Venice is one of the most sought-after cruise departures in the Mediterranean, but since 2021 large cruise ships no longer sail through the Giudecca Canal past St Mark's Square. Today many cruises sold as departing from Venice embark at the mainland berths of Fusina or Porto Marghera, and only smaller ships still use the historic Marittima terminal. Several lines start their 'Venice' itineraries from Trieste, Monfalcone or Ravenna instead, so always check the exact port in your booking.
What to Do in a Day in Venice
Arrive a day early to enjoy Venice at its best. Ride vaporetto line 1 down the Grand Canal from Piazzale Roma to St Mark's Square, visit St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, then cross the Rialto Bridge and lose yourself in the quieter lanes of Cannaregio and Dorsoduro. Take a water bus to the glass-making island of Murano or colourful Burano, and finish with cicchetti and a spritz in a traditional bacaro. Note that on peak days Venice charges day visitors an access fee, while guests staying overnight in the city are exempt.
The tours below are not organized by the cruise lines. Bookings are made directly with GetYourGuide and you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time. If you prefer the cruise line's guarantee, contact our travel advisors after booking.
Cruise Port Address
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Marco Polo Airport is about 12 km from Piazzale Roma by road. Express buses (ATVO and ACTV line 5) run between the airport and Piazzale Roma in about 20–30 minutes, and the People Mover continues to the Marittima terminal in a few minutes. Fusina and Marghera are about 20–30 minutes from the airport by taxi or transfer. Treviso Airport (TSF) is about 40 km away.
Historic Centre (Piazzale Roma & St Mark's Square)
The People Mover runs between the Marittima terminal and Piazzale Roma in about 3 minutes (~€1.50); from there, vaporetto lines 1 and 2 go down the Grand Canal to St Mark's Square in 25–45 minutes. From Fusina, a ferry crosses the lagoon to the Zattere in about 25–30 minutes, and from Marghera the cruise line usually runs a shuttle bus to the Marittima area.
Venezia Santa Lucia Station
Santa Lucia, Venice's main station, is next to Piazzale Roma, a few minutes from the Marittima terminal by People Mover or about 15–20 minutes on foot. High-speed trains run between Venice and Milan in about 2.5 hours, and regional trains reach Trieste in about 2 hours. For Fusina and Marghera, Venezia Mestre station on the mainland is closer, a short taxi ride from both berths.
Venice Weather by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High °C | 7° | 9° | 13° | 17° | 22° | 26° | 28° | 28° | 24° | 18° | 12° | 8° |
| Rainfall mm | 🌤️ 47 mm | 🌤️ 50 mm | 🌤️ 57 mm | 🌦️ 70 mm | 🌦️ 75 mm | 🌦️ 83 mm | 🌤️ 60 mm | 🌦️ 65 mm | 🌦️ 76 mm | 🌦️ 80 mm | 🌦️ 85 mm | 🌤️ 60 mm |
Available cruises
Costa Deliziosa7 days Mediterranean
Trieste (Venice), Italy
7 Nov 2026 - 14 Nov 2026
Costa Deliziosa6 days Mediterranean
Trieste (Venice), Italy
14 Nov 2026 - 20 Nov 2026
MSC Armonia7 days Mediterranean
Venice, Italy
25 Oct 2026 - 1 Nov 2026
MSC Lirica11 days Mediterranean
Venice, Italy
24 Oct 2026 - 4 Nov 2026
MSC Lirica10 days Mediterranean
Venice, Italy - Split, Croatia
4 Nov 2026 - 14 Nov 2026
MSC Lirica8 days Mediterranean
Venice, Italy - Marseille (Provence), France
14 Nov 2027 - 22 Nov 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but not in the historic centre. Since August 2021, ships over 25,000 gross tons or longer than 180 m have been banned from the Giudecca Canal and St Mark's Basin. Small luxury and expedition ships can still use the Marittima terminal, while larger ships berth at Fusina or Porto Marghera on the mainland, from where shuttle buses or boats take you into the city.
Not always. Large ships, such as those of MSC Cruises, often start their Adriatic itineraries from Trieste or Monfalcone, about 2 and 1.5 hours respectively from Venice by road, and others from Ravenna, about 2 hours to the south. Some lines run coach transfers from Venice to these ports. Check the embarkation port in your booking documents before planning your journey.
For departures from Marittima, Venezia Terminal Passeggeri runs a car park at the terminal itself, and there are large multi-storey car parks at Piazzale Roma and on Tronchetto island, linked to the terminal by the People Mover. For Fusina and Marghera, follow your cruise documents, which tell you where to drop off luggage and park. Book parking ahead in summer, as Venice car parks fill up quickly.