Nightlife

Venice is not the best place to look for wild nights or a loud party scene. But this is not to say that the city has nothing to offer when the sun goes down.

For starters, try visiting any of the cafes that line the Piazza San Marco. Share a Campari or a cappuccino with a friend in one of the quaint cafes. While this may be expensive, it is something that should be done when in Venice. Highly recommended is the Caffe Florian, on the south side of the piazza.

Classical music concerts are also held in various churches, with the Vivaldi Church the best place to visit for such concerts. La Fenice and PalaFenice are the venues to go if you feel like watching theatrical performances.

But if it's drinking and a little action you desire, there are quite a few places that you can visit. Pubs are scattered throughout Venice, such as Torino@Notte on San Marco 459, and the Bacaro Jazz near the Rialto. Venetian college students unwind at the Lido or mainland Mestre, but parties are best found at Piccolo Mondo, near the Academia. Another dance club is the Casanova near the Lista di Spoagna, which stays open until 4am.

For gamblers, the Casino Municipale di Venezia is usually housed in the 15th century palazzo on the Grand Canal during winter months, and can be found at Palazzo Vendramin Calergi during summer. This casino is one of the four casinos found in Italy's entirety. Make sure that you bring a jacket and your passport, as these are required.