Planning a trip to Venice? 🇮🇹✨ Before you lace up your sneakers and board that flight, there are a few insider things every American traveler should know. Venice is unlike anywhere else on Earth — no cars, endless canals, and a maze of alleys where GPS goes to die. 😅
To help you make the most of your adventure, here’s “Venice 101” — 15 smart, practical, and slightly funny tips from locals who guide American travelers every single day. 👇
1️⃣ Venice Has No Cars — At All 🚗❌
Let’s start with the biggest shock: there are zero cars in Venice. No taxis, no scooters, no buses — nothing with wheels (unless it’s your suitcase). Once you arrive, the city is entirely car-free, which means:
- 🚶 You’ll walk — a lot.
- 🛥️ You’ll ride vaporetti (public water buses).
- 🚤 You might take private water taxis or boats.
Canals are the city’s highways, and water replaces asphalt. Getting lost here isn’t an inconvenience — it’s the point.
👉 Read our guide How to Get Around Venice Like a Local for a breakdown of boats, bridges, and the best way to explore Venice stress-free.
2️⃣ Pack Light — You’ll Thank Yourself Later 🧳
Here’s the thing: every suitcase you bring has to be carried over bridges — sometimes more than 10 of them before you reach your hotel. Those picturesque stone steps? They’re less cute with 50 pounds of luggage in hand.
- Choose light, durable luggage you can lift over steps.
- Book porter service if you have multiple bags or mobility needs.
- Drop bags at luggage storage points before check-in if needed.
👉 Our Luggage Storage Guide lists the smartest places to stash your bags across Venice — because dragging a suitcase over 400 bridges is nobody’s idea of fun.
3️⃣ Don’t Rely on Google Maps 📱🧭
Venice is a 3D puzzle of narrow alleys, bridges, and canals — and GPS often loses signal between centuries-old buildings. Even Google gets lost here (we’ve seen it). Locals don’t use street names — we navigate by landmarks.
- Follow yellow signs reading Per Rialto or Per San Marco.
- Look up — house numbers are often high on the walls.
- And yes, getting lost is part of the magic. Embrace it.
👉 For a smooth first day, join our Venice Orientation Walking Tour — we’ll show you how locals navigate the maze like pros.
4️⃣ Book Your Airport Transfer in Advance ✈️🚤
Venice Marco Polo Airport isn’t in the city — it’s across the lagoon. That means your “taxi ride” involves a boat. 😎
If you don’t plan ahead, figuring out how to reach your hotel after a long flight (with luggage) can be stressful. Skip the confusion and book your transfer in advance.
- Private water taxi — fast, stylish, door-to-door service.
- Shared boat — cheaper but slower, with multiple stops.
- Bus + vaporetto — budget-friendly but luggage-heavy.
👉 See our complete Venice Airport to Hotel Guide for step-by-step arrival instructions — and why it’s worth feeling like James Bond as you glide into the lagoon. 🕶️
5️⃣ Dinner Doesn’t Start at 5 PM 🍝🕒
Here’s a cultural one: Italians eat late. Really late — at least by American standards. Most restaurants don’t even open until 7:00 or 7:30 PM. Between 5 and 7 PM, locals enjoy aperitivo — a pre-dinner ritual involving drinks and small bites.
- Try a classic Spritz (Aperol or Select) with cicchetti (Venetian tapas).
- Plan dinner for 7:30–8:00 PM for the real experience.
- Avoid eating near major landmarks — walk a few alleys away for authenticity.
👉 Learn how to order like a Venetian in our Cicchetti & Wine Tour — your ticket to Venice’s tastiest tradition.
6️⃣ Yes, You Can Drink the Tap Water 💧
Venice’s water comes from deep underground aquifers on the mainland — perfectly clean and delicious. Locals refill bottles at public fountains all day long.
Save money and the planet: bring a reusable bottle and skip plastic. ♻️
👉 Want to explore Venice sustainably? Check out our Slow Lagoon Experiences — eco-friendly tours that respect the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem.
7️⃣ Learn a Few Italian Phrases 🇮🇹
Venetians appreciate it when visitors make a little effort. You don’t need to be fluent — just polite. Try these:
- Buongiorno = Good morning
- Grazie = Thank you
- Per favore = Please
- Un tavolo per due, per favore = A table for two, please
Simple gestures like this earn smiles (and sometimes better service).
8️⃣ Watch Out for Acqua Alta (High Tide) 🌊
Between October and April, Venice sometimes floods — gently. It’s called acqua alta (“high water”) and usually lasts only a couple of hours. Raised walkways appear, locals pull on rubber boots, and life continues — just a little wetter.
- Pack waterproof shoes or buy disposable boots locally.
- Check tide forecasts (Venetians do daily).
- Don’t panic — it’s temporary and often photogenic.
👉 Read our full Acqua Alta Guide to understand how Venice dances with the tides — and how to prepare smartly.
9️⃣ Dress Respectfully for Churches 👗🙏
Venice’s churches aren’t just museums — they’re sacred spaces. Shoulders should be covered, and short shorts or crop tops are best saved for the beach. Bring a scarf or shawl to cover up if needed.
Respectful attire is also appreciated in smaller chapels and monasteries. It’s a simple sign of good manners — and it gets you friendlier smiles from locals.
🔟 Get Up Early for the Real Magic 🌅
The most unforgettable moments in Venice happen before 8 AM. The city glows, gondoliers polish their boats, and the lagoon is mirror-still. You’ll share St. Mark’s Square with the sound of seagulls — not crowds.
👉 Book our Private Morning Walking Tour to experience Venice waking up — it’s how locals fall in love with their city all over again.
11️⃣ Pre-Book Popular Attractions 🏰
The Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica are must-sees — but so are the lines if you show up unprepared. Save hours by booking skip-the-line tickets or private tours in advance.
- Book official skip-the-line tours with licensed guides.
- Morning visits are quieter and cooler.
- Don’t miss the Secret Itineraries Tour at the Doge’s Palace for hidden history.
12️⃣ Venice Is Walkable… But Bridges Are Everywhere 🪜
Venice is compact, but it’s full of bridges — 400+ of them, most with stairs. Walking distances look short on a map, but bridges add time (and steps). Heels? Don’t even think about it.
- Wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
- Allow extra time for transfers and tours.
- If you have mobility concerns, let us help plan step-free routes.
👉 Read our article Can You Walk Everywhere in Venice? to see how locals navigate smarter, not harder.
13️⃣ Respect the Locals 🫶
Venice isn’t a theme park — it’s home to real people. To keep things beautiful and harmonious:
- Don’t sit on bridges, church steps, or monument bases to eat.
- Dispose of trash properly — bins are limited, so carry small bags.
- Keep voices low at night in residential alleys.
- Shop local — support artisans, not mass-produced souvenirs.
👉 Discover genuine Venetian craftsmanship in our Hands-On Workshops — from glassblowing to mask-making and letterpress printing.
14️⃣ Expect a Tourist Entry Fee (on Some Days) 💶
Venice has started introducing an entry fee for day-trippers on certain high-traffic dates to manage crowds and preserve the city. If you’re staying overnight, you’ll be exempt — but you may still need to register your visit.
Check official city announcements before you travel and keep your accommodation confirmation handy.
👉 For updates and practical planning, read our Venice for First Timers guide — it covers everything from arrival tips to etiquette.
15️⃣ Book Tours with Real Licensed Locals 🧭
Venice rewards curiosity. The difference between visiting and truly understanding the city comes from who guides you. Licensed Venetian guides open doors — literally — to private courtyards, artisan studios, and quiet canals that most tourists never see.
👉 Explore our Private Venice Tours for curated, authentic experiences — from food & wine walks to Venetian rowing lessons and hands-on workshops. See Venice through local eyes — not a checklist.
✨ Final Thought: Venice Isn’t Just a City — It’s a State of Mind
Venice isn’t a destination you “see.” It’s a place you feel — slowly, through its sounds, smells, and surprises. It rewards curiosity, patience, and respect.
So pack light, walk slowly, learn a few Italian words, and let the lagoon guide your rhythm. Whether you’re sipping a spritz on a sunny terrace or getting lost in Cannaregio at dusk, remember: this city wasn’t built for speed — it was built for wonder. 🇮🇹❤️
👉 Ready to explore Venice with real locals? Book your private tour with Tour Leader Venice and experience La Serenissima as it’s meant to be lived — up close, authentic, and unforgettable.
What should Americans know before visiting Venice?
Venice is unlike any other city — no cars, no streets, and no rush. Americans should know to pack light, wear comfortable shoes, and expect to walk everywhere. Dinner starts later than in the U.S., Google Maps often fails in narrow alleys, and advance planning for transfers and skip-the-line tickets is essential. Most importantly? Slow down — Venice rewards curiosity, not speed.
Is Venice easy to get around without cars?
Yes — it’s wonderfully walkable, but you’ll rely on boats instead of taxis. The vaporetto (public water bus) connects every major stop, and private water taxis add a luxurious touch. Bridges are frequent, so comfortable shoes are key. For a true insider orientation, try our Off-the-Beaten-Path Walking Tour to learn how locals navigate like pros.
What’s the best way to experience Venice like a local?
Start early, wander without a map, and embrace spontaneity. Sip a morning espresso by the canal, enjoy cicchetti and wine at sunset, and explore artisan workshops rather than souvenir stalls. To go deeper, join one of our Private Venice Tour — led by licensed Venetian guides who reveal the city’s rhythm, stories, and secret corners that most travelers never find.
