Venice is the city of water, where cars cannot go, and all transport goes by boats and bridges. It’s one of the world’s most unique cities and therefore an absolute must-see if you’re in Italy. We spent 3 days wandering every street, snapping photos at every corner, and trying the best foodie spots, so you can easily plan a city trip with all the best things to do in Venice.
Day 1 – Known and Unknown Venice
Welcome to beautiful Venice, one of Europe’s most popular cities. We woke up early on our first day to avoid the big crowds, which made it much easier to do all the things to do in Venice.
Also have a look at our 7-day Italy itinerary.
1. Visit Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)
We started our morning at 6:30 AM and walked down to Ponte di Rialto, the oldest bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice. We really enjoyed watching the locals unload their fresh vegetables and fish from their boats here as we crossed the bridge.
Tip: Walk down the bridge to the square at Sotoportego de l’Erbaria. After that, enjoy a delicious espresso and croissant in the morning sunshine.
2. The View from Fondaco Dei Tedeschi
From the bridge, it’s a 2-minute walk to the rooftop of Fondaco Dei Tedeschi. This might be one of the best views we’ve seen in Venice! The rooftop is atop a luxury shopping mall and is free to visit. Here’s the location.
However, there’s a limit of 40 people at a time. Reservations can be made inside the mall or online. We found it to be one of the best places to watch the sunset, but it’s probably tough to get a spot during the high season.
Also read: The Colorful Villages of Cinque Terre, Italy
3. Visit Italy’s Coolest Bookstore
Libreria Acqua Alta is a bit off the beaten path, in a quiet area where few tourists usually go. In this funky, decorated bookstore, they sell all sorts of secondhand books, postcards, maps, and calendars.
There are books everywhere you look! We even spotted them in a huge gondola and bathtub that’s inside the bookstore. Apparently, this is to protect the books in case water floods the place.
Tip: Getting hungry? Grab a quick lunch at Farini.
4. Get Lost in the Little Streets (Best Thing to do in Venice)
While the main Venice spots can get extremely busy, you can find quiet areas pretty easily as well. We loved getting lost in the city, strolling along the canals, crossing bridges, and watching the locals. This way, we felt we got to see the city’s real beauty!
5. Gondola Ride in Venice
A unique and romantic way to see Venice is to cruise its canals in a gondola, the city’s public transport. A gondola ride cost us 80 EUR for a 40-minute trip and took us throughout the whole city. We arranged one when we were there, but you can also easily book a gondola online.
Day 2 – The Highlights of Venice
We spent our second day in Venice ticking off a couple of highlights among all the things to do in the city. Start the morning early, but grab a coffee and a snack to go before entering the city’s main tourist area, San Marco.
Also read our: 2-week travel guide for Italy
6. Palazzo Ducale & Bridge of Sighs
Around 08:30 AM, we visited the Doge’s Palace, a place full of history and artwork that you simply mustn’t miss. Here, criminals were sentenced to prison, having to cross the adjoining Bridge of Sighs to capture one last glance of Venice. Hence the name Bridge of Sighs.
We also saw that you can join a tour of the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica.
Food tip: We got some delicious and affordable takeaway pasta and pizza at Pako’s Pizza & Pasta.
7. Saint Marco Basilica
We were so impressed by the architecture and mosaics of the Saint Marco Basilica – it’s a must-see! Parts of the cathedral are free to visit, but you’re not allowed to take any photos or videos of the interior. (Get your tickets online here)
At the top of the building, you have an incredible view of the square outside. We got here just before 09:30 and would recommend that you do the same to avoid long lines. Note: This is a religious site; dress accordingly.
8. Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is the biggest square in Venice. It lies strategically surrounded by some of Venice’s most famous buildings, like the Saint Marco Basilica, the Campanile (bell tower), and the Palazzo Ducale.
Tip: At the end of day 2, we got a delicious dinner at Ristorante Rosa Rossa.
Day 3 – Relaxed Venice
Spend your last day in the city a little more relaxed, hopping from terrace to terrace, or visit Burano Island.
You can also go on a full day trip tour to the islands of Venice (Burano, Murano, Torcello) by boat—a top thing to do!
9. Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Tucked away in the narrow streets of Venice lies a unique piece of architecture. A spiral staircase (Scala) leads to the top of a building, offering a panoramic view of the city. You can see the Saint Marco Basilica from there! We paid 6 EUR per person, and it is worth the search! But to make it easier, here’s the location. 😉
These are our favorite city trips in Europe.
10. Basilisk Santa Maria Della Salute
Afterwards, we crossed the bridge ‘Ponte dell’Accademia’ and walked around Dorsoduro, the student area of Venice. Make your way to the tip of the island towards Santa Maria Della Salute for some incredible views. We walked here with a panini from Panini e Vini da Babbo.
11. Sunset at the Canals
We ended our 3-day trip with a highlight, watching the sunset along the canals. There are many incredible spots to do this, so find your own private pier and enjoy watching the Venetian canals color in vibrant orange and purple shades.
12: Visit the Most Colorful Island in Europe
Burano lies a 1-hour boat ride away from downtown Venice. The regular line does this route a few times a day, and it’s easy to do. The small island is full of brightly painted buildings, which makes it a must-see if you have the time. We found it a nice getaway and spent about 4 hours there, including the return trip.
You can also join a tour to Burano here.
How Much Does Venice Cost?
Venice is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, which comes with a pricetag, especially during the high season (May-Sept). However, there are still reasonably priced guesthouses and hostels to be found. Expect to stay just a little farther from the center.
How to Visit Venice
Venice has an international airport, Marco Polo, where flights arrive from all over Europe. From the airport, you can:
- Take a boat to the city center (14 EUR).
- Hop on a bus that drops you at the train station in Venice. From there, you can hop on a boat. The bus runs for almost 24 hours a day; the boat doesn’t.
- Another option is to visit Venice on a day trip from Pula in Croatia.
Getting Around
Nothing in Venice happens by car. Buses, ambulances, and even garbage trucks operate by boat, so their public transportation is also surprisingly easy to use.
The ACTV water buses run every 5-15 minutes, depending on your stop (departure times can be easily checked on Google Maps). We paid a one-way fare of 7,50 EUR, but you can buy a one or multiple-day card starting at 20 EUR.
Best Venice Hotels
We stayed in the middle of the city at Novecento Boutique Hotel, tucked away on a quiet street. It was only a 5-minute walk from San Marco Square! If you’re on a tighter budget, your best option is to stay outside of Venice on the mainland.
Best Time to Visit Venice
We visited Italy in the shoulder seasons of spring/early summer and late summer. Venice is really nice in the off-season when the weather is cooler, and prices aren’t at their highest yet.
- Peak season: June-August, when it gets super (!) crowded and the heat is intense.
- Our recommendation: Visit between March and May or September and November.
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Great Post And Amazing Content it really refresh my Italy trip memories. I am also a traveller and blogger since 10 years. I am happy to read this article.Italy is such a beautiful city with an old world charm that you just can’t help but like. I really enjoyed.