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)

Pizzeria Bella Vicenza

Just off the main square, this great-value pizzeria proudly specializes in seasonal vegetable toppings, such as peas, asparagus, aubergine (eggplant) or red chicory.
Pizzeria Vecio Foghero

In a quiet courtyard through a portico. The patriotic, and delicious, Pizza al tricolore is topped with mozzarella, rocket (arugula) and tomatoes.
Play Areas

Children tired of art and architecture can release their energy at well-equipped playgrounds with slides, swings and frames at Parco Savorgnan near Ponte delle Guglie in Cannaregio and the fenced-in waterfront park at Giardini in Castello (see Via Garibaldi and Giardini). The vast shady green expanse of Sant’Elena even boasts a modest skating rink and an artificial climbing wall. Otherwise make friends with the city kids as they kick footballs or cycle around Campo San Polo (see Campo San Polo) of an afternoon.
Ponte degli Scalzi

One of the city’s most marvellous lookout points, over fascinating palaces and boats, can be had from this elegant 40-m (130-ft) long bridge, 7 m (23 ft) above the Grand Canal. Named after the nearby monastery of bare-footed monks, this 1934 structure in Istrian stone by Eugenio Miozzi replaced an Austrian-built iron bridge.
Ponte dei Pugni

Fistfights (pugni ) between rival clans took place here until 1705 when they were outlawed for their violence (see Campo San Barnaba). Stone footprints marked the starting point of the combat, but contestants usually ended up in the canal.
Ponte dei Tre Archi

A favourite subject for artists, this unusual three-arched high bridge dating from 1688 crosses the Cannaregio canal close to where it joins the lagoon. It was the work of engineer Andrea Tirali, nicknamed Tiranno (the tyrant) by his employees.
Ponte del Fontego

A Neo-Classical bridge featuring gondola bas-reliefs .
Ponte della Libertà

Truth and irony combine in the name of this 3.6-km (2-mile) “Bridge of Freedom”: the first full link between the mainland and Venice was put in place in 1933, when Italy was living under Fascism. The construction was preceded 86 years earlier by the Austrian-built railway bridge across the lagoon. Before that, the city relied entirely on boats.
Ponte delle Tette

When an increase in the practice of sodomy was recorded in the 1400s, the city’s prostitutes were encouraged to display their feminine wares at the windows over the “Bridge of Breasts”.
Ponte Lungo

Marvellous views of Piazza San Marco should entice visitors to this 33-m (110-ft) long iron bridge. Halfway along Giudecca, from 1340 it served as a link with newly reclaimed tidal flats.

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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