Car Hire in Venice

About Venice

Venice is a city in Italy, more precisely in the Veneto region. It is located in the northeastern part of the Italian peninsula and is the capital of the Veneto region. Venice is a group of islands in the Venetian lagoon, separated by canals and connected by more than 400 bridges. Together with Padua and Treviso, the city is part of the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area (PATREVE), which is considered a metropolitan statistical area.

It is known that this area has a very long, turbulent and rich past. Venice was the capital of the Republic of Venice for more than 1000 years. The Republic of Venice was a great power in many ways during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was the first-ever international financial centre and thanks to this status the city became the richest and most important city in the world for a long time. Different governments ruled this area and in the end, the city finally belonged to Italy and was one of the most famous and visited cities of this beautiful country.

Today, the entire city and the lagoon are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Venice is indeed a monument and a heritage that everyone in the world should feel some connection with. Venice had a great influence on mankind in many ways. Even today, Venice is one of the most important ports and, of course, a popular tourist destination and a kind of open-air museum. Every tourist and traveller will find something for himself here in Venice and every person will be enchanted by the beauties of this world monument.

Basic info and car hire in Venice

• Location: Veneto region, Italy
• Population: 258,685
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Venice has a mid-latitude, four-season humid subtropical climate 
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Venice are in good condition.
• Car hire in Venice:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Venice is at the Venice Marco Polo Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Venice

 Driving in Venice

Venice is a unique city and so are the traffic rules in its territory. You can come to Venice by car it is quite easy to drive to Venice. You can come to Venice through different roads and highways (A, A13, A27, A57) and when you arrive in the lagoon, there is only one road that connects Venice with the mainland. So you will have to cross the 3.5 kilometres long Ponte della Liberta (Liberty Bridge). The historic centre is a car-free area. So you can not go there by car. You can explore the historic centre on foot or combine it with a boat.

The problem here can be finding a parking place. There are several large parking lots outside the city centre where you can leave your car and continue your exploration on foot. But since the interest in Venice is very high among tourists from Italy and all over the world, it can sometimes be difficult to find free space even in these large parking lots.

It is good to know that the police in Italy are very strict. So make sure you follow all the rules and obey all the traffic signs on the road. Above all, stick to the speed limits, because there are many speed checks and you can get a fine even if you are not a resident. But of course, it is good to keep to the speed limits and other rules, not only because of the police but also for your safety and the safety of other road users

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Venice

Murano and BuranO, Verona, Cortina and the Dolomite Mountains, Padua, Florence, Vicenza, Brenta Canal, Villa Pisani, Villa Barbaro...

What to see in Venice

If you come to Venice, there is a big list of iconic places you should visit. There is something for everyone here, you just need to do your research well and make a good plan of what you want to see and do here in Venice.

For example, you should visit the Bridge of Sighs. The bridge got its name because it was used to connect the prison with the courtroom or the Doge's Palace. After the convicts received their punishment, they walked across this bridge to the prison and through the window of the bridge they had the last chance to see freedom before going to prison in the past, many sighs were heard from this bridge.

Another place worth seeing is the Venetian Ghetto. This was the first Jewish ghetto in the world. Today it is one of the most famous places in the city with many synagogues, restaurants, etc.

When you are in Venice, you should visit St. Mark's Square. This is the most famous square in Venice and there are many attractions in this square that are worth visiting, such as the Basilica di San Marco (a Byzantine marvel), the Torre dell Orologio, the Campanile and the Doge's Palace. There are also some fantastic cafes and restaurants here, so take your time and enjoy St. Mark's Square.

Some other suggestions for visiting Venice: climb the Campanile, take a ferry to Murano, Burano and Torcello, go down the Grand Canal, enjoy the art museums, the Ponte di Rialto, the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the Venice Lido, the Campanile San Marco, San Giorgio Maggiore, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute...

Drive your rental car beyond Venice

Venice is a world unto itself, but after you have explored that world, you can continue your exploration of Italy and there is truly a multitude of options for where to go. If you are taking a road trip through Italy, you should know that after Venice, there are endless possibilities of where you can go. There are some great destinations in the Veneto region that you can not miss.

But there are also so many other regions in Italy that are worth exploring. For example, if you decide to stay in the Umbria region and take a road trip through it, one of the activities you should put on your wish list is undoubtedly truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside, you will find many experts searching for these "black diamonds". Besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals. The Marmore Waterfalls are another sight not to be missed on your trip to Umbria. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region. For people who prefer a more active vacation, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the Nera River, cycling in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course you must see. It is considered one of the most iconic cities in the world and is certainly the most talked-about city in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this tribal land, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your lifetime.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Venice

Venice and its surroundings are famous in Italy also for culinary. The main ingredient here is undoubtedly fish and seafood, as there are fresh supplies from the lagoon every day. Of course, in Venice you can also enjoy many other dishes than just seafood, so you can be prepared for a perfect gastronomic experience. The Veneto region is also famous for some of the best Italian white wines, so you should also plan to taste these high-quality wines.

Best restaurant in Venice

Hostaria Castello

Impronta

Al Grill

Ristorante Alle Corone

Ca Dolfin

Ristorante San Silvestro