Venice, the lagoon city on the Adriatic Sea,
is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world.
The historic center of Venice is located on more than a hundred islands,
between which pass the famous canals,
a total of more than
As a hub for trade between Europe, Asia and Africa, Venice had achieved considerable prosperity in the Middle Ages. The then Republic of Venice was a major economic and political power and the city was one of the first financial centers in European history.
Venice's islands and palaces, canals and gondolas have inspired painters and musicians for centuries. Today, the city is also a popular setting for many film productions, from German television crime series to spectacular Hollywood movies.
Venice has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. One of its main attractions is the Grand Canal with its more than 200 noble palaces and the famous bridges, from the four-century-old Rialto Bridge to the modern Ponte della Costituzione designed by Santiago Calatrava. Other famous sights include the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica with its Campanile, and the Baroque church Santa Maria della Salute.
For art lovers, Venice offers the Biennale di Venezia as well as many small and large museums, including the Gallerie dell'Accademia with its important collection of Venetian paintings and the renowned Peggy Guggenheim Collection of modern art.
Venice, on the other hand, does not have a diverse LGBTQ scene.
There are only a few gay places, most of which are located in the
industrial area of Mestre on the mainland west of the lagoon.
Larger venues, gay parties and Pride events can be found in Padua,
30 kilometers away from Venice.
If you are traveling longer in the north of Italy, we recommend you take a look
at our gay guides for
Milan,
Bologna and
Florence.