Fans of Mariano Fortuny’s wide-ranging creative genius will especially appreciate Selva, a site-specific installation by French artist Eva Jospin (1975) that focuses on nature and the experimental process of creation. Using ordinary materials – cardboard, plant fibres, fabric – her work creates a dialogue with the historical and environmental context of the Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei as well as Fortuny’s own artistic production.  Open daily except Tuesdays. Hours: 10: 00 – 18:00, April 10– October 31; 10:00 – 17:00, November 1-24. Last entrance 1 hour before close. 

Explore one of the world's largest and most important contemporary visual art exhibitions! The 60th Biennale Arte presents works engaged with this edition's theme ,Foreigners Everywhere. Exhibits are spread across two venues  – Arsenale and Giardini – featuring national delegations from 86 countries shown in both collective exhibition spaces and national pavilions. If you want to try to see it all, count on at least two (very long) days. If you only have a few hours and would like to see some highlights, consider booking one of their reasonably priced tours. 

Discover (or re-discover) the work of Piedmontese artist Armando Testa (1917-1992) in this impressive retrospective at the Ca'Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art. Called the father of advertising and a global visualiser, his eclectic body of work has had a profound influence on our contemporary visual culture with his playful, engaging designs that the whole family can appreciate. This exhibit explores his artistic legacy, with a particular emphasis on his insights as a painter, sculptor, and designer of original, fascinating images. Open daily except Mondays, 10:00 – 1800 (last entrance at 17:00). 

This not-to-be-missed exhibit celebrates Marco Polo, 700 years after the death of the renowned explorer. It illustrates Venice’s central role in the development of travel and commerce, and how the connections forged along the Silk Road remain relevant today. The last room of the exhibit features an interactive, immersive experience in Marco Polo’s extraordinary voyage. This exhibit is especially good for children, who will also receive an activity book full of fun facts, tales of the Far East, games, and a treasure hunt. Same-day entry tickets are usually available, but guided visits require advanced booking. Open daily 9:00–19:00 (last entrance at 18:00).

The oldest film festival in the world, the Venice Film Festival is one of the "Big Five" (along with Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Sundance). Every year, the festival premiers the most exciting new features and short films, attracting not just renowned filmmakers, but glitterati of all sorts to the red carpet screenings.