Know before you go

• The art exhibition runs in even years and architecture in odd years, from spring to late November.
• Allow a full day each for the Giardini and the Arsenale.

Airport to Giardini and Arsenale

Marco Polo airport (VCE) has Alilaguna water buses to San Marco and the Lido (about 1 hour 15 minutes), buses to Piazzale Roma (25 minutes) and water taxis (about 140 euros).

Vaporetto to Giardini or Arsenale.

Public transport directions to Giardini and Arsenale

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Anda Venice
• Mid-range: Hotel Moresco
• Splurge: Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival stay schedule. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• Lido beaches.
• Natural History Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Fondamenta della Misericordia bars.

6 tours worth booking for Venice Biennale

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

• Cantina Do Spade Bacaro since 1488
• All'Arco Cicchetti near Rialto
• Rialto market Fish and produce
• Pasticceria Tonolo Pastries
• Trattoria Alla Madonna Seafood classics

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

• Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
• Gallerie dell'Accademia.

Getting around on event days

• Vaporetto passes (1 to 7 days) save money.
• Day-trippers must pay the access fee on peak days; overnight guests are exempt.

Day trips from Venice

• Padua: 25 minutes by train
• Verona: 1 hour 10 minutes

Questions people ask

When is Venice Biennale 2026?

The next edition is May 2026 to November 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Giardini and Arsenale?

Marco Polo airport (VCE) has Alilaguna water buses to San Marco and the Lido (about 1 hour 15 minutes), buses to Piazzale Roma (25 minutes) and water taxis (about 140 euros). Vaporetto to Giardini or Arsenale.

Where should I stay for Venice Biennale?

For most visitors the best base is Cannaregio and Castello: Quieter canals with local bars.

What can we do between sessions at Venice Biennale?

Good short outings in Venice include Gondola ride, Murano, Burano and Torcello boat tour, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Venice Biennale?

Family-friendly picks: Gondola ride, Murano, Burano and Torcello boat tour, Mask-making workshop. Lido beaches.

How far is Giardini and Arsenale from Venice centre?

About 4 km in a straight line. Vaporetto to Giardini or Arsenale.

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