Venice is among the most romantic cities in the entire world, attracting vacationer crowds all 12 months lengthy, and undoubtedly one in every of my favourite locations ever in Italy, my residence nation.
Even although it’s primarily recognized for the well-known canals, St Mark’s Square and the Ponte di Rialto, this metropolis has numerous sights to supply, and in case you are looking for them, I’ve simply what you want!
Since I’ve been there many instances, I gathered all the most effective issues to do in Venice. From the most effective excursions to the prime sights within the metropolis and magical islands within the Venetian Lagoon, you’ll discover all that and extra on this detailed information. And I’ve additionally included some resorts the place to remain in Venice for any type of finances!
Get able to have a romantic gondola trip via the Grand Canal earlier than winding your means via the smaller canals, go to museums just like the Doge’s Palace, discover essential non secular buildings, and have scrumptious Italian meals and aperitifs! Are you already excited?
Then let’s begin exploring all the highest issues to do in Venice!
If you might be in a rush
If you don’t have time to examine all the most effective issues to do in Venice, Italy, take a look at the primary excursions and prime lodging within the metropolis:
Here are the primary issues to e-book upfront:
And listed here are the most effective resorts: The Gritti Palace (luxurious), Hotel Mercurio (mid-range), Residenza Bistrot De Venise (finances)
1. Stroll round Piazza San Marco
Located on the Grand Canal, the large Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) is among the most well-known spots in Venice, framed by ornate buildings with stunning arched walkways.
This is the right place to simply stroll round, take pleasure in water views, sit in a restaurant and do some people-watching or go to one in every of its unimaginable vacationer sights.
In reality, St Mark’s Square hosts many essential buildings together with the St Mark’s Campanile, St Mark’s Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace: let’s take a look at the primary two right here beneath (when you’ll discover extra information for the Doge’s Palace on part 8).
St Mark’s Basilica
The very first thing you’ll see whenever you step into Piazza San Marco is the huge and beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica, a elegant piece of Byzantine structure from 1092.
The church is gorgeous in and out, ornate with sculptures and gold particulars of the entrance facade, and painted frescoes, mosaics, and Byzantine artworks inside on the domed ceiling… and it even hosts the St Mark’s Terrace for stunning views over the sq.!
If you need to go to St Mark’s Basilica, the doorway is free, however you must both arrive early within the morning to keep away from the traces (at round 9am), or you should purchase skip the traces ticket upfront, both on the official web site for €6, or this fast-track entry ticket with an audio information for €20.
A go to to the St Mark’s Basilica lasts about 1.30h (excluding the traces), and the constructing is open every single day from 9.30 am. and 5 pm.
NOTE: Make certain you keep away from carrying skirts and shorts, or they gained’t allow you to enter!
Price: €6
St Mark’s Campanile
The Campanile di San Marco is the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice (99 meters excessive) dominating the skyline of Venice and providing breathtaking views of town’s skyline, probably the greatest reminiscences you may deliver residence from Venice!
To go to the highest of the bell tower, you’ll have to take an elevator for €10. The attraction is open every single day from 9.30 am to 9.15 pm however I recommend you go there within the late afternoon, throughout sundown time when town and the sky gentle up with unimaginable colours.
Price: €10
2. Enjoy the views from the Rialto Bridge
The Ponte di Rialto is the oldest bridge crossing the Grand Canal, and probably the most iconic bridge within the metropolis, ornate with stunning particulars and design… so it needed to be on this record of the most effective issues to do in Venice!
This well-known bridge connects the San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice, so you’ll for certain cross via it in case you’re strolling across the metropolis. You can not miss it, it’s all the time stuffed with vacationers taking photos with the Grand Canal within the background!
Fun reality: The Rialto Bridge was initially a wood bridge till it collapsed in 1444 underneath the load of a crowd celebrating the wedding of the Marquis of Ferrara.
The bridge can be excellent to do some memento purchasing, internet hosting many stands and outlets promoting all the pieces from jewellery to carnival masks, meals, and many others.
3. Take a strolling tour of Venice
If you need to have a greater concept of Venice’s historical past and a bit extra of an area expertise, discover town on this ‘secret Venice’ 2 hours strolling tour, for €39. It’s restricted to 10 individuals so that you’ll have a extra intimate expertise and relaxed tempo.
Your native information will deliver you thru some genuine areas that the majority vacationers by no means see and previous charming hidden gems, just like the Jewish Ghetto, Cannaregio, and San Polo districts. You’ll additionally cease to admire some artisan workshops promoting handcrafted conventional masks and gondolas!
DID YOU KNOW? During the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance, Venice was a significant monetary and army heart in northern Italy, in addition to a cultural and creative metropolis famend worldwide.
And if you wish to go to the most common spots of Venice, take a look at this 3-hour guided tour via probably the most well-known monuments and colourful buildings, like Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square), St Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge and Market and many others.
The strolling tour additionally features a picturesque gondola trip on the Grand Canal (Canal Grande) for €45, so that you get 2 experiences in a single!
Price: €39
Book Your Walking Tour in Venice
4. Take a romantic gondola trip on the Grand Canal
An absolute should amongst all the most effective issues to do in Venice (particularly throughout summer time months) is taking a romantic gondola trip via Canal Grande and the opposite slim canals, so you may discover town from one other perspective!
Since it’s a fairly touristy factor to do, taking a gondola tour in Venice will be fairly dear, costing round €80 for a 40 minute trip and up as much as €100 after 7 pm (however you’ll most probably have to barter the worth with the gondolier earlier than the trip).
If you need to save up some cash, I recommend you e-book your gondola trip on-line upfront. This gondola tour, for instance, will deliver you thru all of the charming Venetian canals for round 1 hour, when you benefit from the reside commentary of all the attractive sights you’ll see.
Each gondola trip can maintain a most of 5 individuals, and prices €40 per particular person (half of the worth you get in case you pay on-site!).
And if you wish to have the final word romantic expertise in whole privateness, take a look at this 30-minute non-public tour via the whole grand canal, together with a scrumptious meal in a fascinating Venetian restaurant for €102 per particular person, probably the greatest issues to do in Venice for {couples}!
Price: €40
5. Visit all of the outdated church buildings
Even if most guests solely take a look at St Mark’s Basilica, there are various essential non secular buildings in Venice which can be undoubtedly price a go to and that can make you journey again in time. Below you discover the primary ones:
Santa Maria Della Salute
Located east of the Grand Canal, near the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (take a look at part 10 to know extra about it), Santa Maria Della Salute is among the finest church buildings to go to in Venice for historical past buffs, relationship again to the 1600s.
In reality, the Santa Maria Della Salute church was constructed in the course of the plague interval and devoted to Our Lady of Health (Salute means well being in Italian), so all of the artwork and frescos you’ll find inside showcases individuals struggling in opposition to the pandemic.
You can simply stare upon Santa Maria Della Salute exteriors from outdoors, embellished with 4 statues of the apostles and tall dome towers above the skyline, and even climb the baroque cupola to admire among the finest views of town… and the most effective factor is that’s utterly free to enter!
Price: free
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
If you like Renaissance structure, you can’t go away Venice with out trying out Santa Maria Dei Miracoli church, often known as the “marble church“, being utterly lined in marble.
With its coloured marble interiors, pilasters on the outside partitions, and a semicircular pediment, this church is among the finest examples of the early Venetian Renaissance in Italy!
The location of the church is simply excellent, mendacity solely 10 minutes from St Mark’s Square, within the Cannaregio neighborhood, probably the most distinctive and native elements of town internet hosting the Jewish Ghetto.
Price: €3
Santa Maria Assunta
Also generally known as Gesuiti, Santa Maria Assunta church is one other church positioned within the Cannaregio space, relationship again to 1729.
This non secular constructing is simply stunning, that includes a entrance facade with many stone columns, ornate statues of spiritual figures, and an enormous bronze door as an entrance, and the interiors are as beautiful, containing a number of artworks just like the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Titian.
To enter Santa Maria Assunta, you have to to depart a small donation (just some euros), and if you find yourself inside, lookup on the ceiling: you will notice stunning art work, frescos, and gold particulars!
And in case you don’t like crowds, Santa Maria Assunta is the attraction for you, since it’s not as standard as different church buildings like St Mark basilica the place is all the time tremendous quiet.
Price: free donation
6. Explore San Giorgio Maggiore Island
Located on the alternative facet of St Mark’s Square and near the Grand Canal, San Giorgio Maggiore is among the smaller separate islands within the Venice space, which isn’t related to the primary canals of town.
This is the right place to walk across the small harbor and revel in some tranquility removed from the vacationer crowds of the primary island of Venice, however this doesn’t imply there’s nothing to do right here!
In reality, San Giorgio Maggiore island hosts many sights, however the primary ones are the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, relationship again from the eighth century, and the large campanile, which you could each entry by paying an entrance price of €6.
Climbing the campanile is certainly price it to take pleasure in beautiful views of the island, Venice, and its essential highlights just like the Doges Palace, St. Mark Campanile, and St. Mark’s Basilica.
If you don’t need to take into consideration transportation and you like to have a guided tour of the San Giorgio Maggiore island, I recommend you take a look at this tour together with precedence entry to the church and a multimedia information for €20.
Getting there:
- Water bus: catch the Vaporetto Water Bus (ACTVLine No. 2) from Venice Train Station to San Giorgio Maggiore church for 45 minutes.
NOTE: You might want to purchase 2 one-way tickets in Venice (for about €10 every) since you can not purchase them on San Giorgio Maggiore Island.
- Tour: Join this tour, together with precedence entry to the church and a multimedia information for €20.
Price: €6
Go on a Tour of Giorgio Maggiore Island
7. Take an image from the Bridge of Sighs
An absolute must-do in your issues to do in Venice bucket record is to cross via the small Bridge of Sighs, crossing over the Rio di Palazzo river, well-known for its tiny window from which you’ll be able to have probably the most picturesque and framed views of town!
This pretty Bridge of Sighs connects the Prigioni Nuove (new prisons) to Doge’s Palace (take a look at the next part), and legend says it was as soon as the place the place criminals had been taken from the Palace to have one final glimpse of Venice earlier than their imprisonment!
Today, simply pop over to Ponte della Paglia, benefit from the nice view and ensure you take an image!
8. Check out Doges Palace
Located in Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace is residence to the Venetian authorities, and hosts many historic rooms with beautiful advantageous artwork which can be centuries outdated. If you might be keen on historical past, it’s worthwhile to go discover them!
From the skin of the Doges palace, you may admire its stunning 14th-century waterfront façade and as quickly as you enter via the Porta del Frumento, you’ll go to the Museo dell Opera and its short-term exhibitions on the bottom ground.
On the higher flooring, you’ll find the extraordinary courtyard, the Loggia (the place the Doge’s Apartments are positioned) and the Institutional Chambers, to complete with a go to to the Armoury and Prisons.
If you need to go to all this, I’d permit your self round 1.30h, and the go to will value you €31, however if you wish to keep away from the lengthy queues on the entrance, e-book these skip-the-line tickets on-line upfront, for €43
Price: €31
9. Go on a day journey to Murano
Murano island is a part of the Venice district, an space made up of many small islands related collectively by canals and bridges (like in Venice), and is among the most well-known ones for its lengthy custom of glass-making.
The essential attraction right here is the Museo del Vetro museum (€11), the place you may study in regards to the story of the Murano glass, however this quiet island is ideal to simply stroll round and purchase some crafted souvenirs within the native outlets and see some reside demonstrations of glass blowing on the numerous factories.
The finest technique to discover all these distinctive issues to do in Venice is to affix this cruise to Murano (€30), throughout which you’ll go to a glass manufacturing unit, go to a glass beads jewellery workshop to observe a glass blowing demonstration, and make your individual piece!
With many different touristic sights just like the Basilica di Santa Maria and the Campo Santo Stefano sq., Murano is ideal for a day journey, and to make the most effective out of your time you must mix it with different islands of the Venice district!
This full-day tour will deliver you to find the islands of Burano (well-known for its colourful buildings), Murano and the historic Torcello from Venice San Marco, for less than €25 together with reside feedback, your individual information and boat transportation!
Tour value: €25
How to get there:
- Water bus/taxi: catch the Vaporetto Water Bus (ACTVLine No. 4.1 or 4.2) for 20 minutes from Fondamente Nove cease to Murano by way of San Michele, a small island in between. The ferries run about each quarter-hour and a ticket prices €13 a method.
- Private water taxi: You can rent a non-public boat (water taxi) to Murano and again, that can choose you up at your lodge or different designated spot. Private water taxis normally carry 4 individuals most and prices go round €100 relying on the route, test all the costs right here!
- Tour: This full-day tour will deliver you to find the islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello from Venice San Marco, for less than €25 together with a reside information and boat transportation!
Take a visit to Burano Murano & Torcello
10. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
If you like fashionable artwork, it’s worthwhile to go take a look at this museum set within the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an historic palace relationship again to the 18th century.
In the Peggy Guggenheim Collection you’ll find unimaginable artworks from well-known painters from the 20 th century, like Picasso, Dalí, Miró, and Kandinsky, in addition to sculpture gardens and an exquisite terrace on the Grand Canal, the place you may have a stunning view of Ponte dell’Accademia.
A go to to the museum will take you roughly 2 hours and value you €16, however ensure you e-book your tickets on-line upfront so that you don’t need to lose some treasured time ready in line!
Price: €16
Book Your Peggy Guggenheim Tickets Online
11. Take a meals tour to discover the tastes of Venice
Needless to say, you can’t go away Venice with out attempting the scrumptious and conventional delicacies from the Veneto Region, the place I’m from (and the place town is positioned).
During this 3 hour road meals strolling tour, you’ll observe your foodie information and check out native dishes within the metropolis’s eateries, in addition to beautiful road meals within the historic Rialto Market alongside the Grand Canal, whereas seeing historic monuments alongside the best way, for €42.
But Venice may be very well-known in Italy for its conventional “cicchetti“, small tapas that we normally accompany with an aperitif (Aperol spritz or Campari) earlier than dinner or lunch, and you’ll find numerous bars referred to as Bacari the place they provide that.
So in case you choose one thing somewhat extra formal than the road meals tour I advisable above, one of the simplest ways to discover all the most effective Bacari’s is with an area information on this different meals tour with Cicchetti tastings and wine. You could have a stroll across the attribute Cannaregio neighborhood and take a traghetto gondola via Canal Grande to Rialto, the place the food-tasting can start!
Here, get able to immerse your self within the tradition of ‘bacari’ and cicchetti. This is known as a massive custom in Italy and is a part of native each day life… perhaps after the tour it is going to change into a part of yours too! The tour prices €99 and lasts about 3 hours, I’m certain you’ll find it irresistible!
12. Enjoy the panorama from Fondaco Rooftop Terrace
The Fondaco Terrace is positioned within the Fondaco Dei Tedeschi constructing (which was as soon as the headquarters of the Central Post Office in Venice) proper subsequent to the Rialto Bridge and presents the most effective views of the Grand Canal.
So if you wish to take some good photos, or simply take pleasure in a panoramic panorama and never take into consideration anything, that is the place to be. Watch the lazy gondolas, water taxis, and different boats going backwards and forwards alongside the Grand Canal, it could actually’t get any higher!
The entrance is free however it’s worthwhile to e-book tickets on-line earlier than arriving (they promote out fairly quick so ensure you try this a minimum of every week upfront!).
NOTE: You can solely keep on the terrace just for a 15-minute time slot. So be there on time or you can lose your go to!
13. Relax on the Venice Lido
The solely draw back of Venice is that it’s all the time tremendous crowded with vacationers, so if someday you need to escape the hustle and bustle of town and simply spend a day enjoyable, Venice Lido island is the place to be!
This calm and laid-back island creates a barrier between Venice’s essential metropolis and the Adriatic Sea and hosts a protracted stretch of lovely seaside the place you may chill and absorb some solar in the course of the summer time months.
And whenever you’re not mendacity on the seaside, you should purchase some souvenirs within the many native outlets, have a scrumptious meal within the eating places whereas having fun with the water views, and have a espresso or an aperitif in a bar.
This is certainly probably the greatest issues to do in Venice in case you’re touring with the household!
Getting there – catch the Vaporetto Water Bus (ACTVLine No.1) from S. Marco-San Zaccaria “F” to Lido S.M.E. “D”, leaving each quarter-hour. A ticket prices €4 a method, and the journey takes round 30 min.
14. Climb the Palazzo Contarini Del Bovolo
The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small (and delightful) palace positioned proper between Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge, well-known for its spiral helicoidal staircase sitting outdoors the constructing which results in a giant statement terrace.
Climbing its staircase is certainly price it if you wish to admire among the most stunning views of the basilica of San Marco dome and its campanile.
You could recognise the staircase from Orson Welles’ movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello!
This attraction is ideal in case you’re quick on time however you continue to need to go to an historic palace and get some breathtaking metropolis views on the identical time. As I stated the positioning is sort of small and you’ll simply go to it in 20-Half-hour.
P.S.: Make certain you e-book your tickets on-line upfront, so you may skip the road on-site!
Otherwise, this Veneto-Gothic palace is gorgeous additionally to simply be seen from the skin, that includes two completely different facades: the one with the staircase overlooking Calle del Bovolo, and Rio de San Luca-Rossini which will be seen from the Verona Bridge!
Price: €8
15. Catch an opera efficiency at Teatro La Fenice
If you need to have a novel and particular expertise in Venice, you must undoubtedly go see an opera efficiency in La Fenice Theater, probably the most well-known and historic opera homes in the entire world!
And in case you’re not likely into operas, you should purchase a ticket to go to the theater in the course of the day for €11 (the admission price consists of an audio information tour) or with this guided tour so you may study extra in regards to the historical past and legends of this decadent Baroque opera home, for €20.
PRO TIP: Tickets on the official web site are restricted to a particular time slot, whereas in case you e-book them on GetYourInformation (€13), you may keep for the entire morning or afternoon!
Price: €11
Have a Guided Tour of Teatro La Fenice
16. Attend a Festival in Venice!
Venice hosts many cultural occasions in the course of the 12 months, however there are 2 that you just completely can not miss in case you’re on the town throughout a particular time of the 12 months…
Venice Carnival
The Venice Carnival takes place in the entire metropolis of Venice for over ten days in February (actual dates change yearly) and is among the world’s largest and hottest celebrations, relationship again to the eleventh century.
During the carnival, individuals gown up in seventeenth-century Venetian clothes (each Venetian costume has its personal character) and revel in colourful parades and processions on the road.
I truthfully recommend you to simply stroll across the metropolis as locals do and benefit from the joyful environment, dances and music, which is totally free, in any other case, you may be a part of one of many many non-public occasions like this Gala dinner with a present, for €100.
Join a Carnival Gala Dinner with a Show
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is organized by the Biennale di Venezia and is the world’s oldest movie competition, taking place yearly throughout late August or early September and happening within the picturesque Lido part of town.
The Festival promotes worldwide cinema in all its varieties as artwork, leisure, and business, and organizes retrospectives and tributes to main cinema figures for a greater understanding of the historical past of cinema.
This competition turned very talked-about among the many elite of the movie business, so you’ll most likely see your favourite actors there! Prices change relying on the ticket, take a look at all of the choices right here!
| 🤩 Range of actions: | Large |
| 🏛️ Best museum: | Doge’s Palace |
| 💸 Top paid attraction: | St Mark’s Basilica |
| 🚶🏽♂️ Best free exercise: | Bridge of Sighs |
| 👧 Best place for youths: | Venice Lido |
| 🍕 Must strive meals: | Cicchetti |
Where to remain in Venice
If it’s your first time within the metropolis otherwise you need to have entry to Venice’s most iconic landmarks, you must undoubtedly keep in St Mark’s Square or anyplace within the San Marco District: one of many finest areas to remain in Venice!
I gathered beneath the highest lodge within the space, together with an possibility for any finances, test them out:
- Luxury (€300 and up): The Gritti Palace – This luxurious lodge lies proper on the Grand Canal, close to St. Mark’s Square, and is ideal if you wish to splurge somewhat throughout your vacation in Venice! Here you’ll get up with a scrumptious breakfast on the rooftop terrace with breathtaking views.
- Mid Range (€160 – €250): Hotel Mercurio – This charming, family-run lodging is superbly embellished with Venetian vintage furnishings and has an excellent handy location at 400 m away from Rialto Bridge… What else might you ask for?
- Budget (as much as €150): Residenza Bistrot De Venise – If you might be on the lookout for a lodge the place to remain on a finances in Venice, cease right here! This lodging is positioned within the coronary heart of Venice, and options rooms with a Venetian décor and free Wi-Fi entry.
FAQs about issues to do in Venice, Italy
🤩 Which are the most effective issues to do in Venice, Italy?
👨👨👧👧 Which are the most effective issues to do in Venice, Italy, for households?
The finest issues to do in Venice for households are crossing the enduring Ponte di Rialto, taking an image of the Bridge of Sighs, exploring San Giorgio Maggiore Island, or chilling on the seaside of Venice Lido.
🗓️ How lengthy to remain in Venice, Italy?
2 full days are sufficient to do all the most effective issues to do in Venice, however you may even keep greater than 3 days if you wish to benefit from the slower Italian tempo of life!
🛶 How to get round Venice, Italy?
The finest and least expensive technique to go round Venice is strolling since you can’t use the automobile within the metropolis, however if you wish to attain particular websites and islands, you’ll have to take a water taxi (Vaporetto Water Bus) or be a part of a boat tour.
Conclusion
We lastly reached the top of this convenient information about the most effective issues to do in Venice, one of many gems of northern Italy, my residence!
We noticed sights and actions for any style, from excursions to magical islands within the Venetian Lagoon, to essential buildings such because the Doge’s Palace, romantic bridges just like the bridge of sighs and way more, and I additionally included some resorts the place to remain in Venice for any type of finances.
I hope you discovered my information helpful, and you probably have any questions or options for me please don’t hesitate to share them within the feedback beneath… I’ll reply you as quickly as doable!
Have a magical vacation!
Elena
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