Venice is the historic lagoon city of north-east Italy, built on more than a hundred islands linked by bridges and laced with canals, with no cars beyond Piazzale Roma. More about Venice →
October 2026 · from today · all times local (Central European Time)
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Today and the next 7 days · all times local (Central European Time)
34% quieter than a typical day in Venice. Busiest 08:00 – 17:00, when 1 ship is alongside.
Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Venice day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Venice no longer has a single cruise dock. Since 2021 ships over 25,000 GT are barred from the San Marco basin and Giudecca Canal, so in 2026 cruise ships use four berth areas run by Venezia Terminal Passeggeri (VTP). Small ships still dock at the historic Marittima terminals and San Basilio on the western edge of the city, about 1 km (20 minutes on foot) or one People Mover stop from Piazzale Roma.
Larger ships berth on the mainland: at the Fusina Cruise Terminal (two berths, opened August 2024), about 27 km by road from Marco Polo Airport, or at the Lombardia and Liguria quays in the Porto Marghera industrial port. Passengers sailing from Marghera check in at Marittima and are taken to the ship by free VTP shuttle; Fusina has its own check-in. Check your cruise documents: 'Venice' sailings may also start in Chioggia, Trieste or Ravenna.
Marghera berths (Lombardia and Liguria quays) has no map position yet.
15 km · ~25 min by car
The airport is on the mainland at Tessera; road traffic crosses the Ponte della Liberta to Piazzale Roma and the Marittima port gate. This is also the check-in point for ships berthed at Marghera.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Venice access fee: in 2026 day visitors paid EUR 5–10 on 60 listed days (3 April–26 July, 08:30–16:00); the trial has ended and no fee applies from 27 July 2026. Check cda.ve.it for 2027 rules. Road transport ends at Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto; beyond that, everything is by boat or on foot.
4 terminals
The historic cruise port on the western edge of Venice, managed by VTP, with 7 berths and 5 terminal buildings (including 103, 107/108, 117 and 123). Since 2021 only ships up to 25,000 GT berth here, but it is also the check-in point for ships berthed at Marghera, with free shuttles to the ship. People Mover stop 'Marittima' links it to Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto.
Mainland cruise terminal at Fusina, opened by VTP in August 2024 (about EUR 5 million), with two berths for ships up to 250 m (FU4) and 210 m (FU3) and full on-site check-in for homeport calls. Used in 2026 by premium and luxury lines; separate from the Ro-Ro ferry terminal.
Temporary berths in the Porto Marghera industrial port for ships over 25,000 GT, used for example by MSC. Passengers check in at Marittima and are shuttled to the ship; independent access is not possible.
Small-ship terminal on the Giudecca Canal waterfront at San Basilio (Dorsoduro), for ships up to 25,000 GT, with on-site check-in and a left-luggage deposit.
Venezia Terminal Passeggeri (VTP) runs the official, guarded cruise car park inside the Marittima port area, within walking distance of the terminals; prices depend on cruise length and a space is guaranteed only if booked online. Public garages at Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto are alternatives.
Reserved spaces for passengers with reduced mobility.
Pick the area first. Typical nightly prices, approximate.
Historic Venice near the terminals
Typical hotel
Pre-cruise nights in Venice with road and People Mover access to Marittima.
Road access, People Mover
Typical hotel
Drivers and families wanting modern rooms one People Mover stop from Marittima.
Sightseeing in central Venice
Typical hotel
Central sightseeing stays; reach the port by vaporetto or water taxi.
Value and rail arrivals
Typical hotel
Cheaper 3–4 star hotels by Venezia Mestre station, about 20 minutes by road from Marittima.
Venice charges a per-person nightly tourist tax. San Marco has no road access, so car times don't apply.
Prices are approximate. Table service near San Marco costs much more than standing at the bar.
Canal-side bacari and trattorias a short walk from Piazzale Roma.
Cicchetti bars and casual lunch spots by the market.
Quieter local restaurants close to the terminals.
Cheaper cafes and pizzerias near the Mestre hotels.
Venice is the historic lagoon city of north-east Italy, built on more than a hundred islands linked by bridges and laced with canals, with no cars beyond Piazzale Roma. Once capital of the Venetian Republic, it is known for St Mark's Square and Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal lined with palazzi, and the Rialto Bridge, and the city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vaporetti and gondolas replace road traffic, and the outer islands of Murano, known for glass, and colourful Burano are short boat rides away. Venice is one of the Mediterranean's main embarkation ports, but since 2021 ships over 25,000 GT may no longer sail past St Mark's: larger ships now use mainland berths at Fusina and Marghera, while small ships still reach the historic Marittima terminals.
Start at Piazza San Marco, Venice's grand square framed by arcades, the Campanile and the gold-mosaic Byzantine basilica. Entry to St Mark's Basilica is EUR 10 (EUR 20 with the Pala d'Oro or museum); book a timed slot online in summer, cover shoulders and knees, and allow about an hour inside.
Tour the Gothic palace of the Venetian Republic's rulers, with its painted council chambers, armoury and the covered Bridge of Sighs to the old prisons. Adult tickets are EUR 35, or EUR 30 when booked online at least 30 days ahead. Allow about 2 hours; it sits next to the basilica on the waterfront.
Ride ACTV vaporetto Line 1 from Piazzale Roma along the whole Grand Canal past the palazzi and under the Rialto Bridge to San Marco. A single ticket is EUR 9.50 for 75 minutes, so a EUR 25 24-hour pass pays off after three rides. Sit at the front or back for the best views.
Take a vaporetto from Fondamente Nove to Murano, the island of glassmaking furnaces and showrooms, and on to Burano, famous for its brightly painted houses and lace. ACTV passes cover the boats; allow half a day for both islands. Alilaguna's Green Line also runs excursions from EUR 25.