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Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview Often the best plan for sightseeing in Venice is for one to have no plan at all. Those who choose to follow a map soon end up on a one-way street with a watery end. So, for initial sightseeing, it is advisable for visitors to get on one of the main signposted tourist thoroughfares from the train station to St Mark’s Square, either via the Rialto or Galleria dell ‘Academia. As water is so integral to the city, another recommended way for tourists to get a feel for Venice and its layout is to take a vaporetto ride from Piazzale Roma, located in the far east of the city, right along the wide artery of the nearby Grand Canal to St Mark’s Square in the centre. The Grand Canal provides an insight into the very essence of Venice, with all sorts of waterborne craft, from vaporetti and speeding water taxis, right through to the more leisurely traghetti and, of course, the ubiquitous gondola. All along the length of the Grand Canal are some of the most renowned sights in Venice, from the charming arch of the Rialto Bridge and the artistic treasure trove of the Galleria dell ‘Academia to the more modern charms of the canalside restaurants and the avant-garde art Mecca of the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Breaking away from the water, there are the attractions of St Mark’s Basilica, the Doges’ Palace, Basilica dei Frari and Scuola di San Rocco. Elsewhere around the Venetian Lagoon there are the enticing islands, such as Murano, famous for its glass, Burano, famous for its lace, and Torcello, famous for looking much like Venice would have before the builders moved in. Tourist Information Azienda di Promozione Turistica (APT) Giardini Ex Reali, San Marco (Venice Pavilion) Tel: (041) 522 5150 or 529 8711. Fax: (041) 523 0399. E-mail: info@govenice.org Website: www.turismovenezia.it Opening hours: Daily 0900-1730. Other tourist offices are located on St Mark’s Square, which is currently being refurbished, the train station and on the Lido, at Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta. Passes The complicated Venice Card (tel: (899) 909 090, calls cost €0.40 per minute; website: www.venicecard.com) is split between ‘blue’ and ‘orange’ variations, with the former including public transport, museums and toilets, and the latter providing similar access but with no transport. Then there are variations between senior and junior cards, with the junior card including those under five years, the disabled and guides. One-day blue cards cost €11 for seniors and €7 for juniors, with orange cards priced at €26 for seniors and €16 for juniors. Three- and seven-day passes are also available. The Venice Card is available for purchase from railway stations and tourist information offices. The Chorus Pass includes entry to 15 of Venice’s churches, including the spectacular Frari church and Palladio’s Santa Sede Redentore. The pass lasts for one year and costs €8, with proceeds going towards the upkeep of some of Venice’s most historic parish churches. This pass is available for purchased at the tourist office, which will also provide a full list of the participating churches and their locations. The excellent value Rolling Venice Card (tel: (041) 274 7645), available to those aged 29 or under and valid for one year, costs just €2.58 and gives a range of discounts at many of Venice’s attractions. Holders of the card are also eligible for a special ACTV pass that, for €12.91, allows for free travel for 72 hours on all ACTV services. The Rolling Venice Card is available for purchase from railway stations and tourist information offices. |
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