All About Venice With Kids: Important Information To Know

A family of five rides down a Venetian canal in a gondola.
Photo Courtesy: Janine Mia Mullins

If you want to know all about Venice with kids, there’s some important information you should read first. From the local currency to health information, the official language, and even babysitting services, it’s important to do proper research on your vacation destination before booking your trip. Finding all the information in one place can be tricky, though, which is why we’ve compiled a list of things to know before visiting Venice, including important information for you to reference. Plus, stay tuned until the end, since we also include things to do in Venice with kids and the best hotels in Venice for families. Keep reading for all about Venice for families!

At a Glance

Two boys look through slats in the stone of St. Mark's Basilica down to San Marco Piazza.
Photo Courtesy: Kelli Wein

Before you visit Venice with kids, you should learn the basics. Keep reading for local currency, visa information, and more information all about Venice with kids. If you need more help planning your Venice vacation with kids, please check out Venice’s official tourism website for more information.

Local Currency & Time

Wondering all about the Venice local currency and how families can get the best currency exchange rates? The currency in Venice is the Euro. It is widely accepted in many parts of the country. Most credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted as well. Venice operates 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time, in GMT +2. Click here to see Venice’s current time.

Official Language & Visa Information

Italian is the official language of Venice. If you’re planning an extended trip to Venice or have a non-U.S. passport, you may also need to research obtaining a VISA before your visit. To learn all about the VISA policy in Venice for families, click here.

Power/Standard Voltage

In Venice, the standard voltage is 220V to 230V, with a frequency of 50Hz. Wall outlets typically accommodate plugs with two or three round pins. In Italy, the power plugs and sockets are also of types F and L.

Local Weather

Knowing about the Venice climate will be helpful before you depart. In Venice, the summers are warm and humid, the winters are very cold, and it is partly cloudy year-round. Throughout the year, temperature typically varies from 33°F to 83°F and is rarely below 25°F or above 90°F. Most of the year, the weather is simply perfect. Check the current forecast on Accuweather.

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Health Information

Two kids sit alongside a canal in Venice, while gondolas pass by on a sunny day.
Photo Courtesy: Kritika Storer

Having the right information about health and safety is an important part of visiting Venice with kids. If your children have allergies, might need medical attention, etc., be sure to keep this important information in mind.

Vaccinations, Health Tips, & Hospitals

Visiting Venice with young ones? Remember to check if your child has all the correct shots and vaccines. For a complete list of the recommended vaccines and more health information on all about Venice with kids, including COVID-19 warnings and regulations, visit the official CDC website. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so you should also check out hospitals near your vacation destination just in case. Some accessible hospitals in Venice include Ospedale SS Giovanni e Paolo, S.A.E.M. Provincia Lombardo-Veneta Dell’Ordine Ospedaliero San Giovanni, and Ospedale dell’Angelo – ULSS 3 Serenissima. 

COVID-19 Guidelines & Vaccination Information

If you’re planning a trip to Venice soon, you’re probably wondering about Venice’s COVID-19 guidelines. As of April 15th, Venice has no travel restrictions or requirements at this time. Please check the Consulate website to keep up-to-date on Venice’s stay-at-home orders. We suggest making sure you’re fully vaccinated before traveling to Venice with kids. For vaccination information, click here.

Don’t wait! Reserve your tickets and tours in Venice through GetYourGuide here!

Emergency Services

A mom and her two sons stand together with Piazza San Marco behind them.
Photo Courtesy: Edith Arteaga-Medina

In case of an emergency, keep these numbers handy during your trip to Venice with kids, as this is very important information when learning all about Venice with kids. 

Police, Fire Department, Ambulance

For emergency services in Venice, dial 112. Alternatively, if you need police assistance in Venice, you can call 100. You can also call 102 to reach an ambulance in Venice. 

Safety Issues

If you’re visiting with your kids and want to know all about your destination, you’re probably wondering: Is Venice safe for families? The answer is yes! The crime threat in Venice is generally considered to be on the lower side, and it is widely regarded as one of the safest cities in Italy. Venice is overall very safe to travel to. Even though it’s sometimes dangerous, and the number of homeless people on the street may make you feel uneasy, the criminal activities that occur only apply to dangerous parts of the city, which are rarely frequented by tourists.

You can review the current U.S. Department’s Venice Travel Advisory here.

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Venice for Kids

Two young boys ride in a gondola down a canal in Venice, Venetian buildings behind them.
Photo Courtesy: Kelli Wein

Visiting Venice with kids brings its own set of challenges. Keep reading for comprehensive information on babysitting services, baby gear rentals, etc.

READ NEXT: 15 Best Hotels In Florence For Families

Babysitting Services & Baby Gear Rentals

Looking for a romantic evening alone in Venice? Luckily, you’ll find plenty of babysitting services throughout the city in your search to learn all about Venice with kids. We suggest Italia Kids. If you’ve left your baby gear at home, don’t worry! There are plenty of places to find baby gear in Venice. Take a look at Venice Baby Gear Rentals, Rent From A to Z, and plenty of other options in Venice. 

Transportation

A vaporetto moves through a canal in Venice.
Photo Courtesy: Henri Picot

Transportation is another thing to consider when vacationing in Venice with kids. Whether you need information about car seats or all about local airlines in Venice for families, you’ve come to the right place.

Car Seat Laws

If you plan to ride in a car, you need to learn all about Venice with kids in relation to car seat laws. According to the Italian law about passenger safety, any time you sit in a vehicle fitted with seat belts, it’s compulsory to wear them. Children who are under 36 kg (97 pounds) or 150 cm (4 ft, 9 in) must use appropriate child restraints, which are of two kinds: child car seats and boosters.

Transportation Services

The best way to get around Venice is on foot.  We recommend wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes and exploring this intimate city’s slender streets – and all of the Renaissance architecture, quaint shoe shops, and tasty Tuscan restaurants along the way. The streets are easy to navigate, but sign up for a walking tour if you want a little guidance. Venice Rental Services, situated on the Lido, is a one-stop shop for all your rental needs, offering scooters, bikes, e-bikes, fat-tire e-bikes, cars, and boats for hire.

ACTV runs all public transport in Venice, including waterborne services. Although the service is efficient and punctual, boats on main lines fill up and are prone to overcrowding during Carnevale and in peak season. Interisland ferry services to Murano, Torcello, Lido, and other lagoon islands are usually provided on larger watercraft. To plan itineraries, check schedules, and buy tickets, download the useful Vaporetto App.

Gondolas or Water Taxis

A gondola ride offers a view of Venice that is anything but pedestrian. Official daytime rates are €80 for 40 minutes (€100 for 40 minutes from 7 pm to 8 am), not including songs or tips. Additional time is charged in 20-minute increments (day/night €40/50). You may negotiate a price break in overcast weather or around noon. Agree on a price, time limit, and singing in advance to avoid unexpected surcharges. Gondolas cluster at stazi (stops) along the Grand Canal and near major monuments and tourist hotspots, but you can also book a pickup by calling Ente Gondola.

Licensed water taxis are a costly way to get around Venice, though they may prove handy when you’re late for the opera or have lots of luggage. Fares can be metered or negotiated in advance. Official rates start at €15 plus €2 per minute, €5 extra if they’re called to your hotel. There’s a €10 surcharge for night trips (10 pm to 6 am), a €5 surcharge for additional luggage (above five pieces), and a €10 surcharge for each extra passenger above the first four.

Local Airlines

To get into the city, many travelers fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport.

For more information on transportation in Venice, click here.

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Other Things to Know Before Visiting Venice with Kids

A family of five enjoys dinner at an outdoor restaurant in Venice at night.
Photo Courtesy: Janine Mia Mullins

Searching for more tips all about Venice with kids? Between tipping customs, important holidays, and other safety issues, there are still a few things left you should know. Keep reading to learn all about Venice with kids!

READ NEXT: An Exciting 5 to 10-Day Rome Itinerary With Kids: What To Do And Where To Go

Tipping Customs

Knowing all about tipping in Venice can save families a lot of misunderstanding. In Venice, like many European destinations, there are no strict tipping rules and tipping is relatively uncommon. There are some guidelines, however. Tipping for tour guides (free or paid tours) is common. At the end of your tour, a few Euros per person in cash is customary. Hotel porters and housekeepers are also tipped positions. For hotel porters, up to 5 Euros, one Euro per bag is appropriate, while one Euro/day is recommended for housekeepers at the end of your stay. Additionally, you may receive service at a gas station for a fill-up, a few Euros is typical. Then, for spa experiences or other similar services, up to 10% is standard.

Tipping at restaurants can vary. For example, if you order counter-service food or drinks, like an espresso at the counter, tipping is not common, nor is it expected. However, at a sit-down restaurant, a Euro or two, up to 10% of the bill, is appropriate for exceptional service. Finally, it’s also important to know the difference between “coperto” and “servicio”. Coperto is not a charge that goes to the waiter. It is a service charge applied by the restaurant and is listed on the menu (it covered bread, cutlery, etc.). ‘Servizio’, however, is a service charge (you do not leave a tip if service is included).

Important Holidays

If you’re still searching for specific dates to visit Venice, you may want to determine whether your vacation will fall on a public holiday. This can greatly diminish the number of attractions or points of interest you see, so it’s important information to know about visiting Venice. Check the Venice National Holidays for more information here. 

Use Expedia, Hotels.com, or Travelocity to book your family’s stay in Venice!

Things to Do in Venice with Kids

A young boy smiles as he rides a gondola through the canals of Venice, with the Bridge of Sighs in the distance.
Photo Courtesy: Kelli Wein

Once you’ve read our Venice important information and all about Venice with kids, look up what to do. Venice is unique and there’s nothing quite like the expression on a child’s face the first time they step out of the train station and see the Grand Canal. Options for family activities in the city are extensive. Here, you can enjoy learning how to blow glass in Murano, take a ride in a real gondola, walk over the Rialto Bridge, or people-watch in St. Mark’s Square. Venice has an incredible tradition of Carnival and masks that are great fun for kids to express their creativity. Plus, it’s car-free and has many areas the kids can roam freely! 

Need more things to do in Venice with kids? Here are the 16+ Best Sights and Activities in Venice For Kids (And Parents Too)!

Where to Stay in Venice with Kids

The exterior entrance to Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione along the canal, with a gondola waiting outside.
Photo Courtesy: Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione

Looking for the best places to stay in Venice with kids? Once you’ve learned all about Venice with kids, it’s also time to decide on a place to stay. You can check out Hotel Splendid, a beautiful kid-friendly hotel just a few minutes from St. Mark’s Square, right in the heart of the city. Ca’ Due Leoni is a small, family-run hotel overlooking a lovely private Campiello (piazza) in Venice’s Cannaregio District. Another great option is Hotel Bisanzio, one of the best family hotels in Venice for bigger families, and also plenty of others. 

Looking for more amazing Italian cities to visit with kids, consult our guide featuring the 10 Best Places To Visit In Italy With Kids.

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles.

Families Love Travel is not liable for any injuries and/or damages to persons or property occurring as a result of your vacations influenced by the suggestions on this website. We are not responsible for any information on this website, such as recommendations for babysitting services, car rentals, or accommodations. All content provided is for informational and review purposes only. The information we provide is to make it easier for families to travel together and nothing more. Try the suggestions at your own risk.

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The Families Love Travel Team has a zest for life and an even bigger passion for globetrotting! Comprised of real-life travel professionals, we work hard behind the scenes to provide dynamic solutions for adventuring with children. Our enthusiastic team understands the challenges that often accompany traveling with kids and is committed to making Families Love Travel an inclusive space to convey these experiences.