Greater Venice City Breaks

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Hidden Venice, off the beaten path

The historic centre of Venice is made up of six different districts, or sestieri. But step beyond the borders and you’ll find much more of this famous Italian city to explore. The Greater Venice area is part of the wider Metropolitan City of Venice, with its own charm and character.

Along with the famous canals, the metropolitan region covers a diverse landscape, from the mainland's countryside to the alluring islands of the lagoon. It embodies everything that’s great about Northern Italy and the beautiful Veneto region.

Staying in Greater Venice is ideal if you’re looking to save on hotels, leaving more money in your pocket to spend on sightseeing and souvenirs. It’s also perfect if you prefer staying in quieter areas, away from the crowds. So, if you’re planning a trip to Venice, the Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy, is an excellent choice.

Just so you know, the local government of Venice has introduced a new regulation so that the city doesn’t become overcrowded and is enjoyable for those visiting. For each day on the last week of April (27-30 April) and the first week of June (1-4 June), as well as every weekend (Fri-Sun) from 3 April – 26 July 2026, entry to the city of Venice between 8.30am and 4pm is subject to payment of the Venice Access Contribution fee.

If you’re staying within the city of Venice and paying the Tourist Tax, you won’t need to pay the access fee, but you’ll need to register for a QR code as proof of your stay. Or you can also print and fill a self-declaration form. Anyone under the age of 14 is also exempt but may need to show proof of age.

To register for your QR code, please follow these steps:

Head to the official website https://cda.ve.it/en/ and click “Exemptions”
Select "Access exemptions" and then “I am a guest of an accommodation facility located in the municipality of Venice”
Select “Request exemption”, enter your arrival and departure dates and provide answers to the other questions about your personal information
In the data entry screen, add the name and address of where you’re staying
Add names of other guests under “Add holder”
Once you’ve completed the online form and added all necessary info, you’ll receive your QR code electronically – be sure to keep this safe and accessible on your device so you can show it as and when required

Get a fabulous view from Punta San Giuliano
Tucked away at the very bottom of a huge park – one of the biggest in Europe – is one of Venice’s best hidden gems. From this viewpoint, you’ll enjoy a mesmerising panorama of the historic city.
Visit Forte Marghera
Where else can you visit a military museum, a cat sanctuary, and a cool alfresco dockside bar all in one place? This 19th-century fort makes for an unusual but interesting day out.
Soak up the energy of Feretto Square
Mestre is one of Greater Venice’s most lively areas, and Feretto Square is its beating heart. Spend a few hours checking out the shops before bar-hopping around the pubs and taverns.

Explore our map of Greater Venice

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Your Greater Venice questions, answered

What is the mainland part of Venice called?How far is it from Venice to Venezia?Is Venice cheap or expensive?Where is the main strip of Venice?What is the only piazza in Venice called?

You’ll usually hear Venice’s mainland referred to as Venezia. It’s just the Italian word for Venice, but it helps distinguish between the mainland, the lagoon, and its islands.

The bridge connecting Venice and Venezia is just under four kilometres long. You can cross it by car, bus, taxi, or tram in around five minutes. You can also take a 30-minute water bus to Tessera near the airport.

Venice is a hugely popular holiday hotspot, so expect to pay a little more than usual for hotels in Venice's city centre. You’ll often find more budget-friendly options in the Greater Venice area.

Venice doesn’t have a strip, as such, but it does boast some lively shopping streets. Strada Nuova is usually considered the main high street, packed with souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants.

Venice’s only official square is Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square. However, there are loads of other unofficial squares – usually packed with local markets – known as campi, which means fields in English.