Venice

1. The port

2. Parking

3. On foot

4. People Mover

5. Vaporetto

6. Alilaguna

7. Gondolas

8. City sightseeing

9. By bike

10. The top sights in Venice

11. Excursion tips for Venice

12. Book shore excursions

      12.1 Meine Landausflüge

      12.2 Get Your Guide

      12.3 Viator

Venice, the 'Serenissima,' is an architectural marvel built across 118 islands. World-famous for its labyrinthine canals, magnificent palaces, and iconic gondolas, the Lagoon City captivates millions of visitors every year. Its centerpiece is St. Mark's Square, home to the opulent St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Yet, Venice is more than just a museum: in the winding alleys of Cannaregio or Dorsoduro, you can still find authentic craftsmanship and traditional bacari bars. Despite the challenges of high water (acqua alta) and mass tourism, the charm of this car-free city remains unrivaled—a place where time seems to stand still between Renaissance facades and shimmering waters.

For many, Venice is the absolute highlight of an Adriatic cruise. However, the days when 'ocean giants' sailed majestically past St. Mark's Square are over. To protect the city's historic foundations, much has changed for cruise passengers. Since 2021, cruise ships exceeding 120 meters in length or 25,000 GT (Gross Tonnage) are no longer permitted to take the route past St. Mark’s to the Stazione Marittima. This affects nearly all modern cruise ships. As a result, several cruise lines including TUI Cruises and AIDA have diverted their routes to Trieste.

In the large industrial port of Marghera, two cruise terminals have since been constructed. One is located at the PSA Vecon Container Terminal, while the Cruise Terminal Fusina opened in 2024. Currently, passengers still check in at the Venezia Terminal Passeggeri before being transferred to Marghera via buses or water taxis. A brand-new cruise terminal is scheduled for completion by 2028.

For cruisers from Southern Germany, arriving by car is a viable alternative. From Munich, for example, the drive takes about six hours. Driving through Austria and Italy is very pleasant, but you must strictly observe the speed limits. A vignette is required for transit through Austria, and toll fees apply in Italy.

In Venice, there are parking lots directly at the terminal as well as several parking garages in the immediate vicinity of the port. Below is a price comparison for a 7-day stay:

• Venezia Terminal Passeggeri: These parking lots are located directly at the cruise terminal. €130

• Garage Europa Mestre: This parking lot is on the mainland; a shuttle will take you to the ship and back. €119

• Tronchetto Parking: Located near the cruise terminal, it offers special discounts for cruisers. €120

We used Tronchetto Parking both times we visited Venice. It features large parking spaces and is bright and modern. You can claim a 40% discount on Level 0 (Deck 0) by presenting your cruise voucher from the shipping line. These are just a few examples, as many other parking options are available in Venice.

In addition to the many water taxis that take tourists into the heart of Venice, you can also easily reach the city center on foot. Once you have crossed the bridge, keep right and head towards the Main Station (Santa Lucia). In today’s age of digital route planners, the path is easy to navigate and allows you to experience a completely different side of Venice. In any case, once you are inside the city, all the major sights are accessible on foot.

If you prefer not to walk, you can use the People Mover. This automated cable car system can accommodate up to 200 passengers. The route runs from Tronchetto, stopping at the Marittima cruise terminal, and ending at Piazzale Roma, located just a short distance from the Ponte della Costituzione. A one-way ticket currently costs €1.50.

Once you have arrived at Piazzale Roma via the People Mover, you have two options: you can either walk to St. Mark's Square (approximately 30 to 45 minutes) or take a vaporetto (water bus) to get there.

The vaporettos are operated by the ACTV company; you can find current prices and routes here. You can purchase your tickets online in advance; please note that day passes become valid from the moment of their first validation

If you want to reach St. Mark's Square quickly, the best option is to take the yellow Alilaguna boats. The stops for the Linea Rossa (Red Line) and Linea Blu (Blue Line) are located directly in front of Terminal 103 at the head of the harbor. You can find the current fares here.

A romantic way to explore Venice is by gondola. While it is certainly a beautiful experience, it is unfortunately also a costly one. A 30-minute ride costs €90, and a maximum of 5 to 6 passengers can share a boat. This makes the price more reasonable if you are traveling in a group or can find fellow passengers to split the cost.

In Venice, you don’t have to miss out on city sightseeing tours—they simply take place on the water instead! The company City Sightseeing, well-known for operating Hop-on Hop-off buses in many other cities, also maintains a fleet of boats in Venice. The concept remains the same: there are various stops where you can hop off to explore and hop back on later to continue your journey. Tickets can be purchased online. You can find information regarding routes and prices here.

If you are looking for a more active way to explore, Baja Bikes is the perfect choice. Here, you can book guided city tours with local guides to discover the area from a different perspective.

Stand 2025

Meine Landausflüge offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.

• Small group sizes  
• Punctual return guarantee  
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from/to the port  
• Money-back guarantee for itinerary changes and port cancellations  
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour (Flex option up to 60 minutes before the tour start)

With GetYourGuide, you can book land excursions in small groups, often at better prices than those offered by cruise lines. All experiences are carefully selected and reviewed by experts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the excursion.

Viator, a Tripadvisor company, is one of the world's leading online marketplaces for travel experiences. The platform provides travelers with access to more than 300,000 activities, including guided tours, day trips, attraction tickets, and exclusive experiences in thousands of destinations worldwide. A key advantage for users is the millions of authentic traveler reviews that help in making informed choices. 

Viator is known for its high flexibility:

• offering free cancellation on many bookings up to 24 hours in advance.
• Additionally, the "reserve now, pay later" option provides financial freedom during trip planning. 

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