The coastal city of Venice has long attracted travelers to its shores. Set sail and discover the romantic and magical charm of a city built on water.

The Monocle travel guide to Venice goes beyond the tourist traps to discover the true charms of La Serenissima, from classical and contemporary architectural marvels to galleries full of both Venetian and international works of art. We walked through the city's slender streets to find trattorias offering the best seafood as well as the best bacari to visit when you fancy a spritz. Venice is made for walking, so we've prepared four surrounding routes to show you the way, as well as our favorite independent shops and luxury hotels.