Overview
The small but renowned city of Venice is known by many names. Once upon a time, it was known as La Serenissima, “The Most Serene,” as homage to the fact that stone palaces seemed to be floating on water, almost like in a dream. To locals, it is Venezia. Others in more recent times refer to it as the City of Water, the City of Bridges, or the City of Gondole because of its numerous canals, the bridges that span them, and the world-famous gondolas that ferry people over the city’s waters. Others still, call it the City of Lights as the streets and buildings light up after sunset. As if it doesn’t already have enough names, it is also vying for the title of The World’s Most Romantic City.
As one can imagine from these titles alone, Venice has a lot to offer to any visitor who is willing to explore, and there is so much to discover that can’t be achieved by a single, short day trip. The capital of the Veneto region, Venice is its own little world that is full of charm and it has many stories to tell, thanks to its long history which goes as far back as 400AD. It is a city built upon 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, crisscrossed by 400 bridges and 150 canals, with the Grand Canal running right down the middle of this floating city. Once a formidable maritime power that led the fourth Crusade and captured Constantinople, it also went on to conquer other territories across what are now modern day Turkey, the Greek Isles, as well as Crete. By the 1300s, it was one of the largest cities in Europe and it remained a major player in the region until the 18th century.

Last but not least, can we really talk about Venice without mentioning masks and masquerade balls? If you really want to party the Venetian way, head over to the city exactly 40 days before Easter, and get ready for a full ten days of partying on the streets as the annual Carnevale goes into full swing. People will be wearing festive masks and costumes for the occasion, and in case you don’t have your own, feel free to buy a mask from one of the nearby shops, or even have one crafted for you by some of Venice’s famous mask-makers.
More Attractions in Venice
› | Burano | › | Murano | |
› | Carnevale | › | Piazza San Marco | |
› | Doge’s Palace | › | Ponte di Rialto | |
› | Galleria dell’ Accademia | › | St. Mark Basilica | |