Venice is an invitation into a world that’s not found anywhere else. Palatial residences rise from the water with timeless elegance, private gondolas glide through candlelit canals, and historic hotels offer refined seclusion behind centuries-old façades. For the discerning traveller from the UAE, Venice feels instinctively familiar in its appreciation for privacy, craftsmanship and heritage. Days unfold at an unhurried pace, marked by bespoke shopping, curated art encounters and moments of quiet indulgence that feel far removed from the ordinary.
What makes Venice especially alluring is its contrast. The serenity of the lagoon offers a poetic counterpoint to the dynamism of life in the UAE, while maintaining a shared language of luxury and exclusivity. From private boat transfers and intimate dining overlooking the Grand Canal to early access at iconic landmarks and tailored cultural experiences, Venice offers a deeply personalised escape. It is a destination that rewards refined taste, offering not just beauty, but a sense of privilege and timeless romance that lingers long after the journey ends.
Venice traces its origins to a powerful mercantile past, once standing among the richest trading cities in the world. Built across one hundred and twenty islands and bound together by more than four hundred and fifty bridges, the city reveals itself as a masterfully complex tapestry of waterways, stone passages, and hidden corridors that speak of its enduring legacy.
Its beauty is discovered while wandering through narrow alleys, crossing timeworn bridges and tracing canals that invite slow exploration. Elegant piazzas appear unexpectedly, offering moments of rest and reflection between discoveries. As a pedestrian-only city, Venice encourages a gentler rhythm of travel, where movement is by foot or aboard a vaporetto gliding across the lagoon.
Venice offers a wealth of experiences for history enthusiasts, from the grandeur of St Mark’s Basilica and its bell tower to the stately Doge’s Palace and the elegance of St Mark’s Square. Art lovers are equally rewarded through renowned institutions such as the Gallerie dell’Accademia, San Giorgio Maggiore, and Ca’ d’Oro, where masterpieces and architectural beauty coexist.
The surrounding region is one of Italy’s most celebrated wine-producing areas, known for exceptional varietals such as Prosecco, Valpolicella, and Soave. Among them, Amarone della Valpolicella stands apart as the region’s most prestigious expression, crafted from carefully selected grapes and recognised as one of the world’s most coveted and expensive red wines.
The vibrant colours of fresh produce at the Rialto markets provide a glimpse into local traditions and seasonal rhythms. Along the banks of the Grand Canal, quiet moments unfold naturally, making them ideal settings to pause, relax and absorb the atmosphere of the city.
The ideal period to visit Venice is from April to June and again from September to October, when the weather is pleasant, crowds are lighter, and the city’s charm is at its most refined. These months allow for unhurried exploration and comfortable sightseeing.
Travellers from the UAE can reach Venice conveniently via one-stop flights through major European hubs from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Leading international airlines offer premium services, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey into northern Italy.
UAE Nationals do not require a visa for short stays within the Schengen Area, including Italy. UAE residents of other nationalities must apply for a Schengen tourist visa in advance, subject to standard documentation and processing guidelines.
The Accademia Gallery of Venice is a must-visit for painting enthusiasts. It was built with the intention to bring together all the works of art that were scattered throughout Venice under one roof. It currently has more than 800 paintings from the 12th to the 18th century.
Ca 'Rezzonico, located on the bank of the Grand Canal in the district of Dorsoduro, is one of the most important buildings in Venice. A rich Venetian residence, it houses a valuable collection of 18th century Venice furniture and paintings.
A short Vaporetto ride from St. Mark’s, the San Giorgio Maggiore church offers stunning views of the entire Venice. One of the architectural glories of Venice, it is decorated with works by Tintoretto, Carpaccio, and Jacopo Bassano.
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a historic site in Venice, noted for its collection of paintings by Tintoretto, and includes some of his finest work.
Ca d'Oro is an ancient patrician palace that dates back to the 15th century and is a good example of the change from the Gothic to the Renaissance style of architecture. It houses a stunning art collection belonging to Baron Giorgio Franchetti.
The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the most astonishing churches in Venice and well worth visiting. The highlight of the place is a painting by Titian called “Assumption of the Virgin”. Other points of interest include the tomb dedicated to Antonio Canova.
Teatro La Fenice is an opera house in Venice, Italy and is one of "the most renowned landmarks in the history of Italian theatre." Get a chance to travel back in time to experience the golden age of Italian opera with a guided tour that is available for tourists.
Try Spritz, a classic Venetian aperitif. It is a mix of white wine, Aperol (sweeter) or Bitter Campari and Select (bitterer) and a squirt of Seltz or Sparkling water.
A gondola ride through the canals is a must-have Venetian experience.
Ride a Vaporetto to the smaller islands of Burano, Murano and Lido.
Try Sarde in Saor, a traditional Venetian dish that consists of sardines, onions and balsamic vinegar. It tastes quite strong but is sweetened by raisins, pine nuts and red wine.
Check out the glass blowing techniques in Murano.
St Mark’s Basilica is one of the most popular tourist sites in Venice and a must-see on any traveller's itinerary! It’s history that dates back to the 9th century A.D. The church is built in a Byzantine style. Its design was heavily influenced by eastern styles of the time.
There are more than 8,000 square meters of mosaics inside St Mark’s Basilica which were created over 800 years. The Pala d’Oro, a Byzantine altar screen of gold, is a marvellous sight here. It is studded with hundreds of gems like 1,300 pearls, 300 emeralds, 300 sapphires, 400 garnets, 100 amethysts, plus rubies and topazes.
It is the biggest public square in Venice and perhaps one of the most beautiful ones in the world. It is said that Napoleon once referred to it as the ‘Drawing Room of Europe’. The square is surrounded by some of Venice’s most important buildings.
You will find the Basilica of St Mark's, the bell tower and the Doge's Palace on the square. Sometimes there are small bands that can be found playing around the square. The lovely music adds to the ambience.
Also known as the Palazzo Ducale, Doge's Palace is one of the most famous buildings in Venice and one of the major attractions here. It was the home of the Doge, the ruler of Venice, and the seat of power for the Venetian Republic. As of today, the Doge's Palace is one of Venice's must-see museums.
The Doge’s Palace is also home to the largest oil painting in the world. Measuring a massive 74 by 30 feet, Tintoretto’s heavenly masterpiece, Paradise is the largest painting done on a canvas in the world. It is a vision filling the entire wall behind the Doge’s throne in the Great Council room.
The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the Doge's Palace to the Prigioni, the prisons that were built in the late 16th century.
The bridge became the path by which the prisoners were transported from the prison to the inquisitor’s office. The popular belief of sadness and the sighs of condemned prisoners was what gave the bridge its name.
The Grand Canal is famous worldwide for its extraordinary beauty. The centuries-old palaces which stand on both sides of the water date to the 13th century, a time in which existed the Venetian Republic.
Approximately 3.8 km long, the Venice Grand Canal is the city’s busiest thoroughfare. It is the largest and most famous of Venice’s extensive network of canals. A tourist favourite, a romantic gondola ride along its picturesque waters is one of the most popular activities in Italy.
Rialto Bridge is a stone arch bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is also the oldest bridge in Venice while still being in use. Rialto Bridge is 22 meters wide and 48 meters long and has been the only way to cross the Grand Canal for nearly 300 years.
The San Polo district, Venice’s smallest sestiere, borders the Grand Canal and the sestiere of Dorsoduro and Santa Croce. It is popular for its famous fruit and vegetable markets in the mornings and lively bar scene in the evenings.
Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon famous for its colourful fishermen’s cottages and is a mere 40-minute ride from Venice itself. Summer or winter this wonderful place never fails to delight.
Burano’s little neighbour, Murano is famous worldwide for the exquisite, handcrafted Murano glass. Murano Glass is called art glass and the artists of this “blow” glassmaking are called maestros in Italian.
The Carnival of Venice or Carnevale di Venezia, like all other Carnivals around the world, takes place in the days leading up to Lent. It is one of the biggest celebrations in Italy. It attracts thousands of tourists every year who arrive in Venice to admire the extravagant costumes and exquisite masks parading in the streets.
Venice Carnival is especially famous for its beautifully ornate masks. The masks are given elaborate decorations and details and no two masks look the same.
(Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Our Venice tour packages from the UAE are customisable to suit your preferences.)
Day 1
Start off your first day from St. Marks Square. First, climb up the St. Marks Campanile which stands at 325 feet tall and towers over the St. Marks Square. From the top of this tower, you can get a fantastic view of the piazza. While you are up there you will also find some of the original bells that once rang out when it first opened. Next, take a short walk away from St. Marks Campanile to the historic St. Marks Basilica. After a guided tour exploring the basilica, visit Doges Palace, the seat of political and administrative power of the Venetian Republic. An architectural fusion, this monument was a blend of contemporary and primaeval eras and adds to the splendour of Venice. Take some time to explore the square itself. The place has numerous cafes, like the Gran Caffe Lavena. This historic cafe offers many different meals, cocktails, coffees, and sweet delicacies. After strolling around St. Marks Square, make your way to Dorsoduro. This small town houses a collection of museums, churches, galleries and vintage boutiques. Visit the Gallerie dell Accademia, home to several pieces of pre 19th century art and paintings. Other places here are Ca Rezzonico, San Sebastiano, Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute and Scuola Grande dei Carmini. To end your first day of the tour, visit one of Venices oldest bridges. Built back in 1588, the Rialto Bridge features over 3 different walkways on it which give you various views of the canal and city. You can stop by the Rialto Market nearby which sells fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.
Day 2
Start off your second day in Venice with the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Situated on the edge of the Grand Canal, this place was once a former palace. It was home to Peggy Guggenheim, a lover of modern art. Next up is a Grand Canal cruise to the picturesque islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. As you float along to Burano, you will see the vibrant fishermen houses that are scattered throughout the island. Head over to the Campo Santa Maria Formosa to see the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Known locally as San Zanipolo, the Basilica was finished in 1430 and is one of the largest churches in Venice. Observe its spectacular architecture, pillars, and remarkable mosaics and frescoes. End your tour in Venice on a classic note with a romantic Gondola Ride along the Grand Canal. The perfect time for a gondola ride would be early evening when the sun is just about to set. With the sky changing into hues of pink and orange, the beauty of Venetian waterways becomes exceptionally picturesque.
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What is the best time to visit Venice?
The months of September to November in early autumn and late spring season, which lasts from March to May is the best time to visit Venice. The weather is perfect during this time.
Which places shouldn’t I miss visiting in Venice?
The places in Venice that shouldn’t be missed visiting are St. Mark’s Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, and Grand Canal.
What is Venice famous for?
Venice is famous for its natural beauty, art and architecture, exciting gondola rides, vibrant locals, and deeply rooted history.
The real beauty of Venice does not lie in its many museums, palaces, or art galleries, but lies in the maze of little alleys and streets where you can just spend hours walking. Watching the golden sunset from a charming gondola while the gondolier sings traditional Venetian songs to you is a picture that’ll stay with you for a long time.
Visit this beautiful city with our tailormade Venice package holidays. Flying Squirrel Holidays has numerous tailormade Venice tour packages from UAE for you, and we wish to be a part of your journey!
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