Are there cars in Venice?
Millions of keen travellers flock to Venice for the picturesque canals, cobblestone laneways, and amazing architecture.
Venice is a stunning Italian city and the capital of the Veneto region. Often the city is known as The Floating City, and the City of Canals, and there’s no question why it has these names! 118 small islands make up Venice, with 438 bridges that connect each island.
But are there cars in Venice? Put it simply, no there aren’t cars here. Venice continues to be a car-free zone, as no cars are allowed in the city. But why? Because the city just doesn’t have the room for them, and it’s not needed here in Venice.
How do you get around Venice?
Even without cars, there are many ways you can still get around Venice to get around the different islands.
Walking
Walking is a very popular way to get around Venice and the best part about it is it’s free! Venice is very much a walkable city, and you can access all the individual islands via the bridges. Be prepared to do a lot of walking on your trip!
Gondola
Gondolas were once the only way to get around Venice to go between the individual islands. Today, a gondola is a popular activity you must do while visiting. You can do a gondola ride throughout the day and experience going down the canals.
The best time to go is in the evening for the sunset. Otherwise, you can book a morning or afternoon ride!
Boat/ferry
The boats are usually the water bus or a water taxi. The water bus is cheaper and takes you to different stops throughout Venice. For more of a direct route, a water taxi is your way to go but it can be pricey.
The Alilaguna ferry is one of the best ways to get you to and from Marco Polo Airport.
Why aren’t cars allowed in Venice?
So, why aren’t cars allowed in the city? Quite simple really, there isn’t any room for them and there isn’t any need for them either.
What can I see in Venice?
Venice has a lot of beautiful things you can see and do that you can reach by walking or by a waterborne mode of transport.
Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is a Venetian Gothic-style building and is one of the main attractions in Venice. The palace was once the home to the Doge of Venice, who had the highest role of authority in the city.
You will need to book tickets to enter Doge’s Palace and see the grand halls, prisons, and all kinds of beautiful artwork inside.
Explore the laneways
The best way to explore the cobblestone laneways is to simply get lost. As you cross a bridge and take random turns down the laneways where you can discover tiny cafes, amazing restaurants, and different shops.
Rialto Bridge
With over 400 bridges, Rialto Bridge is easily Venice’s most famous bridge. Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge in Venice and was built between 1588 to 1591. This bridge was once the only way you could cross the Grand Canal up until the 19th century.
Even though there are over 100 islands in Venice, it is still a small city. If possible, you will want to spend around two to four days here to see the highlights and discover the culture and history.