Venice Information & Travel Tipps – learn what makes Venice the ideal place for your next vacation.
Venice in a Nutshell
Mediterranean flair under Florida’s sun – this is what awaits guests in the beach town of Venice. Situated 1.5 hours north of Cape Coral, the “City on the Gulf” not only attracts visitors with its elegant architecture. Scenic beaches are perfect for relaxing, hikers can enjoy Florida’s nature in extensive parks, and there is no shortage of art, culture, shopping opportunities and international restaurants.
Top Sights in Venice
Venice not only draws in visitors with its small town flair, but also with its Mediterranean architecture. Countless Renaissance Style buildings line the main street, Venice Avenue – along with palm trees reminiscent of the Canary Islands. Take a stroll through Centennial Park with its charming fountains and sculptures, before exploring the many shops, art galleries and boutiques of Downtown Venice.
The city was named after Italy’s Venice because of its many canals – as can be seen in the historic photos displayed at the Venice Museum and Archives. If you are interested in landscape shots of the Everglades, you should visit the gallery of renowned photographer Clyde Butcher. For automobile fans who love the sound of roaring V8 engines, the showroom of Ideal Classic Cars is a must. In addition to American limousines, it also features famous film cars like the Batmobile and Green Hornet’s Black Beauty. Families will not only love the city’s parks and playgrounds. At the new GR8 Escape Challenge participants work together to escape a room full of challenging puzzles for all ages.
Beaches in Venice
Being located directly at the Gulf of Mexico, Venice is the perfect destination for beachgoers. Venice Beach, for example, stretches just a few minutes from downtown. Fine sand, warm, turquoise water and excellent cleanliness make this beach ideal for sunbathing and swimming. Venice Pier, on the other hand, is a prime spot if you want to go fishing or take romantic walks. And if you are looking for a truly secluded place, you should visit North Jetty Beach. With a bit of luck you can even watch dolphins and pelicans there. At Brohard Paw Park your four-legged friends can run free and splash around in the surf.
The beaches of Venice are not only ideal for swimming and sunbathing. A great variety of sea shells are found here. In the old days the Calusa Indians used them to create jewelry. And the ocean holds even more treasures: Caspersen Beach in particular is known for its prehistoric shark teeth – the perfect souvenir for your loved ones. On Wednesday and Saturday nights, people flock to Nakomis Beach for the enticing rhythms: The Nakomis Drum Circle, a true Venice original, has been meeting here for 15 years.
Scenic Nature
Outdoor activities in lush surroundings are part of the good life in Venice. Located in the center of downtown, the Venice Arboretum features colorful flowers and many endemic plants. Even more natural beauty awaits you at Oscar Scherer State Park, a 1400 acre reserve north of Venice. Here, you can observe animals like herons, fish eagles, otters and turtles on hikes and kayak trips. Guided boat tours offer a good chance to see Florida’s famous alligators up-close. Featuring extensive wetlands, the Myakka River Park is a popular place for hiking, bicycling and picnicking. Launch your kayak at the Myakka River and observe shy animals like boars, deer and armadillos on the shore. Another place of great natural beauty is the Curry Creek Preserve with its untouched mangrove forests.
Restaurants
Venice might be a small town, but its variety of local and international restaurants leaves nothing to be desired. What could be better after a stroll on the boardwalk than enjoying fresh seafood? Since 1976 the Crow´s Nest Restaurant has been serving delicious oysters, crabs and crispy fried calamari. The scenic view of Venice marina is another reason to dine here. Fans of high-quality meat cannot go wrong with the Gold Rush BBQ. Since 2001, this family-owned restaurant has been a top-place for tender chicken, ribs and other barbecue specialties.
If you want to dine with a beautiful vista of the Venice Fishing Pier, Sharky´s on the Pier is your ideal spot. The restaurant is located directly at the beach, so you can bring your swim trunks and collect shark teeth right after your meal. Looking for a breakfast place? Then why not try the Blu Island Bistro? This restaurant is known for its fluffy buttermilk pancakes made with farm fresh eggs. As you would expect from the city’s name, Venice has no shortage of Italian restaurants, among them the Allegro Bistro with its crispy wood-fired pizza. Fans of the Japanese cuisine will feel right at home at the Bushido Sushi Bar, and if Southeast Asian specialties are for you, the Thai Bistro on Venice Avenue has you covered.
Venice Accommadtion
There is much to see and do in Venice, so why not stay for a few days? Thanks to a wide range of accommodation options, this is no problem. Take the Beachcomber, for example. This hotel features rooms decorated in the Old Florida Style, as well as swimming pools and an extensive private beach. Historic Downtown is only 1.5 miles away. Looking for an elegant boutique hotel? Then the Inn at the Beach at the western end of Venice is perfect for you. Its spacious rooms not only come with their own kitchen, but also offer world-class ocean views.
If peace and quiet ranks high on your wish-list, Casey Key is the place to go. Here, groups and families can enjoy their stay at spacious vacation homes. Among the island’s budget-friendly options is the Sunshine Motel situated directly at Caspersen Beach – the longest of its kind in Sarasota County. Casey Key is also perfect for camping trips in lush, natural surroundings. At the Camp Venice Retreat just a short ride away from downtown, you can go fishing and kayaking on the Myakka River.
Climate and Weather
Venice is known for its warm, subtropical climate. Temperatures range around 22.6 degrees Celsius, with an average precipitation of 49 inches per year. Even the driest months see a lot of rainfall.
