Venice has been capturing the hearts of visitors for hundreds of years, and during your trip you can explore its spectacular highlights and lose yourself among the winding streets and alleyways, packed with churches, Venetian tapas bars and bistros.
Hiring a car in Venice opens up the wider Veneto region too, allowing you to visit the coast, countryside or even take a day trip to the Dolomite Mountains.
Aquatic icons
One of the liveliest, most visited parts of Venice is San Polo, the district that’s home to the Rialto Market and of course, the world-famous Rialto Bridge. The oldest of the four bridges over the Grand Canal, this renowned structure dates all the way back to the 16th century and divides San Polo from the neighbouring district of San Marco.
It might be popular with visitors, but it’s still worth taking some time to admire its elegant arches and enjoy spectacular views of the gondolas on the water below.
Afterwards, head to the nearby Erbaria district where you can duck into one of the many bacari – wine bars that serve the tasty Venetian-style tapas dishes known as cicchetti.
Art and history
No visit to Venice is complete without experiencing the Piazza San Marco. This is the city’s main square and home to some of the most renowned historic buildings in Europe.
Pay a visit to the Basilica di San Marco, the 11th-century cathedral that’s famous for its exquisite domes and stunning interior, featuring Byzantine mosaics and Renaissance paintings.
Nearby is the Palazzo Ducale, once home to the dukes of Venice and now a fascinating museum. You can book a tour that takes you through the state rooms, prison and interrogation rooms – and also allows you to cross the Bridge of Sighs, so called because it was where prisoners would get their last glimpse of the city before being taken to the cells below.
If you’re keen to see more of Venice’s artistic treasures, don’t miss the Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia, home to paintings that date all the way back to the 14th century. You can admire works by some of the city’s most prominent artists, including Giovanni Bellini and Paolo Veronese.
For something completely different, check out the Peggy Guggenheim Collection just a short distance away. It boasts an outstanding collection of modern art by Jackson Pollock, Piet Mondrian and more.
Hit the beach
If you want a break from sightseeing, catch the ferry to the Lido di Venezia, accessible from the mainland or the city. It’s home to beautiful sandy beaches, many of which are free, while others offer the choice to hire your own private beach hut.
You can also take the short drive to nearby beaches which may be less crowded – enjoying the calm, clear waters and natural reefs of Sottomarina, or breathing in the atmosphere of the pine forests at Bibione.
If you’re feeling adventurous, it’s also possible to drive from Venice to the Dolomite Mountains in around two and a half hours. If the weather’s good, head for Ortisei or Cortina d’Ampezzo and enjoy a cable car trip with mountain views.
With car hire in Venice, all this and more is within your grasp.