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.
