14 Best Things to do in Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the best places to visit in Italy. Venice is isolated into six sestieri, neighbourhoods that have particularly various characters. Venice is a very unique city. It is entirely swimming in water. And what is more exciting than spending a few days in a swimming city? You have probably seen Venice on pictures many times.

This is the place that comes to our mind when we crave for some delicious Pizza. Home to some of the fashion hubs in the world and amazing cuisine, this European city is also known for its spectacular panoramic views, crisscrossing canals, gorgeous palaces and aesthetically designed buildings.

The small canals, the colorful buildings, the longboats they use to travel through the city. Everything is just more exciting. And Venice is for that reason and many others, one of the Italian tourist attractions you can't miss. Having the opportunity to spend a few days in a floating city truly changes your view of the world for the better.

You can't find this anywhere else, so if you happen to be in Italy, make sure to go over to Venice and see for yourself how amazing it is. Those who want to travel the world always have this city on their list of cities they must go to. Especially during the time of the year when there is a carnival in Venice.

This is when people wear fun clothing and masks and go out in the streets. It is Italy's classy way of celebrating Halloween. With the passage of time, the charm and magic of Venice do not diminish. On the contrary, she continues to exercise the same fascination in those who still do not know her and also in those who have already visited her but, without a doubt, wish to return.

Because Venice is one and is at the same time more a symbol than a place to see in Italy. And there’s a whole bunch of other laws in Venice, banning standing still on a bridge, lying down on public benches, leaning against storefronts, buying stuff from street vendors, wearing swimsuits, bicycling, feeding pigeons, etc.

An entire city built on water – it doesn’t sound like the greatest plan, but that’s exactly what the people of Venice managed to achieve. This city is a European bucket list item if ever there was one, although you’ll soon see that most of the world’s tourists have had the same idea as you. There aren’t really any Venetians left in Venice, but the charming canals and general uniqueness of the place make up for the lack of realism.

Jump in a gondola and enjoy the ride. Go to Venice if you want to see something different, you have a penchant for the romantic, you’re not put off by tourists.

Visit Venice and put down your phones. Don’t look at Google maps or any kind of map, get lost, roam without purpose or destination, walk the narrow empty streets that don’t lead anywhere. Wake up early, walk through the beautiful markets, enjoy the Venetian sunrise, talk to the locals and enjoy their accent and be ready to fall deeply madly in love. To live in Venice or even to visit it means that you fall in love with the city itself. There is nothing left over in your heart for anyone else. 💕

best things to do in Venice

Here is a fast rundown of the best places to visit in Venice that will make you return over and over.

1. Grand Canal


Canal Grande or Grand Canal is the most important symbol of Venice with exquisite royal residences and manors on the two sides. The canal is perhaps the best spot to visit in Venice and passes through the city in a crisscross manner with a couple of stunning extensions over it.

It is one of the top spots to visit in Venice around evening time, to enjoy the dazzling dusk and watch the shining water of the canal. Get some of the most stunning views of Venice from the Canal Grande, the city's main waterways. With stunning Renaissance palaces, it's a lively and bustling scene of gondolas, vaporetti, and gondolas. Admire the beautiful panoramas in this one-hour boat cruise along the canals to see the sights that most tourists overlook.

Don't Forget: Thrilling and sentimental Gondola ride in the Grand Canal makes it one of the must-visit spots to visit in Venice. Similarly, enjoy the view on the Venetian Gothic and Early Renaissance exteriors of the royal residences that fall off the sides.

In Venice the days are never enough with gondola rides, visits to unmissable museums, excursions to nearby islands, tours of the most famous bridges, visits to luxurious palazzos. The gondolieri will tell you the details and secrets of the most famous places in Italy and if you're lucky, you can even sing a typical Italian song.

You can be a tourist and pay 100 Euros to rent a gondola and then pay on top of that depending on the distance you go, which is practically a joyride. Or you can take a boat, which is essentially the only mode of transportation. Ordinary people use the boat to go from island to island. It’s a very convenient way to travel.

They have a reduced rate for regular commuters. But one way is 7.50 Euros. It is pretty neat to see the city by boat.

2. Rialto Bridge


Rialto Bridge is one of the famous tourist spots of Venice-worked over the Grand Canal in 1588. Other than connecting two swarmed avenues of the city, the extension is viewed as probably the best spot to visit in Venice, Italy. It is a significant intersection purpose of the Canal. The Rialto Bridge, on the Grand Canal is the oldest in the city.

The Gothic churches, a long sandy beach, the Rialto market, the beautiful bridges connecting the city and a gondola ride underneath the bridge is all that you would ask for.

The canals and water-ways of this amazing place is the main factor that attracts tourists to keep coming. While in Venice, Gelato ice cream from any tiny outlet is mandatory!

Don't Forget: Watching the gondolas and vessels going under the scaffold, presenting on the extension, viewing the nearby crisp market, and visiting Bartolomeo – one finish of the extension.

3. Doge's Palace


One of the well-known spots to find in Venice, Doge's Palace is a monstrously lovely and flawless castle, situated on the bank of the Grand Canal. During the good 'old days, it was the seat of Government, the Palace of Justice, and the suitable living arrangement of Doge. The artfulness and soberness of its Venetian Gothic design and stylistic layout set it a class separated. This place is one of Venice's top attractions.

The Ducal Palace was the residence of the dukes and seat of government. You will also see the Clock Tower and other historic buildings. One of the sides of Piazza San Marco overlooks the Grand Canal, the most important in the city. The vaporetto tour will give you a totally different view of the city and the main buildings and palaces.

Don't Forget: Popular vacation spots like Porta Della Carta, Scala Dei Giganti, gold vaulted Scala d'Oro, Sala del Collegio, and works of Tintoretto

4. Basilica Di San Marco


Basilica di San Marco or St Mark's Basilica is one of the wonderfully planned houses of worship in Italy and Venice's top attractions. The glorious style with gold mosaics and works by Renaissance painters and Byzantine vaults are amazingly enchanting. The Saint Mark's Basilica is one of the symbols of the city and center of religious life.

To one side of the Basilica is the Bell Tower, almost 100 meters high, which you can climb to enjoy the view.

Don't Forget: Pala d'Oro (the brilliant altarpiece), mosaics planned by Titian and Tintoretto, and Quadriga of St Mark's (a gathering of four bronze steeds).

5. Bridge of Sighs


Another of the most famous bridges in Venice is the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the Palace of Justice with the New Prisons. Tradition says that the couple that kisses when passing by gondola under the Bridge of Sighs, will find eternal love.

6. Piazza San Marco


Piazza San Marco is the hub or square is conveniently located in front of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. San Marco is the focal place, encompassed on three sides by an incredible circle in the Grand Canal. Piazza San Marco is the most packed open square and one of the most happening spots to visit in Venice, situated before St. Imprint's Basilica and Doge's Palace. This square is separate from the royal residence, known as Rio Batterio.

This is where all governance structures and various workplaces are located in Venice. There is probably no uncertainty about coming to Venice.

Sit in Piazza San Marco for a coffee and listen to live music and you will lose track of time. The heart of Venice is the magical St Mark's Square, one of the largest squares in the world and also one of the best tourist places in Italy. Its cafes are filled every afternoon with tourists and locals who enjoy a good ristretto, music of violins and the view of the Grand Canal.

7. Gallerie Dell'Accademia


This is one of the most esteemed craftsmanship displays and must see places in Venice, known for a rich assortment of Venetian works of art. The artistic creations are organized sequentially so one can grasp the advancement of works of art of the medieval period.

Don't Forget: Works of Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, and Tiziano. A portion of the must-see, perfect works of art is Michelangelo's David and Slaves, Rape of the Sabines, Cassoni Adimari and Jacopo di Cione.

8. Teatro La Fenice


Teatro La Fenice is a drama place of Venice, and numerous mainstream Italian auditoriums have been displayed here. Its structural appeal makes it one of the most excellent and must-visit places in Venice. La Fenice has facilitated numerous well known operatic debuts and exhibitions of popular authors like Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi.

The development was crushed by fire occurrences thrice however it was reconstructed consequently and restored to its unique greatness. No big surprise, Teatro La Fenice is one of the most acclaimed vacationer goals in Venice.

9. Ca' Rezzonico


Ca' Rezzonico is an open gallery situated on the bank of the Grand Canal and perhaps the best spot to visit in Venice. This is one of the 11 historical centres supervised by Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia authority and has extraordinary assortments of artworks and models including artful culminations by Titian, Mantegna, Van Dyck, Tullio Lombardo, and Bernini.

The exhibition hall likewise brags of its sublime assortment of Venetian glass work and vintage furniture.

Don't Forget: Famous work of The Allegory of Merit, the image representing the group of Barbarigo, Throne Room, and Chinoiserie-style salon.

10. Church of Madonna dell' Orto


The Church of Madonna dell' Orto is another of the best places to find in Venice. It was worked in the fourteenth century and committed to Saint Christopher Martyr. The congregation looked exquisite with its brickwork development, mullioned and rose windows, dazzling curves, geometrical topics, and marble columns.

Don't Forget: Sculpture of Madonna with Child, Altarpiece of St John Baptist with Saints Peter, Monument to Gerolamo Cavazza, and Martyrdom of St Lorenzo by Daniel van lair Dyck.

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11. Murano


If you’re serious about Murano glass products, then here’s the place to know about it all. If you’re a history buff and have a thing for great buildings, then Venice is home to some stunning arches, domes, marble pillars, vintage furniture and venetian glasswork.

In Murano, the famous colored glass unique in the world is manufactured. You can literally walk through a street and smell the scent of fresh food in Venice. You can smell the aroma of fresh pizza and pasta. You can walk down the street and find popsicle stands that make fresh fruit popsicles daily. You see the display of fresh fruits and sellers making the fruit juice right in front of you.

Don’t look for American style breakfast, you will be disappointed. Go for the Italian breakfast at coffee shops cappuccino and pastry (usually delicious).

12. Burano


Burano is a beautiful fishing village where lace is traditionally woven around the world (look for shops in Via Galuppi). There are endless gelato stands. At every price point. The coffee shops are plentiful and also very cheap. The cold coffee isn’t watered down by the ice.

Walk aimlessly through alleyways away from the tourist sites to visit in Italy and discover corners, fountains and squares that seem like a story. People walk everywhere. This is how people stay in shape, despite loading up on pasta and gelato everyday. You need to walk over bridges to get to the opposite side of the street. It is wild.

A short walk will exhaust you with all the stairs you have to climb, bridges you walk and alleyways you have to go through. A short 20 minute walk will feel like a workout.

13. Dorsoduro


Across Rialto Bridge is the craftsman’s neighbourhood of San Polo, and over the Grand Canal toward the south is snazzy Dorsoduro, with its lofty workmanship exhibition halls and energetic squares.

At the external edges are Santa Croce, Castello, and Cannaregio, home of the first Ghetto in Veneto. Past the six neighbourhoods of the city itself, you'll need to bounce on board a Vaporetto to its islands: Lido, Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

14. San Giorgio Maggiore


A fourth island, San Giorgio Maggiore, merits visiting for the beautiful views of San Marco and Venice from the top of its terrace. Italy got rows upon rows of wine, for you to just stare in awe. Immediately north of Venice there are Cavallino and Jesolo, which are popular beach destination for Italians and tourists from all over Europe. Jesolo is not only a favorite beach area, it’s also known for its lively nightlife.
Immediately south of Venice there is Chioggia, a smaller canal town which on the right has a long beach area called Sottomarina di Chioggia.

In summary, Italy has plenty to offer to anyone visiting, and will not cease to surprise you in its own little way as you go along.

Kalyan Panja