With 14 miles of beaches, Venice, just south of Sarasota on Florida’s Southwest Coast, is the place to go for plentiful shopping, family-friendly saltwater adventures, and Old Florida charm.
Easily reachable by foot from the downtown area, Venice Beach, a certified Blue Wave Beach, is the city’s most popular stretch of coastline, where visitors can look for fossils and reef dive a quarter-mile from shore.
Sunbathe on the soft white sand, swim the clear turquoise waters of the Gulf, cast a line from the 700-foot Venice Fishing Pier, and hunt for fossilized prehistoric shark teeth in the Shark Tooth Capital of the World.
Bike the Venetian Waterway Park Trail, shop Historic Downtown Venice, which is full of historic buildings reminiscent of its namesake Italian city, and see why Venice was named a Top Five Suburb for City-Like Living and one of USA Today’s 10Best Must-Visit Beaches in the South for 2023.
Plan your trip at Venice MainStreet.
BEACHES
Dive a reef, look for shark teeth, listen to a drum circle, or join a yoga session on Venice’s beaches.
WATERWAYS
The scenic Myakka River can be accessed from a county park in Venice.
FAMILY FUN
In addition to beach and water activities, families with children will enjoy the kid-friendly activities offered in Downtown Venice, including walking the shark loop to find shark sculptures and spotting the 30 fairy doors hidden throughout the downtown area.
MUSEUMS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Take a walking tour of the circa-1920 Historic District, see a symphony or theater performance, and check out the art center and museum.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Ride the bike trail, take an easy walk from downtown to Venice Beach, hike the park trails, kayak, snorkel, dive, and more.
ACCESSIBILITY
Find accessible amenities and attractions in Venice Beach, including an accessible beach park.
PET-FRIENDLY ADVENTURES
Take your four-legged best friend to the dog beach and dog parks.
DINING
Venice has plenty of dining options, whether you’re looking for international cuisine, fresh seafood, or a hearty breakfast from a popular café.
SHOPPING
Walk Downtown Venice and browse the shops for gifts, clothes, home furnishings, children’s items, and more.
SPORTS
See the Atlanta Braves play at CoolToday Park and tee up at one of Venice’s sunny golf courses.
PLACES TO STAY
Book a room or vacation rental near the water.
