There are many incredible things to do in Venice, the most visited city in Italy after Rome. Its rich history, culture, museums, winding streets, mouth-watering cuisine, art-filled palaces, stunning architecture, picturesque canals, and shopping opportunities (such as the famous Murano glass) attract close to 30 million tourists annually.
Nicknamed “The Floating City,” “The City of Bridges,” and “The City of Canals,” Venice is built on 118 small islands connected by more than 400 bridges and canals. It is so unique that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Are you visiting Venice soon? These are the best activities and places to visit in Venice that must be booked in advance:
Curious to learn more about what to do in Venice? Continue reading and make sure to also consult this 3 days in Venice itinerary.
The Best Things To Do In Venice
Explore St. Mark’s Square
Named after Evangelist Saint Mark, Venice’s patron saint, and called Piazza San Marco in Italian, this is the largest and most popular piazza (public square) in Venice. For centuries, most of the major events in the city have been held here.
This is the perfect place to begin your tour of Venice. The best time to visit is early morning, just after sunrise when it is not packed with tourists, who usually arrive in the city around 10:00 am.
Once you’ve taken in the sights, you can go to one of the cafes at the north end of the piazza for Italian espresso. Caffè Florian opened in 1720. This world-famous café (the oldest in the world) is perfect for a drink but very expensive.
St. Mark’s Square has some of the city’s top attractions, such as St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the 15th-century Torre dell’Orologio, managed by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (known as MUVE). Make sure to get a museum pass to access them all. You can get one directly on the foundation website.
You’ll find lots of pigeons in the square. Don’t feed them: it’s forbidden, and if you’re discovered doing that, you could pay a hefty fine.
Tour St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Located in Saint Mark’s Square, the Basilica was built in the 9th century and is the most famous building in Venice—though it only became the city’s cathedral in the 19th century. The church’s Italian Byzantine architecture is something to marvel at—picture columns, cupolas, mosaics, and more.
The highlight of the visit is the Pala d’Oro, an altar screen in Byzantine style studded with precious stones and gems. You should also make sure not to miss the Transept Chapels and St. Mark’s tomb.
As one of the top tourist attractions in Venice, St.Mark’s Basilica is expected to have long lines. As for any other church in Italy, dress modestly for your visit. Plan to go very early before it opens so that you can be among the first in line or late in the afternoon. You can also pay for a skip-the-line ticket or tour to get you in swiftly.
Please also read my post, What To Wear In Venice, for more tips on packing and the kinds of clothes you’ll need to travel around Venice.
Access to St. Mark’s Basilica requires a small fee, and you should book in advance—you can do that on the official site. Access to some spaces, like the basilica’s museum, Pala d’Oro, or Treasury, requires an additional fee. Make sure to pass by the outdoor terrace for magnificent views of the square below.
You can tour St Mark’s Basilica alone or pay for a guided tour. I believe a guided tour—especially one that combines the Basilica and Doge’s Palace—is the best way to go, as otherwise, you are likely to miss some of the most important sights or not take in all there is to see.
For the best tours of St. Mark’s Basilica, I recommend this Skip the Line: St Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour. The skip-the-line entrance means you won’t have to wait in the long lines at the beginning. You’ll explore St. Mark’s Basilica with a guide and have the option to add on a visit to the terrace, the museum, and Pala d’Oro.
You could also do a combination tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace. I recommend this Legendary Venice: St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tour. St Mark’s and Doge’s Palace are both located in Piazza San Marco, so it’s recommended that we visit the two sites together.
You should also consider a tour that includes terrace access to St. Mark’s Basilica. I recommend Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour. You can choose between a private or shared tour, an excellent option if you’re already traveling with a group and want a more personalized experience.
For something more unique and exclusive, I also highly recommend this Exclusive Alone In St. Mark’s Basilica After Hours tour. It lasts 1.5 hours and includes a visit to the crypt.
Check out my post, How To Get St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets, where I talk about how to visit on your own and other popular tours to St. Mark’s Basilica and nearby attractions.
Visit the Basilica of Saint John & Paul
This is the largest church in Venice. It took over a century to build and was finally consecrated in 1430. The square where it is located is also an excellent place to hang out!
Go up St. Mark’s Bell Tower
With its 98,6 meters (323.5 feet), the Campanile di San Marco, Venice’s famous bell tower and originally simply a watchtower (to warn of the arrival of ships and boats in town), is the tallest landmark in the city. The tower you see today was built in 1912, a perfect replica of the Medieval tower that unfortunately collapsed in 1902.
It’s located in Piazza San Marco and is one of the city’s symbols that you will quickly recognize from a distance. From there, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable view of Venice—climbing the tower is one of the best things to do in Venice, and if you are not up for the challenge, you can even take the elevator.
The last time I was in Venice, the line to get tickets was horrendous (we waited for more than one hour), so I recommend getting St. Mark’s Campanile: Skip The Line Entrance in advance.
Go for a walk along the Riva degli Schiavoni
One of the best—and free—things to do in Venice is to walk along the waterfront east of Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, the Riva degli Schiavoni. Its name refers to Dalmatian Slavs who, in Medieval times, made their way to Venice and settled in this part of the city.
It’s a busy, lively area packed with street vendors (not all legal!) and one of the city’s main docking points. From there, you can see across the lagoon to San Giorgio Maggiore.
Places to visit along the Riva degli Schiavoni include the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, where you can see a beautiful statue of Four Seasons’ composer Antonio Vivaldi, and Hotel Danieli, one of the most iconic in the city.
Remember that buying from illegal vendors in Venice may result in a fine for you, too—so make sure to avoid it!
Visit Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Visiting this centuries-old palace is one of the unmissable things to do in Venice. Now a museum, Doge’s Palace was built as a fort in the 11th and 12th centuries.
It then became a palace and served as the home of the Doge, a supreme leader elected by Venetian nobles to govern Venice. Located at Saint Mark’s Square, it is entirely built in Venetian Gothic architecture, and its interior is opulent.
The palace is also full of history about how Venice was ruled in its earlier years because all its affairs were run from here, including the imprisonment and execution of those found to have wronged the state.
Admire the gorgeous pink Verona marble facade, then walk inside to admire the magnificent works of art preserved, including pieces by Titian and Veronese.
This is one of the most popular attractions in Venice, so you must book your visit in advance. Admission is included in the Saint Mark’s Museum Pass.
There is so much to see here that you are probably better off joining a guided tour. For guided tours, including skip-the-line admission, I recommend Doge’s Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Tour—it lasts just one hour and is quite budget-friendly.
For a more private experience, go on a nighttime tour such as this Exclusive Alone In St. Mark’s And Doge’s Palace Tour. It visits Venice’s top attractions after hours and places most tourists don’t get to see.
For an in-depth tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace, I recommend this Legendary Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tour. The tour lasts around three hours, much longer than most, so you’ll get even more information and backstory.
Read my post, How To Get Doge Palace Tickets And Skip The Line, if you’d like more options and information about Doge Palace in Venice, Italy.
Admire the Bridge of Sighs
The bridge where prisoners walked as they left the dungeons to go to courtrooms in Doge’s Palace is a lovely sight and of of the most iconic outdoor attractions in Venice.
The best view is from Ponte della Paglia, along the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, or else you could try to snap it during a gondola ride. Did you know that legend says that if you kiss your beloved as the gondola boat rides under the bridge, you’ll be forever in love?
However, one of the best things to do in Venice is peering through the Bridge of Sighs instead of just admiring it from the outside. Indeed, you can walk across the bridge.
To walk across the Bridge of Sighs, you must take a tour of Doge Palace and the Prisons, like this Doge Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Prisons & Yard Gallery. The tour includes skip-the-line tickets, entry to the Royal Palace, access to the Correr Museum, National Archaeological Museum, the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana Library, the Yard of Venice Gallery, lunch, and, of course, the Bridge of Sighs.
See the Grand Canal (Canale Grande)
Hundreds of canals connect the islands that make up Venice. The largest is Canale Grande.
This s-shaped 4-km (2-mile) canal cuts through Venice. Its banks are lined with nearly 200 buildings, some built as far back as the 13th century. However, interestingly, only four bridges cross it—the most impressive one being the Rialto Bridge.
This waterway has for years played a major role in Venice’s economy, and it is always busy with water traffic. If you want to admire the canal and the buildings along its banks on the cheap, walking along it or riding the Vaporetto is what you should do in Venice—though you can’t walk its entire length.
The best time to sail the Grand Canal on a Vaporetto is at night. The lit waterway and palatial buildings are fantastic to look at now, and fewer people are using the Vaporetto (line n. 1 is the best one for going along the Canal Grande), so you can enjoy the trip.
You can get a one-day Vaporetto Pass. If you’d like a more structured experience, I recommend this Venice Boat Tour With Grand Canal And Tower Climb. In this activity, you’ll cruise the canal on a private boat, dock at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to climb the Bell Tower, and learn about all the sights you see.
Sail the Venice canals on a Gondola
Riding a gondola is one of the best outdoor activities in Venice, Italy.
You will find them literally at every corner of the city, so you won’t be able to miss it even if you want to! This flat-bottomed traditional Venetian rowing boat looks a bit like a canoe. It is rowed by a gondolier who uses a rowing oar, which used to be the only means of transport in Venice.
If you pay for a gondola to tour the Grand Canal or other waterways in Venice, be prepared to pay a decent amount.
You can expect to pay at least €90 for a 35-minute ride during the day, regardless of the number of people on board (a maximum of 6 is allowed), and €110 for a 30-minute ride at night. Remember that prices will likely increase over time, so it could be more.
The prices are fixed, so you don’t have to worry about negotiating, but the routes the various gondolas take vary. The best ones include a mix of Canal Grande and smaller canals—just make sure to ask before hopping on board.
As you ride the gondola and take in the sights, you may be lucky enough to get a singer onboard, or the gondolier may serenade you with beautiful traditional Venetian melodies.
If you look online, you will see some shared gondola rides. If you don’t mind sharing, this may be a great way to save some bucks. You can book a Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary online, too.
Cross Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)
This bridge—one of the four across the Grand Canal—is the most famous in Venice. Built in the 16th century, it was once the only way you could cross Canal Grande, and it would mark the entrance of Rialto Market. The bridge has three sets of stairs divided by arcades—the central set is actually where you will find vendors.
Like other attractions in Venice, this bridge receives hundreds of tourists daily, particularly around midday. The best time to go is early morning or any time after sunset. The best view of the bridge is actually from below (i.e., on Riva del Vin or Riva del Ferro), better even from the water!
Plan to attend Venice Carnevale
Every February, Venice holds a massive carnival, where locals and tourists dress up in masquerade costumes and party for two weeks. Attending is one of the best things to do in Venice in February.
The Carnevale was first held in Renaissance times, and the masks worn at the time were designed to hide participants’ true identities so that all social classes could interact freely during the event without caring about status.
The atmosphere in Venice during the Carnevale is electric, with parades, food, drinks, and entertainment. It can get wild, so if you’re not partying, you should skip this event.
If you don’t make it to Carnevale, you can get the famous Venetian carnival mask as a souvenir. You can buy a cheap one from street carts or a hand-made one at a specialized mask shop. There even are mask-making workshops!
For a mask workshop in Venice, I recommend this exciting Carnival Mask-Making in Venice. It has an English-speaking instructor and provides all the necessary painting equipment and materials.
Take a day trip to the nearby islands
One of the best things to do in Venice is get out of town and discover the surrounding islands! Here are those you may want to visit:
BURANO—One of the nicest islands found on the Venetian Lagoon. It is a 40-minute boat ride from St Mark’s Square and is the perfect place to escape the large crowds for a few hours. You’ll see colorful buildings and enjoy a lovely, quaint atmosphere.
MURANO—Famous for glass-blowing factories where you can also attend glass-making workshops and buy precious Murano glass souvenirs.
SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE—You can easily spot this island from St. Mark’s Square and from the Campanile di San Marco, so why not go there? It’s one of the lesser-known yet nicest things to do in Venice. The main sight is St. George’s Church, originally dating to the 9th century but expanded during Renaissance time. The church, home to several paintings by Tintoretto and one by Sebastiano Ricci is free to visit, and you can also access the bell tower for impressive views of Venice.
LIDO DI VENEZIA—Also known as Lido, it’s home to Venice’s main beach and where the Venice Film Festival occurs every year. This is a very residential area of Venice, way more local than the rest of the city, but charming nonetheless—I just don’t have high expectations for the beach. It’s about 20 minutes by Vaporetto (you should take line 1) from the historic center, so it’s easy to get there.
SAN MICHELE—Where the cemetery is located.
TORCELLO—It’s where you can see Byzantine mosaics in Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral.
Murano, Burano, and Torcello can be visited independently by Vaporetto, or you can go there on a guided day or half-day trip, like this Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands. You’ll get some free time on all the islands, including a 30-minute visit to a glass factory, which is a really fun experience.
Make sure also to read my post, 16 Best Day Trips From Venice, And 3 To Avoid. Time is valuable, and with so many amazing places to visit around Venice, you don’t want to waste time on an underwhelming day trip.
Try local specialties
Like in the rest of Italy, Venice’s food is delicious, and you will have plenty of chances to try local food. Remember that while pizza is readily available in Venice, this is not the place to try it—opt for regional specialties, mostly fish and seafood.
For a local experience, try the cicchetti—bite-sized appetizers typically served with a drink (it can be Prosecco or Italy’s favorite cocktail, the Spritz). You will find them at bars across town.
Another thing to try is the tramezzini, a sandwich with exceedingly soft white bread. In Venice, they are stuffed to the brim with various ingredients and have a moon-like shape.
For a food tour of Venice with a stop at Rialto Market and wine tasting, I recommend this Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit. The tour includes a short Grand Canal boat ride, seven different food stops, and a visit to several popular neighborhoods. This Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour – is another fantastic and romantic food tour. There are seven different tastings of local and regional cuisine across several neighborhoods.
If you have the budget to splurge on a cocktail, head to Hotel Danieli, which is not far from Piazza San Marco. This five-star hotel featured in many movies, including three James Bond movies, maybe impossibly expensive to stay at, but you can undoubtedly peep around the fabulous lobby and grab a drink at the bar.
You should also read my post, Where To Stay In Venice, for more information about the neighborhoods and types of accommodations in Venice for different budgets.
Enjoy opera at Teatro La Fenice
Teatro La Fenice is one of the most famous opera houses in Italy. Opened in 1792, it survived three fires, hence the name Teatro La Fenice, because, like a phoenix, it has risen from the ashes several times. It is located 5 minutes from Piazza San Marco.
The theater is famous for its magnificent architecture, golden interiors, plush red velvet chairs, and for being the place where famous composers such as Verdi, Rossini, and Bellini premiered their music. Inside, you can see the stunning 166 boxes, the most beautiful of which is the emperor’s box. Outside, the facade is a feast of marble and columns.
A show at this theater is a great experience. However, getting tickets for the opera is not easy. You will need to book months before your trip. You can view the planned events and concerts and buy tickets on the official website.
If you get tickets for a show, follow the strict dress code—for premieres, men wear tuxedos, and women wear long evening gowns; for all other shows, men wear a tie and jacket, and women wear black dresses.
Make sure to check the theater’s website in advance to be sure of the opening hours. You can also book a La Fenice Opera House: Skip the Line + Audio Guide in advance.
Explore Cannaregio
The largest and most populated sestiere in Venice is cut across by the Canale Cannaregio—the only one, together with Canal Grande, big enough for vaporetti (Venice’s famous public ferries).
It’s a lovely part of town where you will find plenty of shopping opportunities, nightlife with bars and restaurants, and the narrowest alley in Venice (Calletta Varisco). Palazzo Ca D’Oro (a beautiful Gothic building) and the Jewish Ghetto are also located here.
One of the best-known churches in Venice, Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli, is in Campiello dei Miracoli, in this sestiere. It is known as “the marble church,” an exquisite example of the early Venetian Renaissance, and the use of colored marble is incredible. It was built between 1481 and 1489 and restored in the 1990s.
Walk around the Jewish Ghetto
If you want to get acquainted with one of the nicest parts of town, visiting the Jewish Ghetto is one of the things to do in Venice. The bonus is that the large crowds of day trippers don’t make it there, so it’s significantly more local and not nearly as crowded!
Thought to be the world’s first ghetto, it was established in 1516 when Jews in Venice were forced to live in poor conditions in an enclosed area. Today, the area has many restaurants, shops, synagogues, and a Jewish museum.
To get there, hop on a Vaporetto to Ca’ d’Oro, then head to Strada Nova (New Street). Head to Via Emanuele and go straight until the street becomes Rio Tera S. Leonardo. Pay attention to a small alley with a sign in Hebrew, marking that you are in the Jewish Ghetto.
You can get tickets to the Jewish Museum in advance if you want to visit alone. For a guided tour of the Jewish Ghetto, I recommend this Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour and Synagogue Tour Option. The tour includes a 30-minute walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto, where you’ll learn about its history and significance. You’ll also stroll through Cannaregio and Calle Ghetto Vecchio.
Visit the Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Located on the Grand Canal and near Rialto Bridge, this gorgeous building dates back to 1228 and takes its name from the German (Tedeschi, in Italian) merchants who lived there during their business trips to the city. If you decide to visit, make sure to also go to the rooftop terrace for stunning views.
Wander around San Polo
San Polo is the smallest of Venice’s six Sestieri (areas) and a lovely neighborhood not far from Rialto Bridge. Locals love its relaxed atmosphere. The main landmark is the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, one of the most beautiful churches in the city. Linger long enough to drink, visit the markets and shops, and enjoy the nightlife.
Get lost in Venice’s narrow alleys
Venice can’t be accessed by car, so exploring the city on foot is a real treat. It’s colorful and beautiful, and discovering the narrow alleys can be a very rewarding experience. I recommend NOT taking the map—get lost and have fun!
Shop at Rialto Market
This canal-side market is the busiest in Venice. It’s where locals buy fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables. If you want to enjoy some of this fresh produce, you can grab a meal at one of the many restaurants in the area. The tourist section of the market is an excellent place to buy souvenirs.
For a guided market tour with street food tastings, I recommend this Venice: Street Food Tour with a Local Guide with Tasting. It’s a private walking tour, which means it can be customized a bit for your preferences. A portion of it is through the Rialto Market. This Tastes & Traditions of Venice: Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit is another great option. It’s a little longer (around 4 hours) but includes a longer walkthrough of the market and a delicious wine tasting.
Get away from the Crowds at Dorsoduro
If you want to get away from the crowds, head to Dorsoduro. Taking its name from the more stable land (compared to the rest of the lagoon), Dorsoduro is home to the 17th-century Santa Maria della Salute, a gorgeous Baroque-style church built in memory of the plague of 1630.
Inside, you can see the 12th-century Cretan icon of the Madonna of Good Health (salute in Italian) and Titian’s painting “The Descent of the Holy Spirit.”
Santa Maria della Salute church is free to visit, but there’s a small fee to access the sacristy, where most artwork is located.
Also located in Dorsoduro are the Gallerie dell’Accademia, where you can admire paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, among others, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the city’s main modern art gallery.
You can get the Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Fast Track Ticket ahead of time, saving you time and energy.
Take in the views from the Ponte dell’Accademia
For incredible views, one of the things to do in Venice is to walk on the Ponte dell’Accademia, Venice’s only timber bridge. This is one of the four bridges across the Canal Grande, linking San Marco with the Dorsoduro. The bridge itself is a lovely sight, but what will make you want to visit this specific spot is the picture-perfect view you’ll get once you’re here.
Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia
If you love art, one of the things to do in Venice is visit the Galleria dell’Accademia. This impressive collection of 14th—to 18th-century Venetian art includes over 800 paintings by great artists such as Da Vinci, Bellini, Tintoretto, Canaletto, Veronese, Tiziano, Carpaccio, Giorgione, and Giambattista.
Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia is only 15 minutes away from Piazza San Marco.
Climb the Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Scala Contarini del Bovolo is one of the most unique sights in Venice. Bovolo means “chiocciola” in Italian, which is the term used to refer to a spiral staircase—hence the name. It was built in the 15th century and is an excellent example of Renaissance art. You can walk up the stairs to the Belvedere to enjoy impressive city views.
There is a small entrance fee. You can get the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo: Entry Ticket online, in advance, as well.
Visit the Lazzaretto Nuovo
This lesser-known island is named “new” to differentiate it from the Old Lazzaretto, which housed a hospital that cured people of the plague between 1403 and 1630. It is about 3 km (1.9 miles) northeast of Venice and houses a beautifully kept Benedictine Monastery.
You can get to Lazzaretto Nuovo by private boat or Vaporetto n. 13. You can visit on guided tours every Saturday at 4:00 pm from April to October or by appointment the rest of the year. The visit includes an archeological itinerary and a walk along the sandbanks.
Go to the Biennale
Finally, one of the best things to do in Venice if you are into art is to visit the Biennale. Once occurring only in even-numbered years, the Venice Biennale (now called the Art Biennale) has been held since 1895 and is an incredible international forum for contemporary art. The central location is the Giardini, which houses the main exhibition hall.
Take photos at Libreria Acqua Alta
The Marciana Library in St. Mark’s Square is one of the most historically important libraries in Venice, but it’s not the only library. Acqua Alta, one of the most unique libraries in the country, has been gaining tons of popularity all over social media.
Libreria Acqua Alta is what to do in Venice for book-lovers. But it’s not your traditional library, and arguably, it’s more designed for photos and memories than book browsing, but it’s still really fun.
The library is surrounded by the canal, so the books are stored in tubs and even an old gondola. They are stacked in creative ways and have plenty of photo-worthy spots.
Further Readings
If you are planning a trip to Italy, make sure to read my other posts:
- The Best Travel Tips For Venice
- How To Get From Marco Polo Airport To Venice
- A Guide To The Best Places To Visit In Italy
- 17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible
- What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy
- A Perfect Italy Itinerary: What To See And Do With 10 Days Or More
- 67 Extremely Useful Travel Tips For Italy
- 30 Unmissable, Fun And Cheap Things To Do In Rome
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