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If there’s one thing Venice is known for, it has to be the canals that flow through the city in place of streets. Why visit at all if you aren’t interested in seeing the city from these unique waterways? It’s touristy and expensive but more than worth it to take a gondola ride at least once. Be sure to settle the price, route, and length of time with your gondolier before you get into the gondola. Minimum fares are standardized, so research the current rates before your trip and be ready to bargain with your gondolier. Most gondoliers will know some English, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. The standard ride is about 40 minutes, but you can expect it to be shorter if you insist on a low price. Prices will also be higher at night, so be prepared to pay extra for a romantic moonlit gondola ride. You can reserve gondolas through hotels or agencies, but it will probably cost even more; it’s better to simply go to the area you’d like to take a ride in, and look for gondoliers there. For the most pleasant ride, stay away from the Grand Canal, which is always crowded and busy–gondola rides should be quiet and peaceful. It’s much better to experience the Grand Canal on a water bus, and it’s nowhere near as expensive as a gondola ride. It takes some planning, but a visit to Venice would truly be incomplete without touring the canals on a gondola.

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The Rialto has been Venice’s commercial district for centuries and it has a great sampling of historical sites. For example San Giacomo di Rialto said to be the oldest church in Venice is in this district.

The San Giacomo was the only building to survive a massive fire in Rialto in the year 1514 making it the oldest building in the district today.

There’s also the Ponte di Rialto the oldest, and most celebrated of the four bridges that span the Grand Canal. It’s one of Venice’s most iconic pieces of architecture, so you’ll want to cross it at least once.

The bridge as it is today has been in use since 1591, but it’s actually been here in different forms since as far back as 1180.

The Ponte di Rialto was built in the first place to make it easier for Venetians to get to and from the popular Rialto market. Centuries later that same market is still going strong, and is now enjoyed by tourists as well as locals, and for good reason. The produce is fresh, and the seafood is even fresher. Buy some for a picnic, or just walk through the bustling market and take in the atmosphere.

The Rialto will leave you with a sense of the connection between Venice’s past and present.

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The Piazza San Marco, or St Mark’s Square, is the heart of Venice. For centuries, this has been the main gathering place for Venetians, and though today it’s often crowded with tourists, it hasn’t lost its charm. It’s even still possible to experience this town square the way the locals do, if you get up early enough. But any time of day, the Piazza San Marco is where you’ll find some of Venice’s biggest attractions, such as the Basilica di San Marco. With its extravagant combination of Gothic, Byzantine, and Romanesque architecture, there’s plenty to admire from the outside, but the mosaics inside are not to be missed. Since this is one of the most popular destinations in Venice, there’s always a crowd; you may want to reserve a ticket in advance to cut down on the waiting time. Another landmark in the Piazza is the Campanile di San Marco, the highest bell tower in Venice. If you go to the top, you’ll be treated to a great view of the city. With the Palazzo Ducale and other museums in the Piazza as well, there’s so much to do and see, it’s easy to spend the whole day there and never get bored. You’re bound to find yourself in the Piazza San Marco one way or another when you’re in Venice, so be sure to make the most of your time there.

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Venice is a bit infamous for having restaurants with overpriced mediocre food, but don’t worry–there’s plenty of good eating if you know where to look. For expertly prepared traditional Venetian food in an elegant setting, it doesn’t get much better than Vini da Gigio. The menu changes according to what’s available in the market, so you can count on a truly local meal. You’ll also find fresh food at Antico Dolo, which is an old standby for Venetian seafood dishes. For something a little more casual, have a drink or light meal at Caffe Florian, which has been around since 1720 and has attracted such worldly patrons as Charles Dickens and Lord Byron in its time. Harry’s Bar hasn’t been around for quite as long, but it’s old and good enough that Ernest Hemingway and Charlie Chaplin were once fans. It also happens to be where the Bellini was invented, so be sure to try one while you’re there. For sweets, you can’t go wrong with Pasticceria Rosa Salva, one of the city’s oldest pastry shops–the cakes and candies have stood the test of time. If all else fails, buy food straight from one of the markets, like the one in the Rialto district, and get in some people-watching while you picnic. You won’t go hungry in Venice.

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Venice’s unique layout means you won’t have access to the usual transportation options, but don’t worry. Walking is actually the best way to soak up the character and charm of this beautiful old city. However, you’ll probably get lost at least once. Few maps can really capture all the details of Venice’s intricate layout. It’s best to simply accept the inevitable and allot more time for travel than you think you’ll need. After all, getting lost in Venice is a special experience in itself. Venice is small enough that you’re unlikely to lose too much time from taking a wrong turn anyway, and there are signs pointing the way to most of the major landmarks. If worse comes to worst, ask a local to point you in the right direction. When your feet get tired, there’s one other good option: boat. Why visit Venice at all if you don’t want to experience a ride in the canals? It’s expensive but definately worth it to take a gondola ride at least once. Be sure to settle the price, route, and length of time with the gondolier before the ride starts. A little less pricey are the water taxis and water buses. If you’re going to be in the city for more than a day, a multi-day water bus pass is definately a good investment. Getting around in Venice should be one of the most memorable parts of your visit, so come with a sense of adventure.

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The best time to visit Venice depends on what you want to get out of your trip. There are pros and cons to visiting really during any season. Winters are often long, cold, and harsh, but the city will be much calmer and you’ll have a good chance of finding bargains, as there will be fewer tourists–except during Carnevale in late winter. Likewise, though summers can be hot and unpleasant, many popular festivals take place during this time of year, so you might not want to miss out. The acqua alta, or high water, is most likely to happen during the fall–so avoid those months if you want to keep your feet dry, or go anyway and take the flooding in stride just like the Venetians do. After all, there’s always plenty to do indoors while you wait for the weather to clear. Spring and early summer have the most pleasant weather, which means they’re especially high tourist seasons, so you’ll have to deal with crowds and high prices. But there’s really no true off-season–Venice is a popular destination year-round. It pays to research Venetian festivals and holidays before deciding on when to go, and to book hotel rooms ahead of time no matter when you plan to visit.

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Thanks to its history of trade and wealth, Venice has long been a place where the arts have flourished and influences from around the world are nurtured–and it has the museums to prove it. If you only visit one museum in Venice, make it the Academy Gallery. Easily one of Italy’s most prestigious museums, the collection features work by the best of Venice’s pre-19th century painters, such as Giorgione and the Bellini family. For even more 18th century Venetian paintings, visit Ca’ Rezzonico, which contains works by artists like Longhi and Tiepolo, along with unique 18th century antiques. To learn more about the history of Venice, visit Museo Correr to see antique weapons, maps, and more. Or take a tour of the Palazzo Ducale, which was the seat of Venice’s government for centuries. For a change of pace, visit Ca’ Pesaro to see Venetian modern art as well as a collection of Asian artifacts. Then there’s Ca’ d’Oro, which is worth visiting not only for the art and antiquities its gallery, but for the stunning Gothic architecture of the building itself. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is another architectural wonder, with over 60 works by the celebrated painter Tintoretto. If you don’t visit any of Venice’s museums, you’ll be missing out on an important part of the city’s cultural wealth, so be sure to make time for at least a few.

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In many ways Venice is a tourist’s dream city, with attractions seemingly packed into every inch. You might need to narrow down your list of things to see. Be sure to visit the Piazza San Marco, or St Mark’s Square, which is easily one of the most popular locations in the city. This is where you can see the Campanile di San Marco, the tallest bell tower in Venice, which offers a great view of the city. It’s also where you’ll find the Basilica di San Marco, the most famous of Venice’s many churches. Another famous Venetian basilica is the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Inside are a number of masterpieces by great Venetian painters like Bellini and Vivarini. When you’re ready for something a little more lively, head to Rialto to see the bustling, historic market and the famous Ponte di Rialto bridge. This is the oldest of the bridges spanning the Grand Canal, and it’s one of Venice’s biggest attractions. Finally, what would a trip to Venice be without a gondola ride? For the best experience, have your gondolier take you through the less crowded canals. During the ride, keep an eye out for the Santa Maria della Salute basilica; its dome is one of the most iconic parts of the Venetian skyline. And don’t forget to take in the less famous sights in Venice while you’re at it; there’s something memorable around every corner.

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Venice might be a tourist town, but some areas should be higher on your list than others. San Marco is easily the most visitor-oriented neighborhood. You can’t afford to skip the Piazza San Marco with its famous basilica and bell tower, along with some of Venice’s best museums. Just across the Grand Canal is San Polo, which is the smallest neighborhood but still one of the busiest, thanks to the Rialto market. With all that fresh food nearby, it’s no wonder San Polo has some of the best restaurants in Venice, and is another of the more popular neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Cannaregio is much quieter. The historic Jewish Ghetto–which is actually where the word “ghetto” originated–is in this neighborhood, and it’s worth exploring to get acquainted with Jewish-Venetian history and culture. The Dorsoduro neighborhood will be more crowded, but when the weather is good it’s one of the most pleasant parts of Venice. Dorsoduro is also home to the Acdemy Gallery, which is the one museum in Venice nobody should miss. Finally, get away from the city to visit some of the other islands. Burano is a stunningly colorful fishing town, while Murano is famous for its glasswork, and Torcello will offer the most greenery and open space you’ll find in Venice. All of Venice is worth visiting if you have the time, so enjoy whichever areas your sightseeing takes you to.