CityBuddy
English
Things to Do in Venice, Italy
Photo made by Emily Geibel on Pexels.com
When to visit
Plan your perfect trip to Venice, Italy
Get a complete travel plan built just for you in under 30 seconds, with daily routes, local food tips, budget estimates and more.
Are any of these especially important to you?
Select all that apply
Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Venice, Italy
Things to do in Venice, Italy include exploring the breathtaking St Mark's Basilica with its intricate mosaics and golden domes, wandering through St Mark's Square to soak in historic charm, and admiring the views from the Rialto Bridge across the Grand Canal, a 3.8-kilometer waterway threading through the city.
1. St Mark's Basilica
Discover a treasure trove of sparkling mosaics and timeless artworks. Wander through a cathedral where every nook reveals stories unfolding over weeks.
Quick facts: Golden mosaics span nearly 8,000 square meters, gleaming brightly in natural light. The architecture merges Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance influences into a distinct Venetian masterpiece.
Highlights: Gaze upward inside to discover the Pala d'Oro, an altar screen studded with over 1,300 gems and precious enamels, each narrating a tale from long ago. The basilica's famous bronze horses, known as the Horses of Saint Mark, have traveled through history from Rome to Constantinople before arriving here.
2. Doge's Palace
Enter a regal world filled with stunning artworks and dramatic tales. Stroll through opulent halls and glimpse into chambers once ruled by power.
Quick facts: The palace once housed Venetian doges and served as the seat of government. Visitors can stroll through grand chambers decorated with intricate frescoes, including works by Tintoretto and Veronese.
Highlights: Discover the elaborate Bridge of Sighs linking the palace to its historic prison, where prisoners caught their last glimpse of Venice. The grand council chamber features a massive ceiling painting celebrating Venice's naval victories, filling the room with drama and awe.
3. Rialto Bridge
Step onto a lively walkway with breathtaking views at every turn. Experience vibrant street scenes combined with beautiful Venetian architecture.
Quick facts: The building stretches across the Grand Canal with one elegant stone arch, once Venice's longest of its kind. Rows of vibrant shops line both sides, creating a lively marketplace right atop a historic crossing.
Highlights: At night, golden street lamps cast romantic glows on the water's ripples below, creating a scene straight from a painter’s dream. A quirky tradition allows locals to hang love notes on the lanterns, weaving personal stories into the bridge’s history.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Venice, Italy, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
4. Grand Canal
Discover Venice's famous waterway, alive with historic charm and lively activity. Glide past majestic palaces and bustling markets for an unforgettable adventure.
Quick facts: The city's longest waterway measures nearly 2 miles and is lined with more than 170 historic buildings. Gondolas and vaporettos gently navigate its winding curves, revealing centuries of Venetian life along every canal bend.
Highlights: The sight of the Rialto Bridge arching elegantly over sparkling water flanked by Renaissance palaces paints a scene from a Venetian painting. As sunlight hits the canal's surface at sunset, the buildings' colors shimmer, creating a magical glow that feels almost otherworldly.
5. Bridge of Sighs
Cross a bridge steeped in dramatic stories and romance. Enjoy the magical Venetian skyline reflected in the gentle canal waters.
Quick facts: Legends say prisoners sighed as they caught their last sight of Venice, giving the bridge its evocative name. The bridge uniquely connects a courthouse to a prison across a small canal, forming a dramatic route for those facing justice.
Highlights: At dusk, the bridge glows softly with reflections of Venetian lights on water, creating a hauntingly beautiful scene. A tradition involves couples sharing a gondola ride beneath the bridge at sunset for love and good luck.
6. Gallerie dell'Accademia
Delve deep into Venetian art like never before. See breathtaking masterpieces that tell stories of centuries of creative brilliance.
Quick facts: This gallery holds one of the world's finest collections of Venetian paintings, showcasing masterpieces from the 14th to the 18th century. Visitors are often captivated by the detailed brushwork of artists like Bellini, Titian, and Tintoretto.
Highlights: The highlight is the stunning "Last Supper" by Tintoretto, covering an entire wall with dramatic intensity and vibrant colors that seem to leap out. About 1,000 works display the evolution of Venetian art in breathtaking galleries arranged to tell a visual story over time.
7. Teatro La Fenice
Experience the majesty of an opera house restored from ruins. Walk through halls where music legends once enchanted audiences.
Quick facts: An iconic opera house with a dramatic history of fires that led to two full reconstructions. Its name means "The Phoenix," symbolizing its rise anew from the ashes every time.
Highlights: Lavish gold-leaf interiors sparkle under intricate chandeliers, creating an atmosphere worthy of centuries of opera legends. Notice the ceiling fresco by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, which narrates a vivid story in bright colors.
8. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Explore a quirky world of modern art and personal tales. Discover surreal sculptures and vivid paintings inside a beautiful canal-side palace.
Quick facts: The collection features more than 200 works by iconic artists like Picasso, Dalí, and Pollock. The museum is housed in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, a palazzo on the Grand Canal.
Highlights: A unique blend of surrealist and abstract art is displayed in spaces combining indoor galleries with a charming sculpture garden overlooking the canal. The museum’s personal touches, including Peggy’s eclectic furniture and art-filled rooms, make it feel like stepping into her artistic sanctuary.
9. Murano
Enter a vibrant realm where glass transforms into art and tradition shines in every swirl. See the captivating glow of colors dancing within exquisite handmade glass pieces.
Quick facts: This island produces some of the world's finest hand-blown glass, with artisans using centuries-old techniques. Over 1,000 glassmakers work here, crafting everything from delicate beads to huge chandeliers.
Highlights: Vivid colors burst inside tiny glass beads when heated, creating a kaleidoscope effect that mesmerizes visitors. Locals still guard secret recipes for glass formulas, making each piece uniquely vibrant and impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
Search all hotels in Venice, ItalyPowered by agoda
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Tiramisù
Although its precise origin is debated, tiramisù is strongly associated with the Veneto region near Venice, and became globally famous for its layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone and cocoa.
Fritole (Fritole Veneziane)
These small, fried carnival doughnuts are a Venetian staple, traditionally studded with raisins and pine nuts and widely sold in the streets during Carnevale.
Baicoli
Baicoli are dry, ring-shaped biscuits created for long sea voyages in the 18th century, and they remain a distinct Venetian treat often served with coffee or zabaglione.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Sarde in saor
Sarde in saor pairs fried sardines with a sweet-sour onion, vinegar and raisin marinade, a preservation technique developed by Venetian fishermen before refrigeration.
Baccalà mantecato
This whipped, creamy salted cod spread is a classic Venetian bacaro dish, typically served on crostini or polenta, and it was popularized in Venice in the 18th century.
Bigoli in salsa
Bigoli are thick, whole-wheat noodles served with a savory anchovy and onion sauce, a humble but beloved Venetian dish with medieval roots.
Traditional Beverages
Spritz (Spritz Veneziano)
The Spritz is the emblematic Venetian aperitivo, made with Prosecco, a bitter liqueur like Aperol or Campari, and a splash of soda, and it is enjoyed across Venice at sunset.
Bellini
Created at Harry's Bar in Venice by Giuseppe Cipriani in the 1940s, the Bellini mixes Prosecco and fresh white peach purée and was named for the Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini.
Sgroppino
Sgroppino is a frothy, refreshing Venetian palate cleanser made from lemon sorbet, vodka and Prosecco, often served between courses or as a light dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions about Venice, Italy
What is the best time to visit Venice, Italy?
Is Venice, Italy expensive to live in or visit?
How safe is drinking the tap water in Venice, Italy?
How do I get around Venice, Italy?
How many tourists visit Venice, Italy each year?
Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email
Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips. Perfect for offline use.
Most popular day trips
Verona
Roman arena, Juliet's balcony, medieval streets.
Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomites)
Dolomite peaks, hiking, alpine scenery.
Rent a car in Venice, Italy
Getting there
Train stations
High-speed and regional lines to Milan, Verona, Trieste
Regional and national lines, connections to mainland
From Marco Polo, take Alilaguna water bus or ATVO bus to Piazzale Roma; from Treviso, take bus to Mestre then train.
Find flights to Venice, Italy
Click to get eSim for Venice, Italy
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Useful information for Venice, Italy
Overview for Venice, Italy
Most popular itineraries for Venice, Italy
Browse trip plans created by other travelers
Comments (8)
Fell in love with the canals and light, food was unreal. Expect crowds, evenings are magical. Two days OK, three if you like museums.
Beautiful city but pricey. Gondolas are fun once, restaurants near the main square are tourist traps. Walk further for better pasta.
Buy 24 or 48 hour vaporetto passes at the ACTV kiosk, much cheaper than single tickets and you won't waste time buying each ride.
Skip restaurants right by Rialto bridge at midday. Walk two blocks into side streets for fresher food and much better prices.
Rainy week gave an eerie vibe, bridges and alleys are charming but slippery. Bring good shoes and patience for the crowds.