Piazzale Roma luggage storage

About Piazzale Roma

Piazzale Roma lies just to the west of the historic heart of Florence. This large square hums with the noise of buses and coaches, and it isn't anybody's idea of a tourist destination. You'll want to keep your wits about you while you're there, because the chaos can be overwhelming.

Piazzale Roma is something of a necessary evil. While it may not make for the best introduction to the gorgeous city, it does allow millions of people to get there by car or bus before setting out to explore. And while the square may seem modern and charmless, it's only a few steps over the nearest bridge to the dreamlike city of Venice beyond.

Buses leave from here to Venice's airport as well as to other cities throughout Italy and Europe. You'll also find many of Venice's city bus routes stopping here before heading inland to the modern city of Venice, away from the famous Lagoon. Also, Venice's train station is just a few steps away over a footbridge, so this area acts as a transit hub for the entire city.

Things to do near Piazzale Roma

While the square itself is little more than a glorified open-air bus station, Piazzale Roma does have the advantage of being close to a lot of what makes Venice so special. It's only about a mile and a half from here to St. Mark's Square, but there's a lot to see and do on the way.

• Cross over a controversial landmark on the Ponte della Constituzione. This footbridge crosses the Grand Canal of Venice and connects Piazzale Roma with the historic heart of the city. The ruthlessly modern structure with its pod-like wheelchair elevator drew the ire of traditionalists when it was opened. Whatever you think of it, it's certainly a striking way to enter the city.
• See Venice the way the locals do on a vaporetto. These small boats are not a tourist attraction but are instead part of Venice's transit system. They function the way buses do in other cities, so if you don't feel like walking along the maze of streets, you can take a boat to wherever you want to get to. Tickets only cost a few euros, but you'll be blessed with an amazing view of the city as you cruise its scenic waterways.
• Try your luck at the Casino of Venice. This grand gambling establishment has been in business in 1638. With an upscale restaurant and gardens overlooking the canals along with the games of chance, you'll feel like you've stepped into a James Bond movie the minute you walk through the door.
• Hunt for bargains at Libreria Acqua Alta. Calling itself the world’s most beautiful bookshop, this store has a unique approach to protecting its merchandise from the regular Venice floods. The books are stored in boats and bathtubs that simply float when the water gets high. Under the watchful eyes of the resident cats, you could browse for hours in this cramped but charming shop.
• Walk across an architectural icon at the Rialto Bridge. This famous landmark offers a sweeping view across the Grand Canal and is home to many unique stores and cafes where you can while away the hours.

Transit options in Piazzale Roma

• Since Piazzale Roma functions as the city's main bus station, many of the city's bus routes stop here before heading further inland to the more modern parts of the city.
• A four-minute walk from Piazzale Roma will take you to Venice's main train station. From here, you can get trains to all the major cities of Italy and beyond.
• A shuttle bus connects Piazzale Roma with Marco Polo airport.
• A dock on the edge of the piazza allows you to board vaporettoes which will carry you into the historic city center.

Luggage storage near Piazzale Roma

Piazzale Roma may not be pretty, especially compared to the rest of the city it serves. But it is a functional gateway to everything Venice has to offer. And as such, it can be extraordinarily busy. Make your visit easier on yourself by dropping off any heavy bags at a Bounce luggage storage near Piazzale Roma. The narrow and winding alleys of Venice practically begged to be explored on foot, but you don't want to carry any more weight than you need to. Save your energy for sightseeing and leave your bags behind.

Activities and attractions near Piazzale Roma

• St. Mark's Basilica: The elaborate church of St. Mark's Basilica is Venice's main church and one of its most visited attractions. Its unique Byzantine architecture is a relic of Venice's past as a major maritime power, and much of the art inside was plundered from Istanbul's Hagia Sophia. This is one of the city's most popular attractions, so you can expect crowds. It's better to leave any heavy bags at a luggage storage shop in Venice before you visit the spectacular church.
• St. Mark's Campanile: St. Mark's Campanile is the giant belltower that sits in the Piazza San Marco in the historic heart of Venice. Completed in 1514, the tower remains the tallest structure in the city, although it was reconstructed in 1912 after the original tower collapsed. There is no better view in Venice than from the top of the tower, and you'll be rewarded for the effort it takes to climb the many steps. Alternatively, there is an elevator for an additional fee. But either way, you definitely don't want to be carrying anything more than you absolutely need. Drop off your bags at a Venice luggage storage location before you attempt this climb.
• Bridge of Sighs: Another notorious Venice landmark, the Bridge of Sighs was built in the 17th century to connect one prison to another. It takes its name from the sighing of the prisoners as they made their way along this covered bridge over the canal from one cell to another. To see the bridge at its best, consider a gondola ride underneath it for a true Venetian experience.