Exploring Venice: A City Guide for Digital Nomads

Welcome to the timeless city of Venice, Italy—a place where dreams float upon a sparkling canal, and every corner reveals a story of art, history, and romance. As you step into this magical wonderland, be prepared to be transported to a land where water replaces streets, boats dance on gentle waves, and palaces stand as a testament to centuries of elegance and beauty. Venice, with its winding alleys, iconic canals, and breathtaking architecture, is a symphony of beauty that has inspired poets, artists, and wanderers for centuries.
 

Venice City Guide for Digital Nomads

Is Venice a Good City for Digital Nomads?

Venice holds a unique appeal that attracts visitors from around the world with its enchanting canals, historic architecture, and artistic heritage. But is it a good city for digital nomads? In this blog post, we’ll explore the digital nomad scene in Venice and provide essential information to help you decide if this city is the right fit for your remote work lifestyle.
 

As the remote work scene is recently expanding throughout the world, Italy -and the Veneto Region- joined the current trend by offering a good amount of coworking spaces and work-friendly cafés for individuals or groups that seek an out-of-office working environment. with a good and reliable internet connection, networking opportunities, and a collaborative environment.
 

In addition to that, an initiative taken by a professor and a team at the public university in Venice introduced a service called Venywhere, which offers help before coming to Venice, finding accommodation, activities and ways to integrate into the local community. The goal is to create a personalized experience catered specifically for remote workers to experience Venice in the best way since finding a place was a bit difficult for newcomers.
 

What Are the Best Places to Work Remotely in Venice?

Venice offers several options for digital nomads seeking productive workspaces. The city boasts numerous co-working spaces, cafes, and libraries where you can set up your laptop and work in a tranquil environment.
 

Here are some of the best places to work remotely in Venice:
 

Museo Correr Cafe: Located in the heart of St. Mark’s Square, this historic café offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere with a view of the Grand Canal. The café provides a variety of seating options, from cozy armchairs to large tables, perfect for working on a laptop or having a meeting with a client. The café also serves up delicious Italian food and drinks to keep you fueled throughout the day.
 

A recommended co-working spaces in Venice is Venice Coworking, This spaces provide not only modern facilities, but also reliable Wi-Fi, and opportunities for networking with like-minded professionals.
 

Culture and food in Venice:

1. Experience the unique Venetian culture through its food: from the iconic cicchetti (small snacks) and baccalà (salted cod) to the exquisite risotto served in the local restaurants.
 

2. Try a classic Venetian dish at the city’s many osterias, or sample the local seafood specialties such as sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines) and baccalà alla vicentina (cod in a tomato sauce).
 

3. Take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Venetian dishes like bigoli (thick spaghetti) in salsa (onion sauce) and risi e bisi (rice and peas).
 

4. Visit the Rialto Market for a taste of the city’s vibrant food culture, with vendors selling everything from freshly caught seafood to local cheeses and cured meats.
 

5. Take a gondola ride and enjoy a romantic dinner of polenta and seppie (cuttlefish) in one of the city’s many canalside restaurants.
 

Healthcare in Venice

The local hospitals, such as Ospedale SS. Giovanni e Paolo, offer high-quality medical services and provides a comprehensive healthcare system to residents and visitors alike. The city has numerous medical facilities, including public hospitals, private clinics, and pharmacies.
 

the national healthcare service, known as the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), is regionally-based and provides universal coverage for both citizens and foreign residents, including digital nomads and expats.
 

The cost of healthcare in Venice can vary depending on the services required, so it’s advisable to inquire about prices and coverage before seeking medical care, and forget not that travel insurance that covers healthcare expenses and medical assistance is always needed.
 

Fun Activities to Do in Venice

Beyond work, Venice offers plenty of enjoyable activities. lace up your boots and explore the maze-like streets, or cross the iconic Rialto Bridge, and take a gondola ride through the enchanting canals.
 

You can also venture beyond the main islands and explore the surrounding islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello for their distinct charm and artisan traditions.
 

Here are some more things to do: 
 

1. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica: Explore the intricate history and design of St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most visited monuments in Venice.
 

2. Explore Torcello Island: Torcello is the oldest inhabited island in the Venetian lagoon and is home to some of the oldest Byzantine mosaics in Venice.
 

3. The Rialto Bridge: Take a walk on the famous Rialto Bridge, one of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal in Venice.
 

4. Enjoy the Food: Sample some of the famous Venetian cuisine, including Cicchetti (Venetian small plates) and local seafood dishes.
 

6. Visit the Doge’s Palace: Take a tour of the Doge’s Palace, a former residence of the Doge of Venice and a symbol of Venetian political and cultural power.
 

7. Explore the Venice Biennale: The Venice Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition held every two years in Venice.
 

8. Attend a Carnival: Every year, Venice hosts its famous Carnival, a celebration of music
 

Best Time to Go to Venice

The best time to visit Venice is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is pleasant, and the city is less crowded, avoid winters that are milder but can experience occasional flooding known as acqua alta.
 

Weather in Venice

Venice has a temperate climate, characterized by mild winters and warm summers. Spring and autumn bring moderate temperatures, with average highs ranging from 59°F to 73°F (15°C to 23°C). Summers average highs reaching 86°F (30°C), while winters are relatively mild, with average highs around 50°F (10°C). It’s advisable to check the weather forecast before your trip to pack accordingly.
 

Cost of Living in Venice

Living in Venice can seem expensive, but it’s cheaper compared to other Italian cities like Rome, or other EU cities like Madrid, due to its popularity and high demand for housing, accommodation prices vary depending on the location and type of property.
 

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can range from €800 to €1,500 per month. Grocery costs, dining out, and transportation expenses aren’t cheap in Venice compared to other parts of Italy. However, depending on your lifestyle, you can find affordable options by exploring local markets, and budget-friendly eateries.
 

Co-living is an efficient option if you want to spend less while enjoying the charm and romance of the city at the same time, and also a great way to build connections and make friends along the way.
 

Internet plans range from 34$ to 35$ with a speed of 20Mbps, it’s fast but coworking space’s Wi-Fi remains more reliable.
 

Visa Requirements in Venice

For citizens of many countries, a Schengen visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days for tourism or business purposes. However, if you plan to work remotely in Venice for an extended period, it’s advisable to consult the Italian consulate or embassy in your home country to explore visa options such as The Italian Self-employed Visa, which is similar to the Digital Nomad Visa, in that it allows “highly qualified” overseas remote workers and freelancers working outside of the EU to relocate to Italy and lawfully operate there. Although the Nomad Visa requirements are still unknown because the program has not yet been fully implemented, they are similar to those of the Self-employed Visa.
 

Qualifying self-employed individuals must meet the Italian government’s minimum income criterion of 8500€ annual gross income, have a clean criminal background, and have a complete health insurance plan.