Venice is still one of the great places to start or end a Mediterranean cruise, but the big ships no longer sail past St Mark’s. Large ships now dock on the mainland, so most passengers arrive by bus or boat, and the first view is Piazzale Roma rather than the Grand Canal. It rewards slowing down. Stay two or three nights, walk early before the day visitors arrive, eat cicchetti standing at a bacaro near Rialto, and take the water bus down the Grand Canal at least once.
Practical
How long to go for: Two or three nights before or after a cruise. A port day covers San Marco and Rialto.
When to go: April, May, June, September, October
How to get there: Fly into Venice Marco Polo (VCE), then take the boat or the bus to the city. Large cruise ships dock on the mainland at Marghera or Fusina.
How to get around: On foot and by vaporetto (water bus). There are no cars or bikes in the historic centre. Water taxis are quick but expensive.
Arriving by ship
Since 2021, ships over 25,000 tons may not sail through the Giudecca Canal. Large ships dock on the mainland at Marghera or Fusina and passengers come in by shuttle bus or boat, mostly to Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. Small ships may still use the old city terminals. Our port-day distances start at Piazzale Roma. Check your line’s documents for your exact terminal.