GeoStats:

Alternate Name: Venezia

Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens need passports, but not visas.

Population: 269,441

Languages: Italian

Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)

Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1GMT). 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (+6EST).

Voltage Requirements: 220 volts

Phone Codes: 39, country code: 041, city code

Destination:

Venice


Key Events

topFestivals


Carnival
Feb-Mar (dates vary by year)

One of the world's most famous Carnival celebrations. Masked revelers fill the squares, and exclusive parties take place in the city's palazzi during the 10 days before Lent.

Festa della Sensa
40th day after Easter

This Feast of the Ascension has been marked in Venice for more than 1,000 years by a symbolic wedding ceremony with the sea. Originally the doge would throw a gold ring into the water to celebrate the port city's relationship with the sea; now the mayor plays the part. Regattas follow.

Festa del Redentore
3rd weekend in July

The Feast Day of the Redeemer celebrates the city's recovery from the plague of 1576. A bridge of boats crosses the Giudecca Canal to the church of the Redentore, and a huge fireworks display lights up the sky.

topArt and Architecture

Venice Biennale
Jun-Nov

Since 1895, this major cultural exhibition has been held each year in venues around the city. In odd years, the focus is contemporary art – in even years, the focus is architecture. Yearly events include the Venice Film Festival as well as festivals of theater, music and dance.

topRegattas

Vogalonga
Late May

Thousands of non-motorized boats compete in this friendly race from the lagoon to Burano, and back down through the Grand Canal.

topOpera


Arena di Verona
Mid Jun-Aug

More than eight decades old, this annual opera festival features world-famous singers and opera directors staging performances at the ancient Roman Arena.

Opera Season
Sep-mid Jun

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues.

topSoccer

Soccer Season
Late Sep-early Jun

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena.