Solo Travel in Venice: The Essential Guide

An enchanting city paved with history, culture and magic: here’s why solo travel in Venice is a great idea, and everything you need to know about planning your trip!

I chose to take a solo trip to Venice when I had a free weekend in the middle of September. I tend to travel with my partner, however I always try and take an annual trip somewhere alone. Honestly, solo adventures speak to a part of my soul, and has helped build my confidence in everyday life. Venice had always been on my bucket list, so I decided to treat myself to a weekend of relaxing and exploring a brand new city.

As it turns out, Venice is a great destination for solo travellers. Yes, you’ll encounter lots of couples on romantic getaways and cruise ship crowds, but the winding streets are perfect to wander through at your own pace. The bars and cafes lining the cobbled pathways make the perfect spot for people watching, or looking mysterious as you read a good book.

From what to see and where to stay, to tips on budgeting and safety – this is my essential guide to a Venice solo trip!

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Is Venice safe for solo travellers?

Yes! As a solo female traveller, Venice is one of the cities I’ve felt safest visiting. The crime rate in Venice is low compared to other European cities, with the main issues being pickpocketing and scams – which are common in many tourist-heavy areas. Even walking around after dark or first thing in the morning, I felt completely comfortable. (In fact, these were the times I enjoyed being in Venice the most!

Tips for staying safe in Venice

Most advice for solo travellers to stay safe in Venice are common sense and apply to any major city.

• Keep any valuables (phone, wallet, passport) in a safe place – either in the hotel safe, or in a secure pocket, bag or money wallet.
• Stay alert to scams – if anyone approaches you in the street offering to carry your luggage or sell you ‘designer’ goods, just walk away.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended at any time.
• Respect the city and its residents!

Budgeting tips for solo travel in Venice

Budgeting can be where it gets a little trickier if you’re travelling to Venice alone. Accommodation on the main island can be expensive, and you don’t have another person to split the hotel costs with.

However, there are ways to keep your costs as low as possible – but I’d also recommend splashing out on the things you REALLY want to do here.

These are my main tips for a budget-friendly solo trip to Venice:

• Book your trip as far in advance as possible. Venice is a popular destination, and the best value accommodation deals can be snapped up quickly.
• Visit during the week, when accommodation can be cheaper and the streets less crowded with day trippers.
• You may be able to get a better hotel or hostel deal in Mestre or Guidecca, but have a quick maths session with train or vaporetto (water bus) costs before you book.
• If you can, walk as much as possible to save expensive vaporetto costs. Venice is beautiful to explore on foot regardless, and most attractions are in easy walking distance of each other.
• If you do plan to use the vaporetto multiple times, consider buying a pass. Passes are available for 24hrs (€25), 48hrs (€35), 72hrs (€45) or 7 days (€65)
• If you’re under 29, you can get a 3 day transport pass for €27 when you buy a Rolling Venice Card for €6!
• Sign up for TopCashback (UK) to get money back on your travel spends – get £30 for free when you sign up with my link.

• Take advantage of free entry activities, like the T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace (booking in advance required) and San Giorgio Maggiore.
• Consider joining group experiences to save on activity costs – a shared gondola ride is much less expensive than a private one if you’re on your own!
• If you plan on exploring plenty of Venice’s religious buildings, pick up the CHORUS Church Pass for €16, giving you entry to 15 beautiful churches.
• Research budget food and drink options before you go, and mark them on Google Maps to check what’s nearby when you’re feeling hungry.
• Look out for cicchetti, tapas-style Venetian bar snacks. More on that to come!

What I spent on my solo trip to Venice

I spent a weekend in Venice in 2022, in the month of September. Here’s how much I spent:

Flights: €112 – booked individually with WizzAir (£37.99) and EasyJet (£56.57)
Accommodation: €277 – 3 nights (Fri-Mon) in a four bedroom female dorm at Foresteria Sociale
Activities: €208 – Dolomites group tour (€160), church entry (€2), ghost tour (€27), return ferry to Murano (€19). I also took a private gondola tour which would usually cost €177 as a sponsored experience.
Food & Drink: €127 – I’m a vegetarian, and didn’t drink much alcohol on the trip. I also treated myself to a fine dining experience, which cost €137.

As you can see, the most expensive parts of my trip were accommodation and activities. Without the more expensive activities, I would have spent around €564 (£475) for a three night trip. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of relatively affordable food and drink options.

Places to stay as a solo traveller in Venice

Even if you keep activity and dining costs as low as possible, accommodation is likely to be your biggest expense in Venice.

BUDGET TRAVEL TIP: As mentioned previously, book your stay in as much advance as possible – the more affordable accommodation options tend to sell out quickly.

Hostels in Venice

Hostels are a great option for solo travellers on a budget in Venice, however there aren’t many on the island itself. I stayed in a 4-bed Female Dorm at Foresteria Sociale, and it was a clean and comfortable, albeit basic, hostel experience. Other dorm rooms can be found on the island at Ostello AMDG (which also offers decently priced private rooms) and Ostello S Fosca.

Venice also has a branch of Generator Hostels, which I’ve stayed in around the world – although you’ll need to factor in vaporetto costs, as it’s on Guidecca Island.

If you’re fine with getting a 20min bus or taxi to the edge of Venice every day, there are more hostel options on the mainland – often with cheaper prices. Anda Venice and MENINGER Venice Mestra have mixed and female dorms, and are popular with solo travellers in Venice.

Hotels in Venice

This is where it starts to get expensive – you’re unlikely to find hotels in Venice for under €100 per night. But not everything is as expensive as the Gritti Palace, and the earlier you book, the more affordable accomodation options you’ll be able to find.

In central Venice, Ca Widmann, Hotel Guirinni, Locanda Sant’Anna and Atlantide Hotel all offer single rooms (some with shared bathrooms) for between €100-150 per night.

Other central hotel options coming in at around €150-250 per night include Hotel Citta Di Milano, Hotel Falier, Hotel ai do Mori and Residenza d’Epoca San Cassiano.

Hotels in Mestre can be cheaper for solo travellers on a budget (although make sure you factor in your travel costs to the island before you commit). Hotel alla Giustizia, Hotel Autoespresso Venice and Best Western Plus Bologna are all close to the train station for direct links into Venice. The train from Mestre to Venice costs from €5 each way and takes around 10 minutes.

Getting around Venice

There are no cars or land-based public transport on the island of Venice – so no buses, trains or taxis here! The best way to get around Venice is on foot, with hundreds of captivating streets and alleyways to lose yourself in.

Travelling by water

Along the Grand Canal, vaporetto (water bus) services run regularly. But they’re quite expensive, costing €9.50 for a single ride (or multiple rides within a 75-minute time limit).

If you’re planning on using the vaporetto often, passes are available for 24hrs (€25), 48hrs (€35), 72hrs (€45) or 7 days (€65).

Bear in mind these services can be busy, and locals on their commute have priority access so you might have a longer wait at peak times.

Getting from Mestre to Venice

If you’re travelling from the Mestre area to Venice, you can catch a train or bus across Liberty Bridge.

The train from Venice Mestre Station to Santa Lucia takes 10 minutes, and cost around €5 per journey.

There are also bus services from the wider Mestre area that run to central Venice, taking slightly longer but often cheaper, with fares starting at €1.50.

Essential sights to see on a solo trip to Venice

Aka, the fun part. Venice is a stunning city to explore at your own pace, taking in the sights and getting lost in the city’s captivating streets and alleyways.

When it comes to sightseeing, these are a few of the heavy-hitter highlights you just can’t miss:

Grand Canal

The largest and most famous canal in Venice, the Grand Canal is the centrepiece of the city. It runs for 4km in total, bisecting the island with four iconic bridges.

Rialto Bridge

Of all four bridges, the Rialto Bridge is the most reknowned – and oldest. Built to connect San Marco and San Polo, it served as the only permanent structure crossing the Grand Canal until the 19th century. The ornate 16th century stonework and arch structure is considered a major architectural achievement of the Renaissance period.

The bridge itself gets incredibly busy with tourists, so visit early in the morning to have a more relaxed experience. The best views of the bridge itself can be found from below, along the canalside pathways.

Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square)

The thriving, buzzing heart of Venice, this public square dates back to the 12th century. The main expanse of the square is surrounded on three sides by stately Venetian architecture, populated by upmarket (and expensive) cafes and restaurants.

St. Mark’s Campanile

Towering over the square, St. Mark’s Campanile is the dizzying bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica. A reconstruction completed in 1912 after the previous tower collapsed in 1902, it’s the tallest structure in Venice standing at almost 100m tall.

Opening Times: 9:30 am–8:45 pm (may close earlier in winter)
Admission Fee: From €16 (book skip-the-line tickets in advance. A combi ticket with the basilica also available)

St. Mark’s Basilica

The intricately detailed arches, spires and domes of St. Mark’s Basilica will immediately draw your eye when stepping into Piazza San Marco. This ninth century religious building blends Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Renaissance styles. Built initially as the Doge’s private chapel and to hold golden treasures, in 1807 it became the basilica of the Patriarch of Venice.

With over 85,000 square feet of captivating mosaics and 500 Byzantine columns, it’s a spectacular display of architecture not to be missed!

Opening Times: 9:30 am–5 pm
Admission Fee: From €9.90, with some attractions inside charged at an additional fee. (book in advance to skip the line)

Doge’s Palace

This impressive building was once the home of the Doge of Venice, the elected leader and chief magistrate of the Republic of Venice. Inside, you’ll discover grand chambers decorated with striking artworks, including the Great Council Chamber, one of the biggest rooms in the whole of Europe. The palace is also home to the relatively modest Doge’s residence, the New Prison, and the Bridge of Sighs.

Opening Times: 9am-6pm (open until 10pm on Sat & Sun)
Admission Fee: €25 (advance booking), €30 (on the day). (combo tickets for the Palace and Basilica also available)

Libreria Acqua Alta

One of the world’s most uniquely charming bookshops, Libreria Acqua Alta is a quirky pit stop in Venice for book lovers. Running a bookshop in a city known for flooding has its occupational hazards, but this store has found ways to keep their tomes safe from rising waters. Inside, you’ll find books piled up in bathtubs, canoes and even a gondola.

Libreria Acqua Alta is a popular spot for tourists to come, take photos in and leave; you can support this independent store by picking up a book or a postcard.

Bridge of Sighs

This enclosed limestone bridge passes across Rio di Palazzo, historically connecting Doge’s Palace with the New Prison. The bridge’s name originates from it being the last glimpse prisoners had of the outside world before their imprisonment.

The best view of the Bridge of Sighs can be found at Ponte della Paglia, along the waterfront promenade.

Basilica de Santa Maria della Salute

The dome of this spectacular church (often referred to as simply ‘Salute’) is a dominating landmark alongside the Grand Canal. Construction began in 1630, during the Great Italian Plague, and an annual service to mark deliverance from the plague is held annually in November.

Opening Times: 9 am–12 pm, 3–5:30 pm
Admission Fee: Free entry to the basilica, €4 entry to the museum

Murano & Burano

During my weekend in Venice, I took a break from the daytime cruise ship crowds and hopped on a ferry to Murano. A much smaller island interspersed with small canals, Murano is also reknowned for its long tradition of glass-making. Browse storefronts teeming with local glasswares, watch a glass blowing demonstration or even try your hand at the craft for yourself.

Combine your visit to Murano with another Venetian island, Burano. The colourful houses here are a pure dopamine hit, and you can also explore the island’s rich tradition of lace craftsmanship.

A day ticket for the ferry between Venice, Murano and Burano costs €25 (this also includes vaporetto services within Venice). If you’d prefer to take a tour (which also includes an extra stop and glassblowing demonstration), you can book a Venetian Lagoon Tour to Murano, Burano and Torcello.

The best activites and tours in Venice

Joining a group activity or tour is a great way to meet other travellers – bonding through a shared activity.

Walking tours

To learn more about the city, a walking tour with a local guide is a great orientation activity and a chance to meet other travellers. For an off-the-beaten track approach, you could also take a tour of Venice’s more unusual sights.

Gondola Ride

Yes, it’s touristy. But you’re in Venice – and nothing says Venice quite like the iconic image of a beautifully crafted gondola floating along the Grand Canal. Private gondola experiences are expensive, so the best way to experience a gondola ride as a solo traveller on a budget is by booking a shared gondola ride!

Dolomites Day Trip

One of the highlights of my solo Venice trip was spending a day exploring the Dolomites, on a small group Cortina and Dolomites guided tour. Starting off in the chocolate box alpine town of Cortina, we drove through breathtaking natural landscapes and stopped off at panoramic viewpoints. There was time for lunch and a walk around Lake Misurina, and stops at other lakes and points of interest. If you’re outdoors-inclined, it’s absolutely worth the splurge.

Solo Dining in Venice

One of the biggest concerns for solo travellers in Venice is: will I be welcomed dining alone? The answer: yes! You may get the odd host slightly taken aback by your ‘tavolo per uno’ request, but everywhere I ate was perfectly welcoming. One of the best things about solo dining is that you can pick ANYWHERE you fancy, without having to ask if someone else is happy with the menu!

Restaurants in Venice

If you ARE apprehensive about eating alone in Venice, I’d recommend sticking to casual, homely restaurants rather than places overtly aimed at providing a ‘romantic dinner for two’. Some of the places I enjoyed eating at the most were: Frary’s (a great lunch spot for affordable Middle Eastern Cuisine) and Rossopomodoro (yes, it’s a chain, but the pizzas are excellent and it was one of the few places I spotted multiple other solo diners).

Cicchetti

Sitting at the bar alone in Venice isn’t uncommon, which is why the Venetian tradition of ‘cicchetti’ is perfect for solo diners. Cicchetti are small appetizer style snacks, usually costing around €2-4 per dish. Typical cicchetti dishes include: crostini (topped toast), polpette (fried meatballs), sarde in saor (a sardine dish) and panini (small sandwiches).

Fine dining for one

At the other end of the scale, a solo trip to Venice is the perfect time to treat yourself to some fine dining! I booked into Canova for their 9 course vegetarian tasting menu (€125, or €175 for the meat-based option, and fell in love with the creative, flavourful dishes. The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming of my party for one, and even brought over some magazines and books to flick through between courses.

If you’re willing to spend more for stars, check out Oro Restaurant, Quadri and Ristorante Da Fiore (all 1* Michelin Star) and Il Glam by Enrico Bartolini (2*).

Small group food tours & cooking classes

If you’re looking to get under the skin of the city’s foodie scene, why not join a small group Venice street food tour? Enjoy tasters from some the best Venetian cuisine, from regional cheeses to local tiramisù.

Inspired by what you taste? Make friends in the kitchen and take traditional Venetian recipes home with you, with a Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class.

Evening activities for solo travellers

When I began travelling solo, my biggest concern was what to do with myself in the evenings. As a woman travelling alone, I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with sitting in a busy bar reading a book, worried that I’d get judgemental stares and unwanted attention from drunken hordes. (side note: I’m now a lot better at ignoring the stares and brushing off any unwanted comments!)

Venice’s laid-back culture is much more welcoming to relaxed enjoyment rather than party-hard vibes. You’re much more likely to end up in a charming, sophisticated bar than somewhere with pumping music and cheap shots. If you’re looking to find buddies to go bar-hopping with, hostel common areas or bars are a great place to start.

If bars aren’t really your thing, there are plenty of other things you can do in Venice alone once the sun goes down:

• Uncover Venice’s spooky side with a Ghost Tour to Rialto and St. Mark’s Square
• Visit landmarks without the crowds on a St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace night tour
• See a show at one of Italy’s most reknowned opera houses, Teatro La Fenice
• Book an evening shared gondola ride to see the glow of Venice after dark
• Prefer to power your own watercraft? Check out a sunset kayak tour!

What to take with you on a trip to Venice

Venice doesn’t require any particular gear, and in the warm summer months it’s easy to pack light. However, there are a few essentials worth including in your luggage:

• Comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing a lot of walking!
• Long pants & a t-shirt/shawl/coverup – for visting the churches, many of which have a dress code prohibiting bare shoulders or legs.
• Insect repellent – due to the concentrated amounts of water, mosquitos can rear their head – especially in the summer months.
• A crossbody bag/money wallet – to keep your cash and passport safe
• If you’re staying in a hostel/hotel with a shared bathroom – lightweight flip flops for the shower!

Summary: Should you travel solo in Venice?

Absolutely! Venice is a seriously magical and fascinating place, unlike any other city I’ve experienced. Don’t let having no one to go with stop you, as Venice is a brilliant destination to explore solo! From taking in the charming cobblestone streets to savouring wine and cicchetti, it’s a unique city with a relaxed vibe and plenty to see and do.