Are you looking for something special to do on your next vacation? Then why not try out Venice, the city of canals and centuries-old sights? Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a sightseeing aficionado, countless things to do in Venice will make your trip one to remember.
The city is home to some of the world’s most famous attractions. Take a gondola ride through the many waterways, explore the iconic St Mark’s Square and visit Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. With its quaint cobblestone streets, picturesque bridges, and stunning landmarks, it’s easy to see why Venice is considered one of Europe’s most romantic cities.
For those who want more than just sightseeing, there are plenty of activities to entertain both young and old. Check out the Venetian Arsenal for a unique look at maritime history; take a guided tour around the Jewish Ghetto, or watch one of the many impressive operas performed in local theatres. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a water taxi tour along the canals or head to Lido beach for sunbathing and swimming.
Venice also boasts an array of delicious cuisines from all around Italy. Indulge in traditional dishes such as risotto al nero di seppia or sarde in saor while strolling down Calle dei Fabbri, which serves up some of Europe’s best street food. The nearby island of Burano offers all kinds of seafood delicacies, such as grilled cuttlefish and spaghetti alle vongole — perfect after a long day exploring Venice on foot!
From historical buildings to fun activities – there’s no end to what you can experience while visiting Venice. Whether relaxing with a cappuccino overlooking St Mark’s Square or exploring hidden alleyways, this bustling city will surely leave you with memories that will last for years! So don’t forget to check out all the things to do in Venice during your next trip – you won’t regret it!
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Why should you visit Venice
Beautiful Venice is another most visited destination in Italy, where you can explore the city on a gondola. Many lovely canals in a lagoon are the main attractions in Venice. Every year many travelers visit Venice’s local life and historical landmarks.
They enjoy the gondola ride along the Grand Canal. There are also 118 islands in Venice. Many art galleries are there to explore the art and culture of Venice in Italy. There are many restaurants where you can taste many traditional fish-focused dishes. And don’t miss the gondola ride to get the ultimate fun during your trip to Venice.
Beautiful Hotels in Venice
PalazzinaG
PalazzinaG is a 5-star design hotel located on the Grand Canal in Venice. All rooms and suites are very elegant and well-decorated. The hotel offers all luxurious facilities. This hotel is also pet-friendly and comes with lovely canal views. Venice Marco Polo Airport is 16 km away from PalazzinaG Hotel.
Check the latest price at Booking.com
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Venice is a luxury 5-star resort located on a private island in the Venetian lagoon. The hotel offers all luxurious facilities. All rooms and suites are very well decorated. Here you’ll also get the complimentary boat shuttle service. This hotel is also pet-friendly and comes with breathtaking views of the lagoon.
Check the latest price at Booking.com
Hotel Danieli
Hotel Danieli is a luxury collection hotel in Venice and features luxurious rooms and suites. The hotel is located in the center of Venice. All popular and interesting attractions, cafes, and museums are close to the hotel. Grand Canal is just 1.3 km away from the hotel.
Check the latest price at Booking.com
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Experiences and top things to do in Venice
Gondola Ride
One thing that is a must-do in Venice for most tourists is a gondola ride along the city’s canals. Watching the gondolier navigate the waters and see the fabulous sights is incredibly serene and magical.
Gondolas are much more expensive than a Vaporetto at €80 for around 35 to 40 minutes, but since it seats six people, you can share the fare with your co-passengers. Night rides cost more.
While some gondola drivers overcharge, you can negotiate a better deal for a shorter ride. If you don’t mind spending, hire a gondolier willing to sing (at an additional cost) as you ride along.
There are various points from where you can get on board a gondola. Ride along the busy Grand Canal or head to the smaller canals to experience an old-world charm.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Make your Venice trip memorable and try this private Gondola ride!
Read also: Top 25 Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Venice is also home to a beautiful selection of modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim museum. If you are looking for unique art activities in Venice, this one should make your list. The collection is on display inside the Palazzo Venier Dei Leoni, where American art collector Peggy Guggenheim lived.
Immerse yourself in the fantastic 20th-century artworks, including those by Picasso, Pollock, Magritte, Calder, Miro, and Dalí.
There is a captivating sculpture garden as well. You can also stop by the gift shop and the café while you are here. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is for those who love modern art and even for those who don’t!
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Save some time and money and skip a line to enter Peggy Guggenheim Collection!
Read also: Top 10 Easter Holiday Destinations in Europe
Torcello, Burano and Murano Islands
Do you wish to know what to do in Venice apart from sightseeing at the historic center? You can take a trip to Torcello, Burano, and Murano islands. Located close to each other, these islands offer a different experience.
The origins of Venetian civilization can be traced to Torcello Island. Although it is now mostly deserted with very few residents, some interesting places are here, such as the seventh-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca.
In Burano, houses in different colors are situated next to each other, which looks very appealing. This island is well-known for its lace and lace products, so you can buy something if you fancy lace. Therefore, this beautiful island is one of the main Venice tourist places.
At Murano, explore the island’s beautiful churches and look at its shops with fantastic glassware. You can also see a glassblowing demonstration by an artisan if you wish to.
There are so many things to do in Venice, a truly different destination. With this handy Venice city guide, you can chart your itinerary for a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Check out this day-trip tour that will take you to Torcello, Burano, and Murano Islands!
Read also: Europe Bucket List: Top 12 Unusual Destinations in Europe to Visit
Venice Lido
If you are looking for a soothing sight away from the fuss of the cities – you should prefer going to Lido. This island acts as a barrier between the Adriatic Sea and Venice, having a long, stretched, exotic beach for people to relax.
This pride of Venice sightseeing is home to almost 20,000 people with a range of local shops, restaurants, and cafes to amuse visitors. Lido is a real getaway from Venice’s busy streets and canals, featuring a calmer life.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Try Cicchetti while you’re in Venice!
Cicchetti or Venitian tapas is a snack you’ll find in Venice! This is a composition of small snacks you can choose for yourself, including meat, fish, and vegetables.
Visit one of the small bars in Venice, as most have a selection of Cicchetti for you! Enjoy this with house wines while overlooking the streets of Venice.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Try the best street food in Venice through a local guide:
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Top Landmarks and attractions in Venice
Canal Grande (Grand Canal)
To enjoy Venice’s prime attractions and activities, you can use water transport on the canals or walk. The Grand Canal is the primary water corridor linked to other smaller water canals.
A ride along the Grand Canal flanked by 13th to 18th-century buildings is a beautiful way to see these palazzos, once residences of aristocrats and other wealthy people. You can navigate the waters on a Vaporetto (waterbus), water taxi, or a gondola.
A Vaporetto is the cheapest (single ticket – €7.50) and the most popular regular transport mode. Use your ticket or multi-day pass to stop and alight at various points of interest along the way.
Going sightseeing in Venice – Canale Grande is undoubtedly the most significant of all the canals in Venice and makes itself a core connection between islands. This supreme canal is so big that it looks almost like a river and bends through the center like an ‘S’ shape.
Canale Grande has served as a vital waterway since the setting up of the early Roman Empire, and the buildings on its bank also date back to the 13th century. The tourists mostly prefer to travel along the canal, that’s why you’ll only notice four brides over it.
If you ever want to participate in an entertaining Venice activity, get on a ferry and make your way through the water traffic.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Check out the grand canal on a Gondola tour!
Read also: Top Tourist Attractions and Things to do in Bologna
Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)
Located on St Mark’s Square, the 11th-century church contains the remains of St Mark and is impressive due to its architecture, art, and opulence.
Its exterior is striking in appearance, while its interiors are breathtaking in structure, gilded design, and artwork. Beautiful mosaics against gold backgrounds, beautiful domes, and a marble floor with lovely patterns are just some of the outstanding features here.
Another highlight is the Pala d’Oro altarpiece made from precious gems. Entry to the basilica is free, but there is a nominal fee for access to certain parts of the church. This beautiful church is on every list of top things to see in Venice.
It is one of Venice’s top sights – St. Mark’s Basilica is easily the most famous building in Italy. This magnificent architecture has remained the most important religious building since its creation in the 1920s.
You’ll always find pure perfection regardless of the angle you look at this church. The minute ornate decorative details, the artwork on the facade, beautifully designed sculptures and frescoes, and the Italian-Byzantine art creation inside the domed ceiling are living legends of this cathedral.
The Basilica in Piazza San Marco can be easily reached from the Grand Canal and is undoubtedly the best of Venice’s attractions.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
If you want to see St. Mark’s Basilica and Dodge’s Palace – check out this ticket that lets you save time by skipping the line and entrance to both iconic attractions in Venice:
Read also: Top 17 Things to do in Florence
Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square)
With various historic structures and one of Venice’s top attractions, St. Mark’s Square is one of the notable Venice highlights. You can see St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and public buildings for high-ranking officers of the 16th century here.
Another essential structure towering high on St. Mark’s Square is the Campanile of St Mark’s Basilica, known as the bell tower. Almost 99 meters tall, the bell tower contains five bells. Right on top of the tower is a spire with a new weathervane.
You can take an elevator to the top of the tower to enjoy superb views of Venice. Various restaurants and shops are in the vicinity of St Mark’s Square. Soak in the atmosphere!
St. Mark’s Square is the perfect place to start your Venice tourism.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Best Day Trips from Venice: Overnight Trips & Excursions (Italy)
Doge’s Palace
A place that once housed the highest authority (Doge) of the erstwhile Republic of Venice, the Doge’s Palace is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city.
As you will read in any Venice city guide, this fantastic Venetian Gothic Palace is now a museum open to the public. The Doge’s Palace, with its waterfront location, was constructed between 1340 and 1442.
It consists of various chambers and rooms where the daily administration of the Republic was carried out. They are ornately decorated with frescoes on the walls and ceilings.
A visit to Doge’s Palace is one of the most fascinating things to do in Venice, especially if you book a Secret Itineraries Tour, which gives you access to famous places, including the Ponte Dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs).
The bridge connects the interrogation room in the palace to the building that housed the prison.
Doges Palace is one of the top attractions in Venice, alongside the Basilica and Campanile. This palace faces the Grand Canal located on St. Mark’s Square. The arched facade is astonishing, featuring white stones and a diamond pattern for its grand ornate design.
The interior of this palace is as fascinating as the exterior, with fully decorated rooms containing original furniture and artwork from the old times.
Guided tours of this Palace are also available, and it is highly advised to spend more time in this Venice attraction and learn about its history.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Get the same access to Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilican on the same ticket and save time by skipping the line on busy tourist season:
Read also: Top 15 of the Most Visited Tourist Attractions in Europe
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
One of the famous destinations for art lovers visiting Venice is the Scuola Grande di San Rocco building, which contains several exquisite paintings.
A building used for religious and charitable purposes, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco came into existence in 1478. The lovely building has two levels – the Sala Terra (lower hall) and the Sala Superiore (upper chamber).
Among the major highlights are the works of various artists, especially Tintoretto, the famous Renaissance painter. His paintings inspired by the Old Testament adorn the ceilings while the walls are covered with New Testament themes. You can also visit the Church of San Rocco situated near the building.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Top 15 The Most Expensive Cities in Europe That Are Still Worth the Visit
Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)
At one point, there was only one bridge on the Grand Canal – the Ponte di Rialto or Rialto Bridge. Initially built as a floating bridge in the 12th century near the Rialto market, it was later reconstructed using stone in 1591.
The design style of the bridge is that of two elevated ramps on either side that join together at the center in a portico. You can spot tourists strolling along with the shops on the ramps or taking in the beautiful views of the canal.
You can also see the bridge as you approach and pass underneath it on a gondola. While there are more bridges on the canal today, the Rialto Bridge remains a Venice must-see experience.
Venice’s most iconic and famous bridge spans over the Grand Canal and presents a beautiful sight to the viewers. Ponte di Rialto connects the San Polo and San Marco districts of Venice.
Not only an excellent walkway for pedestrians, but the bridge is also one of the top sights in Venice. Looking at the history of this bridge which was originally wooden, it has been restored as an ornate Stone Bridge after it collapsed in 1524. The perfected symmetry of this bridge over the Grand Canal gets it into Venice’s list of tourist places.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Top 12 Museums in Europe (For Arts, History, and Culture)
Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute
Possibly the second main attraction of Venice, Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute stands opposite St. Mark’s Square on the Grand Canal. The completion of this Basilica as a minor in the Roman Catholic Church in 1687.
This astounding church features a Baroque design with four statue apostles on its exterior, while the central dome tower on top of it almost touches the skyline.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Europe Bucket List: Top 12 Unusual Destinations in Europe to Visit
Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari
This church, located in San Polo, has an imposing presence and is stunning in its simplicity. Dedicated to the Assumption, work on the church was finished in 1338.
Its brick-built structure in the Italian Gothic style gives it an attractive appearance from the outside. From inside, the church looks massive and spacious. Various works of art from famous Venetian painters provide the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari with a beautiful look.
The Assumption of the Virgin and Pesaro Madonna is both the most impressive paintings by Titian. This well-known artist is also buried here. Other notable works include those by Bellini and Vivarini. Near the basilica, you can also see its tall bell tower.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Top 15 Medieval Towns in Europe
Teatro La Fenice
A spectacular opera house, Teatro La Fenice is a significant landmark that has witnessed the works of the most prominent Italian music composers.
This is it if you want to know what to see in Venice related to music. The name ‘Fenice,’ which means Phoenix, is an appropriate name for the theatre as it has risen from the ashes after being destroyed by fire on more than one occasion.
Once you enter the opera house, you will travel back in time when you see the opulent design. Take in the entire set with the marvelously crafted golden interiors and luxurious seating. The icing on the cake is if you come here during the primary opera season from July to September in time to enjoy the music.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Top 15 Best Experiences in Europe
Cannaregio
A trip to Venice becomes even better when you experience local life by walking through some delightful places. One such area of interest is the Cannaregio district.
A busy city, the Grand Canal part of Cannaregio consists of interesting sites such as the Ca d’Oro Palace, an art gallery. Once you venture further, you will enter quiet neighborhoods
Visit the world’s first Jewish Ghetto, which existed from 1516 for more than 250 years. Walk along the narrow alleys with buildings and tour the oldest synagogues here.
Other interesting places in Cannaregio include the Church of Madonna dell Orto and the Santa Maria dei Miracoli church made of marble. You might also stumble upon shops with artisans and delightful restaurants as you walk along.
If you want something different, head to the nearby island of San Michele, now a cemetery.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Islands in Europe: Top 10 Best Island Holidays in Europe to Visit
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Located on the Grand Canal opposite the Ponte dell’Accademia – Gallerie dell’Accademia is one of Venice’s main attractions. This gallery holds artwork and sculptures from the pre-19th century and features the paintings of artists like Titian, Canaletto, and Bellini.
This gallery is highly recommended to visitors that are interested in Renaissance Art. Vitruvian Man by Da Vinci is undoubtedly the best among the sublime masterpieces. Resurrection, Virgin, and Child by Titian are also noteworthy paintings here.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Secret Destinations: Top 13 Natural Wonders of Europe You Must Visit
Bridge of Sighs
One of the most iconic landmarks included in Venice’s points of interest – The bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace to the Prigioni Nuove spanning over Rio Di Palazzo.
Although it’s a small bridge in the vast scheme of Venice – it still has a great historical significance. It is said that when the criminals were taken from the palace to the execution sites or confinements, they would make one last view of Venice from this Bridge as in the earlier times.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Summer in Europe: Top 14 Best Summer Destinations in Europe
San Marco Campanile
San Marco Campanile is one of Venice’s attractions that dominates the entire city. This colossal structure is considered the tallest building in Venice, with a high of 98.6m. This tower was originally constructed in the 9th century as a watchtower. In 1902, it collapsed and was reconstructed for tourism purposes.
Since then, it has survived many earthquakes, fires, and even lightning twice. The main shaft features a simple red brick design, but the pinnacle and bell housing are highlighted with a myriad of stone-design and arches. Take an elevator to the top and marvel at Venice’s tourism in light of the panoramic view.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Best Road Trips in Europe: Top 15 European Road Trip Ideas
San Giorgio Maggiore
San Giorgio Maggiore is a small separate island connected to Venice’s Grand Canal. Near the Venice Basin, you can take a water taxi or Vaporetto to reach this top destination in Venice.
Some notable highlights on this island are the monastery and church of San Giorgio Maggiore and the massive campanile. Tourists can stroll through the harbor or climb the campanile to view Venice’s attractions from a fair distance.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Christmas in Italy: 8 Best Christmas Markets in Italy
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
Also called I Gesuiti, The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a classy building and a top sight of Venice. This church featuring stone columns on its facade, is situated in the Cannaregio region of Venice.
This church was constructed in 1729 and holds essential additions of artworks like Martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Titian. Inside you’ll find perfectly embellished sculptures of religious figures and the never-ending glorious details on its walls. A vast Bronze Door at the entrance doubles merely the beauty of this place.
Where to stay in Venice? Check out this list of beautiful hotels and find great deals!
Read also: Top 15 Beautiful Castles in Italy
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Planning to visit Italy? Check out these posts!
- Italy Points of Interests: Places to visit, Castles to check out, and Christmas markets
- Rome Travel Guides: Things to do, Day trips
- Florence Travel Guides: Things to do, Day trips
- Venice Travel Guides: Things to do, Day trips
- Pisa Travel Guides: Things to do, Day trips
- Bologna Travel Guides: Things to do, Day Trips
- Naples travel Guides: Safety in Naples
Where to stay in Venice
Booking.comActivities to do in Venice
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