DK Travel : Venice

The uniquely romantic city of Venice was built entirely on water and has managed to survive into the 21st century without cars. Narrow alleyways and canals pass between sumptuous palaces and magnificent churches, colourful neighbourhood markets and quiet backwaters, unchanged for centuries. Few cities possess such an awesome line-up of sights for visitors.

For guided tours around Venice (see Guided Tours)

Celestia to Bacini

A lengthy atmospheric walk-way in a somewhat neglected zone of Castello, fronting the lagoon. The path clings to the wall of the ancient Arsenale shipyards (see Arsenale), and leads to a cluster of workers’ dwellings.
Central Well

This received filtered rain water for the palazzo’s main water supply.
Centrale

A thoughtful use of candles and soft music helps to create a pleasant and welcoming ambience to this lounge bar and restaurant. They serve imaginative and sometimes somewhat innovative Mediterranean cuisine each evening until 2am.
Certosa

Inhabited by religious communities for more than 600 years, the “charterhouse” island went the way of many of its neighbours under occupation by French, Austrian and Italian forces, though currently as the property of the City Council, is slowly being cleaned up as a public park. Though there is no public boat service, it can be seen from vaporetto lines as they circle eastern Castello. Also clearly visible from the LidoPunta Sabbioni ferry are the impressive fortified ramparts of Sanmicheli’s 16th-century Forte di Sant’Andrea, which faced any hostile vessels that dared to enter the lagoon unbidden.
Cesare Sent

This talented artist from a long line of glassmakers, transforms the ancient art of murrhine glassware into striking modern objects.
Chamber Music

While listening to the uplifting notes of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons , or a masterpiece from Bach or Benedetto Marcello take a moment to unwind and relax from the day’s sightseeing. The Church of San Vidal was rebuilt around 1700 and has a spacious interior.
Charles Dickens

The great English novelist (1812–70) spent a brief period in Venice during a tour of Italy, and the city inspired a dream sequence in his work Pictures from Italy (1846).
Chat qui rit

Self-service restaurant with generous plates of pasta and salads served inside or out.
Chet Bar

One of the many lively music bars that can be found in Campo S Margherita. Chet Bar is a popular joint and is, as the name clearly indicates, dedicated to that great trumpet player Chet Baker.
Chiesa dei Gesuati

Set right on the Zattere waterfront close to the main ferry moorings, the Gesuati (also known as Santa Maria del Rosario) is often confused with the Gesuiti (Jesuit) establishment in Cannaregio. Taking over from a minor religious order, the Domenican friars had this church constructed in Classical style in 1726 by Giorgio Massari. Inside the ceiling consists of three uplifting frescoes (1737–9) by Tiepolo (see Giorgione), which are considered among his best work, portraying St Dominic amid glorious angels in flight.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €30
- €30-€40
- €40-€50
- €50-€60
- over €60