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24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Venice

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

In a city as filled with tourist attractions as Venice, it's hard to know where to begin. Perhaps the best way is to simply get lost for a few hours wandering through its enchanting little streets and passageways, strolling beside its canals, and finding its secret corners.

At every turn, you'll see something worth remembering with a photo. No matter where this exploration takes you, it's easy to find your way back to Piazza San Marco and the Grand Canal. Most of the best sights you'll want to visit lie around these two landmarks.

Venice is divided into six sestieri, neighborhoods that have distinctly different characters. San Marco is the central one, surrounded on three sides by a great loop in the Grand Canal. Across Rialto Bridge is the artisans' neighborhood of San Polo, and across the Grand Canal to the south is stylish Dorsoduro, with its prestigious art museums and lively squares.

At the outer edges are Santa Croce, Castello, and Cannaregio, home of the original Ghetto. Beyond the six sestieri – neighborhoods – of the city itself, you'll want to hop aboard a vaporetto to its islands: Lido, Murano, Burano, and Torcello. A fourth island, San Giorgio Maggiore, is worth visiting for the beautiful views of San Marco and Venice from the tower of its church.

To plan your stay so you won't miss any of the best places to visit, use this list of the top attractions and things to do in Venice.

1. St. Mark's Basilica

2. piazza san marco (st. mark's square), 3. palazzo ducale (doge's palace) and bridge of sighs, 4. canale grande (grand canal), 5. ponte di rialto (rialto bridge) and san polo, 6. torre dell'orologio (clock tower), 7. campanile, 8. santa maria della salute, 9. scuola grande di san rocco, 10. teatro la fenice, 11. ca' d'oro, 12. murano and burano, 13. peggy guggenheim collection, 14. explore the ghetto and museo ebraico di venezia, 15. santa maria gloriosa dei frari, 16. gallerie dell'accademia (fine arts museum), 17. santa maria dei miracoli, 18. palazzo rezzonico, 19. torcello island, 21. hear classical music in a church, 22. contarini del bovolo palace, 23. ca' pesaro and galleria d'arte moderna, 24. the arsenal and the museum of naval history, where to stay in venice for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to venice, venice, italy - climate chart, more things to see and do.

St. Mark's Basilica

Certainly Venice's best-known church, and one of the most easily recognized in the world, St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) was originally the Doge's private chapel, decorated with Byzantine art treasures that are part of the booty brought back by Venetian ships after the fall of Constantinople.

The gold-backed mosaic pictures above the doorways on the façade only hint at the mosaic artistry inside, where 4,240 square meters of gold mosaics cover the domes and walls. These set a distinctly Byzantine tone to its soaring interior, but you'll find treasures from other periods, including later mosaics designed by Titian and Tintoretto - names you'll encounter all over the city.

The magnificent golden altarpiece, the Pala d'Oro , one of the finest in Europe, was begun by early 12th-century artists, and centuries later, adorned with nearly 2,000 gems and precious stones. If you can tear your eyes from this, the mosaic domes, and the multitude of richly decorated altars, glance down at the floor, a masterpiece of marble inlay. And take time to see the gold reliquaries and icons in the Treasury.

  • Read More: Exploring St. Mark's Basilica in Venice: A Visitor's Guide

St. Mark's Square

The vast expanse of Venice's largest square is brought together and made to seem almost intimate by the elegant uniformity of its architecture on three sides. But more than its architectural grace, St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) is loved as Venice's living room, the place everybody gathers, strolls, drinks coffee, stops to chat, meets friends and tour guides, or just passes through on the way to work or play.

Three sides are framed in arcades, beneath which are fashionable shops and even more fashionable cafés. The open end is bookmarked by the erratic, exotic curves, swirls, mosaics, and lacy stone filigree of St. Mark's Basilica .

Above it towers the brick shaft of the campanile. For overviews of this busy piazza, you can go to its top or to the top of the Torre dell'Orologio , where a pair of "Moors" strikes the hour.

Author's Tip: Don't be tempted to sit on the steps around the piazza to eat a take-away sandwich. Or throw the crumbs to the pigeons. Both are illegal.

  • Read More: St. Mark's Square, Venice: 12 Top Attractions, Tours & Nearby Hotels

Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) and Bridge of Sighs

Visitors arriving in Venice once stepped ashore under the façade of this extraordinary palace. They couldn't have failed to be impressed, both by its size and the finesse of its architecture.

If they were received inside by the Doges, the impression would only strengthen as they entered through the Porta della Carta, a perfect example of Venetian Gothic at its height, and ascended the monumental Scala dei Giganti and the gold-vaulted Scala d'Oro to be received in what many consider to be the palace's most beautiful chamber, Sala del Collegio.

Even jaded 21st-century travelers gasp in awe at the palace's grandeur and lavish decoration. You'll see works by all the Venetian greats, including Tintoretto, whose Paradise is the largest oil painting in the world.

Not open on public tours but included on private tours is a walk across the Bridge of Sighs to the dark cells of the Prigioni - the prisons from which Casanova made his famous escape. The best view - and the postcard classic - of the Bridge of Sighs is from the Ponte della Paglia , on the Riva degli Schiavoni behind the Doge's Palace.

Lines for admission to the Doge's Palace are often long, but you can avoid these, and see sections of the palace not open to general visitors, with a Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Ticket and Tour . A local guide will take you past the lines and explain the history and art in each of the dazzling rooms before leading you across the Bridge of Sighs and into the notorious prison.

  • Read More: Exploring the Doge's Palace in Venice: A Visitor's Guide

Canale Grande (Grand Canal)

Sweeping through the heart of Venice in a giant reverse S curve, the Grand Canal is the principal boulevard through the city, connecting Piazza San Marco , Rialto Bridge, and the arrival points of the rail station and bridge from the mainland.

Only four bridges cross its 3.8-kilometer length, but stripped-down gondolas called traghetti shuttle back and forth at several points between bridges. The Grand Canal was the address of choice for anyone who claimed any influence in Venice. Palaces of all the leading families open onto the canal, their showy Venetian Gothic and Early Renaissance facades facing the water, by which visitors arrived.

These grand palaces – or at least their facades – are well preserved today, and a trip along the canal by vaporetto, Venice's floating public transport system, is the best way to see them. Or you can see the palaces at a more leisurely speed on a Venice Grand Canal Small Group 1-Hour Boat Tour , which also includes some of the smaller canals. And, of course, a ride along the Grand Canal in a gondola is one of the most romantic things to do in Venice at night.

  • Read More: Exploring the Grand Canal in Venice: Top Attractions

Rialto Bridge

Once the only bridge across the Grand Canal , Rialto Bridge marks the spot of the island's first settlement, called Rivus Altus (high bank). Built in 1588, some 150 years after the collapse of a previous wooden bridge, this stone arch supports two busy streets and a double set of shops.

Along with serving as a busy crossing point midway along the canal, it is a favorite vantage point for tourists taking - or posing for - photos, and for watching the assortment of boats always passing under it.

The church of San Bartolomeo , close to the San Marco end of the bridge, was the church of the German merchants who lived and worked in the Fondaco dei Tedeschi (German Commodity Exchange) bordering the canal here. It has an excellent altarpiece, The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew , by Palma the Younger. The former exchange is now a popular place to go shopping.

On the other side of Rialto Bridge is the busy food market, where Venetians and chefs shop for fresh produce and seafood. In the narrow streets of San Polo, beyond the market, are artisans' shops and mask-making studios, one of the best places for shopping in Venice . You'll also find places to eat that are not so filled with tourists as those nearer San Marco.

Author's tip: If you're visiting Venice with children , look for the carnival mask and costume studios in San Polo. Masks are inexpensive souvenirs of their trip to Venice.

Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower)

To one side of the basilica, facing onto Piazza San Marco, is one of Venice's most familiar icons, a clock tower surmounted by a pair of bronze Moors that strike the large bell each hour. The face of the clock shows phases of the moon and the zodiac in gilt on a blue background, and above the clock is a small balcony and a statue of the Virgin.

Above that, the winged Lion of St. Mark and a mosaic of gold stars against a blue background were added in 1755 by Giorgio Massari. The tower itself is from the 15 th century and typical of Venetian Renaissance architecture. Through an arched gateway at its base runs one of Venice's busiest streets, the narrow Calle Mercerei.

If you're in Venice during Ascension Week or at Epiphany, as the Moors strike each hour, you can see the Three Kings led past the Madonna by an angel. You can climb the tower for a closer look at the clockwork.

The Campanile on St. Mark's Square

Standing like a giant exclamation point above the expanse of Piazza San Marco, the Campanile is not the first to stand here. The original one, erected as a lighthouse in 1153, collapsed dramatically into the piazza in 1902, and was rebuilt on a firmer footing. Also rebuilt was the Loggetta at its base, a small marble loggia completed in 1540, where members of the Great Council assembled before meeting in the sessions.

In the loggia at the base, you can see Sansovino's four bronze masterpieces between the columns, all of which were rescued from the rubble after the collapse. The Campanile has a grimmer side to its history: in the Middle Ages, prisoners, including renegade priests, were hoisted halfway up the outside in cages, where they hung suspended for weeks.

Today, the Campanile is a popular attraction for the views from the platform on top, which extends across the city and lagoon to the Adriatic (try to go early or late in the day, as lines for the lift can be very long).

Santa Maria della Salute

One of the most photographed churches in Venice, Santa Maria della Salute has a postcard setting, rising at the tip of a peninsula across from the Doge's Palace.

The monumental Baroque church was built as thanks for the end of the plague of 1630. But the fragile land wouldn't support its tremendous weight, so its architect, Baldassare Longhena, had more than a million timbers driven into the floor of the lagoon before he could erect the church.

The vaporetto landing is right in front of the church, and the highlight of its interior – apart from the magnificent dome – is the Sacristy, where you'll find paintings that include Tintoretto's Marriage at Cana .

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

This impressive white marble Scuola Grande di San Rocco was built between 1515 and 1560 to house a charitable society dedicated to San Rocco. Soon after its completion, the great 16th-century Venetian artist Tintoretto won the competition to paint a central panel for the ceiling of the Sala dell'Albergo by entering the building and putting his painting in its intended place before the judging, much to the irritation of his rival artists.

He later decorated its walls and ceilings with a complete cycle of paintings, which are considered to be the artist's masterpiece. The earliest works, in the Sala dell'Albergo, date to 1564 and 1576 and include The Glorification of St. Roch, Christ before Pilate, the Ecce Homo, and the most powerful of all, The Crucifixion . Those in the upper hall depict New Testament scenes, painted between 1575 and 1581.

The lighting is not good, and the paintings themselves are dark, but you can still appreciate Tintoretto's innovations in the use of light and color. You can see the ceilings more easily with one of the mirrors that are provided. More works by Tintoretto are in the chancel of the adjacent church of San Rocco.

Address: Campo San Rocco, San Polo, Venice

Teatro La Fenice

The name La Fenice (The Phoenix), chosen at the constriction in 1792, proved prophetic, as like the mythical phoenix, it has risen from the ashes. The theater has been destroyed by fire three times, the last one, in 1996, leaving only the outer walls standing. Each time, it has been rebuilt, and continues to be one of the world's great opera houses.

Throughout its history, but particularly in the 19th century, La Fenice saw the premiers of many of the most famous Italian operas, including those of Rossini, Donizetti, and Verdi, and today schedules performances of opera, ballet, and musical concerts.

Even after its reopening in 2003 with somewhat expanded seating, La Fenice is still a comparatively small opera house, so tickets are very hard to get, especially for major performances. You can take a tour of the spectacular Rococo interior, however, using an audio guide; these self-guided tours last about 45 minutes and include the public areas of the theater.

Ca' d'Oro

The delicate marble filigree by Bartolomeo Bon seems too lace-like to be carved of stone, and you can only imagine the impression this façade must have made covered in its original paint and gold. Along with the Porta della Carta in the Palazzo Ducale , also created by Bartolomeo Bon, The Ca' d'Oro is considered the most perfect example of Venetian Gothic.

You can admire the interior, too, as this palazzo is now an art museum, restored to provide both a setting for the art works and a look at the way wealthy Venetians lived in the 15th and 16th centuries. The connoisseur responsible for saving the palace, Baron Giorgio Franchetti, gave his art collection to the state in 1922, with works by Titian, Mantegna, Van Dyck, Tullio Lombardo, and Bernini.

Glassblowing in Murano

A trip to Venice wouldn't be complete without hopping aboard a vaporetto for the ride across the lagoon to Murano, home of Venice's fabled glass workers. They were sent here in the 13th century in hope of decreasing the risk of fire from one of the glass furnaces sweeping through Venice's tightly compacted center.

Or so they claimed. Just as likely, it was to keep the secrets of glassblowing a Venetian monopoly. This was no small matter to the Venetians, whose Council of Ten decreed in 1454: "If a glassblower takes his skill to another country to the detriment of the Republic he shall be ordered to return; should be refuse, his nearest relatives shall be thrown into prison so that his sense of family duty may induce him to return; should he persist in his disobedience secret measures shall be taken to eliminate him wherever he may be." It was a lot easier to keep track of them if they were confined to an island.

The canal sides today are lined by glass showrooms and studios, showing everything from cheap imported trinkets to exquisite works of art. Inside the 17th-century Palazzo Giustinian is the Glass Museum , with one of the largest and most important collections of Venetian glass from the time of the Romans to the 20th century.

But it's not all glass: The church of Santi Maria e Donato combines Veneto-Byzantine and Early Romanesque features, a result of its various stages of building between the seventh and 12th centuries. Notice especially the columns of Greek marble with Veneto-Byzantine capitals, the 12th-century mosaic floor with animal figures, and the St. Donato above the first altar on the left. Dated 1310, it is the earliest example of Venetian painting.

The 14th-century San Pietro Martire contains several splendid Venetian paintings: Bellini's Madonna in Majesty with St. Mark and the Doge Agostino Barbarigo and his Assumption of the Virgin , along with St. Jerome in the Wilderness and St. Agatha in Prison by Paolo Veronese.

It's a quick hop to the next island, Burano, a fishing village of brilliantly painted houses, known historically for its lace making. The Scuola dei Merletti (lace school) and its small museum will help you distinguish the real thing from the cheap imports you'll find in most shops.

The slender campanile of the 16 th -century church of San Martino leans at an alarming angle, made all the more dramatic by its height.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The personal art collections of heiress Peggy Guggenheim are housed in her former home alongside the Grand Canal, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. Although most of Italy's great art museums are filled with masters of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Peggy Guggenheim concentrates on American and European art from the first half of the 20th century.

The low building, with its spare, white interior, is a fitting venue for these bold and often dramatic works, which represent Cubist, Futurist, Abstract Expressionist, Surrealist, and avant-garde schools of painting and sculpture.

The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Dali, Braque , Léger , Mondrian , Kandinsky , Klee, Ernst , Magritte , and Pollock , and frequent exhibitions bring in works from other major artists. In the museum's sculpture gardens are works by Calder , Holzer , Caro , Judd , and Hepworth .

Address: 704 Dorsoduro, Venice

Jewish Ghetto in Venice

The Venetians called the foundry here geto , and in 1516 it was decreed that all Jews in the city would live on this islet, the origin of the word "ghetto." Residents could only leave in the daytime, and the gates were locked and guarded at night.

This part of the Cannaregio sestiere still has distinct Jewish presence, with synagogues and the Museo Ebraico di Venezia (Jewish Museum) with artifacts of Jewish life here from the 17 th and later centuries. Facing the Ghetto Nuovo Square, a touching memorial of bronze panels, created in 1980 by artist Arbit Blatas, remembers the victims of the deportation during the Nazi occupation of the city in 1943.

Address: Museo Ebraico di Venezia, Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, Cannaregio

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

This Gothic church was begun by the Franciscans about 1340 and finished with the completion of the facade, interior, and two chapels in the middle of the 15th century. Its impressive 14th-century campanile is the second highest in the city.

Although the interior is in keeping with the simple unadorned style of Franciscan churches, it contains a wealth of artistic treasures. In the right transept is an important wood statue of St. John the Baptist by Florentine sculptor Donatello, done in 1451 (first chapel to the right of the sanctuary).

In the sacristy is a triptych Madonna and Child Enthroned with Four Saints by Giovanni Bellini. In the left transept, the statue of St. John the Baptist on the stoup of the Cappella Cornaro was created by the sculptor and master-builder Jacopo Sansovino

The Monks' Choir is an outstanding example of the wood-carving of Marco Cozzi, with reliefs of saints and Venetian scenes. And the sanctuary contains the tomb of two Doges by Antonio Rizzo, and over the high altar is Titian's Assunta , painted between 1516 and 1518. The Mausoleum of Titian in the south aisle was a gift from Ferdinand I of Austria, when he was King of Lombardy Veneto.

You can't help noticing the pyramidal mausoleum made by the students of the sculptor Antonio Canova in the north aisle, and opposite, the large monument to Titian, also by students of Canova. Beside the Cappella Emiliani, which has a fine mid-15th-century polyptych with marble figures, is Madonna di Ca' Pesaro , completed in 1526 and one of Titian's most important works.

Address: Campo dei Frari, I-30100 Venice

Venice - Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari - Floor plan map

Called " The Accademia " for short, this museum on the Grand Canal has the most important and comprehensive collection of 15th-18th-century Venetian painting in existence. Much of the collection was assembled from monasteries and churches that were closed and from the clearing of palaces of noble families, now displayed in the former Monastery of Santa Maria della Carità.

Some of the galleries, such as the first one, which contains Venetian Gothic Painting, have richly carved and gilded 15th-century ceilings. Works are arranged chronologically, so you can not only trace the evolution of styles, but can compare the works of contemporaries.

Highlights of the 15th- and 16th-century paintings are St. George by Andrea Mantegna, St Jerome and a Donor by Piero della Francesca, Madonna and Saints by Giovanni Bellini, Portrait of Christ by Vittore Carpaccio, and Madonna under the Orange Tree by Cima da Conegliano.

St. John the Baptist and a magnificent Pietà by Titian, Tintoretto's Cain and Abel and The Miracle of St. Mark, Paolo Veronese's Marriage of St. Catherine and Supper in the House of Levi , St. Ursula by Vittore Carpaccio, and several works by Giambattista Tiepolo are also worth special notice.

Venice - Galleria dell'Accademia - Floor plan map

After the vast grandeur of St. Mark's and the soaring expanse of Frari, little Santa Maria dei Miracoli is like a fresh breeze, a masterpiece of Early Renaissance architecture by Pietro Lombardo. This jewel box of pastel inlaid marble was built from 1481 to 1489 to enshrine a miraculous picture of the Virgin.

Unlike Venice's other churches, whose facades are embellished with architectural flourishes and statues, Lombardo used painstakingly matched colored marble to create delicate patterns of rosettes, circles, octagons, and crosses on the facade. The method continues inside, which heightens the effect of the golden domed ceiling rising above gray and coral marble walls.

The nave is separated from the chancel by an exquisite Early Renaissance balustrade decorated with figures. It's no wonder that this is Venetians' favorite place to be married, as its interior is one of the most beautiful in the city.

Address: Campo dei Miracoli, Venice

Palazzo Rezzonico

Just as Ca' d'Oro lets you glimpse into the life of the late Middle Ages, Palazzo Rezzonico gives a vivid picture of life here in the Baroque and Rococo periods, in the 18th century. Designed and begun by Venice's master of Baroque architecture, Baldassare Longhena, the palace was completed nearly 100 years later in 1750 by Giorgio Massari.

The furnishings and collections complete the picture painted by the building, including its interior decoration of silk wall coverings, elegant finish details, and Flemish tapestries. The costume collection highlights the importance of silk production in Venice from the late Middle Ages through the 18th century, when it was a major competitor with Lyon, France.

Rigid technical regulations were enforced, resulting in some of the most beautiful silk fabrics ever made. So important was silk that even in times of war with the Turks, battle lines parted for the silk-laden ships to pass through.

The museum details the importance of luxury goods, particularly clothing and fashion, for the Venetian economy in the 18th century, when brocades embellished with gold and silver thread produced here were treasured throughout Europe and the New World.

Torcello Island

Venice began on this outer island of Torcello, founded here as early as the seventh century, and by the 12th century, it was a flourishing commercial town. Of its palaces, churches, shipyards, and docks, only two churches and a handful of houses remain, dotted over the large island.

You can get some idea of the importance of Torcello from its cathedral, dedicated in 639 to Santa Maria Assunta . It is considered the best remaining example of Venetian-Byzantine architecture. It was reconstructed in 834 and 1008, and the portico and two lateral apses were added in the ninth century; much of the building dates from the 11th century. The mosaics lining the interior are outstanding.

The oldest of these are in the chapel to the right of the high altar, where 11th-century angels carrying a medallion with the Lamb of God show a strong Byzantine influence. The Fathers of the Church ; Gregory, Martin, Ambrose, and Augustine; were added later, along with Christ in Majesty between two Archangels .

The 12th-century mosaics in the main apse and the Virgin and Child above a frieze of the Twelve Apostles surrounded by flowers are all on a gold background. The west wall is covered in tiers of a Byzantine mosaic of the Last Judgment from the late 12th or early 13th century.

Along with the exquisitely detailed marble carvings on the rood screen, notice the 11th-century mosaic floor and the pulpit, which was assembled in the 13th century from earlier fragments.

Adjoining the cathedral is the little 11th-century church of Santa Fosca , on a pure Byzantine central plan with a portico. Your admission ticket includes the interesting little historical museum with artifacts from antiquity to the 16th century.

Alberoni Beach, Lido, Venice

The long (12-kilometer) strip of sand that separates the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea was Europe's first real beach resort, and in its heyday, at the turn of the 20th century, was Europe's most fashionable watering hole for royalty and the day's celebs. Today, the grand hotels where they reposed still welcome guests and still own the beautiful fine-sand beaches, although for a price you can share them with hotel guests.

Public beaches are at the north end of the island, near the church of San Nicolo, where relics of St. Nicholas are revered. After considerable controversy between Venice and Bari, which also claims the saint's relics, it has been established by an anatomical expert that both have an equal claim; about half the skeleton, including the skull, is in Bari and the other half in Lido. The cloisters are lovely, and in the church are paintings by both Palma the Elder and Younger.

You can tour Lido on foot or a bicycle rented near the landing stage where the 10-minute Motonave or longer vaporetto ride from St. Mark's deposits you. The island is filled with Art Nouveau villas and hotels; to see the villas, wander along some of the side streets. In August and September, the Lido is the venue for the International Film Festival, held in the Palazzo del Cinema.

Lido Di Venezia map - Tourist attractions

Two churches in Venice are venues for concerts of classical music , both featuring the works of Venetian composer and virtuoso violinist, Antonio Vivaldi. One of these churches, Santa Maria della Pietà , was Vivaldi's own, where he taught and composed the music for major church feasts. Near Saint Mark's Square, it is a beautiful mid-18 th -century church.

The other church where you can hear concerts is San Vidal church, in Campo Santo Stefano, not far from the Academia bridge. Along with the concerts, the church is notable for its magnificent main altarpiece, San Vidal on Horseback with Eight Saints, painted in 1514 by Vittore Carpaccio. Concerts in both these venues feature "The Four Seasons" and other works by Vivaldi. 123

Contarini del Bovolo Palace

During the 15 th -century renovations of an earlier Gothic building near Campo Manin, a unique spiraling staircase was added to the outside, creating one of the city's most unusual places to visit. The staircase spirals upward, encased by a balustrade and a series of graceful arches that give it an almost delicate air. The building became known as the Contarini del Bovolo Palace , referring to the Venetian word for snail.

Alongside the round tower, a series of 5 layered loggias decreasing in height with each level provides access to the building's five stories. You can see the exterior from the courtyard, or climb the tower for views from the roofed terrace at the top.

Address: San Marco, Campo Manin

Galleria d'Arte Moderno and Museo d'Arte Orientale inside the Ca' Pesaro

The impressive façade of Ca' Pesaro overlooking the Grand Canal, was inspired by the Sansovino Library that stands across from the Doge's Palace, built a century earlier. The lavish Venetian Late Baroque interior contrasts sharply with the art displayed there, for the palazzo now houses the Galleria d'Arte Moderna.

One of Italy's finest collections of modern art, it contains works by important 19th- and 20th-century painters and sculptors including Gustav Klimt, Marc Chagall, and Auguste Rodin. Highlights include decorative arts of the 20 th century such as works in glass made by Carlo Scarpa in the 1930s and 1940s and rare furniture pieces by the cabinetmaker Carlo Bugatti.

The Museo d'Arte Orientale occupies the third floor of the palace, with collections of fine and applied arts from Asia. Highlights are the Chinese vases and Japanese enamels, porcelains, and armor of the Edo period.

Ca'Pesaro is reached by Vaparetto from the San Stae stop, at the church of Sant'Eustachio, more commonly known as San Stae. Step inside the church to see paintings by early 18th-century artists, including Tiepolo and Pellegrini.

Address: Santa Croce, Venice

The Arsenal and the Museum of Naval History

The Arsenal, the shipyard of the Venetian Republic, was the largest and busiest in the world until the end of the 17th century. From its founding in 1104, it was continuously expanded, until in its heyday, it employed as many as 16,000 workers.

Closely guarded to preserve the secret production methods that enabled it to build a fully sea-ready ship in a single day, the Arsenal was accessible by one land and one sea approach only. So tight was its security that the Republic managed to keep its art of shipbuilding secret until about 1550.

At its imposing land entrance is a Renaissance-style triumphal arch guarded by lions brought from Greece as booty after the reconquest of the Peloponnese in the 17th century. Of the two lions on the left, the larger one stood guard over the port of Piraeus, while its fellow stood on the road from Athens to Eleusis.

Adjacent to the shipyard is the Museum of Naval History , displaying impressive booty brought back from the numerous maritime wars of the Republic, along with fascinating collections that include votive paintings made on wood panels in thanks for rescues at sea. These charming pictures are interesting for their depiction of sea life, not so much for their artistic finesse.

Models and artifacts relate to shipbuilding, the types of vessels afloat in the period that Venice was a sea power, and the Republic's strongholds throughout the Adriatic. A large model of the legendary ship of state Bucintoro , the Doge's sumptuous official galley, is especially interesting.

Address: Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello, Venice

While it's nice to stay close to St. Mark's Square, or between there and the Rialto, it's not essential for sightseeing. Attractions are all fairly close, and you'll have to walk between them anyway. Just as important is how close the hotel is to a Vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal. In addition to hotels near San Marco and San Zaccaria stops, consider those near Salute and Academia stops in Dorsoduro. Here are some highly rated and convenient hotels in Venice:

Luxury Hotels :

  • Only a few steps from the Salute stop and one stop from St. Mark's, Ca' Maria Adele is a lush island of serenity near the Guggenheim Collection, with antiques-furnished rooms and superb guest services.
  • The Gritti Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel was once the home of a Venetian Doge, and its large, sumptuously appointed rooms (some with balconies) overlook the Grand Canal or a quiet piazza close to St. Mark's.
  • Set on a small canal less than two minutes' walk from Piazza San Marco, Bauer Palazzo could hardly have a more convenient location for tourists. Opulent appointments include marble floors and Murano glass chandeliers; guest rooms and the rooftop terrace overlook views of the Grand Canal and other landmarks.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • Elegant and luxurious Hotel Ai Cavalieri di Venezia is also a walk from the Rialto stop, but well located near attractions.
  • Londra Palace could hardly be better located, a three-minute walk from St. Mark's at the San Zaccaria stop, with balconies overlooking the lagoon; breakfast is included.
  • The large rooms at NH Collection Venezia Palazzo Barocci overlook the Grand Canal, at the San Angelo vaporetto stop.

Budget Hotels:

  • In a quiet neighborhood of Santa Croce, a short walk from a Vaporetto stop, about 20 minutes from Rialto and close to a good choice of restaurants, Hotel Tiziano has comfortable rooms and includes breakfast.
  • Rio Venezia Hotel is just behind St. Mark's, a block off the Grand Canal.
  • Also just steps from St. Mark's, Hotel Orion is on the shortest route to Rialto.

Exploring the Islands:

  • A highlight for most travelers is a visit to the islands of Murano and Burano. The easiest way to explore these islands is on a five-hour guided Murano Glass and Burano Lace Tour from Venice , which includes motorboat transport to the islands, with visits to a glassblowing factory on Murano and lace makers on Burano.

Sightseeing and Gondola Rides :

  • Venice is a little bit of a maze, and if you have limited time, taking a guided tour is a good idea. The Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride includes the best of both worlds, with an opportunity to learn the history of the sites as you wander the city and then relax and enjoy the scenery on a gondola ride.
  • Alternatively, to just soak up some of the ambience, skip the walking piece and see the sites from the water on a 35-minute shared gondola ride while being serenaded on the Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade .
  • A third option, the Venice Super Saver: Skip-the Line Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Tours, Venice Walking Tour and Grand Canal Cruise offers priority admission to the two must-see sights with the longest lines, a guided walking tour that takes you to some of Venice's secret sights, and a water-taxi cruise along the Grand Canal.

Good to Know

  • Beginning in 2025, day visitors will be charged an access tax of between €6 and €10, depending on the season and expected tourist numbers. Visitors staying overnight in Venice already pay a lodging tax of €1 to €5 per person per night for the first 5 nights.
  • If you plan to use the Vaporetto, either on the Grand Canal or to visit the islands of Murano, Burano, Lido and Torcello, ACTV transit passes are a good value. Single fares are €9.50, and a full-day pass is €25, less than the cost of three single rides. Multiple day passes save even more: 2 days for €25, 3 days for €45 and €65 for an entire week.
  • While Venetians are quite tolerant of the masses of tourists that pour in every day, the city has some rules for visitor behavior. While these are not uniformly enforced, recent violations have resulted in steep fines. Some that you should be aware of include prohibitions on picnicking in a public place, buying from street vendors, lying down on a public bench, putting padlocks on bridges, and leaning against store fronts.

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Where to Go near Venice : After you've visited the city's top tourist attractions, you may want to explore some of the beautiful nearby towns. Only 20 kilometers away is pretty Treviso , enclosed by walls and with its own waterside villas. Padua , with its famous shrine of St. Anthony, is easy to reach by train or by a cruise along the historic Brenta Canal. Stop along the way at Villa Pisani, one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy .

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Places to Visit from Venice: North of Treviso are the soaring Dolomites, with some of the top ski resorts in Italy but with plenty of things to do in all seasons. Along the Adriatic to the east is Trieste , where Italian blends with Hapsburg architecture reminiscent of Vienna. Following the Adriatic coast south, you'll reach Ravenna , with its magnificent Byzantine mosaics.

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25 Top Tourist Attractions in Venice

Last updated on February 22, 2024 by Alex Schultz and Fiona Fiorentino - 2 Comments

A city built on 118 islands off the coast of northeastern Italy, Venice is unlike any other city in Europe or, for that matter, the world. Virtually unchanged in appearance for more than 600 years, the City of Canals looks more like something out of a picture book than a modern metropolis. It’s a place where the entire city is viewed as an attraction in itself.

A city packed with great art and architecture, millions of visitors come each year to enjoy the experience that is Venice. Even at the height of tourist season, however, Venice is a travel destination that manages to exceed all expectations. Here are the top tourist attractions in Venice that make a visit to this Italian city so special.

Map of Venice

Venice Map

In this post, we'll cover:

25. Venetian Arsenal

Venetian Arsenal

Venice’s long, rich history is inextricably linked with the waters upon which the city is built; commerce and conquest relied on the city’s ability to build ships and project power abroad. Long before the industrial revolution, the Venetian Arsenal was churning out ships at an astounding rate, and much of the city’s stupendous wealth and beauty is due to this enthralling complex.

Wandering around the historic site is a delightful experience; there are some informative displays on show as well as some wonderful little neighborhood bars.

24. Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Santi Giovanni e Paolo

The largest church in the city, Santi Giovanni e Paolo towers over the buildings around it, and 25 of Venice’s doges are buried within, which testifies to its importance.

Built in the Italian Gothic style, the red brick church is lovely to gaze upon, although the interior, with all of its fantastic paintings and statues, is what the majority of people come to see. Don’t miss Cima da Conegliano’s Coronation of the Virgin and David by Alessandro Vittoria.

There are loads of exquisite tombs and monuments to the former doges on show – this is in part what makes Santi Giovanni e Paolo so interesting to visit.

23. Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana

Once a customs house, this wonderful old building is now an art museum that focuses primarily on contemporary art. There are some marvelous statues and sculptures dotted about here and there and Giuseppe Benoni’s fantastic Fortune sculpture atop of the building is particularly delightful to gaze upon.

The Punta della Dogana lies at the point where the Grand Canal joins the Giudecca Canal, and the fantastic architecture alone makes it well worth visiting. The Pinault collection inside is lovely to peruse. The museum also hosts a wide variety of temporary exhibitions which attract locals and tourists alike.

22. Museo Correr

Museo Correr

Located in Piazza San Marco, the Museo Correr’s wonderful collection looks at the art and history of Venice. The beautiful building which it is housed in demonstrates many Napoleonic and Hapsburg features, as the city was once ruled by both dynasties.

Wandering around the fine galleries is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. With maps, coins and paintings lying next to armor, wooden models, and navigational instruments, the Museo Correr is a treasure trove of a museum with a plethora of fascinating objects on display.

Highlights include the stunning Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana which is adorned with so many amazing frescoes and Antonio Canova’s beautiful Orpheus and Eurydice statue.

21. Venetian Ghetto

Venetian Ghetto

Fascinating to wander around, the Venetian Ghetto was established in 1516, when the Venetian Republic restricted Jews to live in this part of the city. It was the first ghetto in existence; the word in English actually derives from Italian, although it is still disputed whether ghetto meant ‘street’ or ‘little town’.

Nowadays, there is still a strong Jewish presence and lots of great Jewish restaurants and bakeries for visitors to check out – as well as several historic sites.

20. Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Completed in 1560, the delightful Scuola Grande di San Rocco has hardly undergone any modifications and alterations since then. As such, visitors can gaze in awe at its historic rooms, home to so many wonderful Tintoretto paintings. The Salone Maggiore is breathtakingly beautiful, and masterpieces by Titian and Palma il Giovane only add to the splendor on show.

The building was founded to host a confraternity and is named after San Rocco; a Catholic saint who was said to protect people from the plague. Indeed his massive popularity led to the Scuola becoming the richest in the whole of Venice and this is amply displayed in the lavish architecture and beautiful paintings that it is home to.

19. Gallerie dell’Accademia

Gallerie dell'Accademia

Located on the south bank of the Grand Canal, the Gallerie dell’Accademia is mesmerizing to wander around. Its galleries are home to astounding artworks by famous pre-19th century Venetian artists.

Its 24 rooms cover various themes; some focus on panel-paintings while others look at portraits and work by specific artists. With masterpieces by renowned artists such as Canaletto, da Vinci, and Titian on display, the Gallerie dell’Accademia certainly won’t disappoint with all that it has to offer.

18. Lido di Venezia

Lido di Venezia

Perfect for visitors who want to soak up the sun and enjoy the beach, the Lido di Venezia has a long stretch of sandy beach and is a great place to head to if you want a break from all the sightseeing in Venice. The sandbar island lies to the south and southeast of Venice, enclosing the lagoon within it and facing out on to the Adriatic.

Inhabited for over a thousand years, crusaders on their way to the Holy Land once set up camp on the very same beaches we see today and in the nineteenth century the sandbar became a popular resort for the rich and famous as writers, filmstars and royals descended upon the Lido.

With its own distinctive feel and laidback vibe, the Lido is well worth visiting and hosts the Venice Film Festival in September each year.

17. Rialto Market

Rialto Market

With its endless stalls and food stands, the lively Rialto Market is an intoxicating place to visit. Its picturesque setting alongside the Grand Canal, with the Rialto Bridge nearby, only adds to the occasion.

Popular amongst locals and tourists alike, the market is where many Venetians do their food shopping. The vast majority of stands sell fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, and artisanal Mediterranean products. Perusing the food sellers’ stands is loads of fun and offers an authentic look at life in Venice.

16. Ponte dell’Accademia

Ponte dell'Accademia

The delightful Ponte dell’Accademia was opened in 1854 and is one of only four bridges that offer pedestrians a way across the Grand Canal. The wooden and metal bridge lies towards the southern end of the canal and looks very distinctive amongst all of the stone and marble that the majority of Venice is built out of.

More peaceful than the other bridges on the Grand Canal, the Ponte dell’Accademia attracts lovers, who attach padlocks to the bridge’s railings. There are some lovely views from its midway point.

15. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

This wonderful collection is an absolute joy to wander around as it houses many masterpieces by some of Europe and America’s most renowned artists. The modern art museum is located in a beautiful 18th-century palace on the Grand Canal. Its permanent collection includes some delightful Cubist, Expressionist and Surrealist works of art.

Among the many big names on show are The Poet by Picasso, Birth of Liquid Desires by Dali and Alchemy by Pollock. With so many amazing pieces on display, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is well worth checking out for all its fantastic modern art.

14. Torre dell’Orologio

Torre dell'Orologio

Located on one side of Piazza San Marco, the Torre dell’Orologio is a lovely Renaissance building. It is an important historical and architectural site in the city, as its facade is home to a delightful astrological clock.

St. Mark’s Clocktower (as it is also known in English) sports two bronze figures on its roof that strike out the hour on a bell; lots of other lovely little designs and figures litter its facade. A statue of the Lion of St. Mark is present, as are the Virgin and Child and the beautifully decorated clock face itself.

When in Piazza San Marco, make sure to visit the Torre dell’Orologio on the hour or even go inside the building to get a glimpse of how the machinery works.

13. Teatro La Fenice

Teatro La Fenice

One of the most important and famous opera houses in the world, the Teatro La Fenice has been burned down three times over the course of its history. The current building was rebuilt in 2004.

The name of the theater pays homage to its ability to rise from the ashes, and the current interior is absolutely stunning with its detailed ornamentation and intricate motifs.

With a packed calendar of operas, concerts and ballets for visitors to enjoy, watching a performance at La Fenice is a great experience and is definitely worth checking out when in Venice.

12. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Beautiful to behold, the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari more commonly goes by the name of Frari and is one of the most important religious buildings in Venice. Built out of red brick, the church is constructed in the Gothic architectural style.

Although the outside is quite plain, the interior is sumptuous to gaze upon and is home to some wonderful pieces of art which includes Titian’s Pesaro Madonna.

Completed in 1338, Frari is located in the San Polo district. Its ornate tombs, fantastic paintings, and elegant statues make it well worth a visit. Don’t miss Vittoria’s wonderful statue of St. Jerome and the stunning monument to Antonio Canova.

11. Campanile

Campanile

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the whole of Venice, il Campanile is located on the famous Piazza San Marco and is the tallest building in the city. Towering to a height of 99 meters, the bell tower was completed in 912, although the building we see before us today was built in 1912 after it suddenly collapsed.

While the main body of the bell tower is quite plain, the upper realms of il Campanile have some lovely architecture on show in the form of the beautiful arches and stonework. An elevator brings visitors straight to the top of the campanile, where they have a great view over Venice and the lagoon.

10. Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs

Built in 1600, the Bridge of Sights connects the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace to the New Prison across the Rio di Palazzo. It was designed by Antonio Contino whose uncle Antonio da Ponte had designed the Rialto Bridge.

According to one theory the name of the bridge comes from the suggestion that prisoners would “sigh” at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window on their way to the executioner. In reality, the days of summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals.

9. San Giorgio Maggiore

San Giorgio Maggiore

Best known as the home of the 16th-century church of the same name, San Giorgio Maggiore is a small island located across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square. Designed by the great Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, the church features a façade clad in gleaming white marble and an open and airy interior that’s refreshingly bare of over-ornamentation.

The main alter is graced by two of Tintoretto’s best paintings, the “Last Supper” and “The Fall of Manna.” Visitors can ride an elevator to the top of the church’s Neoclassic bell tower to enjoy a spectacular view of Venice.

8. Ca’ d’Oro

Ca' d'Oro

Originally known as the Palazzo Santa Sofia but now commonly known as the Ca’ d’Oro,the 15th century palazzo was designed by architect Giovanni Bon and his son Bartolomeo.

Although the façade of this splendid structure no longer features the ornamentation that earned the place its “house of gold” nickname, the now pink-and-white building is a treasure trove of art.

Located on the Grand Canal, the Ca’ d’Oro is home to the Museo Franchetti, named after the man who donated the palazzo and its entire contents of Renaissance paintings, antiques, sculpture and ceramics to the city.

7. Santa Maria della Salute

Santa Maria della Salute

Commonly called La Salute, this 17th-century church stands at the point where the Grand Canal meets the Venetian Lagoon. The white stone edifice with its massive dome was constructed as a shrine to the Virgin Mary for saving the city from a plague that killed one third of its population.

In addition to the altar sculpture that depicts the “Madonna of Health” driving the demon Plague from Venice, there’s an extensive collection of works by Titian on display, including ceiling paintings of scenes from the Old Testament.

6. Ca’ Rezzonico

Ca' Rezzonico

Of all the stately palazzos that line the Grand Canal, no building better illustrates what life was like in 18th-century Venice than the Ca’ Rezzonico. Used as a setting for the 2005 film “Casanova” starring Heath Ledger, the palace’s Grand Ballroom has played host to over-the-top parties for more than 200 years.

English poet Robert Browning was one of the last to make the palazzo his home. Today, the entire building is open to the public as the Museo del Settecento. While many of the paintings on display are reproductions, the fabulous ceiling frescoes by the Tiepolo family are authentic and have been restored to their original glory.

5. Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco

As the only public square in Venice, the Piazza San Marco has been the city’s main gathering place for centuries. Surrounded by open-air cafés and landmark attractions, including San Marco Basilica and the Palazzo Ducale, it’s the natural epicenter for any visit to the City of Canals.

The square is actually laid out in a trapezoid shape that widens as it approaches the basilica. Despite the crowds that throng it in summer and the rains that flood it in winter, St. Mark’s Square offers a memorable Venetian experience in every season.

4. Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal. For nearly three hundred years, it was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot. The stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524.

The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that some architects predicted a future collapse. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.

3. Doge’s Palace

Doge's Palace

During the prosperous centuries of the Venetian Republic, the city’s magistrates, or doges, ruled the city like royalty. The Palazzo Ducale was not only the residence of the doge but the city’s center of power and its administrative hub as well.

The building was constructed in two phases. The eastern wing, which faces the Rio di Palazzo, was built between 1301 and 1340. The western wing, facing the Piazetta San Marco, took an additional 110 years to build and was completed in 1450.

Visitors who take the Secret Itineraries tour can also walk through hidden passageways to view the private council rooms, torture chambers and the prison cell from which Giacomo Casanova made his escape in 1756.

2. Grand Canal

Grand Canal

There’s no better way to begin an exploration of Venice than with a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. In a city where cars are banned, gondolas, water taxis and public vaporetti (water buses) are the primary sources of transportation.

The city’s aquatic thoroughfare snakes through the center of the city from Saint Mark’s Basilica to the Church of Santa Chiara. Lined on either side by Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance structures, the Grand Canal is crossed by four bridges, the most famous of which is the 16th-century Rialto Bridge.

The best time of the day for a gondola ride is in the early morning when the canal shimmers with golden light.

1. St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica

Situated in St. Mark’s Square, the soaring 30-story Campanile and the massive basilica behind it are two of the most popular tourist attractions in Venice. Both date to the 9th century but have been rebuilt and embellished extensively over the centuries.

San Marco Basilica serves as a showcase for the wealth that Venice accumulated as a military power. Its design mixes Byzantine and Gothic architecture styles in a unique way. Elaborate medieval mosaics cover much of the cathedral’s walls and vaulting.

Behind the tomb believed to hold the remains of Saint Mark stands the altarpiece Pala d’Oro, a jewel-adorned screen of gold that is considered one of the finest works of Byzantine craftsmanship in the world.

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November 3, 2017 at 3:10 am

@larry Venice winetour is definitely a great choice! Top rated in Tripadvisor

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Any advise about a good food tour in Venice?

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Venice   Travel Guide

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venice city tourist attractions

20 Best Things To Do in Venice

Losing yourself in Venezia's charm is easy, but there are an endless number of bucket list activities and century-old landmarks to see while you're there. Touring top attractions like St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace is a

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venice city tourist attractions

St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

This elaborate church sits on the popular piazza by the same name. The church was built in honor of St. Mark the Evangelist, whose remains were stolen in Alexandria, Egypt, by a couple crafty Venetians, intent on bringing him to rest in Venice. (What made them crafty? They smuggled the remains to Italy in barrels of pork fat.) 

Crafted from many different styles of architecture, today the basilica's opulence shines from nearly every corner – from the four full-size bronze horses that guard the entrance to thousands of square feet of mosaics to the Pala d'Oro — an elaborate altar piece commissioned in Byzantium by the Venetians. If you look closely at the center gable on the exterior of the basilica, you can even see a statue of St. Mark along with Venice's emblem: a lion with wings. 

venice city tourist attractions

Grand Canal Grand Canal free

U.S. News Insider Tip: You don't need to make a reservation for a gondola ride. Instead, speak with a gondolier in person the day you want to ride. You may be able to negotiate a lower price or longer ride if you're traveling during off-peak months, or if you find a gondolier along one of the side streets. – Holly D. Johnson

Considered to be the main street of Venice, the roughly 2-mile Grand Canal is one of the city's most popular and highly photographed attractions. Recent travelers recommend hiring a gondolier for a romantic row along the canal. If you're hoping to do this option, plan to fork over between 80 and 120 euros (about $87 to $132) for the ride.

venice city tourist attractions

Gondola Rides Gondola Rides

Taking a gondola ride is a must-do when you're visiting a city that rises directly from a network of canals. A relaxing journey on one of these light, flat-bottomed boats will help you admire the historic charm of Venice from a range of new angles, and to explore neighborhoods and buildings you won't see on foot.

You can prebook a Venice gondola ride online if you prefer, which typically costs at least $80 for two adults. Some of the best gondola tours you can book online come from companies like Walks of Italy , Venice Tours and The Roman Guy .

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Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) free

Several centuries ago, if you wanted to cross the  Grand Canal , the Rialto Bridge was the only way. There are now four major bridges that cross the canal, but Rialto is by far the most famous.

The bridge's current incarnation is the handiwork of Antonio da Ponte, who beat out Michelangelo and Palladio for the job. Antonio da Ponte's name translates to "Anthony of the Bridge," and he built the Rialto Bridge entirely of Istrian stone after it collapsed multiple times from previous designs. Predicted to fail by critics, the bridge still stands and is considered an engineering marvel. 

venice city tourist attractions

Teatro La Fenice Teatro La Fenice

The  Teatro La Fenice is one of Italy's most popular opera houses, and one that has almost faced its demise from not one, but three big fires since opening in 1792. Locals and visitors alike joke at the name (which translates to Theater of the Phoenix), and how it has coincided with the theater's unfortunate history: like a phoenix rising from the ashes, La Fenice has lived on.

Although renovated in 1996, the historic opera house still has an Old World feel with decadent, intricately designed gold interiors outfitted with plush, red velvet chairs, making it the perfect setting to take in the auditory/visual pleasure of classic Italian opera. In addition to opera and musical performances, there are also a variety of dance – particularly ballet – performances scheduled throughout the year. For those with a tight itinerary, the theater offers day tours.

venice city tourist attractions

Torcello Torcello

Torcello is a northerly island in the Venetian lagoon that sits nearby Burano, another island and tourist hot spot. Torcello features a range of archaeological finds, including the so-called "Attila's Throne" and the Palazzo del Consiglio — the Gothic-style seat government of the island. The Museum of Torcello is also worth a visit according to past visitors, mainly due to its displays of early Christian artifacts and the other finds from the island.

Most tours to Torcello also include stops at the nearby islands of Burano and Murano, which are both known for their artisan crafts and glass blowing. These tours typically cost $25 to $40 per person and last six to seven hours. Each one includes boat transportation with several interesting stops that vary by tour operator.

venice city tourist attractions

Campanile di San Marco Campanile di San Marco

This particular bell tower was constructed in the early 20th century as a replica of the 16th-century original. The original structure provided the optimal setting for Galileo Galilei's presentation of the telescope; it also served as a stage for tight rope walkers who would humor the doge (the highest Venetian official at the time) with their feats during the Flight of the Angel celebration. Today's campanile is used for sightseers desiring a Venetian panorama – though one with few canal views, oddly, since most of the canals are obscured from its 324-foot height.

Most visitors say the attraction is well worth your time and makes for a great photo. To avoid crowds, travelers say it's best to go early in the morning or later in the evening. If you join one of the best Venice tours , you'll likely pass by the iconic landmark on your jaunt through the city.

venice city tourist attractions

St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) free

St. Mark's Square, or  Piazza San Marco , is considered by many to be the heart of Venice. As the largest square in Venice, St. Mark's Square is the only piazza in the city. Lining the square are multiple historical sites including  St. Mark's Basilica ,  St. Mark's Campanile  and  Doge's Palace , as well as a number of restaurants, making it the perfect spot for leisurely people-watching and wine sipping. The square even has a handful of dueling piano bars that let you sit down and relax in a decadent setting, although the cost of food and drink at any of them is exorbitant.

Along with intricate architecture and hearty plates of spaghetti carbonara, visitors will be met with throngs of tourists, pigeons and vendors selling souvenirs. If you hoped to pick up a gondola hat or a carnival mask during your trip, this is the place you will find them.

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Bridge of Sighs Bridge of Sighs free

Centuries ago, the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the  Doge's Palace  to dungeons, was used to transport prisoners from the courtroom to the prisons. Legend has it that the Bridge of Sighs, or  Ponte dei Sospiri , was named for the sighs prisoners like Giacomo Casanova would utter as they took one last look at the outside world through the bridge's windows as they made their way to prison for good. On a much lighter note, Venetian lore says if two lovers kiss on a gondola under the bridge, they'll be granted eternal bliss. 

Recent travelers offer mixed reviews on the Bridge of Sighs. Those who enjoyed it appreciated the details of the architecture and unique placement of the bridge, saying it was a nice photo-op, especially while the gondolas passed underneath it. Those who weren't as smitten noted its lack of accessibility as the main drawback, saying that merely looking at the bridge was underwhelming. Other disgruntled visitors pointed out that the number of tourists, combined with the small amount of viewing space, made the bridge barely visible. For a better viewing experience, consider tagging along on one of the best Venice tours .

venice city tourist attractions

Santa Maria della Salute Santa Maria della Salute free

The Santa Maria della Salute was built to celebrate the end of the plague in 1631 and is dedicated to Our Lady of Health. Nowadays, many will recognize this magnificent Roman Catholic Church as the backdrop for many photos of Venice. There's a good chance you'll see it whether you take the time to go inside or not – at least from a distance. In fact, you can easily see the Santa Maria della Salute over the Grand Canal from Piazza San Marco . The church itself stands out due to its white marble facade and the 125 statues that adorn it, but there's much to see and explore inside.

The basilica features famous paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, as well as a remarkable sculpture called The Queen of Heaven Expelling the Plague. A 13th-century version of the painting "Madonna and Child" is also found within the basilica.

venice city tourist attractions

Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Views from the Venetian Lagoon give the Doge's Palace an ethereal look – almost like it's floating on top of water. But it's fitting, as the Doge's Palace (or  Palazzo Ducale ) has witnessed an intriguing history in its role as the residence of the doge (leader), the seat of government and the palace of justice. Everything from execution orders to the affairs of Venetian leaders was carried out here; and a web of secret passageways and hidden doors reveals a decidedly mysterious past.

Along with the attraction's historical significance, Doge's Palace is located in the busy St. Mark's Square , which means it sees a lot of foot traffic. It isn't uncommon to see a line wrapping around the building, so book your tickets in advance, and if you can't do that, arrive right when it opens to avoid crowds.

venice city tourist attractions

Academy Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia) Academy Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia)

Originally an academy, this building was later turned into the Galleria dell'Accademia museum by none other than Napoléon. Today, it's filled with an expansive collection of Venetian art from the 14th to the 18th century by artists such as Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese. 

If you enjoy art – especially Renaissance art – then you'll probably enjoy this museum. If not, you might be disappointed. Travelers who enjoyed this museum were primarily self-proclaimed art enthusiasts, while those who didn't identify as such reported being a bit bored.

venice city tourist attractions

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, sometimes referred to simply as Frari , is a gothic-style church that was finished in the 14th century. The exterior is minimal in comparison to  Saint Mark's Basilica  because the Franciscans who built it wanted the building to emulate their beliefs on living a life of poverty. The interior, however, is a different story. Inside, you'll see works by Titian, Bellini and Vivarini, among other famous artists, and all for a cheaper price than the city's art museums.

Recent visitors appreciated the minimal entrance fee and the fact that it sits away from the frenzy of the Piazza San Marco . Others admired its intricate interiors, as well as its bevy of artworks, calling the church a "must-see."

venice city tourist attractions

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venice city tourist attractions

Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico di Venezia) Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico di Venezia) free

In 1516, Jews in Venice were forced to move to a small northwestern section of the island. Considered to be the world's first ghetto, residents were only allowed to leave the neighborhood during the day and were then locked up at night and guarded. Today, this area is a part of the Cannaregio  sestiere (district) and is filled with restaurants and shops (some offering kosher products) and several synagogues, which are open for touring. Although it's free to wander around the neighborhood – and you might want to do just that – the synagogue tours do cost .

For a deeper understanding of the ghetto's history, recent travelers recommend booking a walking tour; some of the best Venice tours include stops here. Several water bus lines stop near the neighborhood, but you can also reach it on foot. 

venice city tourist attractions

Peggy Guggenheim Collection Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Expat American art collector Peggy Guggenheim dedicated her life to gathering this impressive body of 20th-century contemporary art. The collection, which is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the  Grand Canal  (also Peggy's former home), contains works by artists such as Magritte, Picasso, Pollock, Chagall and Dalí. In the sculpture garden, you can pay your respects to Peggy herself (she was laid to rest on the property), as well as her beloved dogs, who are buried beside her.

Many travelers agree the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is well worth the visit. Some visitors were keen to point out that getting to know Peggy's life, on top of seeing the exceptional art, made the experience more unique than merely visiting a museum. Others who also enjoyed the museum said its modern collection is a nice break from the traditional Renaissance paintings often seen in Venetian museums. 

venice city tourist attractions

Correr Civic Museum (Museo Civico Correr) Correr Civic Museum (Museo Civico Correr)

The Correr Civic Museum, also known as the Museo Correr, is a large museum that displays art and artifacts from Venice's history as well as the former royals' quarters. If you're also planning to visit Doge's Palace  (the former government seat and leader's residence), the standard ticket includes entry to this attraction.

Those who visited the museum said they were pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed the stop, considering it wasn't on their must-see list (though they recommend you add it to yours). Others enjoyed the museum's peace and quiet and said it's a great escape from the crowds in Piazza San Marco . Reviewers were also pleased with the on-site cafe.

venice city tourist attractions

Ponte dell'Accademia Ponte dell'Accademia free

Ponte dell'Accademia is one of the four bridges that crosses the Grand Canal in Venice. While not as famous as the Rialto Bridge , its wooden structure makes it truly unique from other Grand Canal bridges in Venice that are made of metal or stone. It crosses the southern end of the canal where it connects the Dorsoduro and San Marco neighborhoods. Consider stopping by the Gallerie dell’Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection before or after viewing the bridge, as both are nearby.

Visitors say this bridge not nearly as crowded as the Rialto , and that the views of the canal and surrounding neighborhoods are spectacular. They also note that a vaporetto stop is nearby, so it's easy to visit the bridge by boat if you don't want to walk. Not only will you want to cross the bridge to get views of the water, but also you’ll want to take photos of the bridge from the surrounding buildings and walkways, according to past visitors.

venice city tourist attractions

Libreria Acqua Alta Libreria Acqua Alta free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Many books at Libreria Acqua Alta are for decor only. Not everything you see is for sale. – Holly D. Johnson

The Libreria Acqua Alta is often called the "most beautiful bookstore in the world," and it's easy to see why. From its ancient stone walls to its cobblestone floors and embellished (and sometimes flamboyant) decor, there's a lot to see here other than books.

venice city tourist attractions

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venice city tourist attractions

Ca' d'Oro Ca' d'Oro

Ca' d'Oro is a patrician palace that was originally built in the 15th century in the Renaissance style coupled with Gothic and Islamic elements. Built by Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon (famous father and son architects and sculptors of the time) at the request of the procurator of St. Mark, the building is located along the Grand Canal . Several stories high, the palace facade is adorned with marble terraces and intricate architectural design. The building features ornate cornices and cresting that was made to please local Venetian patrons at the time.

The building is worth a look due to its elaborate exterior, but art lovers should note the Ca' D’Oro Franchetti Gallery is housed inside. Past visitors said that a trip inside was just as meaningful as an outside view, mostly due to the exceptional collection of art and heirlooms. Art you can view in this palace-turned-gallery includes sculptures, antique furniture, 16th-century Flemish tapestries, paintings and more.

venice city tourist attractions

Rialto Market Rialto Market free

Located near the famous Rialto Bridge , the Rialto Market is a centuries-old market that features everything you would expect including fruit, fish and vegetables. Of course, many travelers head here to pick up souvenirs as well, some of which wind up being edible. Visitors to the market have said it's a vibrant and busy place that's ideal for buying local herbs and sauces, or trying out meats, cheeses, spices and freshly caught seafood.

What should you do while visiting the market? You can walk throughout and try interesting foods and sauces, and there are places to sit down and eat or relax. Hours can vary, but the produce market is typically open 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday and the fish market is open the same hours Tuesday through Saturday. To avoid crowds, try visiting first thing in the morning.

venice city tourist attractions

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Visit Venice: Top 31 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in venice: the 31 best places to visit and highlights.

You’re planning to visit Venice during your next trip?

Great choice!

With its charming canals and the numerous activities you can do in Venice , you will for sure enjoy your trip to this city built on water, often referred to as “The Floating City”.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this guide of the 31 best things to do in Venice , with all points of interest and must-see attractions.

In addition to this list of things to do and places to visit, I will also give you itineraries to visit Venice in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days (or even a week!) as well as my selection of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Venice? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Best way to save time and money: Buy a city pass to visit Venice

1. grand canal gondola ride, 2. st. mark’s square, 3. st. mark’s basilica, 4. st mark’s campanile, 5. doge’s palace, 6. ponte dell’accademia: the best photo spot over venice grand canal, 7. rialto bridge, 8. bridge of sighs, 9. san giorgio maggiore, 10. peggy guggenheim collection, 11. santa maria della salute, 12. ca’ d’oro, 13. basilica di santa maria glorious dei frari, 14. scuola grande di san rocco, 15. rialto market – food tour in venice, 16. teatro la fenice, 17. attending a classical concert or an opera in venice, 18. ca’ rezzonico, 19. scala contarini del bovolo, 20. accademia gallery, 21. libreria acqua alta, 22. museo correr, 23. basilica di san giovanni e paolo, 24. santa maria formosa, 25. chiesa di santa maria dei miracoli, 26. museo di storia naturale, 27. museo storico navale, 28. visit the venetian islands: murano, burano, torcello, 29. lido beach, 31. discover the prosecco wine region, 32. bonus – the dolomite mountains, one day in venice, 2 days in venice, 3 days in venice, 4 days in venice, 5 days in venice (or more), where to stay in venice, tourist map of venice, best time to visit venice, you’re traveling in italy these articles will help you.

In order to help you plan your stay in Venice, I have prepared detailed itineraries depending on your trip duration . You should read them after reading this article.

You can find them here, simply click on the orange links to read the articles:

  • 2 Days in Venice – An Epic 48h itinerary
  • 3 Days in Venice – The perfect 72h itinerary
  • 4 Days in Venice – Itinerary + Best Things to do + Tips

They will allow you to plan your trip very easily!

And if you have any question, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the end of each guide. I would be glad to help you plan your stay.

If you’re planning to discover the city’s most iconic monuments during your trip to Venice, I strongly recommend you to get a City Pass.

It’s the best way to save money and avoid queueing!

Depending on what you want to do in Venice, you can choose between 2 city passes:

1) The Venice City Pass. It includes:

  • Entry to Doge’s Palace
  • Entry to 11 museums 
  • Entry to 16 churches on the Chorus circuit
  • Entry to the Querini Stampalia Foundation 
  • Transportation on the ACTV network waterbus and bus (this is optional, you can choose to add it or not when you buy your city pass).

To buy your Venice City Pass, simply click on the green button below:

2) The Venice Pass, which includes the following attractions:

  • Skip the line ticket for Saint Mark’s Basilica
  • Fast track admission ticket to the Doge’s Palace
  • A gondola ride
  • A self guided audio tour (to download on your phone)

To buy your Venice Pass, click on the green button below:

So, which city pass should you get?

Personally, I would recommend the Venice Pass (click here) , as it includes the 3 most important things to do in Venice!

When you think about Venice, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably the iconic gondola rides along the city’s famous waterways.

The Grand Canal , the main waterway of Venice, offers a unique perspective of the city’s architecture and will allow you to get a good overview of the city of canals.

So during your trip to Venice, you will for sure want to take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal!

Float along the canal, admire the historic buildings, palaces and bridges that line the waterway, and simply enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the city.

A gondola ride is included with the Venice Pass.

Keep in mind: The gondola rides are extremely popular, especially during peak season, so you should really book your gondola ride in advance to secure your spot (and a decent price!).

You need to book your gondola ride by clicking on the green button below:

You prefer to enjoy a private VIP Gondola ride in Venice at night time ? No problem, you need to book it by clicking here.

And if you’re looking for the original and off the beaten path version, you can actually explore Venice Canals with a kayak tour! It needs to be booked by clicking there.

Grand Canal Gondola Ride

Let’s continue your visit to Venice and head to the famous St. Mark’s Square , the main square of the city.

This hub of Venetian life and history is home to:

  • The iconic St. Mark’s Basilica (#3 of my list of the best things to do in Venice), a stunning example of Italo-Byzantine architecture.
  • St mark’s Campanile (#4), for a great view over Venice
  • The Doge Palace (#5), another historical landmark of Venice located on St Mark’s square.

In the square, you will also find numerous cafes where you can sit, have a drink, and soak in the ambiance of the city.

St Mark's Square Venice

Located on St Mark’s Square, the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica is a must-see in Venice.

Known as the “Church of Gold” it showcases the wealth and power Venice wielded in the past.

As you approach the Basilica, you’ll immediately notice its stunning Italo-Byzantine architecture.

But once you step inside, it’s the golden mosaics covering the interior  and the famous Pala d’Oro altar , adorned with thousands of gems, that really steal the show.

And for an amazing view over St Mark’s square, head to the Basilica’s terrace , included in your priority ticket.

St Mark’s Basilica opening hours: the Basilica usually opens at 9:30 AM, and the last admission is at 4:00 PM. Keep in mind that these times can vary depending on the season and religious services.

Remember, as a religious site, the Basilica requires visitors to dress modestly. That means your shoulders and knees should be covered.

Don’t be fooled!

Some websites sell tickets to the basilica that just offers access to the ground floor. They sell them for 20€ and it’s basically worthless.

The real tickets to St Mark’s basilica includes:

  • Priority access to the basilica
  • Access to ground floor
  • Access to St.Mark’s Museum
  • Access to the Pala D’oro
  • Access to the Terrace (amazing view over St Mark’s Square)

To buy the real tickets to St Mark’s basilica , the ones that include everything, simply click on the button below:

The Venice Pass   also included the fast track ticket to Saint Mark’s Basilica. 

And if you want to learn more about St Mark’s Basilica , you should book a guided tour. I recommend you to book that one , or to have a look at all tickets and guided tour to St Mark’s Basilica there:

St Mark's Basilica

To enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city , you can climb to the top of St Mark’s Campanile .

The Campanile is located in St Mark’s Square , right next to St Mark’s Basilica. It stands at an impressive 98.6 meters tall, making it one of the highest structures in Venice.

For your convenience, a lift will take you to the top of the tower . Once there, you can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the city .

From this vantage point, you can see the entirety of Venice, the lagoon, and even as far as the Dolomite Mountains on a clear day.

As there is only 30 tickets for each time slots , you really need to book your visit as early as possible.

Access to the top of St Mark’s Campanile costs 15€, but trust me, the view is worth every penny!

You need to book your priority ticket to St Mark’s Campanile by clicking on the button below:

Venice panorama

Let’s end your tour of St. Mark’s Square monuments with a visit to the Doge’s Palace, one of the best places to visit in Venice.

This beautiful Gothic style palace used to be the residence of the Doge , the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice.

You can explore the beautiful chambers, admire the incredible art , and get a sense of the history and power of the Venetian Republic.

One of the highlights is the famous Bridge of Sighs , which you will pass through during your visit!

The Doge’s Palace is one of the busiest Venice attractions, so you should ideally visit early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Entry to the Doge Palace is included in Venice city Pass and Venice Pass.

If you don’t have the City Pass, you need to book fast track tickets by clicking on the button below:

You want to do a VIP guided tour of both the St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace?

In that case, the best way to save money is to book a combined guided tour.

The best one needs to be booked here:

And if you’re looking for an off the beaten path visit, the Secret of Doge’s Palace VIP tour is for you! You need to book it by clicking here.

Doge's Palace

When you’re visiting Venice, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to snap a few photos at the Ponte dell’Accademia .

This iconic wooden bridge , one of only four that cross the Grand Canal, offers exceptional views that you can’t get anywhere else.

The view from the bridge is truly postcard-perfect , featuring the Grand Canal , the dome of Santa Maria della Salute , and Venetian palazzos in the background.

It’s a favorite spot for photographers , and you’ll certainly want to capture a few memories of your own here!

Getting the best shot requires a bit of timing: my favourite moment to take a picture from the Ponte dell’Accademia is early in the morning, to get the sunrise in the frame.

But if you don’t want to wake up early, no worries! The scenery is worth a picture all day long 😄.

Venice

Let’s continue this list of the best things to do in Venice with the Rialto Bridge , the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal.

A hallmark of Venetian architecture, the bridge is also home to numerous shops where you can buy everything from souvenirs to Venetian glass. You should definitely take a moment to appreciate the panoramic view of the canal from the bridge.

Nearby, you’ll find the vibrant Rialto Market , where locals shop for fresh produce and seafood. It’s a great place to take in local life and even grab a bite.

The Rialto Bridge can be quite crowded during the day, so you might want to consider visiting early in the morning or later in the evening for a quieter experience and a lovely view of the sunset .

Another great option to avoid (most of) the crowds is to opt for the Unusual Walking Tour. It’s the perfect way to discover Venice hidden gem’s with a friendly guide!

Simply click on the button below to book it:

And if you’re looking for something original and want to visit Venice at night, there is a pretty good ghost tour in Venice, you can book it here.

Rialto Bridge

While you’re near Doge’s Palace , you should take a moment to admire the Bridge of Sighs .

This famous Venetian bridge has a fascinating history. It was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment , hence the name.

For a unique experience, you can see the bridge from the water on a gondola ride. Alternatively, the view from the neighboring bridges is also fantastic.

A great spot to photograph the Bridge of Sighs is from the Ponte della Paglia , the bridge located right behind it.

As I mentioned above, you will walk thorough the bridge during your visit to the Doge’s Palace, but if you want to admire it from beneath, you will need to book this Gondola ride:

You’re going to Venice?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

And that’s even worse in big touristic cities like Venice 😅.

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Venice on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Venice.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Venice, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Venice!

Bridge of Sighs Venice

If you’re keen on escaping the hustle and bustle of Venice’s main islands, you should go on a short trip to San Giorgio Maggiore.

This small island is home to a beautiful church and a bell tower , offering one of the finest views of Venice.

San Giorgio Maggiore Church , a gem designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio , stands majestically on the island. Its white façade against the blue Venetian sky is truly a picturesque sight!

Inside, you can see remarkable artworks , including Tintoretto’s “The Last Supper”.

After exploring the church, make sure to visit the bell tower . Just like for the one in St. Mark’s Square, a small fee and a short lift ride will get you to the top!

From there, the panoramic view of Venice is simply breathtaking. It’s a perfect spot for capturing splendid photos of the city, especially during sunset.

If you prefer, you can also visit San Giorgio Maggiore with a guided tour.

The best one is a small group tour (limited to 9 participants only) that includes a boat tour, the visit to the church and the ticket to climb the San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower.

You need to book it here:

Last but not least, if you’re an art enthusiast , or simply want to enjoy an off the beaten path visit , you should go to the Cini Foundation , located on the island. This cultural institution hosts a rich collection of art and a library specializing in art history.

You need to book your tickets to Cini Foundation by clicking here.

So, how do you get to San Giorgio Maggiore?

Simple, you can catch a vaporetto (water bus) from St. Mark’s Square. The journey is short, but scenic. Remember to check the vaporetto schedule and tickets in advance.

To take the Vaporetto, the easiest is to buy the ACTV Card that includes unlimited access to the buses and water buses an (cheap boat trips yeahhhh! 😎). To get it, you can:

  • Buy the Venice City Pass (click here) and choose the public transport option.
  • Buy the ACTV Card (also called Vaporetto pass) on its own.

San Giorgio Maggiore island Venice

If you are interested in modern art, you should definitely visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

The museum is housed in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an unfinished 18th-century palace which was the home of Peggy Guggenheim for 30 years.

It showcases her extensive art collection, featuring masterpieces from renowned 20th-century artists like Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, and Dali.

Don’t miss the sculpture garden , it offers a peaceful break with a wonderful view over the Grand Canal.

You need to book your ticket to Peggy Guggenheim Collection by clicking here:

And if you want to learn more about the artworks, you can book a tour with a private art guide:

Please note that if you book the guided tour, you will also need to book your tickets to the museum separately (with the other button above).

Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice

Let’s now talk about Santa Maria della Salute , an iconic baroque church located at the entrance to the Grand Canal.

You can admire its grand exterior from various points in Venice , including the Ponte dell’Accademia and the St Mark’s Campanile I mentioned above.

In addition, you should also go take a closer look at its interior, which is equally impressive with stunning frescoes and art pieces.

Entry is free , and the church is generally less crowded than other sites in Venice, offering a moment of relative tranquility amidst your other visits.

Santa Maria Della Salute

Also known as the Golden House, Ca’ d’Oro is another must-visit site when in Venice.

This beautiful example of Venetian Gothic architecture houses the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti , an important Renaissance art collection.

You can visit the Galleria, and enjoy stunning views over the Grand Canal from the loggia.

You need to book your ticket for the Ca’ d’Oro and the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti by clicking on the button below:

Ca’ d’Oro Venice

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, more commonly known as Frari , is a magnificent 13th-century Gothic church.

It’s is not just another religious building in Venice. It’s a treasure trove of art and a historic resting place for Venetian greats, including the famous painter, Titian.

As you step inside Frari, you will discover numerous paintings, sculptures, and architectural features that makes the Basilica truly unique.

The early mornings and late afternoons usually have fewer crowds, allowing for more personal experience of this Venetian gem.

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

If you enjoy Renaissance art, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco should definitely be on your Venice itinerary.

Located close to the Basilica di Santa Maria Glorious dei Frari I just talked about and known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Venice’, this confraternity building hosts amazing works by Tintoretto , a famous Venetian artist.

You can admire numerous paintings on the walls and ceiling.

There is so much to see everywhere that they even provide mirrors to avoid straining your neck while admiring the ceiling artwork!

Tickets for the Scuaola Grande di San Roco need to be purchased on site.

Scuola Grande Di San Rocco

One of the experiences you shouldn’t miss while in Venice is a visit to the Rialto Market .

This bustling market is a feast for the senses with its wide array of fresh local produce, seafood, and Venetian specialties .

You can explore the various stalls, sample local delicacies , and maybe even have a little picnic with your market finds!

The market is most vibrant in the morning, so it’s best to go early to see the true bustle of Venetian life . Also, don’t forget to try the local seafood – it’s incredibly fresh!

If you want to discover Venice’s gastronomy and typical products , you should book a street food guided tour with a local guide.

It’s clearly the best way to discover off the beaten track places and enjoy great italian food, including typical Cicchetti (local tapas)!

To book it, you simply have to click on the button below:

And if you’re a wine lover , you should probably opt for this other tour , which also offers tasting of 5 high quality wines: Guided tour of Venice wine bars + food tastings .

Rialto Market Venice

Known as the Phoenix Theater, Teatro La Fenice is one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

While it’s a great venue to enjoy a concert or opera, even without a show ticket, you can still explore its architectural beauty.

And I strongly recommend you to do so!

From the grandeur of the auditorium to the elegance of the Apollonian Halls , it’s a really nice visit to do in Venice.

Teatro La Fenice is easily accessible by vaporetto (don’t forget to get your Venice City Pass with transport option or ACTV Card ). The closest stops are Sant’Angelo and Rialto.

If you’re already near St. Mark’s Square , the opera house is only a 5-minute walk away. Remember, getting lost in Venice is part of the charm!

Tickets to visit Teatro La Fenice need to be bought by clicking on the button below:

And if you want to learn every secret of the opera house , you should book the guided tour by clicking here. The guided tour also includes a priority entrance.

Teatro La Fenice 2

If you would like to attend a classical concert or an Opera in Venice , you can of course book one on the website of Teatro La Fenice .

However, there are also more intimate concerts , that are cheaper and totally worth it!

Here are my 2 favourites (simply click on the orange links for more info and to book):

Four Seasons concert at Vivaldi Church: attend a classical concert at Santa Maria della Visitazione, nicknamed “Vivaldi’s church”. You might not know it, but the famous composer was actually venetian!

Opera in an historic palace on  the Grand Canal: if you’re up for a truly Venetian experience, how about an opera in a historic palace on the Grand Canal? It’s a magical blend of music, history, and the unique charm of Venice.

It’s really a once in a lifetime experience, I loved it!

If you’re keen to dive into Venice’s rich history, Ca’ Rezzonico is the place for you.

This palatial museum of 18th century is filled with beautiful furniture, frescoes, and artwork. You can easily spend 2 hours exploring the various rooms and exhibits. The Ballroom is especially impressive!

The museum also offers stunning views over the Grand Canal.

Access to Ca’Rezzonico is included with Venice city Pass .

Ca’ Rezzonico Venice

Scala Contarini del Bovolo is a hidden gem in the heart of Venice.

This ornate spiral staircase provides an amazing panoramic view of the city . As you climb the steps, you’ll be greeted with a different perspective of Venice at each level.

This remarkable architectural structure is often overlooked by tourists, making it a perfect spot for a more tranquil and unique experience.

To visit, you need to book your tickets in advance here:

You will also pass by Palazzo Contarini is also included in the “Venice secret spots” walking tour. You need to book it by clicking here.

Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Art enthusiasts should make sure to visit the Accademia Gallery , one of the most important art museums in Italy .

The museum hosts an extensive collection of Venetian painting from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including masterpieces by artists such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Canaletto.

If you want to immerse yourself in the rich art history of Venice , the Accademia Gallery is one of Venice highlights.

To ensure a smooth visit, you should book your tickets in advance on the official website.

Try to allocate at least 1h30 for your visit to the Accademia Gallery, as there is a lot to see.

Tucked away in one of Venice’s quieter corners, Libreria Acqua Alta is a unique bookstore that has become a favorite among tourists and locals alike.

Its name translates to “Bookstore of High Water,” a fitting name as the store is filled with bathtubs, waterproof bins, and even a gondola , all filled with books to protect them from the city’s frequent floods.

Apart from its unconventional storage methods, the bookstore is known for its wide range of books, from brand new bestsellers to antique books, all stacked in no particular order.

If you’re a book lover, visiting Libreria Acqua Alta is a must. It’s a unique experience that perfectly encapsulates Venice’s charming and unconventional spirit.

Plus, you might even find a special souvenir to remind you the best of Venice!

Libreria Acqua Alta

Located at the far end of St. Mark’s Square, Museo Correr is an often-overlooked museum in Venice that offers a fascinating insight into Venetian art, history, and culture.

And it would be a shame to miss it, as the entrance to Museo Correr is included in the Doge’s Palace ticket!

The museum houses a vast collection of artworks, historical documents, maps, coins, and more that span centuries.

One of the museum’s highlights is the Neoclassical section, which houses works from Canova, one of Italy’s greatest sculptors.

It also offers a stunning view of St. Mark’s Square from its windows – a perfect photo opportunity.

Remember to book your tickets to the Doge’s Palace (that include Correr museum) by clicking here.

Museo Correr Venice

The Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, known in Venice as San Zanipolo , is one of the city’s largest and most important churches .

It holds a special place in Venice’s history, as many Doges (leaders of the Venetian Republic) are buried here, lending it the nickname “Pantheon of Venice.”

The basilica’s stunning interior is filled with precious art pieces, including paintings by famous Venetian artists such as Veronese and Bellini.

However, the real charm of this place lies in its tranquil, relatively undiscovered status.

Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo Venice

One of Venice’s oldest churches, Santa Maria Formosa , is not only a place of worship but also a storehouse of local legends.

As the story goes, the Virgin Mary herself appeared to St. Magnus, the bishop of Oderzo, in a vision and instructed him to build a church in her honor at this site.

In addition to the grandeur of the church and its beautiful bell tower, the area around Santa Maria Formosa is a charming part of Venice known for its art galleries and boutique stores.

As you walk around the neighborhood, you will find numerous unique pieces of Venetian artistry and craftsmanship to bring back home.

Included in the City Pass.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli, often called the Miracle Church , is a small but really nice church from the Renaissance period, notable for its marble-clad exterior and interior.

Despite its small size, it packs a lot of detail that is worth taking the time to appreciate.

Santa Maria dei Miracoli Venice

For those with a love for nature and the sciences , Venice’s Museo di Storia Naturale , or Natural History Museum, offers a fascinating journey through our natural world.

Housed in the stunning Fondaco dei Turchi, a palace with its origins dating back to the 13th century, the museum’s exhibits span millions of years of natural history.

From prehistoric fossils to displays showcasing present-day biodiversity and ecology , this museum is the perfect place to learn more about life on Earth.

You need to book your tickets to the Museo di Storia Naturale by clicking on the button below:

Entrance to the museo is included with Venice city Pass .

If you’re looking for things to do in Venice with children , Venice Natural History Huseum is the ideal cultural visit.

Its interactive exhibits offer a fun and educational experience .

And don’t forget to soak up the stunning views of the Grand Canal from the museum’s windows!

Museo di Storia Naturale Venice

While you’re in the St. Mark’s area, consider a visit to the Museo Storico Navale , or the Naval History Museum.

This museum, located in the Castello district, offers a deep dive into Venice’s maritime history.

From the grand ship models to naval instruments and weapons , this museum gives you a comprehensive view of Venice’s naval prowess and its maritime history.

It’s a must-visit for history buffs.

The Naval History Museum can be visited on the same day as your tour of St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, given its proximity.

Best Things to Do Around Venice

Venice’s charm doesn’t stop at the city’s borders!

After discovering all the best places to visit in Venice, you should spend some time to visit the surroundings .

In order to help you plan your visits, here are the 4 best day trips from Venice.

Murano, Burano and Torcello are 3 islands in the Venetian lagoon that are each worth a day trip.

Murano, most famous for its centuries-old tradition of glassmaking, offers tourists the chance to visit glass factories or ‘fornaci’, where skilled artisans mold glass into intricate designs.

You can also visit the Museo del Vetro , where you’ll see historic and contemporary glass art.

From Murano, take a short boat ride to Burano, recognizable by its vibrant, multicolored houses. While here, make sure to visit a lacemaking workshop to witness a craft that dates back to the 16th century.

End your day at Torcello, the oldest inhabited island in the lagoon. I ts main attraction is the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, home to stunning Byzantine mosaics.

If you want to do this day trip on your own , please note that Murano glass museum and Burano lace Museum are both included in the Venice City Pass.

It’s very convenient!

Else, If you’re looking for an hassle-free solution , you can visit Murano, Burano and Torcello from Venice with an organised day trip.

The 6h guided tour includes the 3 islands and starts from St Mark’s Square. You need to book it by clicking on the button below:

And if you prefer a shorter tour (4h), you can opt for the one that only goes to Murano and Burano. Simply click here to book it.

Burano

For a change of scenery, you can take a vaporetto (as always, you need your Venice City Pass with transport option or ACTV Card ) to Lido Beach .

This long stretch of sand is the perfect place to unwind after a few days of sightseeing. Rent a cabana and relax in the sun , take a refreshing dip in the Adriatic Sea, or enjoy a picnic with local Italian delicacies.

Alternatively, you can take a walk around the island or rent a bike to discover its Art Nouveau villas, charming streets , and lush gardens.

Last but not least, Lido is also home to the Venice Film Festival, which takes place every September at the historic Palazzo del Cinema.

Lido Venice

If you’re planning to spend a few days in Venice, you should consider a day trip to Verona , a nearby city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Located only 1h30 drive from Venice, Verona is famous for its Roman history and the legendary love story of Romeo and Juliet.

Start your visit at the Verona Arena, a well-preserved Roman amphitheater that hosts opera performances in the summer.

Wander through the city’s cobblestone streets   and head to Juliet’s House , where you can see the famous balcony , take a picture with the statue of Juliet and leave a love note on the gate.

If you don’t want to bother with organizing your day by yourself, you should book a guided tour with transport included.

The best day trip will allow you to visit several places: Verona of course, but also a winery in the wine regions of Amarone and Valpolicella.

Yes, during your tour, you will also have the opportunity to taste some of the best Italian wines!

To book your guided tour to Verona + Amarone winery, simply click on the button below:

Arena di Verona

The Prosecco region is a wine district in Italy between the towns of Conegliano Veneto and Valdobbiadene .

It’s the only area in the world where the world famous white sparkling wine, Prosecco DOCG , is produced.

Since 2019 this area has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

If you are looking for things to do in Venice or around the city , the Prosecco region is a great option! In fact, this area can be reached by car from Venice in around one hour.

Here are my favorite things to do in Prosecco wine region:

  • Hike or bike along the Via del Prosecco: Many hotels can arrange bike rental
  • Visit one of the many towns in the area , for example Cison di Valmarino (nominated one of the most beautiful villages in Italy), or Castelbrando, a fairytale castle up on a hill.
  • Do a wine tasting workshop in one of the many wineries in the region
  • Have a glass of wine watching the sunset while sitting in the vineyards
  • Stop at one of the many restaurants or trattoria in the area and try one of the local specialties

If you have more time, you can combine the Prosecco wine region with the Dolomites and the Braies Lake , which are just a 2-3 hours drive away from here.

You can find more authentic places and hidden gems to discover around the Prosecco Region on Beating Jetlag .

Prosecco wine region

You want to get away from the hustle and Bustle of Venice?

Then, you should head to the Dolomite Mountains , a UNESCO World Heritage site , and a must for nature lovers. These majestic peaks offer spectacular landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities .

In the summer, you can hike or bike on well-marked trails, while in the winter, you can ski or snowboard on world-class slopes.

Don’t miss a visit to the picturesque Lake Misurina or the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, 3 distinctive peaks that are one of the Dolomites’ most iconic sights .

Remember to check the weather before you go – it can change quickly in the mountains!

The best Tour to Dolomite Mountains includes Transfer from Venice with return and, of course, beautiful landscapes all along the way.

To book your day trip to the Dolomites, you just need to click on the button below:

Dolomites

How Many Days to Visit Venice?

How much time should you spend in Venice?

This depends on your personal preferences and the pace at which you like to travel. However, a typical recommendation is to plan for a 3 to 4-day trip .

This duration allows you to visit the main attractions like St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

It also leaves you with enough time to enjoy a gondola ride , visit the islands of Murano and Burano, and even explore a bit off the beaten path!

What are the best things to do in Venice in 1 day?

Here is the perfect itinerary to visit Venice in a day:

  • First, go to Saint Mark’s Square
  • Visit Saint Mark’s Basilica
  • Climb the saint Mark’s campanile (provided you have booked your tickets in advance)
  • Visit the doge’s Palace , and cross the Bridge of Sighs
  • Optional, if you’re interested in this type of visit: Correr Museum (entrance included with Doge’s Palace ticket)
  • Gondola tour on Venice’s Grand Canal
  • Pass by the 3 most famous churches: Santa Maria Formosa / Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo / Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
  • Go to the rialto Bridge to end the day in style.

For this one-day itinerary in Venice, you should really buy the Venice city pass . It includes skip the line tickets for Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and a gondola ride.

It’s the best way to save time and be able to visit Venice’s must see attractions in one day!

You need to click on the button below to buy your Venice Pass:

If you’d like to spend a weekend in Venice and have 2 days to visit the city of the Doges, I recommend the following itinerary:

For the first day, you can do the itinerary I mentioned above for 1 day in Venice and visit St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, do a Gondola Tour, go to the Rialto Bridge etc.

  • For art lovers, visit the Ca d’Oro
  • Rialto Market
  • Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
  • Scuola Grande di San Roco
  • Ca’Rezzonico
  • Ponte dell Accademia
  • Optional: the Accademia Gallery or Peggy Guggenheim Collection
  • Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute
  • Attend a concert or opera in Venice.

To easily plan your 2-day itinerary in Venice, you should read my dedicated article: The best 2-day Venice itinerary .

If you have 3 days in Venice , you should do the itineraries I mentioned above for the 2 first days.

Then, for your 3rd day , you should explore the nearby islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello!

You can go there on your own, taking the boat between the islands each time , or opt for a guided tour with transport included from Saint Mark’s Square.

You can choose between a 6-hour tour (Burano + Murano + Torcello) or the 4h tour , only including Burano and Murano.

In order to help you plan your 3-day stay in Venice, I have written a detailed itinerary. Simply click here to read it: How to visit Venice in 3 days?

For 4 days in Venice , simply do the 3 days itinerary I suggested above , and add for the 4th day:

Start your day with a visit to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore .

You can get there on your own by boat or or opt for the guided tour (boat trip + visit to the church and bell tower).

In the afternoon, you have 2 options :

1) You can stroll around Venice , see its many churches or visit the natural history or naval history museums , and of course do a bit of shopping .

2) Go to Lido island and beach for a relaxing afternoon.

Planning to spend 4 days in Venice? In that case, you should read my detailed article: The Perfect itinerary for 4 days in Venice .

Once you’ve explored the city and seen all the best places to visit in Venice , it’s time to explore the surrounding area .

Why not go on a day trip to Verona or discover the Dolomites?

Here is my selection of the best hotels in Venice depending on your budget.

If you already know your travel dates, you should book your hotel: Venice is super touristy and the best deals don’t last long!

So if you don’t want to end up with a very expensive mediocre room, book your hotel now by clicking on the orange links below:

  • Generator Venice: Located on Giudecca. Beds in dormitories from €40. Strong points: very clean, comfortable bed, view.
  • Il Lato Azzurro: Located on the picturesque island of Sant’Erasmo, a short boat ride from the bustling streets of Venice. Double rooms, beginning at 85€ per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: the peaceful island location, the garden, the bright rooms.
  • Casa Sulla Laguna: Located on Murano, a short boat ride of Venice. Double room overlooking the lagoon, from €120. Strong points: the friendliness of the owners, the peace and quiet, and the quick and easy access to Venice.  This is my favourite hotel in Venice for its exceptional value for money!
  • San Lio Tourist House: Located in Castelleo district. Modern double room from €150. Strong points: perfect location, super helpful host, near the Rialto bridge.
  • Hotel Villa Rosa: Located in the Cannaregio district. Elegantly decorated double room from €190, breakfast included. Strong points: great location, comfortable room, very friendly staff.
  • Hotel Moresco: Situated just a short walk from the Grand Canal. This 4* hotel offers spacious and lavishly decorated double rooms, beginning at 330 € per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: the tranquil garden, the enchanting Venetian decor, the hotel’s short distance from key sights. The best hotel in Venice for a luxury stay!

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel to stay in Venice , here’s my selection:

  • Radisson Collection Hotel: Located on Cannaregio. Well-decorated, comfortable double room from €520, breakfast included. Benefits: the spa, beautiful interior design, great service.
  • Ca’di Dio-Small Luxury Hotel: Located 800 metres from the Doge’s Palace. Elegantly decorated double room from € 640 including breakfast. Strong points: great views, friendly and attentive staff, wonderful breakfast.
  • Baglioni Hotel Luna – The leading hotels of the world: Just 50 metres from Piazza San Marco. Magnificent and very spacious double room from €690, breakfast €35. Strong points: exceptional staff, very central location, amazing breakfast.
  • The St Regis Venice: Located on the banks of Venice’s Grand Canal. Beautiful, elegantly decorated rooms from €1,500 per night, breakfast €50. Strong points: exceptional services, amazing views, beautiful design.

Radisson Collection Hotel Venice

To help you plan your visits, I have made a tourist map of Venice , with all the best places to visit, must see attractions and activities I talk about in this guide.

You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button , the one with a small arrow.

Choosing the best time to visit Venice depends on what you want out of your trip.

This city has a unique charm in every season, but each time of the year offers a different experience .

1) Spring (April to June) is often considered one of the best times to visit Venice.

The weather is usually mild and pleasant, making it ideal for walking around and exploring. The city is starting to come alive with tourists, but it’s not as crowded as it gets in the summer.

2) Summer (July to August) is the busiest tourist season.

The city can be quite crowded, and the temperatures can be quite high.

However, you’ll find plenty of outdoor events and festivals to enjoy.

3) Autumn (September to November) is another good time to visit.

The tourist crowds start to thin out, and the weather, while cooler, is still generally good. Autumn also sees the Venice Film Festival taking place.

4) Winter (December to March) is the least crowded time to visit Venice.

The weather can be chilly, and you might experience acqua alta (high water), but you’ll have the city’s beauty almost to yourself.

Plus, if you time your visit right, you can experience the unique spectacle of the Venice Carnival.

If you need help planning your trip to Venice, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below!

Italy travel Guides

  • Buy the Lonely Planet Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
  • Buy the Rick Steves Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Italy : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Italy are listed there.

  • The 20 Best Things to do in Italy – All the must-see places!
  • Cinque Terre: The definitive guide to plan your visit
  • Florence: The 27 best things to do and must-see attractions
  • Milan: The Top 15 things to do in the city and around
  • Pisa: Top 21 must-see attractions + Tips
  • Rome: The 25 best things to do and see
  • Siena: Top 20 best places to visit
  • Turin: The 20 must-see attractions
  • Venice: The 31 best things to do (+ Tips)
  • 2 days in Florence
  • 3 days in Florence
  • 4 days in Florence
  • 5 days in Florence
  • 2 days in Milan
  • 3 days in Milan
  • 4 days in Milan
  • 2 Days in Rome – How to visit Rome in 48h
  • 3 Days in Rome – The best itinerary to visit Rome in 72h
  • 4 Days in Rome – The best places to visit in 4 days
  • 5 Days in Rome – How to spend 5 days in Rome
  • 6 Days in Rome – The ultimate Itinerary + Where to stay
  • One week in Rome – The perfect 7-day itinerary
  • Where to stay in Milan? My guide to the best areas and hotels for a perfect stay
  • Where to stay in Rome? – The definitive guide of the best areas!
  • Where to stay in Venice? My selection of the best hotels and districts for an epic stay
  • Omnia Card: The definitive guide
  • Colosseum: The 7 best skip the line tickets
  • Trevi Fountain: History, Secrets and Facts
  • Rome’s Hidden Gems : The Definitive Guide with 17 secret spots!
  • The 20 Best museums in Rome – With all my best tips!
  • Rome in May: The definitive guide to plan your visit: weather, things to do, itineraries and more!
  • Rome in June: Guide + All my best tips

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Best places to visit in Venice

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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  • 26 Best Places To Visit In Venice – The Most Beautiful Canal City Of The World

23 Mar 2023

The floating city of Venice looks like a picture postcard with crisscrossing canals, marvellous castles, ancient museums, cathedrals, art galleries, churches, and public squares. The attractions make for the most preferred and best places to visit in Venice and cast a fervent charm on the tourists.

One of the most frequented places by the lovebirds, Venice is truly a charmer attracting millions of tourists around the year. Epitomized by the Grand Canal that runs across the city and picturesque heritage monuments, Venice is where you would love to walk into the sunset.

26 Best Places To Visit In Venice

Here is a quick list of the best places to visit in Venice, Italy, that will make you come back again and again.

1. Grand Canal

A stunning view of Grand Canal Venice, one of the best places to visit in Venice

Canale Grande or Grand Canal is the most important icon of Venice- lined with gorgeous and vibrant-looking palaces and castles on both sides. The canal is one of the best places to visit in Venice and meanders through the city in a zigzag way with a few breathtaking bridges built over it.

It is one of the most popular places to visit at Venice at night, to enjoy the stunning sunset and watch the sparkling water of the canal.

Don’t Miss: A thrilling and romantic Gondola ride in the Grand Canals makes it one of the must-visit places to visit in Venice for a honeymoon. Also, enjoy the view of the Venetian Gothic and Early Renaissance facades of the palaces that come off the sides. Opening hours: 24 hours Charges:  NA

Must Read: 28 Offbeat Honeymoon Destinations In The World For Trip You’d Have Never Heard Of

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2. Rialto Bridge

A gorgeous view of Rialto Bridge which is a crossing point of the Canal

Image Source

Rialto Bridge is one of the famous landmarks of Venice- built over the Grand Canal in 1588. Besides linking two crowded streets of the city, the bridge is regarded as one of the best places to visit in Venice, Italy. It is an important crossing point of the Canal.

Don’t Miss: Watching the gondolas and boats passing under the bridge, posing on the bridge, watching the adjacent fresh market, and visiting Bartolomeo – one end of the bridge. Opening hours:  24 hours Charges: NA

3. Doge’s Palace

A view of Doges Palace by the Grand Canal which is one of the best places to visit in Venice

One of the famous places to see in Venice, Doge’s Palace is an immensely beautiful and gorgeous palace, located on the bank of the Grand Canal. During the early days, it was the Seat of Government, the Palace of Justice, and the official residence of Doge. The finesse & soberness of its Venetian Gothic architecture and décor set it a class apart. It is one of the best Venice tourist attractions.

Don’t Miss: Popular tourist attractions like Porta della Carta, Scala dei Giganti, gold vaulted Scala d’Oro, Sala del Collegio, and works of Tintoretto Opening hours: 8:30 am – 7 pm Charges: € 14

Suggested Read: 20 Romantic Things To Do In Rome With Your Amore

4. Basilica Di San Marco

A glorious view Basilica di San Marco, one of the most glorious churches in Italy

Basilica di San Marco or St Mark’s Basilica is one of the most beautifully designed churches in Italy and Venice’s top attractions. The marvellous décor with gold mosaics and works by Renaissance painters and Byzantine domes are incredibly charming and make it one of the must-visit Venice tourist places. 

Don’t Miss: Pala d’Oro (the golden altarpiece), mosaics designed by Titian & Tintoretto, and Quadriga of St Mark’s (a group of four bronze horses) Opening hours: 9:45 am – 5 pm Charges: € 5

5. Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is one of the best places to visit in Venice

Piazza San Marco is the most crowded public square and one of the most happening places to visit in Venice, located in front of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. The square is separated from the palace by a small inland waterway, known as the Rio Batario. This is the place where all the government buildings and other offices are located in Venice. It is no doubt one of the best places to visit in Venice.

Don’t Miss: A city tour that covers all the major Venice attractions, a map would suggest. This includes places like St. Mark’s Basilica, The Bell Tower, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark and St. Teodoro of Amasea columns, National Library of St. Mark’s, the Museum of Archaeology, and the Correr Museum

Suggested Read: 10 Tourist Places In Italy That Are Sinfully Gorgeous

6. Gallerie Dell’Accademia

Gallerie Dell’Accademia with its rich collection of Venetian paintings

This is one of the most prestigious art galleries and must see places in Venice, Italy known for its rich collection of Venetian paintings. The paintings are arranged chronologically so that one can comprehend the evolution of art forms of the medieval period.

Don’t Miss: Works of Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto and Tiziano. Some of the must-see masterpieces are Michelangelo’s David and Slaves, Rape of the Sabines, Cassoni Adimari and Jacopo di Cione. Opening hours: 10 am – 7:15 pm on all days except Monday. The gallery is open from 10 am – 2 pm on Monday. Charges: € 12 + € 1.50 as reservation fee

7. Teatro La Fenice

Teatro La Fenice is one of the most popular places to visit in Venice

Don’t Miss: The premieres and performances of famous composers like Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi. Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm Charges: € 20 onwards

Suggested Read: An Exquisite Venice Honeymoon Guide For A Flawless Experience In This Paradise

8. Ca’ Rezzonico

Ca’ Rezzonico is known for its marvellous collection of Venetian glasswork and vintage furniture

Ca’ Rezzonico is a public museum located on the bank of the Grand Canal and one of the best places to visit in Venice in 1 day. This is one of the 11 museums managed by Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia authority and has outstanding collections of paintings and sculptures including masterpieces by Titian, Mantegna, Van Dyck, Tullio Lombardo, and Bernini. The museum also boasts of its marvellous collection of Venetian glasswork and vintage furniture.

Don’t Miss: Famous work of The Allegory of Merit, the picture illustrating the family of Barbarigo, Throne Room, and Chinoiserie-style salon Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm Charges: € 30

9. Chiesa Della Madonna Dell’Orto

A blissful view of Chiesa Della Madonna Dell’Orto which is one of the blissful places to visit in Venice

The Church of Madonna dell’Orto is another one of the best places to see in Venice. It was built in the 14th century and dedicated to Saint Christopher Martyr. The church looks gorgeous with its brickwork construction, mullioned and rose windows, stunning arches, geometrical themes, and marble pillars.

Don’t Miss: Sculpture of Madonna with Child, Altarpiece of St John Baptist with Saints Peter, Monument to Gerolamo Cavazza, and Martyrdom of St Lorenzo by Daniel van den Dyck Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm kjihyut. Charges: € 2.50

Suggested Read: Try These Top 8 Indian Restaurants In Venice To Get The Taste Of Real India

10. Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the top tourist attractions in Venice

Another name in the top tourist attractions in Venice is Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, a stunning Gothic church by the Franciscans. The chapel, façade, and the interiors look sober, artistic, and charming. Besides, the church displays some famous historical paintings, figures, and sculptures by the most popular artists of the Renaissance period. Undeniably, this is one of the not-to-be-missed tourist places in Venice.

Don’t Miss the wooden statue of St. John the Baptist by Florentine sculptor Donatello, the Madonna and Child enthroned with Four Saints by Giovanni Bellini, the Monks’ Choir by Marco Cozzi, an altar painting of Assunta by Titian Opening hours: 9 am – 5:30 pm Charges: € 3

11. Jewish Museum

Jewish Museum is founded by the Jewish Community and one of the best places to visit in Venice

Jewish Museum is one of the noteworthy tourist destinations and famous sites in Venice. It was founded by the Jewish Community of Venice and is located in Campo of the Ghetto Novo. The museum showcases valuable items made by textile makers, goldsmiths, and coppersmiths along with ancient books and manuscripts depicting the civil & religious lives of the community. Visiting this wonderful place is one of the unique things to do in Venice during your trip. 

Don’t Miss: Alef – the Bookshop – and Library archive Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm from June to September & 10 am – 5:30 pm from October to May Charges: € 4

Suggested Read: 15 Romantic Things To Do In Venice: A Drop-Down Of Everything Magical

12. Scuola Grande Di San Rocco

Scuola Grande Di San Rocco is a marvelous-looking heritage building known as one of the best places to visit in Venice

Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a marvelous-looking heritage building and one of the best places to visit in Venice, initially built for a charitable society office. It is made of white marble with soothing interior décor and comprises a grand entrance, a couple of halls, and an impeccably painted ceiling.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco is famous for possessing many popular artworks of renowned artists like Tintoretto. The walls of the upper hall depict scenes from the New Testament. It should be on your list when exploring Venice!

Don’t Miss: The Glorification of St. Roch, Christ before Pilate, the Ecce Homo, and The Crucifixion by Sala dell’Albergo Opening hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Charges: € 10

13. Santa Maria Della Salute

Santa Maria della Salute is a huge octagonal structure comprising of bell towers, domes, and a stunning façade

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute or Basilica of St. Mary of Health, popular simply as La Salute, is one of the largest churches and most important tourist places when exploring Venice. This Roman Catholic Church is located by Punta della Dogana between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal.

The church is a huge octagonal structure comprising of bell towers, domes, and a stunning façade decorated by statues of the four evangelists. The interior consists of eight radiating chapels and three altars decorated with paintings of the Virgin Mary. The stunning church is surely one of the not-to-be-missed places to visit in Venice for free.

Don’t Miss: Baroque High Altar, Marriage at Cana by Tintoretto, and St Mark Enthroned by Titian Opening hours: 9 am – 12 noon and 3 pm – 5:30 pm Charges: € 4 (adults), € 2 (students)

Suggested Read: 25 Venice Hotels To Make Your Stay Perfect On An Italian Sojourn

14. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a captivating museum counted among one of the best places to visit in Venice

Situated in the Dorsoduro Sestiere, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a modern art museum on the bank of the Grand Canal. The museum is housed in the residence of American heiress Peggy Guggenheim. She had a huge collection of historic artwork, which was showcased to the public after her death. The museum premises comprising of café, bookshops, libraries, and displayed works of lesser-known modern artists are definitely one of the fun places to visit in Venice. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the main attractions in Venice.

Don’t Miss: Gianni Mattioli Collection, images of Italian futurism by Boccioni & Rudolph, and Hannelore Schulhof Collection Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm. The museum remains closed on Tuesday. Charges: € 15

A stunning view of Murano in Venice known as the top Venice tourist places

Murano is a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon- one of the most popular places of tourist interest in Venice. This assemblage of seven islands linked by bridges and separated by eight canals is famous globally for glass making, glass products, and mirrors; it is hence known as the Glass Island of Venice. It is amongst the famous places in Venice.

Don’t miss: Glass Factories, Glass Museum, and glass Shops, Basilica of Saint Mary & Saint Donatus, The Church of Saint Peter, Campo Santo Stefano, and Palazzo Da Mula Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

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16. Venetian Arsenal

A classic view of Venetian Arsenal which has been a status of pride around in the country

When someone mentions Venice, the tranquil water around the place is definitely something every single one of the visitors looks around. The Venetian Arsenal has been a status of pride around in the country. It has been churning out ships since way back in history and the magnificent wealth and beauty of the country is definitely defined by this enigmatic complex. It is littered around with a wide range of bars and a number of informational displays.

Don’t Miss: Explore the place and go through the display if you wish to get to know a bit more of the history of the place. Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

17. Santi Giovanni E Paolo

A wonderful view of Santi Giovanni E Paolo which is known as one of the best places to visit in Venice

The next time you are in Venice, visiting one of the tallest and largest churches around is definitely a must. The Santi Giovanni e Paolo stands tall amidst all the surrounding buildings around. The significance of this place comes because of the fact that 25 of Venice’s dogs are buried there. The red-brick church is built in the Italian Gothic style and stands out as one of the best tourist spots around the place. Explore the explicit tombs and monuments around.

Don’t Miss: Make sure you do not miss Cima da Conegliano’s Coronation of the Virgin and David by Alessandro Vittoria. Opening hours: 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m, 3:30 p.m to 6:00 p.m; closed on Mondays Charges: € 3.50

Suggested Read: A Handy Holiday Guide To Venice Tourism-Queen Of Adriatic Sea

18. Museo Correr

A stunning view of Museo correr showcasing collections of antique coins, artilleries

The Museo Correr is located around Piazza San Marco and is, definitely, one of the must-visit sites if the art and history of Venice is something that intrigues you. The majestic building has imprints of both the Napoleonic and the Hapsburg features. The wide range of collections of antique coins, artilleries and other features around is definitely something that makes visiting Museo Correr a worthy visit.

Don’t Miss: Don’t miss out on visiting the local museum if you wish to unlock the treasure trove that this place is known for. The Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana is another must-visit. Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m Charges: € 20

19. Venetian Ghetto

Venetian ghetto is one of the exciting places to visit in Venice

Next on the list of the amazing must-visit places around Venice is the Venetian Ghetto. It was established back in 1516 and marks one of the most popular historical spots around Venice. It dates back to being considered as the first ghetto in the city. The place now withholds a wide range of popular Jewish inhabitants and the entire street and locality are infiltrated by Jews all around. Its bustling streets and tourist crowd make it one of the best places to visit in Venice at night. 

Don’t Miss: Explore the buildings and the entire street to glimpse the Jewish lifestyle in Venice. Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

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20. Lido Di Venezia

Lido Di Venezia is a stunning beach in Venice to soak up amidst sun and breezy vibe

If you are tired of the monuments and the rich historical sites around Venice, catch a break out on the beach at Lido di Venezia. It does have a long stretch of sandy beach and is one of the best places to find some peace and recluse in. The sandbar is what lies to the south and the southeast of Venice, facing out to the Atlantic.

Don’t Miss: Enjoy a relaxing time on the beach, far away from the hustle and bustle of the chaotic tourist spots. Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

21. Rialto Market

Rialto market is one of the bustling places to visit in Venice

Next on the list of the amazing spots to visit around Venice is the Rialto Market. Known for its vivid presence of small shacks, shops, and food carts, this is the perfect place to visit after a long day of sightseeing. Located along the Grand Canal, this is one of the most crowded places around. This is quite an infamous and popular spot around Venice. The food market is often the place where the locals source their food from. If you are looking for places to visit in Venice at night, Rialto Market is the best place to be.

Don’t Miss: Try out buying the local produce from the sellers and even indulge in the food from the shacks for a wholesome experience. Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Charges: NA

Suggested Read: Venice Simplon Orient Express: For Experiencing The World’s Most Luxurious Train Journey

22. Ponte Dell’Accademia

A captivating view of Ponte Del which is one of the best places to visit in Venice

Opened back in 1854, the Ponte dell’Accademia is one of the only four bridges around Venice which allows pedestrians to walk around to cross the Grand Canal. The bridge is made of wood and metal bits and is situated around the southern end of the canal. This bridge is often a popular spot for couples to visit and rejoice in.

Don’t Miss: Visit the midpoint of the bridge for some eclectic views from there Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

23. Bridge Of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs is one of the exciting places to visit in Venice

Don’t get deterred by the name, The Bridge of Sighs is the connecting bridge between the Doge’s Palace and the New Prison. It was constructed back in 1600 and is situated across the Rio di Palazzo. The bridge was designed by popular construction designer Antonio Contino. The bridge is named so because legends have it that the prisoners would sigh at the final view of the bridge.

Don’t Miss: Look around the scenic beauty from atop the bridge. Opening hours: NA Charges:  NA

Suggested Read: This May Day, Venice Plans To Segregate Its Locals & Tourists For Ensuring Sustainable Tourism

24. San Giorgio Maggiore

A breathtaking view of San Giorgio Maggiore which is a quaint little island in Venice

The San Giorgio Maggiore is a quaint little island located across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square. It was designed by the famous architect, Andrea Palladio, the beauty of the church lies in the facade clad in gleaming white marble. The open and spacious interiors further add to the beauty of the place even further. The paintings of the “Las Supper” and the “Fall of Manna” adorn the entryway.

Don’t Miss: Ride to the top of the church using the elevator to visit the Neoclassic bell tower and enjoy the panoramic view of the area around. Opening hours: 9:30 to 6:00 pm Charges: No charges, the ride to the top of the bell tower is €6

25. Ca’ D’Oro

Ca' D'Oro is located near the Grand Canal and is one of the best places to visit in Venice

Also known as the Palazzo Santa Sofia, the Ca’ d’Oro is considered one of the most enigmatic palazzos that date back to the 15th century. The ornamentation on the pink and white building is definitely something that entrances your attention to the core. It is located near the Grand Canal and is one of the best places to visit in Venice Italy.

Don’t Miss: Have a look at the huge range of paintings, antiques, and sculptures. Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

Suggested Read: Italy In April: A Sunny Slice Of Heaven

Burano island sightseeing is one of the best places to visit in Venice

Burano is quite picturesque which makes it one of the top places to visit in Venice. The colourful fishermen’s houses make for a great backdrop to click pictures here. One can also buy local items like butter cookies which are called “bussolai buranei”, linen and other products here.

Don’t Miss: Clicking pictures with the colourful houses as the backdrop Opening hours: NA Charges: NA

Further Read: 16 Essential Italy Travel Tips That Will Save You Money, Time & More

Now that you have a pretty sorted list of all the tourist attractions and the best places to visit in Venice, it’s time to book for yourself an Italy trip . Find packages or get them customized for the best value for your vacation! Have a great time exploring all these beautiful places to visit in Venice.

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here .

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Venice

What are the amazing places to visit in Venice for free?

When looking for exciting places to visit in Venice for free, check out this well-curated list of places that offer mesmerising experiences:

  • Piazza San Marco
  • Basilica di San Marco
  • Ponte di Rialto
  • Dorsoduro Ponte dei Sospiri

What is the most famous street in Venice?

The most famous street in Venice is the Grand Canal. This iconic waterway winds its way through the heart of the city, flanked by magnificent historic buildings, showcasing the architectural grandeur of Venice. Lined with colourful palaces, elegant bridges, and bustling Venetian activity, the Grand Canal is not just a street but a symbol of Venice's unique charm and beauty, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.

What are the most visited museums in Venice?

Here is a list of some of the most visited and popular museums in Venice: 1. Gallerie dell'Accademia 2. Doge’s Palace 3. Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art 4. Peggy Guggenheim Collection 5. Museo Storico Navale di Venezia

Which are the best places in Venice that can be visited in a day?

Venice is a city you would not want to leave in a day. But if you are looking for-a-day trip to Venice, visit these places for a power-trip. Try to start your trip in the morning at least by 9 and head to these places: 1. Galleria dell’Accademia: Visit duration – 1.30 hours 2. Piazza San Marco: Visit duration – 1 hour 3. Campanile di San Marco: Visit duration – 30 minutes 4. Basilica doi San Marco: Visit duration – 1 hour 5. Palazzo Ducale: Visit duration – 1 hour 6. Ponte dei Sospiri: Visit duration – 15 minutes 7. Riva degli Schiavoni: Visit duration – 1.30 hours 8. San Zaccaria: Visit duration – 45 minutes

What are the must-have experiences in Venice?

Venice is a city where water fills the ground and love fills the air. Just wander in Venice and take a gondola ride through the city, climb the sky-scraping bell tower, take a ride to the Grand Canal in the Vaporetto water bus for a local Venetian experience. The view of the Grand Canal from the Ponte dell’Accademia is something you must not miss.

What are the three famous landmarks in Venice?

Venice is one of the most beautiful destinations in the entire world. With numerous places to visit in Venice, there are three main landmarks that one should definitely not miss out on. These top landmarks in Venice are St. Mark’s Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, and Canale Grande/Grand Canal.

What is Venice famous for?

Also known as the ‘La Dominate’, ‘City of Masks’, or ‘The Floating City’, Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for its lagoon, iconic landmarks, and gondola rides.

How many days should I spend in Venice?

If one wants to witness every nook and corner of this beautiful and unmatchable destination, then spending at least a week in Venice would be an ideal choice. However, to majorly cover the busy streets, surreal gondola rides, and shopping areas, a minimum of three days in Venice can also suffice.

What is the best month to visit Venice?

The months when the bitter cold has seen its way out and the spring is right around the corner or when the summer has half passed till winter is about to settle in are considered as the best months to visit Venice. Hence, the months of April, May, September, and October are considered to be the best time for sightseeing around Venice.

How can I get to Venice from Venice airport?

In order to travel from Venice airport to Venice City, one can take the ATVO Express Bus. This bus is a 20-minute ride that runs nonstop from the airport to the Piazzale Roma. One can take this bus ride for 6 euros per person.

Is Venice worth visiting?

The alluring beauty of nature, awe-inspiring architecture, exciting gondola rides, vibrant locals, deeply rooted history, city reeking of charm, and iconic landmarks makes Venice definitely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

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25 Best Things to Do in Venice Italy 2024: City Travel Guide

View of the Venice Grand Canal, best things to do in Venice

These Are Some of the Best Things to Do When Visiting Venice Italy in 2024

“There is something so different in Venice from any other place in the world, that you leave at once all accustomed habits and everyday sights to enter an enchanted garden.” – Mary Shelley, English author

Upon first arrival in Venice, you quickly realize that there is nothing ubiquitous about the place. It is unlike any other, with a charm and intrigue all its own. Colorful buildings rise above the narrow canals. Uneven brick-lined walkways and quaint bridges (of which there are 400) beckon with romanticism. Gleaming gondolas float lazily past adorned with fire engine red plastic roses and mesmerized faces.

Sunrise over Venice's Grand Canal

Getting to and Around Venice

As Winetravelers, there are two options to use as a base for exploring Venice. You can opt to fly directly into and stay in Venice, or you can stay in Verona (also beautiful), and visit Venice as a day trip.

Your choice largely depends on the kinds of activities and experiences you want to have in and around the city. For those looking to really explore Venice proper, we recommend flying and staying in Venice. If you’re more interested in visiting both Venice and the surrounding wine regions, we suggest staying in Verona.

Also, for shorter trips, staying in Venice is more ideal. If you have more time and a flexible schedule, staying in Verona allows for a more leisurely pace for exploration.

Fly Straight to Venice

There are two main airports that serve Venice: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and Treviso Airport (TSF) . Venice Marco Polo Airport is the larger of the two and is located about 8 miles from the city, while Treviso Airport is smaller and situated about 25 miles away. You can check and compare flight prices into either of these airports using this flight comparison tool on Kayak.

OR Use Verona as a Base and Visit Venice on a Day Trip

As we mentioned, for true Winetravelers, we suggest establishing a home base in Verona, 71 miles to the west of Venice. It’s a perfectly romantic city from which to access both the Veneto wine region and Venice.

As a car is the best way to explore the vineyards adorning the hills of Garda, Bardolino and Valpolicella, Verona will offer a central location with plenty of accommodations, parking and easy train access for a Venetian adventure. Check current car rental rates near Verona and Venice here.

This not only saves you from having to deal with the hassle of parking on the outskirts of Venice, but also allows you to leave your luggage behind without the need for lockers or storage.

Guide to Venice in One Day - Use Verona as a Home Base | Winetraveler.com

Train Transport from Verona to Venice

Dozens of trains depart daily from the Verona Porta Nuova train station. The round-trip ticket to Venice will likely cost around $25 USD for the hour and 20-minute trip. As the trains can be crowded, it is recommended that you purchase these in advance from TrenItalia .

Select an early-morning train between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. as it will put your arrival at Venice’s St. Lucia station between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., ahead of the sizeable crowds. Both the Porta Nuova and St. Lucia stations are easy to navigate, and the ride is direct and comfortable.

Once you’re in Venice, you’ll find various modes of transportation to help you explore the city. Walking is a common way to get around, as the city is filled with narrow streets and alleyways called “calle.” In addition, the vaporetto offers a convenient way to travel between major attractions along the canals. For crossing the Grand Canal, consider using the traghetti, which are similar to gondolas but function as public transport. You can purchase a waterbus and mainland bus pass ahead of time to make your trip more seamless.

Arrival in Venice from VCE or TSF Airport

Upon arrival at Marco Polo Airport, you have several options to reach Venice. You can take the vaporetto , which is a public water bus, or an Alilaguna water taxi . If you prefer a more private and direct option, consider booking a private water taxi. From Treviso Airport, you can take a bus or train to Venice.

Arrival in Venice by Train from Verona

If you’re coming to Venice from Verona, upon your arrival at St. Lucia, exit the station and head toward the Grand Canal. While you can walk to the Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark Square), we recommend hopping on the Vaporetto. Tickets are available online or outside St. Lucia. You’ll want line #1 or #2 which will whisk you through the Grand Canal to the Piazza in about 25 minutes.

The quick arrival to the Piazza via the Vaporetto will enable you to visit the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) or the Basilica di San Marco upon opening and before the mid-day crowds which begin arriving by 10 a.m. The links included above allow you to purchase tickets to these destinations ahead of time.

Or, if outdoor exploration is more of what you had in mind, use this time to take photos of the Piazza, the Campanile (bell tower), Basilica, Palazzo, and the Bridge of Sighs before the throngs of people arrive.

Early morning is also one of the better times to snag a seat at an outdoor cafe lining the Piazza. We recommend the renowned and elegant Caffè Florian . Dating back to 1720, it is the oldest café situated under the arches of the Procuratie Nuove in Saint Mark Square. Although the Florian attracts many tourists, it remains a stunning locale for an espresso, biscotti and Vivaldi; although we won’t fault anyone for ordering a glass of prosecco to start the day either.

If you are lucky enough to have secured an outdoor seat at the Florian, take your time. Enjoy the ambiance, the view, and the grand history of your coveted seat in one of the most famous squares in the world.

If Bellini cocktails are more your thing, head to Harry’s Bar Cipriani by the ferry terminal to experience the 1930s cocktail bar frequented by Hemingway and known for Bellini, carpaccio, and club sandwiches.

There are also some special, local-guided tours that focus on enjoying a morning meandering around Venice. Enjoy pastries and coffee shops that aren’t touristy, and then stop by highlights included on the tour like the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and Doge’s Palace.

The Best Things to Do in Venice

Now that you’re here and your palate is wet with your belly full, lets discuss the dozens of other things to do and see while in the remarkable city of Venice, regardless of the number of days you plan to spend in the city.

While it is true that the Palazzo Ducale, Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge are bustling with thousands of tourists, and have been for centuries, this Italian wonder on the Adriatic Sea can also offer a serenity that will consume and beguile.

Venice is a breathtaking city to behold, from its lively piazzas and cafes, basilicas and museums, to its osterias, bacari (wine bars) and shops ordained with elegant Murano glass and haunting Carnivale masks. As for us Winetravelers, Venice offers a stunning backdrop from which to enjoy a crisp glass of sparkling Prosecco, a refreshing glass of the dry, lovely Soave, a rich glass of Amarone della Valpolicella or one of our favorites, a Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso.

RELATED: Chianti Itinerary: How To Spend 5 Days in Italy’s Chianti Region

Venice One Day City Guide and Itinerary | Winetraveler.com

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One Day Venice Itinerary - A Wine Lover & Foodie's Guide to Exploring Venice Italy | Winetraveler.com

Wander the Streets of Venice

As late morning approaches, the tourists will begin arriving to the San Marco Piazza area in droves. We recommend you begin to meander deeper into the streets of Venice for a more authentic and oft-missed look at this bewitching city at this hour of the day.

RELATED: 10 Picturesque Wine Regions for Photography Lovers

Set off to the north, west or even northwest from the San Marco Piazza and simply lose yourself. Wander about slowly, look up, look down, right and left around this carless series of islands made for discovery and exploration.

Venice Italy view of a canal from the street

Visit the shops and merchants that draw your eye and entice your sense of wonder and whimsy, such as one of the small vinaie (wine shops) like Enoteca al Canton del Vin (Salizada S. Giustina, 2907/A, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy ) to sample “un umbra,” a glass of regional wine; or a ceramic shop with dozens of handmade Venetian masks.

As soon as you are off the Piazza and away from the Grand Canal, the streets narrow and the colorful buildings with laundry strewn on lines between them rise above you. Window boxes filled with brightly colored flowers and small boats tied to posts serve as gentle, awe-inspiring reminders of day-to-day Venetian life.

RELATED: A Wine Traveler’s Guide to Italy’s Cinque Terre

Stop to visit the quiet local shops serving sandwiches, cheeses and cured meats, or saunter your way up to the bar at one of the many, standing-room-only bacari and ask for a recommended wine with cicchetti (small plates).

Have Lunch at an Osteria

As the mid-day sun bears down, it becomes the perfect time to enjoy a Venetian seafood or pasta lunch at a charming osteria. These often small, quaint eateries have a way of enveloping you into the atmosphere and making you fully aware of the present moment; from the aromas, the tastes, the rustic interiors to the cool and sounds of gentle, but lively conversations – nothing else will be of any concern.

Best Restaurants for Lunch in Venice Italy | Winetraveler.com

Recommended Lunch Destinations

Campiello de la Pescaria, 3968, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 522 3812

R ustic and tucked away, Al Covo is a charming restaurant serving locals and tourists alike from an updated, yet traditional menu of seafood and pastas.

Corte Sconta

Calle del Pestrin, 3886, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 522 7024

A renowned seafood restaurant with a vine-laden courtyard and an inventive menu including items such as marinated swordfish and clams steamed in ginger.

Osteria Oliva Nera

Salizzada dei Greci, 3447/3417, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 522 2170

An intimate, family restaurant serving stuffed fried zucchini flowers, bigoli in salsa (spaghetti with anchovies and onions), and variously prepared fresh local fish and squid.

venice city tourist attractions

Take an Obligatory Gondola Ride

After a satisfying lunch, you will return to the cobbled streets with a sense of utter serenity despite knowing your day is only halfway done. Relish this elusive feeling as you find a willing gondolier. You won’t need to return to the main canal to find an available guide. Simply approach, ask the price (many will negotiate) and duration. Alternatively, you can schedule a private gondola experience or even a private photo shoot ahead of time (highly recommended).

Once you find the guide and arrangements that best suit you (we prefer keeping to the smaller, less traversed canals), step down into the polished gondola, sit back and enjoy this uniquely Venetian experience.

Although a gondola ride in Venice can be considered a cliche tourist experience, it is one that you will not regret. Some gondoliers are chatty, others deftly steer through the back canals in silence, but most will follow your lead. And again, make sure to look up, down, left and right as beauty can be found in the smallest of details from brightly painted doorways to the sun casting silhouettes of passing gondoliers on a pastel-colored wall.

Evening in Venice

Visit ponte de rialto (rialto bridge).

As late afternoon passes to evening, it’s time to return to your wanderings. Make your way toward the Ponte de Rialto (Rialto Bridge), the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, built in 1591. The busy pedestrian bridge can be traversed along the steps on either of two outer balustrades, or the wider central walkway leading between rows of small shops selling tourist items, jewelry, linens, and Murano glass. As one of the most visited sites in Venice, you’ll likely have to make your way through the crowds as you cross over the Grand Canal to the smallest of the Venetian provinces, San Polo. Make your way to the west, winding your way into the interior streets away from the buzz of the Rialto.

Visit an Art Museum (Or Two)

Depending on the time and your interest, now would be a great time to sneak an hour or so in at one of two art museums: the Galleria del Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection . Both locations remain open through 6 p.m., but tickets need to be purchased online or at least 45 minutes before closing.

Visit a Wine Bar

As the day winds down, it’s time to return to that leisurely pace captured earlier in the day, painting those memories in your mind as you once again step up to a bar at another bacaro. Or, as the sun begins to set, grab an outdoor seat at one (maybe even two!) at any of our recommended evening wine and snack stops below for a taste of la dolce vita.

Where To Eat and Drink in Venice Italy - One Day Itinerary for Venice | Winetraveler.com

Recommended Evening Wine Bars & Snack Stops

Dorsoduro 3778 Crosera, Calle S. Pantalon, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 476 4914

More upscale, yet approachable, sit-down cucina, Estro’s menu will inspire and the wine list is a real treat – reservations recommended.

La Bottiglia

Campo S. Stin, 2537, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 476 2426

A small, quiet wine bar serving simple sandwiches and plates and expertly matched wines.

Vineria all’Amarone

C. dei Sbianchesini, 1131, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 523 1184

Closer to the Rialto, and slightly busier, all’Amarone offers wine flights, wine by the glass and a delicious array of food

Cantina Do Mori

Calle Do Mori, 429, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 522 5401

A legendary bacaro going back to 1462, Cantina Do Mori offers a lively, standing-room-only atmosphere, an array of wine and a delightful menu of cicchetti.

Ristorante La Cantina Venezia

Sestiere Cannaregio, 3689, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy

+39 041 779 5291

A long the Strada Nova, La Cantina sits in a well-traversed piazza and serves wines by the glass and small plates with delicious seafood cicchetti and fresh bread.

Venice Sight-Seeing

Piazza san marco.

Piazza San Marco, also known as St. Mark’s Square , is the main public square in Venice and an absolute must-see for travelers visiting the city. Often referred to as the “drawing room of Europe,” the piazza holds immense historical and architectural significance, acting as a showcase of Venetian grandeur and artistry.

The piazza is also home to numerous elegant cafes, such as the historic Caffè Florian , where you can savor an espresso or indulge in a leisurely meal while listening to live music and watching the world go by.

Piazza San Marco is the epicenter of Venetian life, where both locals and tourists gather to socialize, admire the architectural marvels, and attend cultural events.

St. Mark’s Basilica

One of the primary reasons to explore Piazza San Marco is the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica , a masterpiece of Italo-Byzantine architecture adorned with intricate mosaics and precious relics. The basilica’s opulent interior, featuring gold mosaics and marble floors, is a testament to Venice’s wealth and artistic prowess during its heyday as a major maritime power. We recommend getting fast-track tickets ahead of time .

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

Adjacent to the basilica is the Doge’s Palace , an emblematic example of Venetian Gothic architecture. As the former residence of the Doge of Venice and the seat of the city’s government, the palace offers a fascinating insight into the political history of the Venetian Republic. Its magnificent halls, adorned with frescoes by Venetian masters, and the infamous Bridge of Sighs are just a few of the many treasures awaiting discovery within its walls. Reserve your entry ticket right here .

Another iconic landmark in Piazza San Marco is the Campanile , a soaring bell tower that stands at 323 feet tall. Winetravelers can take an elevator to the top of the tower for panoramic views of Venice, the lagoon, and the surrounding islands, making it a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts.

Jewish Ghetto and Museum

Learn about the history of Venice’s Jewish community in the oldest Jewish Ghetto in Europe and visit the Jewish Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts and documents.

Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Discover this hidden gem, a small marble Renaissance church with an exquisite façade and ornate interior.

Attend an Opera at the Teatro La Fenice

Attend an opera or concert at this historic and lavishly decorated theater, which has played host to many of the world’s most famous composers and performers. You can also purchase a ticket to explore the opera house at your leisur e.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Visit this opulent Venetian building, featuring an extensive collection of Tintoretto’s paintings, depicting scenes from the Bible.

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Admire the impressive Gothic architecture and renowned art collection, including Titian’s “Assumption of the Virgin,” in this historic church.

Visit the Islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello

Discover the art of glassmaking in Murano, wander through the colorful fishermen’s houses in Burano, and explore the ancient basilicas on Torcello.

Upscale Hotels in Venice in the Best Neighborhoods

San Marco is the heart of Venice, where the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace, reside. This bustling district is perfect for visitors who wish to stay within walking distance of the main attractions and immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Alongside a plethora of shops, cafes, and restaurants, San Marco offers a variety of cultural and historical experiences. Staying in a hotel in this neighborhood ensures you are at the epicenter of Venetian life, with easy access to the city’s most captivating sights.

The Gritti Palace in San Marco

A luxurious hotel with a prime location near Piazza San Marco, featuring elegant rooms and a historic atmosphere.

Check Prices at The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Hotel Danieli

A prestigious hotel close to St. Mark’s Basilica, offering opulent rooms and exceptional service.

Check Prices at Hotel Danieli

Dorsoduro is a charming neighborhood known for its artistic heritage, picturesque canals, and bohemian ambiance. Home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Accademia Gallery, Dorsoduro attracts art enthusiasts and those seeking a quieter, more authentic Venetian experience. The area is characterized by its narrow streets, hidden squares, and local restaurants, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for leisurely strolls. By choosing a hotel in Dorsoduro, you will enjoy a more tranquil environment while still being within easy reach of the city’s main attractions.

Ca’ Pisani Hotel

A stylish boutique hotel located in the artistic Dorsoduro district, offering a blend of modern amenities and historical charm.

Check Prices at Ca’ Pisani Hotel

Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel

A refined hotel with lavish rooms and a tranquil garden, situated along the Grand Canal.

Check Prices at Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel

Cannaregio is the largest and most diverse neighborhood in Venice, with a blend of tourist attractions and residential areas. It is home to the Jewish Ghetto, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s rich history and a chance to explore the lesser-known parts of Venice. This district is also known for its lively local scene, with a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops frequented by locals. Staying in a hotel in Cannaregio allows you to experience the authentic side of Venice while still having easy access to major sights such as the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.

Ca’ Sagredo Hotel

A magnificent 15th-century palace converted into a luxurious hotel, featuring ornate rooms and a picturesque location near the Grand Canal.

Check Prices at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel

Hotel Heureka

A boutique hotel with chic interiors and contemporary design, located in a quiet part of Cannaregio.

Check Prices at Hotel Heureka

Castello is an expansive neighborhood that stretches from the eastern edge of St. Mark’s Square to the Arsenale, Venice’s historic shipyard. With its picturesque canals, lush gardens, and charming squares, Castello offers a more laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling center of San Marco. This district is also home to the Biennale Gardens, where the prestigious Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition takes place. Choosing a hotel in Castello provides a peaceful retreat from the tourist crowds while still being in proximity to Venice’s main attractions, offering a perfect balance between relaxation and exploration.

Hotel Metropole

A sumptuous hotel near St. Mark’s Square, boasting a private collection of antiques and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Check Prices at Hotel Metropole

Hotel Londra Palace

An elegant hotel with sophisticated rooms and stunning lagoon views, located a short walk from St. Mark’s Square.

Check Prices at Hotel Londra Palace

Pin This Travel Guide for Exploring Venice on Pinterest for Later

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Frequently Asked Questions about What to Do in Venice

What is the best way to explore venice’s canals and waterways.

Taking a gondola ride is a quintessential Venetian experience, offering a unique perspective on the city’s canals. For a more budget-friendly option, consider using the vaporetto (water bus) system to navigate the Grand Canal and visit nearby islands. In this Venice city guide, we include several options to book a private gondola ride ahead of time.

Which islands should I visit during my trip to Venice?

Murano, Burano, and Torcello are the most popular islands to visit. Murano is famous for its glassmaking, Burano is known for its brightly colored houses and lace-making, and Torcello offers a glimpse into the city’s ancient past with its historic basilicas.

Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known attractions worth visiting in Venice?

Some lesser-known attractions include the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and the Jewish Ghetto and Museum. Exploring the quieter neighborhoods, such as Cannaregio and Dorsoduro, can also lead to delightful discoveries.

What are some typical Venetian dishes and where can I try them?

Traditional Venetian dishes include sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines), risotto al nero di seppia (squid ink risotto), and fritto misto (mixed fried seafood). You can sample these dishes at local osterias, bacari (wine bars), and trattorias throughout the city. We recommend several exceptional eateries and wine bars in this Venice travel guide.

Are there any notable events or festivals in Venice that I should consider attending?

Venice hosts several annual events, such as the Venice Carnival, a vibrant celebration featuring elaborate costumes and masks; the Venice Biennale, a prestigious contemporary art exhibition; and the Venice Film Festival, one of the oldest and most renowned film festivals in the world.

How many days are ideal to visit Venice?

Most Winetravelers find that spending 3 to 4 days in Venice is sufficient to see the main attractions, explore the charming neighborhoods, and experience the city’s unique atmosphere. This timeframe allows for a balance between visiting famous landmarks and discovering hidden gems, while also providing some time to enjoy Venetian cuisine and the local culture. If you plan to visit nearby islands such as Murano, Burano, and Torcello, or attend a special event, you may want to consider extending your stay to 5 or 6 days.

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Leave a comment, ask a question or share a review cancel reply, comments ( 2 ).

For me, this is a new look at Venice, which scared me a bit, because of the large number of tourists. The idea of a one-day, early morning break is great. I will use it at the earliest opportunity. I would like to read about other cities that I could feel.

Izabela – I love to travel among the tourists, with the locals and away from everyone. It’s amazing how the same location can present itself differently each time. While Venice does attract many visitors from around the world, it is entirely possible to find pockets and times to see it without the masses and distractions – and in those moments it is especially magical. 🙂

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15 Places to Visit in Venice + Things To Do for First-Timers

This iconic floating city is exceptionally beautiful and not like any other place on this side of the globe. Venice is truly a must-visit destination in Italy.

We were very happy that we squeezed in Venice on our first trip to Italy. Thankfully, the historical core was small and compact.

It’s possible to have a quick tour of the major attractions below in as little as one day or explore the nearby islands if you have more time.

Here’s a list of the best spots to go for first-timers in Venice.

1. Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square)

Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

Location : Venice Historical Centre . Save on Google Maps .

Located in the heart of Venice, Piazza San Marco is the perfect place to start your tour of the city. Also known as St. Mark’s Square, it is surrounded my many of the city’s most famous buildings including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile (bell tower), Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr and the Torre dell’ Orologio. Piazza San Marco can be crowded, so the best time to go here is very early in the morning.

Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace guided tour package + skip-the-line entry ticket

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To make your trip planning easy, I added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. I’ve also shared photos from my  Instagram feed . Feel free to use Instagram’s save feature for quick access later.

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2. Saint Mark’s Basilica

Location : Piazza San Marco, 328 . Save on Google Maps .

Saint Mark’s Basilica is the most visited tourist spot in Venice. This famous architectural wonder is a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, renowned for its opulent design and gold ground mosaics. Saint Mark’s Basilica is one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture, achieving an Oriental feeling of exoticism mixed with the Venetian style of the Renaissance Art. There’s no admission fee to get inside the Basilica, but expect to pay entrance fees to special parts of the complex including the aint Mark’s museum, Pala d’Oro, the Bell Tower, and the Treasury.

Saint Mark’s Basilica guided tour package + skip-the-line entry ticket

Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy

3. St Mark’s Campanile (Basilica Bell Tower)

St Mark's Campanile in Venice, Italy

Location : Piazza San Marco . Save on Google Maps .

Standing near the front of St. Mark’s Basilica is its campanille or bell tower. With a height of 98 meters, this easily recognizable landmark is the highest in Venice. For a fee, you can go up the tower and see the best panoramic views overlooking the floating city.

Venice Hotel/Hostel Reservation

Check room rates and discounts on Venice hotels, hotels & home rentals. Click below, set your minimum/maximum price, and sort by review ratings to find the best accommodations within your budget.

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4. Doge’s Palace

Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy

Location : Piazza San Marco, 1 . Save on Google Maps .

Beside the Saint Mark’s Basilica, you can find the Doge’s Palace. This awe-inspiring landmark, built in Venetian Gothic style, is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The palace served as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Venetian Republic. Inside, you can find the golden staircase and hundreds of paintings made by world-renowned artists, including the world’s largest canvas painting: “Paradise” by Tintoretto.

Doge’s Palace guided tour package + skip-the-line entry ticket

5. Bridge of Sighs

This famous bridge passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace to the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove). They say prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells. Thus, the origin of the bridge’s name, Bridge of Sighs.

6. Venice Gondola Ride

Venice Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy

It’s an experience like no other. The 30-minute gondola ride takes you through the Grand Canal and other minor canals in the city. When in Venice, taking a gondola ride is a must! It’s the best way to explore the Venetian canals as you get to see a fascinating view of the floating city.

Venice gondola ride package

Venice Walking Tour

Walking is not only a great way to explore the city but it’s the only get to get around many of the famous landmarks. Vehicles are not allowed in Venice, getting around is only possible on foot, by gondola or water taxi. It’s easy to get lost in the maze-like network of narrow alleys, but don’t worry. There’s always something interesting to discover at every turn. A guided tour is also a great idea, so you can get insights from a local expert and know details you might have missed otherwise if you were on your own.

Venice guided walking tour package

Venice, Italy

7. Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice, Italy

Save on Google Maps .

The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is one of the largest churches in the city. Designed in Italian Gothic style, this 15th-century minor basilico it is the site of the funeral services of all of Venice’s doges. All 25 doges are buried in the church.

8. Casa di Marco Polo and Casanova House’s in Venice

Marco Polo House in Venice

Location : 30121, Calle Scaleta

Hidden in a small alley is the site where Marco Polo once lived. Although the structure is quite unassuming, it’s a great spot to appreciate the life of Marco Polo, often named as the greatest explorer of all time. In Venice’s backstreets, stands the family house of the infamous Italian adventurer, Giacomo Casanova. It’s a good thing that we booked a guided tour because the two spots are easy to miss.

9. Parish of Santa Maria Formosa

Parish of Santa Maria Formosa in Venice, Italy

Location : Calle Seconda de la Fava, 5263 . Save on Google Maps .

The church of Santa Maria Formosa is an architectural masterpiece designed in Renaissance-style by Mauro Coducci. This attraction is also one of the interesting to visit on a walking tour of Venice.

10. Rialto Bridge

Location : Sestiere San Polo . Save on Google Maps .

A must-visit in Venice! The Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal is the oldest in the city and one of the most famous icons of the city. The area is usually crowded, so go early in the morning if you want to soak up the peaceful ambiance with a view of the Grand Canal glowing under the golden sunrise light.

11. Grand Canal

Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

The Grand Canal is one of Venice’s the most important canals and the central artery of Venetian life. It is lined with palaces, churches and other remarkable buildings all in Romanesque, Gothic or Renaissance styles. Here you can appreciate the impressive way this floating city was built. Eat at a restaurant along the canal and enjoy delicious Italian dishes while taking in the view.

12. T Fondaco dei Tedeschi

T Fondaco dei Tedeschi in Venice, Italy

Location : Rialto Bridge, Ramo del Fontego dei Tedeschi . Save on Google Maps .

A historic building now transformed into a luxury department store, the T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi By DFS stands beside the Rialto Bridge. A terrace on the rooftop offers beautiful views overlooking the Grand Canal.

To access the rooftop terrance, you need to book your 15-minute timeslot in advance  here .

13. Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy

Location : Isola di S.Giorgio Maggiore . Save on Google Maps .

This massive Church of San Giorgio Maggiore can be seen from the waterfront at Piazza San Marco. The church stands on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. We didn’t have enough time to visit but if you do, you can cross to the island by ferry and see a spectacular view from the tower.

14. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, Italy

Location : Dorsoduro, 1 . Save on Google Maps .

Another church that can be seen from the waterfront at Piazza San Marco, is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, also known simply as the Salute. It is one of the largest and most recognizable buildings in Venice, famed for its inspiring dome.

15. Santuario di Lucia (ex chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia)

Santuario di Lucia in Venice, Italy

Location : Campo San Geremia, 334 . Save on Google Maps .

The Santuario di Lucia (ex chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia) can be seen on the ferry ride to/from Venecia Santa Lucia Station, the main train station in Venice.

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Venice that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Venice

Venice tourist spots, things to do in Venice, where to go in Venice & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Where to Stay in Venice

Click below & search recommended Venice hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your  min/max price , travel dates, and  sort by review ratings . I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

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Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Venice Essentials & Top Discounts

Venice museum pass, venice-marco polo airport (vce) shared transport for venice, eurail global pass (europe train pass), europe mobile data sim card/pocket wifi.

Travel with ease & confidence throughout your trip. Get a data SIM card or pocket WIFI device! Access Google Maps and all your favorite travel apps. Share your travel stories instantly with all your friends. Click below and choose your pick-up location:

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15 of the best things to do in Venice in 2024

Julia Buckley

Feb 28, 2024 • 12 min read

venice city tourist attractions

Experience the best of Venice with this guide to the top things to do © Cavan / Getty Images

Visitors flock to  Venice year-round, and who can blame them?

Some 118 islands float on this fairy-tale lagoon, linked by 400 bridges. Each is crammed with dazzling palazzos and heart-stopping art – Venice really is a place like no other. 

All the famous stereotypes are true, to an extent. It’s spectacular and it’s just like the photos but, thanks to mass tourism, Venice’s world-famous sights are overcrowded and in precarious health (even during the quieter months ). 

It is worth remembering that even in the busiest areas, step just one or two blocks away from the fray and you’ll find empty streets and local voices in the neighborhoods beyond. Spend more time here – five days is a decent starter – and you’ll discover that the true beauty of Venice isn’t the wow factor of its blockbuster sights, as magnificent as they are, but within the quieter spaces, where life goes on as it has done for centuries. Once you glimpse that life, you’ll want to protect it.

To help counter the overtourism that is exploiting the city, stay overnight in a hotel or B&B (not vacation rentals, which hollow out housing stock), eat in family-owned restaurants, and buy souvenirs from Venice’s artisans who ply centuries-old trades. Then, not only are you helping the city stay alive, but you’re also ensuring a better trip – Venice done well is unforgettable.

Here are the best experiences in Venice.

1. Take in the Piazza San Marco

For many people, this waterfront square is Venice: the rolling domes of the basilica, the centuries-old cafes beneath the stately porticoes, the vast Campanile  (belltower) throwing its shadow around the square, high tide occasionally sloshing around your feet. There’s so much to see around  Piazza San Marco (or St Mark’s Square) that you could easily spend a day here.

Start in the  Basilica di San Marco , the Byzantine basilica that glitters with golden mosaics inside. Then move on to the Campanile, where elevators whisk you up 98.6m (323ft) for enticing views of Venice and the lagoon. Spare a few hours for the  Museo Correr , at the opposite end of the square from the basilica, which tells the story of the city through its objects. Need a break at any point? Stop for a coffee or a spritz at Quadri , our favorite of the 18th-century cafes in the square.

Local tip: Keen to understand these icons better? Time for some reading. Family-run  Libreria La Toletta in Dorsoduro is Venice’s best bookshop, with literally hundreds of volumes about the city. For kids , try  Ponte dei Sogni in Castello, whose beautiful picture books tell the history of the city.

A couple walk near the empty arches of the a palace in a wide open waterside square as the sun sets

2. Enter the seat of power at the Palazzo Ducale

If you only visit one museum in Venice, you need to make it this: the vast  Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), the Republic of Venice’s seat of power for around 900 years. With its pink and white facade squaring off against the lagoon, it has everything: mindblowing art and architecture, plus a whole load of atmosphere.

There’s so much to see here – every single room is plastered with works by some of the greatest artists of all time – that you shouldn’t expect to take it all in. But it’s worth saving more time for the rooms and their art than speeding across the famous Bridge of Sighs and through the grim prisons – although the latter is great for kids.

Planning tip:  Lines can get long here, especially before 11am. Skip the wait and book a fast-track ticket in advance through sites such as Ticketsvenice.com . 

Transform your visit to Palazzo Ducale by  booking with GetYourGuide.

Gondola being guided along a canal with a large domed church in the background

3. Sail down the Grand Canal

Venice may be ideal for wandering, but its majestic palazzos were built to be admired from the water. Take the number 1 Vaporetto (waterbus) that plies the Grand Canal and experience one of the world’s greatest public transport routes .

You’ll find beauty every way you turn but heading south don’t miss: the Fondaco dei Turchi (once the headquarters for Arab and Muslim merchants, now the city’s  natural history museum );  Ca’ d’Oro , with its spectacular carved and marble-clad facade; Ca’ Foscari, the city’s beautiful university; and the bombastic octagonal  Salute church, right before the Grand Canal meets the lagoon.

Local tip: Get off at Salute, and walk down to Punta della Dogana for the best lagoon views, and then up along the Zattere waterfront. From here you can pick up a number 2 Vaporetto, which takes you to St Mark’s Square from the other side.

4. Venture over the Rialto

Everyone who visits Venice wants to see the  Rialto Bridge , the flouncy white crossing over the Grand Canal made of gleaming Istrian stone. Yet what the bridge leads to is arguably just as interesting. There’s been a  market on the western side of the bridge for over 1000 years – while it’s not the trading hub of centuries past, there’s still a lively fish market and a fruit and veg area too.

If you’re looking at the stalls, do remember to buy something, and don’t get in the way of other shoppers – this is still a real market, even if many tourists treat it as an Instagram backdrop. Stop for a drink beside the Grand Canal on Campo Erbaria –  Bancogiro is always a good bet for cicchetti (small snacks) – then lose yourselves in the surrounding alleyways, still full of food stores.

Planning tip: For a behind-the-scenes look at this most touristy of areas, take a tour with  Go Guide , a local group of guides who focus on Rialto.

Explore the Rialto effortlessly with  GetYourGuide . Book your tour today.

A detailed ceiling including frescos, plasterwork, painted figures and golden edges

5. Be immersed in world-class art at the Accademia

In Dorsoduro, sitting quietly at the end of the famous wooden Accademia Bridge, is one of Italy’s finest art museums, the  Gallerie dell’Accademia . The meandering itinerary takes you through buildings packed with works that once hung from the city’s church walls, telling the story of Venetian art in the process. It starts with Paolo Veneziano, carries through to Carpaccio, Mantegna and Bellini, and then explodes into the finest works of Tintoretto, Titian and Veronese.

Detour: Near the Accademia are two of Venice’s best artisans. At  Cornici Trevisanello , the Trevisanello family has been making picture frames for the likes of Picasso for decades; they also make jewel-like smaller frames that make perfect souvenirs. Near Ca’ Foscari is bookbinder  Paolo Olbi , who creates beautiful stationery with hand-printed Venetian and Byzantine motifs. Further up towards Rialto, in Campiello dei Meloni, is  Il Pavone , where Paolo Pelosin makes everything from stationery to earrings with exquisite marbled paper.

6. Eat cicchetti in a bacaro

Three essential words for your Venetian stay: ombra , cicchetti and bacaro . Ombra (shadow) is the local name given to a small glass of wine served in a bacaro – a traditional wine bar or tavern. It may only be a small glass but don’t forget to follow it with cicchetti – finger food-style bar snacks, rather like Spanish tapas. You’ll find bacari all over town – when you spot one that looks good, make sure you stop.

Local tip: These days most cicchetti are slices of baguette bread topped with anything from cheese to fish but don’t miss old-style ones like a hard-boiled egg with anchovies, or sarde in saor – sardines in a sweet-sour marinade with pine nuts and raisins.

A happy woman in red sunglasses holds onto her hat in the sunshine as she wanders past houses painted bright pastel colors

7. Seek out local traditions in Burano

Most visitors flock to  Burano to photograph its gorgeous candy-colored cottages. Fair enough – but to do only that is to miss out on one of the most special places in the lagoon. A fishing community since medieval times, Burano’s relative isolation in the north lagoon – a 45-minute vaporetto ride (or four-hour paddle) from Venice – has kept its culture intact. Or rather, it did until mass tourism hit.

Today, the Buranelli are assailed by crowds who come, photograph and hop on the boat back to town without spending a cent – but you can help them by practicing more sustainable tourism. Visit the  Museo del Merletto , which teaches you about the island’s lace-making tradition, and take a tour of the tranquil north lagoon with fisherman  Andrea Rossi , who’ll sweep you past mudflats and islands in perfect peace, with birds overhead your only company. It’s definitely one of the top experiences in Venice to change everything you think about the city.

Local tip: Stop for lunch at the family-run  Trattoria al Gatto Nero . Try the risotto di gò (goby fish risotto).

Explore Burano effortlessly with GetYourGuide.  Book your tour today .

8. Acknowledge the painful history behind the Jewish ghetto

The sinister word ghetto comes from the Venetian geto , or foundry – a clue to the past of this area, which was abandoned and undesirable when the Jewish community was forcibly settled here in 1516. Originally one tiny island, the area was expanded twice by the 17th century, with residents gated in every night, and living in eight-story "skyscrapers".

Despite the appalling conditions, the Jewish community flourished here, building no fewer than five synagogues that were as lavish as Venice’s churches. Guided tours of the area get you access to some of them, including the atmospheric  Scola Levantina , with scarlet-swaddled walls and a dark carved ceiling, redesigned by Venice’s 17th-century starchitect, Baldassare Longhena.

Planning tip: Book ahead for tours of the ghetto. The  Museo Ebraico (Jewish Museum) is closed for renovation until further notice.

A man and woman both stand on a set of stone stairs admiring the intricate murals painted on the surrounding walls

9. Gaze upon the artworks in Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Forget Titian and Tiepolo – for many, Tintoretto is Venice’s greatest artist of all time. His finest paintings fill two floors of the vast Scuola Grande di San Rocco , one of Venice’s many scuole (lay confraternities that did charity work in the community), including the ceiling. They were decorated by Tintoretto to celebrate the end of the 1576 plague, which wiped out a third of the city.

There are more than 60 paintings of swirling Biblical scenes (Tintoretto revolutionized the depiction of movement and amped up the use of rich color), including on the roof of the main hall. This is Venice’s answer to the Sistine Chapel.

Planning tip: Many visitors see the Scuola and forget about the nearby church of San Rocco, which has yet more Tintoretto artworks inside.

10. View the Grand Canal from Ca’ d’Oro

Nobody loved Venice like Baron Giorgio Franchetti. In 1894, he bought the 15th-century Ca’ d’Oro, a Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal so lavish that it was named the "Golden House". 

It had fallen into disrepair by the time he bought it and Franchetti dedicated his life to bringing the house back to its former glory, by rebuilding, repairing and filling it with sublime art. His ashes are now buried in the courtyard. It’s undergoing a major restoration, but the gallery will remain open throughout, with some parts closed, stage by stage. The views of the Grand Canal and Rialto market are spectacular from its balconies.

Planning tip: The best way to arrive at Ca’ d’Oro is by traghetto – a large gondola-style boat that acts as a shuttle across the Grand Canal. The Santa Sofia stop is right by Ca’ d’Oro, and connects with the Rialto market.

An artisan works some molten glass into shape in a glass-blowing workshop

11. Get to know glass on Murano

Floating in the lagoon a 10-minute vaporetto ride north of Cannaregio, elegant  Murano is a mini Venice with opulent waterfront palazzos, knockout churches, and even its own Grand Canal. It is best known for its glass blowers, as it has been for centuries. Start at the  Museo del Vetro , the island’s glass museum, where you’ll learn that the art of glass-making was perfected in the Middle East, before Venice’s medieval trade links with Syria allowed it to copy the techniques and take it to new heights.

A small, easily digestible museum with a jewel-like collection, it’ll give you the background you need to appreciate the often tacky-looking glass ornaments in the shops. Ready to buy? We like  Lucevetro , where Cecilia Cenedese designs products and gets island maestri to craft them for her, while  Wave Murano Glass offers furnace tours and even lessons.

Detour: You may be here for glass but don’t miss Murano’s churches. The  Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato has a knockout 12th-century marble mosaic "carpet", while the  church of San Pietro Martire has works by Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese.

12. Take in the modern Querini Stampalia museum

The  Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a fascinating space in a 16th-century palazzo, combining a museum, gallery, library archive and a modernist wing and garden designed by Venice’s 20th-century architect, Carlo Scarpa. The main gallery has works by the likes of Palma il Vecchio, Canaletto and Bellini, whose Presentation at the Temple is one of the city’s finest artworks.

It’s also a brilliant example of a modern museum: the information panels, redone in 2022, contextualize the art and teach you about Venetian life, from the poor conditions for house staff to arranged marriages and the banning of homosexuality.

Detour: In the square outside is the church of  Santa Maria Formosa , one of the few true Renaissance buildings in Venice.

A tourist with a backpack stands in front of an ornate church facade

13. Explore the city's finest churches

It’s no secret that some of Venice’s best art lies in its churches. But in a city which, as legend says, has a church for every day of the year, how do you know where to start? Buying a  Chorus pass is the way forward. Eighteen of Venice’s loveliest churches belong to this group – each is €3.50 to enter, but a pass for all of them, valid for one year, is just €14.

They’re dotted all around the city, so as you do your obligatory Venice wander, you can pop in for an art fix. All are worth seeing, but the standouts are  Santa Maria dei Miracoli (a marble-clad Renaissance jewel), and  San Sebastiano , frescoed and painted almost entirely by Veronese.

Planning tip: Some of the churches have limited opening hours. When you get your pass, ask for the map of the churches – it also lists opening hours.

14. See Venice’s birthplace on Torcello

This island just across the water from Burano is where Venice began. The first island of the lagoon to be settled, and then a bustling early medieval boomtown, today  Torcello is a haunting place of around a dozen inhabitants, and one big draw: the  Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta , the vast church that dominated the north lagoon for centuries. Still visible from the airport, its interior sparkles with Byzantine-style mosaics from the 11th century. It’s pure magic.

Planning tip: Visit  Torcello before Burano – if you do it the other way round, you’ll be trying to board a packed vaporetto back to Venice.

15. Pay your respects to Tintoretto

Peaceful Cannaregio is worth a stroll for its tranquil canals lined with grand palazzos, and for the church of  Madonna dell’Orto . This big barn of a place was Tintoretto’s neighborhood church – today he’s buried here, along with his artist children Domenico and Marietta, and its walls are covered with his paintings, as well as works by Titian, Palma il Giovane and Cima da Conegliano.

Detour: A short walk away is the church of  Sant’Alvise , part of the Chorus association, and famous for its spectacular trompe l’oeil ceiling.

This article was first published October 2021 and updated 1 day ago

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Venice Travel Tips

Venice tourist attractions.

Venice Travel Guides Last Updated · Jan 4th, 2024 · Maddy [post_comments before=""] -->

venice tourist attractions

Ciao and welcome to my post on Venice tourist attractions.

Venice is a destination full of beauty all around, and it doesn’t matter where you are in the city, there’ll always be something to see or do.

You’ve decided to visit Venice and now wondering which are the best places to visit. With this guide, you’ll learn about the most important attractions.

Ideally, you’ll visit them all, even if spending only one day in the lagoon city!

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What's in this guide?

Among the Venice tourist attractions covered in this guide, you’ll read about remarkable bridges, acclaimed art galleries, and centuries-old churches.

Depending on how many days in Venice you have, you may be able to visit all of the attractions below. See the map below to help you locate each attraction.

Now, let’s start with one of the most popular attractions in Venice:

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

Also known as the ‘drawing room of Europe’ is the first place to visit in Venice. St. Mark’s Square is the heart of the lagoon and symbol of Venice.

st marks square venice italy

Its first appearance dates back to the year 826 when the body of St. Mark was brought to Venice by two merchants from Alexandria of Egypt.

The monumental area of Piazza San Marco is made up of three sectors.

  • The square itself, enclosed between the old and new Procuratie, with one side facing the homonymous basilica and the bell tower of St. Mark (Campanile di San Marco).
  • The monumental access through the two columns facing the San Marco basin and the
  • Piazzetta Dei Leoncini , named after the two crouched lions statues.

St. Mark’s Square is home to some of the most important attractions in the city: St. Mark’s Basilica, the St. Mark’s Campanile and Doge’s Palace .

As you walk around admiring the beauty of the square, don’t forget to stop by the Clock Tower of Venice (Torre dell’Orologio), a Renaissance building with a clock displaying the time, phase of the moon, and the Zodiac signs.

St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

The St. Mark’s Basilica is the most influential church of Venice, which dates back to the XI century .

st marks basilica venice

Also called the ‘golden church’, here it’s where the St. Mark’s treasures are protected, and golden-colored mosaics with majestic design elements ornate the whole church (inside and out).

The basilica represented a sacred building and the visible symbol of the power and wealth acquired by the Serenissima Republic .

Before moving to the inside part of the church, take your time to step outside and admire the mosaics of the facade , where the story of how St. Mark’s body was brought to Venice is narrated.

If you look up, you can also admire the 4 horses’ statues . These were part of the Hippodrome of Constantinople.

skip the line st marks square venice

When the city was conquered by the Venetians, the horses were brought to the lagoon as spoils of war.

Tourist attractions in Venice trip cost:

  • The ticket cost to visit the St. Mark’s Basilica is 3 euro.
  • To access the Pala d’Oro there’s a supplement of 5 euro to pay.
  • Access to the Museum – Loggia Dei Cavalli is 7 euro.

There are often long queues to visit both the Basilica and nearby Doge’s Palace, the most visited Venice tourist attraction.

For this reason, I recommend this Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica: Skip the Line Tour to avoid them and make the most of your precious time.

Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs

If the St. Mark’s Basilica was the religious heart of Venice, the Doge’s Palace was the center of the political power of the Serenissima Republic.

doges palace venice attraction

Don’t forget to add to your Venice itinerary this elegant palace, one of the most significant Venice tourist attractions.

As the name itself says, this palace was the seat of the Doge, the chief magistrate of the Republic of Venice .

It’s another symbol of the city and an architectural masterpiece of the Venetian Gothic style . It’s located in St. Mark’s Square, close to the St. Mark’s basin.

The Doge’s palace interiors still include works by the most famous Venetian masters such as Titian, Domenico Tintoretto, and Paolo Veronese.

doges palace venice

The palace is divided into three main sections and on different floors. During your visit, you’ll see the Doge’s Apartments and Institutional Chambers and finish with the Armoury and Prisons tour.

When moving towards the Prisons, you’ll have the chance to cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. Take a look at this Doge’s Palace skip-the-line entry ticket (with guide Book) to avoid long queues at the entrance!

St Mark’s Campanile

The St. Mark’s Campanile (Campanile of San Marco) is one of the symbols of Venice and called by Venetians ‘ el paron de casa ’ which means the Venetian’s housekeeper. From its 98.6 metres height , the famous bell tower is without any doubt the best place to enjoy 360° views of the city and the Venetian lagoon.

st marks square venice

Overlooking the beautiful St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile is one of the most visited attractions in Venice and for this reason, I suggest you purchase your ticket in advance from the official website in order to skip the queues at the entrance .

On a clear day, from the Loggetta del Sansovino viewpoint that you’ll reach by lift, you can expect to see not only the close-by landmarks such as:

  • St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Doge’s Palace
  • The island of San Giorgio Maggiore

But on a good day you can see Murano island and even further away the beautiful Dolomites mountains. The bell tower we can see today is not the original one.

In 1902 , after some renovation works, it completely collapsed and after 10 years rebuilt another one, based on the original layout.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) is the most beautiful bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice . It’s definitely one of the top Venice tourist attractions, and you can’t miss it during your time here!

rialto bridge venice

There are only four bridges connecting one bank of the Grand Canal to the other, this is the oldest one in the city. The bridge was originally a wooden bridge then replaced by a stone one in the early XVI century.

There’s a strong relationship between the bridge and the Rialto Market , to the point that the market gave the name ‘Rialto’ to the bridge!

Together with the market, the Rialto Bridge area is a vibrant and busy area of Venice, the best for souvenir shopping indeed.

The bridge has a single arch and two rows of shops that are connected to each other in the central part of the bridge.

rialto bridge venice

Here you can find some souvenir shops. If you move to the external part of the bridge, you can enjoy a fantastic view over the Canal Grande.

To dig more into the historical importance of this area, there’s no better way than doing it in front of a glass of wine and some ‘cicchetti’.

To do that, join this 2.5-Hour Street Food Tour (with a local guide). You’ll explore the Rialto Market area and sample the traditional food of Venice on a small group 2.5-hour walking tour with a local guide.

La Fenice Theatre

La Fenice Theatre (Teatro La Fenice) is a prestigious opera theatre and one of the most important in the world.

la fenice theatre venice

It’s located in the San Marco neighbourhood (sestiere) quite close to St. Mark’s Square. Sadly, the building has been burned down various times over the centuries and the last time was not long ago, in 1996.

In the nineteenth century, the theatre hosted numerous world opera premieres by Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti and Giuseppe Verdi.

Nowadays, you can go to the theatre and enjoy opera and ballet performances and classical music concerts . From January 2004, every year it holds the traditional New Year’s Concert.

To learn more about this theatre, I recommend this La Fenice: Entry Ticket with Audio Guide . It’s a guided walk through La Fenice, during which you’ll discover its history and admire the sumptuous opera house.

This neoclassical style building has a gallery and four floors of boxes with balustrades are richly decorated with gilded reliefs and painted medallions that overlook the vast stalls. The theatre capacity is about 1500 spectators.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal also called the ‘canalazzo’ by Venetians is the largest canal of the city , dividing it in half. With its unique inverted ‘S’ shape it extends for more or less 4 kilometres.

5 star hotels in venice italy

There are wonderful palaces, churches and museums overlooking it and the best way to make the most of its views is by riding a gondola .

There are only four bridges crossing the Grand Canal : the Rialto Bridge, the Accademia Bridge, Ponte degli Scalzi and Constitution Bridge. The best panoramas you can enjoy of the canal are from the Rialto and the Accademia bridges.

The Grand Canal is quite trafficked all day long with gondolas, water taxis, private small boats and water buses navigating it. To enjoy the city in silence, go for a gondola ride in the evening or night.

Accademia Gallery

The Galleria dell’Accademia is an art museum based in the Dorsoduro neighborhood in Venice.

accademia gallery venice

Facing the Canal Grande and surrounded by old Gothic palaces and a small picturesque public square, the Accademia Galleries is one of the most visited Venice tourist attractions.

The museum holds the best collection in the world of Venetian art , from the XIV to XVIII centuries.

You can walk around the galleries and stand in front of Titian, Tintoretto, Canaletto and Bellini masterpieces .

Here it’s where you can also see the Vitruvian Man of Leonardo da Vinci (only during certain times). In total, there are 37 rooms to explore.

The itinerary starts with paintings and artworks from the fourteenth century and ends with the eighteenth century.

After your visit, cross the Accademia Bridge (Ponte dell’Accademia) and from there you can enjoy a lovely view over the Grand Canal.

To make the most of being in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, I suggest letting an expert private guide lead your way, whilst sharing with you all the secrets and hidden corners. This Accademia Gallery and Dorsoduro Tour is perfect!

Santa Maria della Salute

Santa Maria della Salute is the second most important church in Venice, after the St. Mark’s Basilica. It’s located in the Dorsoduro district at Punta della Dogana.

santa maria della salute venice

The regular shape, the giant dome and the beautiful marbles make of this church a real architectural gem attracting many visitors of the lagoon city.

In 1630 a devastating plague decimated the Venetian population, claiming about 80,000 victims. As a votive offering, the Republic of Venice’s senate decided to build a magnificent church to pray and ask St. Mary to help the city to fight the epidemic.

Since then, every 21st November, Venice celebrates St. Mary with a special feast called ‘Festa della Madonna della Salute’. The church was designed in Baroque style and inside are collected masterpieces of Venetian artists such as Titian, Luca Giordano and Tintoretto.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most prestigious museums of contemporary art in the world. It’s based in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni overlooking the Grand Canal, where the influent patron once lived, in the Dorsoduro district.

peggy guggenheim venice

The museum houses her personal collection along with other collections and temporary exhibitions. Here you can admire works of the most influential artists of the contemporary era such as Picasso, Modigliani, Dalì, Magritte, Warhol and many others.

It’s mainly focused on European and American art of the 20th century and the art movements represented are Surrealism, Cubism, Futurism, Abstract Expressionism and Avant-Garde.

Murano and Burano

If you’re spending more than 2 days in Venice , then you should definitely hop on a water bus and visit other islands in the Venetian lagoon.

murano glass

Two of the most famous one are Murano and Burano. Murano is famous for the glass-blowing art and Burano for its rainbow-coloured houses and the lace.

Glassworkers based initially in Venice were asked to move location as the city prohibited the use of furnaces, as possible cause of fires and this island became their new space to work. Today you can still watch glass-blowing masters creating stunning glass products.

Here you can also visit one of the oldest churches in the lagoon: the Basilica of Santa Maria and San Donato and the Glass Museum to get a closer look.

The other island Burano is particularly loved by tourists for the fishermen’s houses painted with different colours. It’s also famous for lace making and the sweet treat ‘buranelli’ that you should absolutely try if visiting the island.

Libreria Acqua Alta

The Acqua Alta bookshop is a truly unusual yet not-to-be-missed attractions of Venice. It was created in 2004 from an idea by Luigi Frizzo and it’s not far from attractions like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

acqua alta bookshop venice

The crumped space is a unique collection of new and second-hand books stored inside gondolas and kayaks! One side of the store overlooks a canal, where a gondola is parked, and during the high tide is subject to flooding.

There are a couple of terraces where you can find more books and the most loved is the book staircase, from where visitors enjoy views of the city and take pictures. The bookshop is a great place to look for guides and books about Venice in different languages and buy postcards.

The tips below show you how to make the most of a visit to Venice:

  • St. Mark’s Square is the lowest area of Venice. If you travel during autumn and wintertime, there’s also the risk of high water some days. Carry with you some rubber boots and check the website Forecasts and Tide Centre of the City of Venice to know when the high tide is expected.
  • Considering that the St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most important Venice tourist attractions, try to plan your day in a way that will allow you to visit it early in the morning. Usually, early mornings or as soon as the attraction opens is the best time to visit it. With no a few tourists around the city, you can avoid long queues.
  • The cost of the ticket to visit the Doge’s Palace is 25 euro per person. With this ticket you can also have access to the nearby Correr Museum, National Archeological Museum , and Monumental Rooms of the Marciana’s Library.
  • When deciding where to stay in Venice you can choose one of the popular neighbourhoods to ensure you’re in close proximity to the attractions that interest you the most.
  • The Rialto Bridge and Market area is one of the best places in town to experience what is the Venetian aperitivo . To enjoy a sparkling Prosecco glass and eat delicious ‘cicchetti’ in front of the Canal Grande, find your spot in the outside seating bar area of the Osteria Girobanco!
  • If visiting the La Fenice Theatre , it’s worth knowing that the opera season tickets can cost between 290 euro and 15 euro. The price is based on your seat position and if you book it for the opening night, premier night, or following shows.
  • The Accademia Galleries are part of the Dorsoduro Museum Mile. This means that visitors who purchased a ticket in one of the partner museums or are Membership cardholders of one of the institutions are entitled to a reduced-price entry ticket in the other partner museums. The reduced ticket amount is: for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection 13 euro, for Palazzo Grassi – Punta Della Dogana 12 euro, and for the Galleria of Palazzo Cini 7 euro.

Tourist Attractions in Venice FAQ Guide

Here are some questions people ask when it comes to visiting Venice.

What is Venice famous for?

Venice is known for the gondola rides, the bridges like the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, the canals, the St. Mark’s Square and Basilica. More things Venice is known for are the explorer Marco Polo, the high tide also called ‘acqua alta’ and the Carnival.

What is the most visited place in Venice?

The most visited place in Venice is St. Mark’s Square. Here visitors can hang around one of the most beautiful piazzas in the world, climb the St. Mark’s Campanile and visit the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica.

Is St Mark's Basilica free?

No, to access the St. Mark’s Basilica expect to pay an admission fee of 3 euros (free for children up to 6 years of age). You can pay an extra fee to visit the Pala d’Oro for 5 euros (free for children up to 6 years of age) and the Museum – Loggia dei Cavalli for 7 euro (free for children up to 6 years of age).

Can you wear shorts to St Mark's Basilica?

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Venice is a shrine of treasures and I have noted some incredible ones in this guide. You now know more about six of the top Venice tourist attractions .

From the St. Mark’s Square popular landmarks to the Dorsoduro prestigious art museums, fill up with the beauty of this city all around, and learn about its fascinating history.

Along with some of the free things to do in Venice be sure to add these places to your itinerary and make the most of your time in Venice.

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Home » Travel Guides » Italy » 15 Best Things to Do in Venice (Italy)

15 Best Things to Do in Venice (Italy)

Venice is a city of immense beauty and historical significance, but it is also unique and not like any other city in Italy. As the capital of the Veneto Region of Northern Italy, Venice actually lies on 117 small islands that are connected by a series of bridges and separated by a network of canals. With a population of around 250,000, Venice is not one of the largest cities in Veneto, but it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country.

During the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance, Venice was an extremely powerful stronghold and served as a major financial and military centre. Furthermore, it was a place that saw great cultural and artistic development and was renowned worldwide.

Today, Venice remains an important economic centre and is one of the most popular cities for tourism in the world – Sights like St. Marks’s Basilica and the Grand Canal draw millions of visitors to this small group of islands on an annual basis.

Lets explore the best things to do in Venice :

1. St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica

Easily the most renowned and famous building in Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica is a sublime piece of architecture that has stood the test of time since its creation in 1092 and remains one of the most important religious buildings in Northern Italy.

Every aspect of this church is fantastic – From the ornate detail, sculptures and artwork of the front facade, to the beautifully painted frescos and Byzantine works of art on the inside of the domed ceiling.

Located in the Piazza San Marco, this basilica is easily accessible from the grand canal and is one of the best-known surviving examples of Italian Byzantine architecture.

Top rated tour : Venice Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour

2. St. Mark’s Square

St. Mark's Square

Whilst St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous building in Venice, St Mark’s Square is the most famous piazza.

Located on the grand canal, opposite the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, this square holds huge importance in Venice and is a truly spectacular place to visit.

Surrounding the Piazza is a series of ornate buildings with arched walkways that frame it perfectly.

Furthermore, several important buildings are located on the square including St Mark’s Campanile, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Torre dell’Orologio.

This square really is the perfect place to start your tour of Venice and tick off some of its most impressive sights.

Available tour : St Mark’s Square Walking Tour & Gondola Ride

3. Canal Grande

Canal Grande

Venice has literally hundreds of canals that connect the various islands that make up the city – the largest of which is the Canal Grande.

This monumental canal is more like a river and it passes from one side of Venice to the other and snakes through the centre in a large S bend shape.

Over 170 buildings dating from as early as the 13th century line the banks of the canal and it has served as an important waterway in the city for hundreds of years.

Only four bridges span the grand canal as generally people and tourists travel along the canal, not over it.

Consider walking along sections of the canal, admiring the buildings that line it, and watching the busy water traffic of Venice.

Book online : Private Gondola Ride along Canal Grande

4. Ponte di Rialto

Ponte di Rialto

As one of the bridges that spans the impressive Grand Canal, the Ponte di Rialto is undoubtedly the most famous and iconic.

Connecting the San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice, the bridge is an important pedestrian thoroughfare, but also a hugely popular tourist attraction.

Originally a wooden bridge, this culmination stood for hundreds of years until it collapsed in 1524. After this incident, an ornate stone bridge was built that still stands today.

The detail and design of the bridge is simply beautiful and its symmetry perfectly frames the grand canal.

Furthermore, the is also a series of shops on the bridge that sell a range of wares from souvenirs to jewellery.

Suggested tour : Gondola Ride to Rialto Bridge

5. Gallerie dell’Accademia

Gallerie Dell'Accademia

Located opposite the Ponte dell’Accademia on the Grande Canal, this museum hosts a fine collection of pre-19th century art and features works by artists such as Bellini, Canaletto and Titian.

The building that the gallery is housed was formerly a convent an was converted to the museum in the mid to late 1700’s.

For those who love Renaissance art and iconic masterpieces, this gallery delivers.

Possibly its best known piece is the Vitruvian Man by Da Vinci which shows the ideal proportions of man.

Other notable works include the Resurrection by Tintoretto, Virgin and the Child by Titian, and the Battle of Lepanto by Veronese.

Book online : Private Accademia Gallery and Dorsoduro Tour

6. Venice Lido

Venice Lido

If you are looking for a spot of relaxation and to get away from the bulk of the tourists, the Lido is the place to go.

This separate island creates a barrier between Venice and the Adriatic Sea and features a long stretch of beautiful beach to enjoy.

Home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants, the Lido also has a host of residential areas, shops, restaurants and hotels.

With a much calmer, laid back and relaxed feeling to central Venice, Lido is a true escape and provides a stark contrast to the busy streets and waterways surrounding the grand canal.

Guided tour : Venice Lido 2-Hour Liberty Villas Tour

7. Doges Palace

Doges Palace

One of the most renowned buildings in Venice aside from the Basilica and Campanile, Doges Palace also sits in St. Mark’s Square but looks out onto the grand canal.

This ornate palace is simply stunning and its front facade features a beautiful arched design made of white stone with a series of diamond patterns on the walls.

Inside, the palace is just as impressive and there is a series of immensely decorated rooms that all have original details, furniture and artwork.

Tours of the palace are available and it is advised to spend some time viewing both the exterior and interior in detail to truly capture a piece of the history of Venice.

8. Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs

Although only a small bridge in the relative scheme of Venice, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most viewed structures in the city and is an important historic landmark.

Passing over the Rio di Palazzo, the bridge connects the Prigioni Nuove to Doge’s Palace.

Legend has it, that as criminals were taken from the Palace over the bridge, they would cast once last glimpse at Venice and sigh; considering their forthcoming punishment and imprisonment.

Whilst visiting St. Mark’s Square, it is an absolute must to glimpse this iconic bridge too.

Suggested tour : Doge’s Palace with Bridge of Sighs

9. Ride a Vaporetto through the Grand Canal

Vaparetto on the Grand Canal

The Vaporetto is the main form of transport in Venice – Yes you can catch a train into the main station, and yes you can walk on foot through the streets, but to truly experience Venice, you must experience if from the water! The Vaporetto system is highly efficient and is one of the quickest ways of travelling to the various islands of Venice.

You can buy extended passes that allow for multiple uses so you don’t have to worry about buying a ticket each time you use one.

During your time in Venice, try to travel on the Vaporetto’s as much as possible and enjoy the water traffic and the sights and sounds that you will encounter.

10. San Marco Campanile

San Marco Campanile

As the tallest structure in Venice, the campanile is a towering building that stands at a colossal 98.6m high.

The building that stands now, is actually a reconstruction as the original collapsed in 1902. Originally created in the 9th century, the campanile was used as a watch tower.

Throughout the years, the tower has been damaged by fire, earthquakes and even lightening.

Made of a simple red-brick design, the main shaft is quite simple, but the bell housing and pinnacle feature a myriad of arches and stonework, and the top features a golden statue of the Angel Gabriel.

Admire the tower from the Piazza di San Marco, but also take the elevator up to the top for possibly the best panoramic views of Venice.

11. San Giorgio Maggiore

San Giorgio Maggiore

This is one of the smaller separate islands that is not connected to the main canals of Venice.

San Giorgio Maggiore sits a short distance from the Venice Basin and the Grande Canal and can be reached by Vaporetto or private water taxi.

Located on the island is the fantastic San Giorgio Monastery, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and the large campanile that mirrors the one standing in St. Mark’s Square.

Walk through the small harbour and see the various boats moored, visit the fantastic church and monastery, and climb the campanile for amazing views back across to the main city of Venice.

Book a tour : San Giorgio Maggiore Island Visit with Video Guide

Murano

Murano is another of the islands within the Venice district – This area of land is actually made up of several small islands connected together by a series of canals and bridges (much like Venice). Murano has a wonderful charm and is often not as busy as the main areas of Venice.

This wonderful island town has numerous sights including the Basilica dei Santa Maria, the Campo Santo Stefano and the Palazzo Da Mula.

Furthermore, Murano is famous for its glass blowing and you can see live demonstrations at the various factories that are established here.

Book here: Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands

13. Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta

Located in the Cannaregio region of Venice, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a fine structure that is also known as I Gesuiti.

The front facade of the Church features several stone columns, ornate sculptured statues of religious figures, and a host of intricate detail – A huge bronze door serves as the main entrance.

Constructed in 1729, this is one of the newer churches in Venice but it is still important and the interior contains a number of impressive artworks such as the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Titian.

Furthermore, artwork, frescos and gold detail cover the ceiling of the church and some beautiful motif artwork lines the walls and columns.

14. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Possibly the second most renowned church in Venice, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute sits on the opposite side of the grand canal to St.

Marks and stands out against the surrounding architecture.

With a Baroque design, this church was completed in 1687 and is designated as a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church.

Taking centre stage on the Grand Canal, the exterior is decorated with four statues of the apostles and the main dome towers above the skyline.

The interior gives the impression of great space and the hexagonal design allows light to pour in.

Although not decorated to the same degree as other churches in Italy, this basilica has a great deal of symmetry and is truly pleasing on the eye.

15. Torcello Island

Torcello Island

If you are looking for a peaceful escape, Torcello island offers just that and is much less crowded than the main areas of Venice.

Located to the far east of the main part of Venice, Torcello is nestled behind Burano and is approximately 45 minutes from Venice via a regular ferry.

Walk through the main street of Torcello and admire the beautiful canal until you reach the Church of Santa Maria Assunta which has a fantastic design.

Furthermore, there is a dedicated museum that displays the history of this chain of islands, and a variety of shops and restaurants.

15 Best Things to Do in Venice (Italy):

  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • St. Mark's Square
  • Canal Grande
  • Ponte di Rialto
  • Gallerie dell'Accademia
  • Venice Lido
  • Doges Palace
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • Ride a Vaporetto through the Grand Canal
  • San Marco Campanile
  • San Giorgio Maggiore
  • Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
  • Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
  • Torcello Island

37 Best Tourist Attractions in Venice

best tourist attractions in Venice

Known as the “City of Water” amongst many other nicknames, the enchanting city of Venice captivates first-time and returning visitors to roam its streets and find everything from its main landmarks to its local corners.

Start your adventures discovering the treasures inside Saint Mark’s Basilica and spend a few moments at Piazza San Marco for a little people-watching. Secure your seats for a dreamy gondola ride, winding your way through the romantic waterways, appreciating the city’s unique architecture.

Museum and art lovers, visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection filled with pieces of 20th-century art from all corners of the world, and the fascinating Doge’s Palace. For epic views of the city, climb to the tops of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo!

Just as there are the popular tourist attractions in Venice to explore, there are also the quiet, local gems to discover. Kick things off by visiting the unique Libreria Acqua Alta, and taking a quiet stroll through the picturesque Giardini Papadopoli Park.

And that’s just the start! Let’s get to it and see all the best things to do in Venice !

1 – Saint Mark’s Basilica

Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice

Admire the Byzantine exterior architecture and explore the interiors of the famous Saint Mark’s Basilica , the main cathedral of Venice, located on the famous Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square).

Dating back to the 9th century, the basilica offers a historic visit rich with the amazing sight of golden mosaics, and artifacts that went missing in Alexandria, Egypt, and then were found and kept at Saint Mark’s Basilica. It’s believed that’s one of the reasons why the church was built in the first place.

Learn more about the impressive history of the church, while listening to a few legends and stories of the events that took place on a St. Mark’s Basilica tour! With your entry ticket, you may get access to the towering 98.6 meter-high Saint Mark’s campanile (bell tower) and get wide views of the city, and its famous canals.

  • St. Mark’s Basilica tours

2 – Doge’s Palace

Doge's Palace, Venice, Italy

Also known as Piazza Ducale, Doge’s Palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, who reigned between 726-1797.

The remarkable Gothic masterpiece sits centrally in Piazza San Marcos and is a prime example of a mix of architectural styles, from Renaissance to Venetian Gothic, and modifications to expand the palace to fit administrative and governmental needs, including a prison!

With so much to see inside the palace, from the living quarters of the Doge of Venice, including the luxurious decor and gold details of the Venice Golden Age, and Renaissance-style artwork, to crossing the Bridge of Sighs into the former prison, be sure to book a Doge’s Palace tour with your tickets to see it all.

To ensure you get the best deal, with skip-the-line access, make sure to head to our complete guide for Doge’s Palace Skip-The-Line Tickets .

  • Doge’s Palace tickets and tours

3 – Gondola Ride

Gondola Ride in Venice

Don’t leave the “City of Water” without a picturesque gondola ride through the scenic canals, one of the most romantic things to do in Venice for couples !

Whether you think it’s cliche, or it’s your dream to ride a gondola through Venice, a magical experience awaits you as you embark on the 30-minute gondola ride, carrying 4-5 other passengers. As you start cruising, you’ll learn the history of the gondola as a means of transportation in Venetian history, from how they are made, to what they use to transport, and other interesting stories!

As expensive as gondola rides can be, we want to make sure that you get the best deal on the dream experience, so make sure to check out our Gondola rides in Venice recommendations to score the best deal for your budget!

Not feeling the gondola rides? Learn more about the best Venice boat tours to explore the city’s magical waterways!

  • Gondola rides in Venice

4 – La Fenice Theatre

La Fenice Theatre in Venice

Listen to an opera or a classical concert at the historic La Fenice Theatre , one of Italy’s premier concert halls dating back to 1792, and a largely important theater in the world of opera.

After two devastating fires that wiped out the first few theaters, La Fenice Theater was later built as a gift from the wealthy Noble Society of Scenographers, as a way to revive the city’s cultural spirit.

With multiple shows throughout the year, one of the theater’s main productions is its New Year Concert, which is annually broadcasted throughout Europe. Check their website to see what upcoming shows are on the calendar, and be sure to book your tickets ahead of time.

Pro tip: when planning your attire for an event, make sure to check the specified dress code for the show you’re attending. Some require formal wear while others accept casual dress.

  • La Fenice Theatre tickets and tours

5 – Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs in Venice

The Bridge of Sighs has to be one of the most beautiful corners of Venice, and by default, one of the most Instagrammable spots. With its pristine white limestone appearance and stone bar-crossed windows, you’d never know the bridge was used for prisoners!

Opened in 1603, and connecting the interrogation rooms at Doge’s Palace to the new prison, this bridge is said to be named after a legend. The legend says that the bridge was the path that prisoners took and where they’d get their last look at the world. As they crossed, they expressed a sigh.

Some of the most famous prisoners that crossed the bridge were Giacomo Casanova and Galileo Galilei.

Book a tour of the Doge’s Palace, walk through the bridge yourself, and see the same, last few glimpses of Venetian beauty and life, just as the prisoners did centuries ago.

6 – Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice

Art lovers, visit the impressive art collection at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection , one of the best museums in Venice that houses the private and life-long collection of the American art collector, Peggy Guggenheim.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is known as one of the best tourist attractions in Venice, as it consists of some of the best pieces of 20th-century art, from Picasso to Kandinsky, and many more artists and timeless pieces!

Wander through the equally ornate museum, which is housed inside a grand palace that Peggy herself lived in at one point. The palace still maintains a sense of home and is beautifully located right beside the Grand Canal.

Walk through or book a tour of the different exhibits, and pay attention specifically to the Japanese collections and the temporary exhibits that rotate a focus on different artists.

  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection tickets and tours

7 – Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in Venice

Climb the most popular staircase in Venice at the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a 28-meter high spiral staircase adorned with beautiful arches and columns, leading up to a beautiful viewing platform to take in the red roofs of Venice from above!

Bovolo, which means snail, and in this case, the shape of the snail’s shell is used to describe and name the staircase. The staircase and viewpoint originated in the 19th century when a German astronomer staying at the hotel inside the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, used his telescope from the top of the tower, which started to popularize the location for its viewpoints.

Today, you can climb the magical staircase, taking in the mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantine architectural styles, until reaching the top to see all of Venice and the canals at your feet.

The last entry is at 5:30 PM.

  • Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo tickets

8 – Leonardo Da Vinci Museum

Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Venice

Learn about the great Leonardo Da Vinci and his incredible contributions to the science and art world at the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum .

Take a peek at the impressive pieces of works and inventions that helped jump-start some of the inventions we use in today’s world, from helicopters to solar power, cars, and much more!

Learn about the work and genius behind some of Da Vinci’s best works and inventions, from the engineering, to the physics, and functionality of these machines that changed the world to what it is today. Don’t forget to take a look through the paintings and drawings exhibits, showcasing the sketches and blueprints for some of Da Vinci’s machinery, as well as the Vitruvian Man.

Lastly, check out the experimental stations, where you’ll get a live masterclass on the creation of some of Da Vinci’s inventions, and even try some yourself!

  • Leonardo da Vinci Museum tickets

9 – Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice

Commonly known as the Frari, the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the largest churches in Venice, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, and located in the San Polo district.

Though from the outside, the basilica may not look too ornate and detailed, as some of the other architecturally stunning basilicas in Venice, upon entering, you’ll see that the interiors have more than a few details to see, from the incredible amounts of paintings, high ceilings, carvings, and religious relics.

Inside, seek out the painting of the Assumption by Titian, on the altar, and stop by to see the mausoleum of Antonio Casanova, recognizable for its large sculptures.

The church is free to enter, however, if you don’t have time to stop by, you’ll see the famed basilica on a walking tour in Venice, gaining insight from your tour guide.

  • walking tours in Venice

Read more: Dive into our recommended best walking tours in Venice and experience the allure of this unique city.

10 – Libreria Acqua Alta

Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice

Browse the many books in the vintage and beautiful Libreria Acqua Alta, a popular bookstore not only in Venice but in the world as it’s been named repeatedly by past visitors as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

Set alongside a canal, and therefore susceptible to constant flooding, the famed bookstore has the books stacked up in waterproof bins a few inches off the floor to prevent any sort of book disasters during its rainy seasons in October and November.

Though unfortunately throughout time, some books have been ruined in past floods, those books are still utilized and have been converted into a staircase that people can climb onto and view the canal and gondolas pass by.

Located in the Castello district, stop by the Libreria Acqua Alta, get your selfie, and support the local business by purchasing a book!

11 – Accademia Gallery

Accademia Gallery, Florence, Italy

Step into the critically-acclaimed Accademia Gallery , one of the most well-known art galleries in Venice that houses numerous types of Venetian paintings, that range between the 14th century to the 19th century.

Divided into 3 floors, the Accademia Gallery hosts the largest collection of Venetian art and tells the story of the city, Northern Italy’s most famous events, and political situations. Come by, and see art by the famous Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, amongst more! Located on the southern bank of the Canale Grande, the gallery is divided into three buildings.

When visiting don’t miss out on the Leonardo da Vinci exhibits, showcasing his contribution to the world of art and science during the Renaissance with his famous depiction of man in the “Vitruvian Man”.

  • Accademia Gallery tickets and tours

12 – Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in Venice

One of the most photographed basilicas in Venice has to be the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute , which was built in 1687, to commemorate the end of the plague in 1631.

A beautiful church with a name that translates to Saint Mary of Health, is memorable due to the large dome seen from any part of the city. The Basilica houses in its interiors a few beautiful pieces of art by Tintoretto and Titian, including the painting “Marriage at Cana” by Tintoretto and “The Descent of the Holy Spirit” by Titian.

If you’re visiting on November 21st, make sure to attend the city-wide Festa della Madonna della Salute, where locals visit the Basilica to salute the Saint Mary of Health in the Basilica, remembering the terrible plague.

The basilica is open and free to enter, however, long lines may form, so come early!

13 – Classical Music Concert

Classical Music Concert in Venice

Check out the talented Interpreti Veneziani , and indulge in the musical stylings of Baroque-style music that takes place within the walls of the historic 17th-century Church of San Vidal. Listen to famous pieces by Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi, performed in such a historic setting with wonderful acoustics.

Have a “Phantom of the Opera” moment when you experience the Traveling Opera within the Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto, one of the historical buildings on the Grand Canal. The name “traveling” opera comes from the fact that the opera group holds their show in different rooms throughout the palace depending on the show.

Explore the string music talents of the l Musici Veneziani , in a concert held at the stunning Scuola Grande di San Teodoro! Listen to a beautiful rendition of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” amongst other classical songs.

  • Classical Music Concert in Venice

14 – Prisons Palace

Prisons Palace in Venice

Visit the city’s main prison located at Doge’s Palace, after it was the residence of the leader of Venice.

Learn about the prison’s most famous inmates, the crimes for which they were admitted into the prison, and the petty reasons why innocent people could end up in jail!

See the differences between the Piombi and Pozzi prisons inside the Doge’s Palace, and explore the Hall of the Compass. Here, learn about the details of the last judgment and even hear about one of the prison’s most famous escapes in 1756, by the famous Casanova when he was locked inside the Piombi Prison, one of the oldest prisons inside the Doge’s Palace.

Make sure to book your tickets and sign up for a tour to get the details behind Casanova’s grand escape, which would launch him into worldwide fame in years to come!

  • Prisons Palace tickets and tours

15 – Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia

Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia

Engage with the mysteries of natural history and specific marine animals that live in the picturesque lagoon around Venice at the Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia .

Explore the newly re-opened museum, and dive into the exhibits that cover over 700 million years of natural history in Venice, divided up by zoological, botanical, fossils, microbes, and much more. Check out the special exhibits on the skeletons of whales and other sea animals, and even go as far back as the ancient dinosaurs that roamed Venice.

The museum itself is housed at the Fontego dei Turchi palace which was once the residence of the wealthy Pesaro family back in the 13th century and proves to be one of the most ornate buildings near the canal.

General admission to the natural museum starts at 11 euros per adult, with discounts available for students and other visitors.

16 – Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice

Navigate the interiors of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco , a building dating back to 1478 that houses some of the most famous paintings by Tintoretto and also houses the confraternity of San Rocco, who is admired for his protection against the plague.

Inside, you’ll discover the impressive walls and ceilings painted by Tintoretto, which took him over 20 years to finalize, as well as continue to see 3 halls that are open to the public within the 2-story building.

Some may say that the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is to Venice as the Sistine Chapel is to Rome, due to its incredible artwork within its walls, and on the walls themselves. Locals recommend if you’re not a huge art fan visit the Scuola, as there is enough art to engage your senses but not overwhelm you.

General admission starts at 10 euros.

17 – Correr Museum

Correr Museum in Venice

Probe more into the intricate Venetian culture at Correr Museum, located in the stunning St. Mark’s Square, and see some more remarkable pieces of artwork, from “Two Venetian Ladies” to “Dead Christ Supported by Two Angels” and the sculpture of “Orfeo”.

Considered one of the more popular culture and art museums in Venice, explore the different items inside the museum, from sculptures, paintings, antique items, and many more items rescued throughout time.

Admire the stunning frescoes and stuccos throughout the museum, properly displaying Venetian Baroque style art, and don’t miss out on the exhibit on Venetian costumes, further amplifying your knowledge of Venetian culture when it came to tradition and luxurious society. So make sure to book your Correr Museum tour to gain more cultural insight!

The original collection was started by Teodoro Correr, an avid art collector, and later founder of the famed museum.

  • Correr Museum tours

18 – San Giorgio Maggiore

San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice

Take a ferry to the nearby island of San Giorgio Maggiore , and enjoy roaming its small streets and main landmarks, including climbing atop Campanile di San Giorgio (bell tower) to get exquisite views of Venice and the lagoon.

Walk around the historic Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore church, and admire the facade and interiors of the church, constructed completely by Italian Renaissance architecture Andre Palladio. Walk through the all-white facade of the church and explore its white marble interiors and historic engravings.

Entry to the San Giorgio Maggiore church is free, however, to climb up to the bell tower it is 8 euros per person. Many past visitors recommend climbing to the top for impressive views and the perfect photo op of Venice.

To get to San Giorgio Maggiore, take a speed boat or Vaporetto and arrive in 45 minutes.

19 – Giorgio Cini Foundation

Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice

Located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, step into the Giorgio Cini Foundation, a non-profit educational resource that houses all sorts of texts, literature, and resources throughout various fields of study from drama to history.

The beautiful, and modern space is a unique area to browse through and see a few of the resources inside, or simply take a peek in, and sit in one of the tables and chairs in between your sightseeing.

The Giorgio Cini Foundation also hosts several cultural events and conferences, some of which are free of charge, and cover interesting topics!

Inside the resource center is the Stanza del Vetro workspace, which creates some of the most impressive pieces of glasswork in the world.

  • Giorgio Cini Foundation tickets and tours

20 – Islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello

Islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello in Venice

Wander off for the day to explore the beautiful islands of Murano , Burano , and Torcello , each offering its charm, and beauty to get lost in.

Step into the culture and traditions of Murano, specifically with glass-making and crafts made with artisanal tradition. Check out the Museo del Vetro (glass museum) to learn the history of this craft, and of course, bring a glass-made gift back home.

Fall in love with the bright colors of the buildings at Burano, where the local tradition is lace work. Take a walking tour of the island, walk through small alleyways, and then make your way to the Lace Museum to learn more about this tradition.

Torcello offers a quieter vibe than the other islands, yet still plan a visit to the Santa Maria Assunta church, the oldest building on the Venetian Lagoon, with a bell tower offering impressive views.

21 – Jewish Ghetto

Jewish Ghetto in Venice

Explore the Jewish Ghetto in Venice, dating back to 1516, which at the time, was the home of around 923 Jewish people.

The Jewish Ghetto in Venice was one of the first ones in the world alongside the ones in Germany, yet the Jewish Ghetto in Venice significantly influenced the city’s culture.

Doused in centuries of history, book an informative Jewish Ghetto tour, to learn about the influence of the Jewish population in Venice, from the origins of the word “Ghetto” coming from Venice, to the fact that  ⅓ of Hebrew books printed in Europe were printed in Venice, and more!

On your tour, you’ll explore the synagogues, and the exterior of the Jewish Museum and learn about how the Jewish Ghetto transformed from a humble space to a bustling quarter where Jewish people from all over Europe migrated to at points!

  • Jewish Ghetto tours

22 – Ca’ Pesaro Museum

Ca' Pesaro Museum in Venice

Browse through 19th and 20th-century art pieces at the Ca’Pesaro Museum, located near the Grand Canal, specifically pieces created by Bambini, Pittoni, Trevisani, and a few more notable Italian artists!

Analyze one of the most famous pieces inside by Tiepolo called “The Triumph of Zephyr and Flora” and admire the other numerous international pieces, from artists like Kandinsky, Klee, and Klimt, specifically their piece “Judith ll”.

The museum is 3 floors, and on its 3rd floor, is where you can find pieces of Asian art, specifically Chinese and Japanese. Step inside the Photographic Library, and explore over 6,000 films!

Located inside the Ca’ Pesaro Palace, the former home of the Pesaro family, enjoy walking through the ornate space filled with art. Tickets to the museum start at $13 USD.

  • Ca’ Pesaro Museum tickets

23 – Palazzo Rezzonico

Palazzo Rezzonico in Venice

Wander throughout the Palazzo Rezzonico also known as the Ca’ Rezzonico, an art museum located on the Grand Canal, featuring paintings created by Venetian artists from the 18th-century works by Francesco Guardi and Giambattista Tiepolo.

Enter the palace, and admire the amazing golden tones of the grand chandeliers hanging from the incredibly stylized ceiling with carved details. Divided into 3 floors, explore the first floor which displays frescos, sculptures, and other collections of the 18th century.

The second floor is where you can find pieces by Italian artists Canaletto and Longhi, housed within the extraordinary ballroom-style rooms. Lastly, the third floor continues with pieces by Martini and a few pottery pieces.

General admission tickets for the museum start at 11 euros.

24 – Workshops

Workshops in Venice

Get your hands dirty inside a Carnival Mask workshop class where you’ll get the choice to take either a production class or a mask decorating class (or both!). When you book a production class, you’ll learn the art of making paper mache and other materials traditional to mask making.

When you book the mask decorating class, you’ll get to go straight to adorning your face mask in the traditional Venetian ways, while learning from your instructor the historical use of Venetian masks in high society and social events.

Learn the artisanal craft of glassworking in a workshop, where you’ll get to practice this 1,000-year-old tradition with specialized experts. Learn how to work with molten glass, and how to shape it into different figures, using special techniques used throughout the years in Venice.

In the end, take home your homemade souvenirs made with love in Venice!

25 – Cannaregio District

Cannaregio District in Venice

Cross the streets of the picturesque Cannaregio District, one of the trendiest and liveliest districts in Venice to explore, by day and night!

Explore the best of all there is to do from the Colour Library, a stunning collection of mosaic glass to walking through the narrowest street in Venice, Calle Varisco, and of course crossing the magical bridges around the districts many waterways.

Looking for some souvenir shops for your friends back home? Check out Strada Nuova for handmade jewelry and Italian-brand items!

To see it all, book a Cannaregio District tour, and look through the different tours offering walks through the district, either by day or by night! Enjoy a delicious food tour through Cannaregio and try some local bites like fritoìn. Or visit by night and embark on a spooky walk on a 2-hour  ghost tour!

Cannaregio tours start at $30 USD.

  • Cannaregio District tours

26 – Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice

Also located within the Cannaregio district is the historical Santa Maria dei Miracoli, which is translated to Saint Mary of Miracles. This church is known as “The Marble Church” for its amazing facade made out of polychrome marble and Venetian Renaissance-style architecture.

Though the church is small, it was built in the 15th century to house the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary and Child, which was painted by a famous painter at the request of the wealthy Francesco Amadi.

It was quickly then discovered that the holy image was miraculous, as many claimed that visiting the image was the reason for their recuperation back to health, and other miraculous activities, starting in 1480.

Step inside, and allow your eyes to travel through the extreme details of the church, from ceiling to floor, constructed by Pietro Lombardo, and take a look at the sculptures and paintings.

27 – Hop on and hop off tours

hop on and hop off tours in Venice

Let yourself relax and still keep exploring the charm of Venice on an enjoyable hop-on hop-off tour!

You may have done a hop-on hop-off tour in other cities on a bus, but in Venice, the tour takes place on a boat! When you book a hop-on hop-off tour, you’ll get to explore the city through its waterways, comfortably taking in the views of the city, and its major landmarks like Doge’s Palace the Accademia Gallery, through the Grand Canal!

While on your tour, you’ll listen to an audio guide sharing historical insight on the landmarks, while also learning cultural tips that you won’t want to miss out on.

Go off through the lagoon and stop at the nearby islands for a little while, before hopping on again, exploring other islands, or returning to Venice. Hop-on hop-off tickets are valid between 24-48 hours.

  • hop on and hop off tours

28 – Rialto Market

Rialto Market in Venice

Visit the bustling Rialto Market , and pick up some snacks as you people watch the locals interact with each other, selling and buying their groceries! Located beside the Grand Canal, the Rialto Market offers amazing fresh produce, and fresh seafood mainly.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see the moment when the fisherman brings his fresh seafood to sell, yelling out to those who will buy from him.

Though the market is open every day, try visiting on Saturday mornings, as that is when the locals do most of their grocery shopping at the market. The later it gets in the day, the more tourists start to flock to the market.

Sign up for a food tour in Venice, explore all there is to see and try at the market, with the guidance of a local foodie! Learn about staple Italian ingredients, sample snacks, and learn traditional recipes!

  • food tours in Venice

29 – Giardini Papadopoli

Giardini Papadopoli in Venice

Explore the beautiful Giardini Papadopoli, a charming park of 8,800 square meters that offers a botanical garden, children’s play areas, and shaded walking trails, located in the Santa Croce district.

Although the park is not huge, the Giardini Padaopoli is a wonderful place to stretch your legs for a bit, relax with a small picnic, or come by and sit with a book to read. The park is perfectly tended to, with small gardens, and perfectly trimmed bushes.

Not known by many tourists, you can rest assured that most of those who visit the park are locals, which makes it a perfect activity and place to visit to immerse yourself in local culture! And even then, depending on when you visit, you may even have the park to yourself!

You can find Giardini Papadopoli near Grand Canal and Rio Novo.

30 – Palazzo Grassi

Palazzo Grassi in Venice

Browse through the modern art inside the grand Palazzo Grassi, also known as the Palazzo Grassi-Stucky, that most recently holds the grand art collection from French businessman and billionaire, François Pinault.

Before its use today, the Palazzo Grassi dates back to 1748 and 1772, when it was first built and designed, and housed some beautiful frescoes by Alessandro Longhi. Though it never really belonged to anyone specifically, the palazzo was owned by many wealthy and noble families throughout time, and at one point, it was even the International Centre of Arts and Costume.

Purchased by the French billionaire in 2009, the palazzo now houses numerous modern pieces of art, both Italian and international, and hosts numerous art events within its grand walls.

Make sure to check the museum’s website to see the upcoming shows and art exhibits on rotation, focusing on different forms of art.

  • Palazzo Grassi tickets

31 – Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana in Venice

Another art space owned by the French businessman and billionaire, François Pinault, the Punta della Dogana is known most as being the building located where the Grand Canal meets with Giudecca Canal, and it’s a triangle shape.

As it was owned by different people and institutions at different times, the building was empty and not in use by the time it was purchased in 2009. Today, the space houses the Pinault art collection, and interesting art exhibitions including the “Mapping the Studio: Artists from the François Pinault Collection”.

Step inside and admire the art on the walls, as much as the interior of the palace, which was completely redone by a Japanese architect, who added a modern touch while honoring the building’s history including items like a floating staircase, and cut-out windows onto the passing ships on the canal.

Entry starts at 15 euros.

32 – Venetian Arsenal

Venetian Arsenal

Visit the Venetian Arsenal, a famous and former shipyard where the majority of Venice’s ships and boats were built between the Middle Ages and the early modern era.

Known as one of the very first formal shipyards of its kind in the early 12th century, the location of Venetian Arsenal was built strategically in the city’s northern region, so that it would be protected from potential enemy attacks, while also being accessible to receive wood from nearby forests.

The main hub of the Venetian naval industry began and flourished here, and so were the majority of the ships built for Turkey, during their domination of the Aegean Sea, which may have a connection with the name Arsenal, which in Turkey means “place of production”.

Though no organized tours are offered currently, visitors may come in and explore the historical grounds, and learn from the plaques.

33 – Cicchetti veneziani

Cicchetti veneziani

Eat like a local with the Venetian tradition of Cicchetti Veneziani! Similar to a Spanish tapa, a Cicchetti is a small snack or food portion served alongside a glass of housemade wine (Ombra) at a traditional style taven called a bàcari.

Typically enjoyed before dinner, a Cicchetti in Venetian culture is a way to meet with friends at a bàcari, any day of the week whether they are coming off work, or if it’s the weekend and they want to meet up for a night out.

Almost always, the Cicchetti, which means small in Latin, usually consists of small plates of meat such as the classic Venetian liver, or fish dishes, such as marinated anchovies, creamed salted cod on toasted bread, and many more varieties.

To experience for yourself this culinary tradition, book a Cicchetti tour, and hit the streets to find the best bàcari!

  • Cicchetti tours

34 – Kayaking tours

kayaking, Venice

See Venice best through its canals, and wind your way around on a kayaking tour! Roam the narrow canal ways, paddle under the scenic bridges, and gain a whole new viewpoint of the city from the water.

Go for a guided kayaking tour in Venice, and explore the city’s stunning lagoon, on a sunset kayaking tour! Glance at the gorgeous city from afar, and peek at the islands nearby! Book a kayak tour and move to the natural side of Vence towards the Stagnone Nature Reserve!

If you want to see the city in a different light, book a night kayak tour in Venice, and visit some of the less visited canals, as you learn about the local history from your guide. If you’re traveling with your partner, this tour will be perfect to have a romantic moment on the waters of Venice!

  • kayaking in Venice

35 – Dorsoduro District

Dorsoduro District in Venice

Absorb the youthful spirit of the Dorsoduro District, mainly attracting a younger crowd for its amazing and low-cost food scene, amazing nightlife, and a few notable and historical sights and art collections to explore.

Also known as the University District, the Dorsoduro District is jam-packed with action happening, any time of the day! Other than its young crowds and restaurants, Dorsoduro also houses the Accademia Galleries and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The church Santa Maria della Salute and the picturesque corner of Punta della Dogana are also famous points of interest in the district!

Book a Dorsduro District tour and explore all of its hidden corners, passing by the district’s trendies areas and then its historic sights, including the Squero di San Trovaso, the 17th-century factory that produces the city’s gondolas.

Dorsduro district tours start at $20 USD, with even a few free tours available!

  • Dorsoduro District tours

36 – Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice

Walk into the largest basilica in Venice, the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, also known as the Basilica of Saint John and Paul.

Located on the eastern side of the island, the basilica dons a special Gothic-style architecture, on the outside, which took almost a century to complete, and on the inside, includes a special collection of art to see.

Explore the works of Italian artists, Giovanni Bellini, Paolo Veronese, and Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, in specific, look for the “Madonna della Pace” by Paolo Veronese and the “Cornotation of the Virgin” by Giovanni Battista. See the tombs of the 27 doges, in specific, the tombs of Alvise Mocenigo and Pietro Mocenigo, who were 2 important Venetians.

Because of the tombs inside the church, the basilica is also known as “The Pantheon of Venice” so make sure to stop by, and enter, free of charge.

37 – Cabaret show

Cabaret show in Venice

Finalize your evening in Venice with a spectacular cabaret show, as you wine and dine watching the talented actors and singers take center stage in a colorful performance!

Enjoy a Venetian-style cabaret, with all the glitz, glamour, and Venetian masks, accompanied by live music, and a delicious Italian dinner. Before the show gets started, you’ll be welcomed with a cocktail to get settled in, and then, you’ll start to enjoy your five-course meal catering to all sorts of diets, from vegetarians to meat eaters.

Relish the spectacular show come alive in full color, inside the baroque-style theater, lasting a total of 4 hours.  If you’re visiting during the New Year, don’t hesitate in booking a seat at the show for the special New Year’s spectacle!

The cabaret show tickets start at $109 USD.

  • Cabaret shows in Venice

Looking for the best Venice tours?

Get the complete round-up of the best Venice tours to explore the city, from the Doge’s Palace to St. Mark’s Basilica, the character-filled districts, historic art galleries, and more! Be guided by the locals leading the tours, and learn from their expert and local knowledge of all there is to know and see in Venice!

Visiting Venice on a budget?

Sign up for a free walking tour in Venice , and discover on foot the most popular sights of the city, while discovering some of its quaint corners that not many others get to see.

Cut down on the cost of visiting the museums and city attractions with the Venice City Pass ! Choose up to 11 museums and 3 churches to enter with this single pass and skip-the-line privileges. Just want to visit the museums? Check out the Venice Museum Pass with direct access to special exhibits and collections!

Move around Venice on the city’s water bus system using the ACTV Transport Pass easily when you book a 1-7 day option pass!

Final thoughts

As we finalize the list of the best tourist attractions in Venice, we hope that you’ve gotten a good dose of inspiration, and ideas to add to your own Venice itinerary!

From the famous Doge’s Palace, and Accademia Gallery, to the off-the-beaten-path places like the Libreria Acqua Alta, people-watching at the Rialto Market, or trying your skills at mask making at an artisanal workshop, there are tons to do in Venice that will truly enchant you.

Happy travels!

Venice City Pass & Travel Cards

Compare: venice pass, actv, venezia unica & venice tourist cards.

Venice pass

Review of the best tourist cards, ACTC Tickets, Venezia Unica, Museum Cards and Venice city passes; which travel cards really save you money or avoid waiting times?

Review: Venice City Pass & Tourist Cards

Venice has a number of different tourist passes and travel cards . A number of these discount cards will really save you money and, above all, a lot of unnecessary waiting times, such as the Venice Pass , Venezia Unica Card and ACTV travel card . We have reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of all tourist cards, so that you can consider which Venice City Pass is most suitable for you.

  • The Venice Pass
  • ACTV Travel Card
  • Museum Card
  • Venice City Pass
  • Venezia Unica Card
  • Single tickets

1) Recommended : Venice Pass

This is absolutely the best tourist pass while this card gives access to two popular activities. The Venice City Pass gives you fast track access to the popular Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica, two top attractions in Venice city. In addition, a classic gondola ride on the canals of Venice is also included ( Book your Venice City Pass here ). During the booking process you can conveniently reserve your desired dates and time slots for the various activities. After payment you will receive your tickets by email or you can show them via smartphone.

This Venice City Pass includes these attractions:

  • Skip The Line entrance to the Basilica of San Marco (including Pala D'Oro, roof terrace and museum)
  • Fast track entrance for the Doge's Palace'
  • 3 museums on St. Mark's Square: Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and Biblioteca Marciana
  • Classic Gondola Ride (If you prefer not to go on a gondola ride, you can alo book this Venice Super Combi )
  • App with audio guide for a city tour in Venice
  • 10% discount on various attractions and excursions
  • More info and reservations Venice Pass

2) ACTV Public transport card

When you plan to use public transport in Venice you always have to rely on ACTV's waterbuses ( vaporettos ). Book your ACTV travel card easily via this link . During the booking process you can indicate for how many days you need a travel card. You will receive a smartphone voucher, which you can easily exchange at a Venezia Unica self-service ticket machine at a Vaporetto stop or at the Venezia Unica counter at Piazzale Roma (next to the station and main bus stop).

If you want to use public transport (via water), you are always depending on ACTV in Venice. You can pre-order your tickets for the Vaporetto waterbuses, choosing between the following ACTV travel cards:

  • Regular ACTV ticket for 75 minutes (9.50 €)
  • One day ticket , which is valid for the water buses in Venice and the islands of Lido, Murano and Burano (25 €)
  • Travel card for 2 days , which is valid for the water buses in Venice and the islands of Lido, Murano and Burano (35 €)
  • Travel card for 3 days , which is valid for the water buses in Venice and the islands of Lido, Murano and Burano (45 €)
  • Travel card for 7 days , which is valid for the water buses in Venice and the islands of Lido, Murano and Burano (65 €)
  • ACTV Combi , a city pass with tickets for the water buses, the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica (from 86 €)

Suggestion : Are you considering the use of the Vaporetto? Then download the ' AVM Venezia app ' in the Play Store. This is a handy route planner from the transport company ACTV, so that you know exactly which line to take to and from your hotel.

3) Venice Museum Pass

This Venice Museum Pass is especially interesting if you plan to visit many museums. It is a pass that is valid for no less than 180 days and includes 11 museums , including a number of important museums on St. Mark's Square like the popular Doge's Palace . However, the disadvantage of this card is, that after your order, you still have to pick up the 'physical card' at one of the (central) collection locations in Venice. When booking, note that the museum card comes in two variants: the Museum Card Chorus (only interesting if you want to visit a lot of churches) and the most booked Museum Card Plus .

The Venice Museum Card Plus gives access to the following museums:

  • Fast track ticket Doge's Palace
  • Correr Museum
  • National Archaeological Museum
  • Biblioteca Marciana
  • Ca 'Rezzonico
  • The house of Carlo Goldoni
  • Palazzo Mocenigo
  • Glass Museum (Murano)
  • Lace Museum (Burano)
  • Natural History Museum
  • Info and bookings Venice Museum Pass

4) Venice City Pass

The Venice City Pass (or Turbopass) is the most comprehensive city pass for Venice. The Venice City Turbopass is valid for 7 days and gives access to various museums, 30+ attractions and churches. Furthermore, the Venice City Turbopass also includes some boat rides. This new tourist card is very interesting if you stay for a longer period in Venice.

This Venice City Pass includes the following attractions, namely:

  • Ticket for the Doge's Palace
  • Admission to Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum & Biblioteca Marciana
  • Access to 15 Chorus Churches
  • Boat trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello
  • Boat trip on the Grand Canal
  • Tour of Theater La Fenice
  • Various museums and attractions such as: Cà Rezzonico, Palazzo Mocenigo, Cà Pesaro, Palazzo Fortuny, Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Scala Contarini del Bovolo
  • Info and bookings Venice City Turbopass

5) Venezia Unica Card

The Venezia Unica Card is another famous tourist card in Venice. The Venezia Unica Pass gives access to some major attractions such as the Doge's Palace and the museums of St. Mark's Square. The advantage of this card is that you will receive the Venezia Unica Pass by e-mail as a PDF file and it is still valid for 3 months after a visit to the Doge's Palace.

This Venezia Unica Pass contains the following sights, namely:

  • Fast track access to the Doge's Palace
  • Fast-track access to the Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum & Biblioteca Marciana
  • Access to 3 Chorus Churches
  • Access to the Querini Stampalia Foundation
  • Optional: Guided audiotour Teatro La Fenice
  • More info and booking Venezia Unica Pass

6) Single tickets

Sometimes it is cheaper to purchase seperate tickets instead of a Venice City Pass or Venezia Unica Card. In addition, a number of popular activities and sights are not included in most Venice tourist pass, such as the boat trip to the islands of Murano and Burano. Below is an overview of the most sold tickets for a city trip to Venice:

Venice City Pass

Most visited attractions

Things to do in Venice Italy

Top 25 Things to do in Venice

St. Marks Basilica

St. Marks Basilica

Doge's Palace Venice

Doge's Palace & Tickets

Venice Pass

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December 2, 2022 By Lyndsay

The Best Venice City Pass: A Complete Venice Pass Comparison Guide

  • 1 Is a Venice pass worth it?
  • 2 What are the best Venice city passes available?
  • 3.1 Venice Unica City Pass
  • 3.2 The Venice Pass
  • 4.2 Features
  • 4.5 How to Purchase and Use It
  • 4.6 Why choose the Venice Museum Pass?
  • 4.7 Why choose the MUVE Friend Card?
  • 5.2 Features
  • 5.5 How to Purchase and Use It
  • 5.6 Why choose the Venice Unica Pass?
  • 6.2 Features
  • 6.5 How to Purchase and Use It
  • 6.6 Why choose The Venice Pass?
  • 7.2 Features
  • 7.5 How to Purchase and Use It
  • 7.6 Why choose the Venice Discovery Pass?
  • 8.2 Features
  • 8.5 How to Purchase and Use It
  • 8.6 Why choose the San Marco City Pass?
  • 9 Venice Sightseeing Passes Comparison Breakdown
  • 10.1 The Overall Best Venice City Pass
  • 10.2 The Best Venice Attractions Pass To Use Multiple Times
  • 10.3 The Best City Pass Venice for Major Attractions
  • 10.4 The Best Pass to Explore San Marco
  • 10.5 The Case For A Venice Museum Pass
  • 10.6 The Case of a Venice Discovery Pass
  • 11 What are some Venice experiences and landmarks not included on these passes?
  • 12 The Best Venice Tourist Cards: Wrap-Up

This post may contain affiliate links! I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something recommended here.

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If you’ve taken a look at some interesting facts about Venice , you’ll realize this is an enchanting city with a ton of history and culture.

However, the price tag for entry to museums and landmarks might sometimes seem too high. 

What if I told you there was a way to save money while spending 2 days in Venice ?

A few different Venice sightseeing passes are available, but not all of them offer the same value.

In this post, I will compare the top three Venice attraction passes to help you decide which one is the best Venice city pass for you and explain why I recommend it over the others.

If you’re planning a trip and looking for things to know when visiting Venice , read this article first before making any decisions. It will save you tons of time and money!

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Is a Venice pass worth it?

Yes, purchasing a Venice pass is worth it! If you plan on visiting several landmarks or museums that are included on the pass, then you can save hundreds of dollars in fees by bundling your admission together.

However, there are a few different Venice attraction passes to choose from, based on your interests and itinerary.

What are the best Venice city passes available?

There are six primary Venice attraction passes you can choose from:

  • Venice Museum Pass
  • MUVE Friend Card
  • Venice Unica Pass

The Venice Pass

Venice discovery pass, san marco city pass, editor’s choices: the best venice city passes, venice unica city pass.

If you’re interested in developing your own customized program of activities, museums, excursions, and transit passes, the Venice Unica City Pass is an excellent Venice tourist pass.

With an average of 4.5 stars from more than 190 reviews, The Venice Pass is the best choice if you want to experience Venice’s major three attractions–St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and a gondola ride.

venice city tourist attractions

Venice Museum Pass and MUVE Friend Card

Purchasing the standard Venice Museum Pass gives you one-time admission to twelve of the city’s major Civic museums over six months.

In contrast, the MUVE Friend Card gives you unlimited access to the city’s twelve museums over twelve months.

The Venice Museum Pass costs €36 for adults, and the MUVE Friend Card costs €45 for adults. You can look at the current pricing for the  Venice Museum Pass  and the  MUVE Friend Card  here.

  • Attractions : You can visit all twelve of the city’s major museums included in both passes. Participating museums include the Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, National Archaeological Museum, Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Marciana, Cà Rezzonico, Palazzo Mocenigo Museum, Carlo Goldoni’s House, Ca’ Pesaro, the Murano Glass Museum, the Burano Lace Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Palazzo Fortuny Museum.
  • Validity : The standard Venice Museum Pass is valid for 160 days, and the MUVE Friend Card is good for 365 days once you activate them for the first time.
  • Suitability : These passes are excellent if you were planning to visit a few of the museums on this list already or are fascinated by some of the lesser-known museums in Venice. I highly recommend it if you live in Italy, close to Venice, and often take day trips into the city .
  • You do not need to make a reservation with any museums in advance before you visit; you can just show up and activate your pass.
  • You’ll have six whole months to visit all of the museums offered with the Venice Museum pass and a full year with the MUVE Friend Card, so you don’t need to cram all of this art and history into just a few days.
  • It’s a straightforward, one-and-done purchase. When you buy this Venice attractions pass, you can access everything included.
  • If your trip to Venice is only a few days and you don’t live close enough to the city to visit again, you might not have the opportunity to check out all of the museums included.
  • You’ll need to purchase separate entry tickets if there are museums you want to visit that aren’t included in this pass.
  • Other significant landmarks and attractions that you might want to see in Venice aren’t included in this pass. Also, this pass doesn’t have a Vaporetto transportation pass.

How to Purchase and Use It

You can purchase the Venice Museum Pass or the ​​MUVE Friend Card online.

A .pdf of your tickets will be delivered to you digitally, and you can either print it out or keep it on your phone.

When you visit a participating museum, have them scan the barcode listed on the ticket, and you’re good to go! 

Why choose the Venice Museum Pass?

The Venice Museum Pass is worth it if all you want to do is visit the Musei Civici di Venezia museums.

You have twelve world-class museums to choose from and six full months in which to see them all.

It’s also more straightforward than the Venice Unica Pass since it doesn’t include any additional add-ons you need to worry about expiring if a specific date was selected.

Why choose the MUVE Friend Card?

The MUVE Friend Card is perfect if you live nearby and want the option to go back to the twelve museums within the Musei Civici di Venezia system.

You have one year to go back to any museums as often as you’d like. 

  • The Ultimate Bucket List of Things to do in Venice, Italy
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  • Things I Wish I’d Known Before Moving To Rome

venice city tourist attractions

The Venezia Unica City Pass allows you to combine your entry to several different museums and Venetian landmarks, as well as add-ons like other museums, single and daily tickets for the Vaporetto public water taxis, access to the lagoon city’s high-speed internet, transfers to Venice Marco Polo Airport, and more.

The Venice Unica Pass price varies depending on several factors like age, access to select landmarks, and what additional offerings you choose.

The least-expensive level without any add-ons starts at €21.90 for Juniors (ages 6 – 29), €33.90 for Adults (ages 30 – 64), and €21.90 for Seniors (ages 65+).

You can take a look at the  current pricing here .

  • The All Venice City Pass includes access to Doge’s Palace and eleven other Musei Civici di Venezia museums, fourteen chorus churches, and admission to the Querini Stampalia Foundation.
  • The All Venice City Pass + Fenice includes access to everything in the All Venice pass, with the addition of a guided audio tour of Teatro La Fenice.
  • The St. Mark’s City Pass includes access to the Doge’s Palace and the other three Musei Civici di Venezia museums within Piazza San Marco, only Santa Maria del Giglio – Sacred Art Museum, Santo Stefano, and Santa Maria Formosa chorus churches, and the Querini Stampalia Foundation.
  • The St. Mark’s City Pass + Fenice includes access to everything in the St. Mark’s pass, with the addition of a guided audio tour of Teatro La Fenice.
  • Validity : For visitors to Venice, the Venice Unica Pass is valid for 24 months from the date of purchase unless the product has a specific expiration date. The Venice Unica Pass is valid for five years for frequent visitors or residents of Venice.
  • Suitability : This pass is perfect if you’re looking for more offerings than only museums, especially if you were planning to ride the Vaporetto a lot while in Venice or needed to purchase access to the city’s internet. 
  • Unless otherwise stated for a particular add-on, you don’t need to make a reservation with any of the museums in advance before you visit; you can just show up and activate your pass.
  • Since thus Venice Card for visitors is valid for 24 months, if you come back to Venice within 2 years of your purchase date, you can still use your discount card’s benefits.
  • You can really mix and match different offerings to make the pass best fit your interests.
  • You can purchase several tickets for the Vaporetto at a discounted rate at once.
  • Although most museums don’t require a reservation and can be used at any time, any ticket you buy with a set date and time can not be changed after purchase. So if you’re schedule changes, you’re unfortunately locked into the commitment and can’t change it.
  • If your trip to Venice is only a few days and you don’t live close enough to the city to visit again, you might not have the opportunity to see everything included.
  • You’ll need to purchase a separate ticket if there are museums you want to visit that aren’t included in this pass.

To purchase the Venice Unica Pass, you need to  head to their website  and follow the prompts to create a tourist travel card for each person.

Next, you’ll select which of their base-level “Best Deals” tickets you want to start with.

Then, scroll through the additional add-ons and select which card you want to add it to.

Once you’re done, you’ll check out online, save your voucher to your phone, and/or print it out, so you have it with you when you arrive in Venice.

Since each pass is different, follow the directions listed on the voucher on how to access and use the pass you’ve purchased.

Why choose the Venice Unica Pass?

If you’re looking for more flexibility than the Venice Museum Pass, then the Venice Unica Pass is what you want to go with.

One of the base-level passes includes every museum included in the Venice Museum Pass and other admissions.

Or, if all twelve museums are overwhelming, you can choose a base-level pass that only consists of the four significant museums within Piazza San Marco for less, which still includes extra benefits and the option for add-ons.

venice city tourist attractions

The Venice Pass offers a curated selection of the top attractions most people plan to see when they come to Venice.

Since you’re bundling the cost of admission, it’s overall less expensive than if you were purchasing all of these separately.

The Venice Pass costs $97.38 for adults (ages 30+), $84.95 for youths (ages 6 – 29), and $34.19 for children (ages 2 – 5).

  • Attractions : The Venice Pass includes skip-the-line entrance to St. Mark’s Basilica with access to the Terrace and Pala d’Oro, fast-track admission to Doge’s Palace, a downloadable audio walking tour called Discover Venice: Past and Present, an audio tour led by a local historian called Welcome to Venice, and a shared 30-minute gondola ride. 
  • Validity : When you purchase The Venice Pass, you will schedule each of your included attractions at the time of booking. Your excursion is available on the date and time you selected in advance.
  • Suitability : This pass is an excellent choice if you’re interested in accessing all of Venice’s most famous attractions.
  • With a streamlined selection of excursions, you’ll be able to use all of the activities on your pass.
  • Since you can choose the exact dates you want to use for each of the included attractions, you can spread your experiences out over the whole amount of time you’re visiting Venice instead of squeezing everything into 24 or 48 hours. 
  • Once you buy The Venice Pass, Tiqets sends you a 10% discount code to use for your next purchase!
  • When you’re buying this Venice pass, you have to select all of your entrance times at the time of purchase.
  • Since your tickets are tied to the specific dates and times you chose at the time of booking, rescheduling any part of your ticket is not allowed after you make your purchase.

To purchase The Venice Pass, head to Tiqets and select “Book Now.”

Once you select the number of adult, youth, and children tickets you’ll need, you will work through the prompts to schedule each of the excursions your pass includes. 

Why choose The Venice Pass?

This streamlined pass is an excellent choice if you’re interested in experiencing only the most famous landmarks in Venice–St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and enjoying a gondola ride.

venice city tourist attractions

Like the Venice Pass, the Venice Discovery Pass allows visitors to choose from a curated list of the best things to see and do in Venice.

However, it offers more experiences and landmarks than the more consolidated Venice Pass.

The Venice Discovery Pass has different pricing based on your age and how many days you want the pass to be active. You can view the current pricing breakdown on their website here. 

  • Attractions : The Venice Discovery Pass includes a fast-track entrance to Doge’s Palace, admission into 15 different Catholic landmarks throughout the city, an Alilaguna Boat Transfer from the city center to the airport, and an audio tour led by a local historian called Welcome to Venice. It also includes 24-, 48-, or 72-hour unlimited access to Venice’s public water transportation system, the Vaporetto.
  • Validity : When you purchase the Venice Discovery Pass, you will schedule each of your included attractions at the time of booking. Your excursion is available on the date you selected in advance. However, your Venetian Churches Chorus Pass is valid for 1 year after its first use.
  • Suitability : This pass is a great choice if you’re interested in visiting Venice’s many historic churches or want to utilize an airport transfer or the Vaporetto system without worrying about additional bookings.
  • If you’re interested in visiting historic Catholic churches in Venice, this pass includes entry to fifteen churches. 
  • No need to schedule an additional airport transfer and Vaporetto passes to get you into and around Venice–this pass does it for you.
  • The only major landmark the Venice Discovery Pass includes is Doge’s Palace, so you’ll still need to purchase entry to other museums you want to see.

To purchase the Venice Discovery Pass, head to Tiqets and select “Book Now.” Once you select the number of adult, youth, and children tickets you’ll need, you will work through the prompts to schedule each of the excursions your pass includes.

Why choose the Venice Discovery Pass?

If you’re looking for a Venice pass that combines an airport transfer with a Vaporetto pass, then this is a great choice. 

This is an image of the Rialto bridge in Venice, Italy as seen from the water.

The San Marco City Pass is the only one of its kind here on this list of the best Venice city passes! If you’re a history buff who’s passionate about the Republic of Venice, this one is for you.

The San Marco City pass costs $40.80 for adults (ages 30-65), $25.10 for youths (ages 6-29), and $25.10 for seniors (ages 65+). 

  • Attractions : The San Marco City Pass includes almost all of the most famous attractions in Piazza di San Marco. With this pass, you can visit Doge’s Palace, the Correr Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Marciana National Library, the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, and three churches–the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio, the Church of Santo Stefano, and the Church of Santa Maria Formosa. 
  • Validity : When you purchase the San Marco City Pass, you can enter each included museum or monument one time and it’s valid for two years once activated. However, you must enter the Doge’s Palace on the date and time you select at the time of booking.
  • Suitability : This pass is great for anyone who is interested in only exploring the included museums around Piazza di San Marco.
  • Once you activate the pass with your entry to Doge’s Palace, you can use it for entry into the other included landmarks for two years.  
  • Instead of purchasing one of these other Venice city passes with too many offerings for a short Venice itinerary, You’re only paying for the things you really want to do.
  • Although it’s called the San Marco City Pass, entry into the Basilica di San Marco is not included in this pass. 
  • Once you purchase the pass, you can’t change your entry date and time for the Doge’s Palace. 

To purchase the San Marco City Pass, you’ll need to visit the Civitatis and select the date you’re interested in activating your pass and the number of tickets you’ll need.

Once your pass has been purchased, you can schedule all of your additional activities up until the start time, as long as they have space available. 

Why choose the San Marco City Pass?

If you’re interested in really exploring all of the different landmarks, the San Marco City Pass is for you.

You’ll be able to take time to discover the history of Venice inside these museums without paying for other museum entries you won’t have time to use.  

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Venice Sightseeing Passes Comparison Breakdown

venice city tourist attractions

Which is the best Venice city pass to buy for my trip?

Although each Venice attractions pass shares some similarities, here are my recommendations on which one to buy based on this Venice pass comparison:

The Overall Best Venice City Pass

After reviewing all of the information, and after very happily using the full Venice Museum Pass myself, the Venice Unica Pass is the best Venezia city pass overall, for both visitors and frequent visitors like myself.

It offers everything the Venice Museum Pass offers–and more.

However, what really sells me on the pass is that cardholders receive additional discounts from participating museums and restaurants.

The Best Venice Attractions Pass To Use Multiple Times

If you live near Venice or are planning to spend a lot of time in the city over the course of a year and want the flexibility to visit the Musei Civici di Venezia museums over and over again, then you need the MUVE Friend Card .

Since there are no restrictions on how often you can visit any of the participating museums, you can take your time working through different museums and go back to others that you want to explore further.

Or, if family and friends are coming to visit and you know they’ll want to head into these museums, then the MUVE Friend Card makes the most sense.

The Best City Pass Venice for Major Attractions

If you’re visiting Venice for a limited amount of time and only want to experience the most famous landmarks and attractions, The Venice Pass is the best choice for you.

Although the pass only includes five excursions, it has the Big 3–skip-the-line entrance to St. Mark’s Basilica with access to the Terrace and Pala d’Oro, fast-track admission to Doge’s Palace, and a shared 30-minute gondola ride.

If you’re not interested in wandering through museums and want to hit the biggest sites, this is the best pass for your itinerary.

The Best Pass to Explore San Marco

The San Marco City Pass is the perfect choice if you want to dive deep into the history and museums around Piazza di San Marco.

Although it does not include skip-the-line admission to the Basilica di San Marco, you can access the Doge’s Palace, the Marciana National Library, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Correr Museum–all museums surrounding the Piazza di San Marco.

The Case For A Venice Museum Pass

However, as I said, I’m a very happy Venice Museum Pass user!

When I first moved to the Veneto region, we didn’t know that there were different options for passes–we only saw the Venice Museum Pass available when we purchased individual tickets to visit Palazzo Ducale.

If you’re only going to be in Venice for a short time, so you don’t need the flexibility of multiple admission but want as many options as possible, this is the pass for you.

The Case of a Venice Discovery Pass

The Venice Discovery Pass offers the fewest bucket-list experiences in Venice .

However, if you’re interested in religious tourism and want to visit fifteen different historic Catholic churches in the city, this is the pass for you!

Also, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of managing an airport transfer or scheduling your Vaporetto pass, the Venice Discovery Pass includes it for you.

venice city tourist attractions

What are some Venice experiences and landmarks not included on these passes?

  • If you’re interested in purchasing one of the Venice city passes for museums, then they do not include a classic Gondola ride. Book a  Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary  tour to try this wonderful boat trip.
  • Although admission is included for four of the major museums in Piazza San Marco, entry into the Torre dell’Orologio and climbing up the San Marco Campanile are not included in any of these Venice passes.
  • If you want to explore the Doge’s Palace further with a  Secret Itineraries tour , you’re going to need to purchase the experience separately from your ticket to Palazzo Ducale.

The Best Venice Tourist Cards: Wrap-Up

Fortunately, Venice offers a variety of passes that allow tourists to visit the most incredible landmarks and museums in the city while bundling admission.

To ensure that you enjoy the most out of your stay in Venice, consider purchasing one of these Venice city passes!

Which Venice attractions pass is right for you?

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COMMENTS

  1. 24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Venice

    Read More: Exploring the Grand Canal in Venice: Top Attractions. 5. Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) and San Polo. Rialto Bridge. Once the only bridge across the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge marks the spot of the island's first settlement, called Rivus Altus (high bank).

  2. 25 Top Tourist Attractions in Venice (+Map)

    5. Piazza San Marco. As the only public square in Venice, the Piazza San Marco has been the city's main gathering place for centuries. Surrounded by open-air cafés and landmark attractions, including San Marco Basilica and the Palazzo Ducale, it's the natural epicenter for any visit to the City of Canals.

  3. Venice Bucket List: 20 Amazing Things to Do in Venice, Italy

    Tourist Entry Fee in Venice: Beginning in 2024 (the date keeps getting pushed out and as of December 2023, the start day is April 2024), there will be a fee for visitors to enter Venice. This fee will cost €5. If you have plans to spend the night in Venice, you will be exempt from the fee. All visitors, even those with an overnight stay in Venice, will have to register their visit on an ...

  4. 20 Best Things to Do in Venice

    This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Ranking of the top 20 things to do in Venice. Travelers favorites include #1 St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco ...

  5. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Venice

    Discover the best things to do in Venice, Italy with Tripadvisor. Explore the city's canals, museums, churches, and landmarks with the help of millions of traveler reviews and photos. Find the perfect activities for your trip, whether you are looking for romantic, cultural, or family-friendly options. Book online and save time and money.

  6. 25x Venice Tourist Attractions & Sightseeing

    Venice sights Top 25, an overview of the tourist attractions, activities, sightseeing, tourism, famous landmarks and best things to in Venice Italy. What are the top attractions in Venezia? Top 25 Things to do in Venice - Attractions & Landmarks. Venice is a beautiful city, made up of more than 100 smaller islands. Some of these islands are ...

  7. Things to Do in City of Venice

    Things to Do in City of Venice, Italy: See Tripadvisor's 1,694,186 traveler reviews and photos of City of Venice tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. We have reviews of the best places to see in City of Venice. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

  8. 31 Best Things to Do in Venice

    Day 1. For the first day, you can do the itinerary I mentioned above for 1 day in Venice and visit St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, do a Gondola Tour, go to the Rialto Bridge etc. Day 2. For art lovers, visit the Ca d'Oro. Rialto Market. Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.

  9. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Venice

    Campanile di San Marco. Originally built as a lighthouse to assist navigation in the lagoon, visitors can be whisked by elevator to the top of St. Mark's Campanile or bell tower to savor incredible views of Venice, the lagoon and the Alps in the distance. 6. Ponte di Rialto.

  10. 30 Best Things To Do In Venice, Italy (The Floating City)

    Unfortunately, Instagram "influencers" yelling at you to get out of their shot is more likely…. 3. The Bridge Of Sighs. The Famous Bridge of Sighs. The Bridge Of Sighs is a unique enclosed bridge of white limestone spanning the Rio di Palazzo in Venice. There's an interesting story behind the name.

  11. 26 Best Places To Visit In Venice: The Romantic City

    The floating city of Venice looks like a picture postcard with crisscrossing canals, marvellous castles, ancient museums, cathedrals, art galleries, churches, and public squares. The attractions make for the most preferred and best places to visit in Venice and cast a fervent charm on the tourists.. One of the most frequented places by the lovebirds, Venice is truly a charmer attracting ...

  12. 25 Best Things to Do in Venice Italy 2024: City Travel Guide

    San Marco is the heart of Venice, where the city's most iconic landmarks, such as Piazza San Marco, St. Mark's Basilica, and Doge's Palace, reside. This bustling district is perfect for visitors who wish to stay within walking distance of the main attractions and immerse themselves in the city's vibrant atmosphere.

  13. 15 BEST PLACES to visit in Venice + THINGS TO DO

    Here's a list of the best spots to go for first-timers in Venice. 1. Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) Piazza San Marco, Venice. Location: Venice Historical Centre. Save on Google Maps. Located in the heart of Venice, Piazza San Marco is the perfect place to start your tour of the city.

  14. 15 best things to do in Venice in 2023

    1. Take in the Piazza San Marco. For many people, this waterfront square is Venice: the rolling domes of the basilica, the centuries-old cafes beneath the stately porticoes, the vast Campanile (belltower) throwing its shadow around the square, high tide occasionally sloshing around your feet. There's so much to see around Piazza San Marco (or St Mark's Square) that you could easily spend a ...

  15. Visit Venezia Official

    Venezia is made of unique stories, stories you have to know, see and hear. We try to tell them, we try to enclose in our videos that Venetian essence in order to transmit it to as many people as possible. We describe, the beauties, the colors, the sounds, the flavors of Venezia, we condense them into short videos that can be a quick and fun way ...

  16. Venice Tourist Attractions: MUST SEE Landmarks (2024)

    St. Mark's Square is home to some of the most important attractions in the city: St. Mark's Basilica, the St. Mark's Campanile and Doge's Palace. As you walk around admiring the beauty of the square, don't forget to stop by the Clock Tower of Venice (Torre dell'Orologio), a Renaissance building with a clock displaying the time ...

  17. 15 Best Things to Do in Venice (Italy)

    2. St. Mark's Square. Whilst St. Mark's Basilica is the most famous building in Venice, St Mark's Square is the most famous piazza. Located on the grand canal, opposite the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, this square holds huge importance in Venice and is a truly spectacular place to visit.

  18. 37 Best Tourist Attractions in Venice

    Move around Venice on the city's water bus system using the ACTV Transport Pass easily when you book a 1-7 day option pass! Final thoughts. As we finalize the list of the best tourist attractions in Venice, we hope that you've gotten a good dose of inspiration, and ideas to add to your own Venice itinerary!

  19. Visit Venice

    Popular Venice Itineraries. Experience the best of Venice in one day - start with Galleria dell'Accademia with ... Experience Venice through this pre-planned 2 days Venice itinerary that will allow you ... Explore Venice using this 3 days itinerary of top attractions - see the daily routes, ...

  20. Venice Attractions Map

    Attractions. Download. Print. Get App. Interactive map of Venice with all popular attractions - Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, Ponte dei Sospiri and more. Take a look at our detailed itineraries, guides and maps to help you plan your trip to Venice.

  21. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Venice

    5. Campanile di San Marco. Originally built as a lighthouse to assist navigation in the lagoon, visitors can be whisked by elevator to the top of St. Mark's Campanile or bell tower to savor incredible views of Venice, the lagoon and the Alps in the distance. 6.

  22. Compare: Venice City Pass & Tourist Cards

    1) Recommended : Venice Pass. This is absolutely the best tourist pass while this card gives access to two popular activities. The Venice City Pass gives you fast track access to the popular Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica, two top attractions in Venice city. In addition, a classic gondola ride on the canals of Venice is also included ...

  23. The Best Venice City Pass: A Complete Venice Pass Comparison Guide

    Cost. The Venice Unica Pass price varies depending on several factors like age, access to select landmarks, and what additional offerings you choose. The least-expensive level without any add-ons starts at €21.90 for Juniors (ages 6 - 29), €33.90 for Adults (ages 30 - 64), and €21.90 for Seniors (ages 65+).