Venice Biennale 2025 – International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy

Background and History

The Venice Biennale, established in 1895, is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events, showcasing contemporary art and architecture. The 19th International Architecture Exhibition in 2025, curated by Carlo Ratti, transforms Venice into a global stage for innovative design. Held biennially (architecture in odd-numbered years, art in even-numbered years), it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to explore national pavilions, curated exhibitions, and collateral events. The 2025 edition, themed Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective addresses climate change and sustainable design through collaborative intelligence.

Theme and Focus

Titled Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collectively, the 2025 Architecture Biennale explores how natural, artificial, and collective intelligence can address global challenges like climate change, waste reduction, and biodiversity loss. Curator Carlo Ratti, an architect and MIT professor, emphasizes architecture as a collaborative discipline integrating engineering, biology, data science, and art. The exhibition features over 300 projects and 750 participants, including architects, scientists, artists, and more, fostering a dialogue on sustainable urban futures.

Event Highlights

The 2025 Architecture Biennale offers a rich program across Venice:

• Main Exhibition: Curated by Carlo Ratti, showcasing over 300 experimental design proposals at Giardini, Arsenale, and Forte Marghera, exploring intelligence in architecture.
• National Pavilions: 66 countries, including debutants Azerbaijan, Oman, Qatar, and Togo, with 26 pavilions at Giardini, 25 at Arsenale, and 15 in Venice’s city center. Highlights include:
  • Kingdom of Bahrain: Heatwave (Golden Lion winner), addressing extreme heat with passive cooling.
  • Great Britain: Geology of Britannic Repair, a UK-Kenya collaboration (Special Mention).
  • Hong Kong: Focuses on bamboo structures and community architecture.
  • Denmark: Coastal Imaginaries, exploring resilient habitats.
• Collateral Events: 11 independent exhibitions, such as Jean Nouvel’s Fondation Cartier at San Giorgio Maggiore and The SKYWALK at Ocean Space.
• Public Programs: Talks, workshops, and performances at Ca’ Giustinian and Teatro Piccolo Arsenale, including digital companions like Spatial Intelligence and In Other Words.
• Awards: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement to Donna Haraway; Special Golden Lion in Memoriam to Italo Rota. Ceremony held May 10, 2025.

Dates and Duration

• Dates: May 10 – November 23, 2025
• Pre-Opening: May 8–9, 2025
• Duration: 6.5 months
• Closed Days: Mondays, except May 12, June 2, July 21, September 1, October 20, and November 17.

Main Address

• Administrative Office: Ca’ Giustinian, San Marco 1364/A, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
• Contact: +39 041 521 8711, info@labiennale.org
• Website: www.labiennale.org

All Venues

The exhibition spans multiple venues across Venice, with two primary sites and additional locations:

• Giardini della Biennale:
  • Address: Viale Trento, 1260, 30122 Venezia VE (main entrance); Sant’Elena, Viale IV Novembre, 30132 Venezia VE (secondary entrance)
  • Details: Hosts 26 national pavilions and parts of the main exhibition. Note: The Central Pavilion is closed for restoration in 2025. GPS: 45.428818, 12.356828 (Viale Trento); 45.428077, 12.360046 (Sant’Elena).
• Arsenale:
  • Address: Campo della Tana, 2169/F, 30122 Venezia VE (main entrance); Ponte dei Pensieri, Salizada Streta, 30122 Venezia VE (secondary entrance)
  • Details: Hosts 25 national pavilions, Corderie, and Artiglierie sections. GPS: 45.433188, 12.351705 (Campo della Tana); 45.435073, 12.357544 (Ponte dei Pensieri).
• Forte Marghera:
  • Address: Via Forte Marghera, 30173 Mestre VE, Italy
  • Details: Additional venue for curated exhibitions.
• City Center Venues:
  • Palazzo Franchetti: Campo Santo Stefano, 2842, 30124 Venezia VE (Qatar’s community architecture exhibit).
  • San Giorgio Maggiore: Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, 30124 Venezia VE (Jean Nouvel’s Fondation Cartier).
  • Palazzo Zorzi: Castello, 4930, 30122 Venezia VE (UNESCO young architects’ project).
  • Ocean Space: Campo San Lorenzo, 5069, 30122 Venezia VE (The SKYWALK by Platform Earth).
  • Other Locations: 15 additional national pavilions and collateral events across Venice’s historic palaces, churches, and courtyards.

Contact Information

• General Inquiries: +39 041 521 8711, info@labiennale.org
• Ticket Inquiries: +39 041 521 8828, booking@labiennale.org
• Press Office: pressoffice@labiennale.org
• Educational Programs: promozione@labiennale.org
• Website: www.labiennale.org
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/BiennaleVenezia
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/labiennale
  • X: www.twitter.com/la_Biennale
• Tourist Info: www.veneziaunica.it, www.visitvenezia.eu

Ticket Information

All tickets include access to both Giardini and Arsenale venues (visitable on non-consecutive days). Prices are in EUR (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, estimated):

• One-Access Tickets:
  • Full Price: €25 ($27.50)
  • Over 65: €20 ($22.00)
  • Students/Under 26: €16 ($17.60)
• Multiple-Access Tickets:
  • 3-Day Ticket: €35 ($38.50); Early Bird (before March 31): €30 ($33.00)
  • Weekly Ticket: €45 ($49.50)
  • Biennale Sessions (Universities, 50+ participants): €20 ($22.00)
• Accreditation:
  • Full Price: €75 ($82.50); Early Bird: €60 ($66.00)
  • Students/Under 26: €45 ($49.50)
  • Biennale Card Holders: €45 ($49.50)
• Group Tickets (10+ participants):
  • Adults: €18 ($19.80)
  • Universities: €15 ($16.50)
  • Secondary School Students: €10 ($11.00)
• Guided Tours:
  • General: €8 ($8.80) per person, per venue (admission not included)
  • Family Tours: €8.50 ($9.35) per person, per venue (children up to 12 free with family tour)
  • Group Tours (1 venue): €90 ($99, adults); €70 ($77, universities); €60 ($66, high schools); €50 ($55, nursery/elementary)
  • Group Tours (2 venues): €150 ($165, adults); €120 ($132, universities); €100 ($110, high schools)
• Skip-the-Line + Audio Guide (Third-Party):
  • Adult: €37 ($40.70)
  • Youth (Under 26): €23 ($25.30)
  • Over 65: €27 ($29.70)
  • Children (0–6): €1 ($1.10)
• Special Rates:
  • Visitors with Certified Disability: €18 ($19.80) at Infopoints
  • Accompanying Persons (if certified): Free
  • FAI, ACI, COOP, CRAL DOGANE, OCRAD, TCI Card Holders: €22 ($24.20)
  • Salone Nautico Venezia Ticket Holders (May 29–June 2): €20 ($22.00)
• Free Admission:
  • Children up to 6
  • Nursery/elementary/junior high schools in Biennale Educational activities
  • Adults accompanying disabled visitors (if certified)
• Purchase Information:
  • Online: www.labiennale.org (Tickets page, €0.50 online fee)
  • On-Site: Infopoints at Giardini (Viale Trento, Castello 1260) and Arsenale (Museo Storico Navale, Riva San Biasio, Castello 2149)
  • Notes: Tickets are non-refundable. Multiple-access tickets and accreditations require ID at entry.

Cultural Experience

The Venice Biennale 2025 transforms Venice into a global laboratory for architecture, blending historic venues with cutting-edge design. Visitors explore national pavilions, such as Bahrain’s Heatwave and Hong Kong’s bamboo structures, alongside collateral events in palaces and churches. The theme Intelligens fosters reflection on sustainable urban futures, with interactive installations and talks. Venice’s canals and landmarks, like San Marco, enhance the cultural immersion, making it a must-visit for architects, students, and enthusiasts.

Food and Drinks

Venice’s culinary offerings complement the Biennale experience:

• Cicchetti: Small plates (~$2.20–$5.50). Try at All’Arco (Calle Arco, San Polo, 30125 Venezia VE).
• Seafood Risotto: (~$16.50). Enjoy at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero (Fondamenta Giudecca, 88, 30142 Burano VE).
• Spritz: Aperitivo drink (~$5.50). Available at Osteria Al Squero (Dorsoduro, 943, 30123 Venezia VE).
• Tiramisù: (~$7.70). Try at I Tre Mercanti (Calle al Ponte de la Guerra, 5364, 30122 Venezia VE).
• Bigoli in Salsa: Pasta with anchovy sauce (~$13.20). At Antiche Carampane (Rio Terà Carampane, 1911, 30125 Venezia VE). Avoid tourist traps near venues; head to quieter calli for authentic bacari.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Free admission for children up to 6. Family guided tours (€8.50/$9.35 per person, per venue) include children up to 12 free. Educational workshops and tours cater to families.
• Accessibility: Reduced-rate tickets (€18/$19.80) for visitors with certified disabilities, available at Infopoints. Free entry for accompanying persons (if certified). Electric cars for mobility-impaired visitors and stroller services are available. Contact promozione@labiennale.org for accommodations.

Getting There

• By Air: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE, 13 km, ~$44 taxi or $16.50 Alilaguna waterbus to San Marco). Treviso (TSF, 40 km, ~$66 taxi or $11 bus to Venice).
• By Train: Venezia Santa Lucia Station, served by Trenitalia (e.g., Milan, 2.5 hr, $33; Rome, 3.5 hr, $55). From the station, take Vaporetto Line 1/4.1 to Giardini/Arsenale ($10.50) or walk (15–20 min).
• By Car: A4/A57 to Venice. Park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto (~$22–$33/day). Vaporetto to venues ($10.50). Note Venice’s ZTL restrictions.
• By Public Transport: Vaporetto Lines 1/4.1 to Giardini Biennale or Arsenale stops ($10.50). From San Zaccaria, Lines 1/4.1 connect to venues.
• On Foot: Giardini and Arsenale are 10 minutes apart. From San Marco, walk 20–25 minutes to Giardini.

Program Overview

• Main Exhibition: Curated by Carlo Ratti, exploring sustainable design at Giardini, Arsenale, and Forte Marghera.
• National Pavilions: 66 countries, with highlights like Bahrain, Great Britain, and Hong Kong.
• Collateral Events: 11 exhibitions, including Fondation Cartier (San Giorgio Maggiore) and The Next Earth (Palazzo Diedo).
• Public Events: Talks, workshops, and performances at Ca’ Giustinian and Teatro Piccolo Arsenale. Streaming available on Biennale Channel.
• Educational Programs: Guided tours, workshops for schools, and university sessions (Biennale Sessions, €20/$22).

Notable Features

• Theme Innovation: Intelligens integrates AI, natural systems, and collective design, with 750+ participants.
• Awards: Golden Lion to Bahrain; Special Mention to Great Britain.
• City-Wide Reach: Pavilions and events extend beyond Giardini and Arsenale, engaging Venice’s urban fabric.
• Accessibility: Free and discounted options ensure inclusivity.

Accommodation Tips

• Hotel Antiche Figure: Fondamenta S. Simeon Piccolo, 687, 30135 Venezia VE (~$110–$220/night), near Santa Lucia Station.
• Hotel Saturnia & International: Via XXII Marzo, 2398, 30124 Venezia VE (~$88–$165/night), near San Marco.
• Camping Ca’ Savio: Via di Ca’ Savio, 77, 30013 Cavallino-Treporti VE (~$33–$88/night), budget-friendly, 20-minute ferry to Venice. Book early due to high demand. Check www.veneziaunica.it for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Recommendations: Start at Arsenale for Ratti’s main exhibition, then visit Giardini for pavilions like Bahrain’s Heatwave. Explore collateral events like Jean Nouvel’s at San Giorgio Maggiore. Families should join guided tours (€8.50/$9.35).
• Navigating: Buy tickets online to avoid queues (www.labiennale.org). Plan 1–2 days for both venues; early mornings reduce crowds. Check closure dates (Mondays).
• Exploring Venice: Visit St. Mark’s Basilica or Doge’s Palace (10-minute walk from Arsenale). Enjoy a spritz in Campo Santa Margherita post-visit.