City walks in Venezia

Venice can be explored on foot or by boat, because the lagoon city is closed to cars. Away from the well-marked routes in the historic centre, time seems to have stood still here. During your visit and city tour, be sure to discover the neighbourhoods beyond the world-famous squares on your own. It's worth it, because in the Sestiere Cannaregio district, for example, you'll find authentic Venetian life and oases of peace and tranquillity.

In Venice, you will pass many a bridge and marvel at the palaces of the Doges and Patricians. If you travel comfortably by train, you will arrive at Santa Lucia station, which is located directly on the Grand Canal. The backdrop of Venice will overwhelm you. On the opposite bank, you will see the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Nazareth, built in 1660, just one of Venice's many churches.

Directly at the railway station is the landing stage for the vaporetti, which will take you to your next destination. The Grand Canal with its famous Rialto Bridge is lined with numerous Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque palaces. From the Rialto Bridge you should make a detour to the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. From the roof terrace of the old commercial and now luxury department stores', you have a magnificent view over the main canal and the city.

You could spend a whole day or more in St Mark's Square alone, which is surrounded by magnificent Gothic and Byzantine buildings. In addition to St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, the clock tower Torre del Orologio, the Old Library, the Procuracies, the Münze, the 12th century Campanile and the famous Café Florian are all located here. Venice has many other highlights to offer, such as the sighing bridge Ponte dei Sospiri, the opera house La Fenice, the Sestiere Castello district or the island of Murano, which is famous for its glass art.