The unforgettable city of Venice

Evocative architecture, romantic ambience and charming heritage—a visit to this Italian city is like walking into a painting. Glimpses of artisans at their creative best, cooks whipping up mouth-watering dishes and musicians humming everything from classical tunes to rock, every nook and corner of Venice is steeped in culture, art and history.

With a cup of gelato in your hand, explore this picture-postcard city on an iconic gondola ride. Sail in the city’s meandering waterways and take in stunning views of historical landmarks, the colour-changing skyline, outdoor restaurants and cafes at sunset.

This pedestrian stone arch bridge on the Grand Canal is one of the oldest bridges in Venice. A landmark of the city, the 400-year bridge is 75-foot-wide and 24-foot long, and among its most picturesque stretches.

Once called ‘the drawing room of Europe’ by Napolean, the San Marco Square is the vantage point for city’s well-known attractions. St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), Doge’s Palace and Torre dell’Orologio form the nerve centre of the city and offer intriguing glimpses of Venice’s glorious past.

Even the humbler dining establishments in Venice will surprise you with their selection of fine local and international wine lists. Familiarise yourself with some local favourites, including whites like tocai and soave, and reds such as valpolicella and cabernet franc. In the evenings, grab a table along the canal and savour a few glasses with friends or your loved one.

Capped by a pyramidal spire, Venice’s bell tower is the city's tallest building and offers travellers spectacular views of the canals, magnificent bridges and historical monuments topped by marvellous domes, from its topmost point. After its collapse in 1902, the 323-foot-tall tower was rebuilt in 1912 and matched its predecessor to perfection. It is now considered to be one of the most iconic spots of the city.

There’s no better place to find culinary inspiration than Venice. Discover lip-smacking specialties like risotto, beans and polenta. Most restaurants also offer a delectable variety of fresh seafood, thanks to Venice’s location on a lagoon.

With each house painted in a striking and different colour, the fishing village of Burano is a short boat ride away from bustling Venice. Browse through its old-world lace products and enjoy authentic continental cuisine at the roadside eateries, as you explore this colourful village on foot.

The lagoon city is also home to one of the most famous theatres in the continent, La Fenice. Famous for its operas, it has sparkling gold-coloured interiors, and stages some of the most remarkable concerts and performances throughout the year.

The 11-km-long sandbar of Lido di Venezia is chock-a-block with landmarks like Lido (the venue of the Venice Film Festival) in the north, hotels and casinos in the centre, and Alberoni (housing a vast golf course) to the south. Bustling with bars, restaurants, hotels and shops, Lido di Venezia is a travel magnet primarily because of its sandy beach.

With its magical surroundings, vibrant culture and historic buildings, it’s not surprising to find Venice topping a list of the world’s most beautiful cities. Full of charming surprises, Venice leaves every traveller coming back for more. (Text by Mayank Kumar)