For us, one of the most memorable aspects of our time in Italy was seeing Venice. Why? Venice is stunning in its history, beauty, and romance. It’s not too big or overwhelming, so you can see everything in only a few days. There is a vast list of tourist attractions in Venice. It would take days to go through them all. Sadly, most visitors can only spend a short time in this enchanting metropolis. To help you plan the perfect trip to Venice, we’ve compiled this handy list of must-do activities.
So far, we have made three trips to Venice, the most recent of which was in the summer of 2022. Each time we visit, we learn about new attractions and locations to explore. There’s indeed a lot going on in Venice, yet every turn brings new and exciting opportunities. Following our list of top things to do in Venice, we’ve included some helpful hints on how to maximize your time there, where to stay, and more.
Idle in Venice; become lost in the city’s labyrinthine streets.
Get lost; your map is useless. Look away from the mainstream web destinations (we will get to those soon). Off the beaten path, the smaller canals are great for exploring.
The historic center of Venice may be traversed on foot in a few hours. Don’t feel pressured to see everything in Venice; instead, take your time wandering the canals, lounging in one of the city’s many charming little squares, and enjoying the local fare (be it coffee, wine, or both) at one of the many cafes.
Mark’s place
The heart of Venice may be found at St. Mark’s Square. You can get to most of the other major attractions without any trouble from here. Which activities are the most recommended? Go people-watching with a 360-degree snapshot you take with your phone.
Assembling Campanile Di San Marco
The Campanile, a bell tower, is the city’s most prominent landmark. No stairs, please; the elevator will take you straight to the top. Your efforts will be rewarded with one of the city’s finest panoramas once you reach the peak.
Take In Venice’s Views From The Rialto Bridge
The Ponte di Rialto is perhaps the most famous bridge in Venice, and it spans the Grand Canal. If you want to see another breathtaking panorama of this remarkable city, go to the top of the bridge. Join the masses of sightseers that visit throughout the middle of the day, or go early or late to get the most out of your experience. It’s fascinating to sit here and watch the gondolas, vaporettos, and boats make their way up and down the Grand Canal.
There will be a lot of other tourists here, so be prepared to chat with them. Find a good vantage point, snap a bunch of shots of yourself, and have a good time; you’re in Venice, after all.
Take A Gondola Trip Through The Canals
However, Should You Do It?
While a gondola ride over the canals of Venice may seem cliche and very touristic, it is still an essential part of any trip to the city.
Tour The Palace Of The Doges
The Palace of the Doges is a Venetian Gothic structure. This structure has been a palace of justice, government headquarters, and Doge’s home for centuries. There is a museum there now. Among the many things to do in Venice, seeing the Doges’ Palace is an absolute must. There’s unbelievable history packed inside these walls. Visiting this palace is a must if you’re in Venice.
Either a self-directed or guided tour of the Palace is available. Incredible vistas of Venice only improve as you go through the palace’s many rooms. Great views of the places we visit are a must, and we particularly like ones that are unusual or provide a different perspective. Great vistas of Venice may be seen from the Doges’ Palace.
The Sighs Bridge
From the Doges’ Palace, you proceeded over the Bridge of Sighs. Step outside the Doges’ Palace for a breathtaking vista of the Bridge of Sighs.
Take a walk along the vast promenade of Riva DegliSchiavoni, which stretches along the Venetian Lagoon close to the Doge’s Palace. You may see the famous Bridge of Sighs when you cross Ponte dellaPaglia and glance along the canal using Trainline.com.
The Basilica Of St. Mark
An additional must-see whilst in Venice.
The Basilica of St. Mark was built in the ninth century. There are mosaics and Crusader artifacts within the cathedral that were added over eight centuries. Almost 2,000 diamonds adorn the gold and ivory Pala d’Oro, a Byzantine altarpiece.
The Vaporetto, Venice’s Best Deal
Tell me about this Vaporetto that I keep hearing about. It functions much like a bus, but on the water, carrying people from one location to another. Most visitors use a Vaporetto to go from one of the city’s major attractions to another. Taking the Vaporetto from the lagoon down the Grand Canal, past the Rialto Bridge, and into the railway station is a terrific and inexpensive way to see the city.
Getting from Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is as easy as hopping on the ACTV Linea 1 Vaporetto. This Vaporetto goes all the way to Lido Island if you wish to get there. The Vaporetto travels back and forth across the lagoon and down the length of the Grand Canal, making it convenient for those arriving from Lido Island.
Stop At Ponte Dell’accademia And Take In The Sights
One of the most stunning panoramas of the Grand Canal may be seen from the Ponte dell’Accademia. Although the bridge itself is not very attractive, the scenery is breathtaking.
Take a peek eastward along the Grand Canal. The 400-year-old Basilica of Santa Maria Della Salute, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, will be open for your inspection. Watching the gondolas, water buses, and water taxis float by on the Grand Canal is a fun pastime from this bridge.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Della Slate is a must-see.
The completion of this Basilica in 1687 marked the official end of the epidemic and the reason it was constructed. Presented to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Patroness of Health (Salute in Italian).
The views from the cupola of the Church of Santa Maria Della Salute are some of the greatest in all of Venice, and the basilica itself is a work of art inside and out.