See our 3 days in Venice itinerary. If you only have 72 hours in the city, here’s a complete itinerary of what you can do there.
What to do on the first day in Venice?
We recommend that you start your tour by visiting the Libreria Acqua Alta, which is a bookshop that has its books on gondolas – and at high tide, the books float on little boats. It’s a free, interesting and very worthwhile tour, which you can do every day from 9am to 7.45pm.
Next, cross the Rialto Bridge, which is very famous in the city and where you’ll see several gondolas passing underneath. This is also where the Mercato di Rialto is located, where you can try some Italian delicacies and follow the routine of the locals.
Then go and see (cross and take lots of photos of) the Bridge of Sighs. It’s iconic in Venice, and you have to cross it. Then head to the city’s main square, St. Mark’s Square, where you’ll find St. Mark’s Basilica.
You can try to get in for free, although the queue is quite long. And if you’re really pressed for time, it’s worth buying a paid ticket online in advance. Just don’t forget to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs on this day, as it’s a must to be able to enter the basilica.
Right next door, you’ll find the famous Palazzo Ducale, which preserves luxurious and beautiful rooms. You have to pay to get in, so make sure you book your ticket in advance through a reliable ticket website. (Below, we’ll give you a great tip on a sensational website to buy your Venice tickets).
Before or after this tour, when you get hungry, take the opportunity to sample the best of Venetian cuisine in any of the restaurants in the area. Many of them have menus right at the entrance, where you can check out the dishes, prices and even combinations of starter and dessert for a fixed price.
Finally, if you still have time in your day, take the opportunity to visit the Teatro la Fenice, which also has an entrance fee, but is well worth it. If you want, you can also end the evening by watching a show there. The place is surreal.
What to do on the second day in Venice?
On this second day, how about continuing near St. Mark’s Basilica by visiting the Campanile di San Marco? The Campanile di San Marco is also known as the Venetian Tower, a huge tower in Piazza San Marco that attracts thousands of tourists because of its incredible view.
The place is very high and from it you can see the entire city of Venice, with an incredible view that yields wonderful 360º photos. There is a fee to go up to the Campanile di San Marco and the terrace is small, so you may have to queue.
In the afternoon, take the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, built in 1631 during the Black Death epidemic. That’s why it has this name, since the bridge was a promise from the ruler of the time, Nicolò Contarini, to Our Lady of Health.
In addition to the history, the basilica is a must-see for its beautiful dome and baroque architectural style, which impresses all tourists.
What to do on the third day in Venice?
On your last day in Venice, it’s worth taking a boat or gondola ride. But not the generic route that tourists usually take: on the contrary, go and visit Murano, Burano and Torcello, neighboring islands that are VERY worth the trip.
All three can be visited in a single 7-hour tour and each one is famous for a different reason. Murano, for example, has approximately 5,500 inhabitants and is 1 km from Venice. It is famous for its works of art made from Murano glass (a type of glass that has been produced on the island for centuries). To find out more about this tour, click here.
To end the day, we recommend you visit the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, also known as the Basilica of the Frari, where you will find works and frescoes by important artists from Italy and the world, including Bellini, Donatello, Canova, Titian and Palladio.
Where can I reliably buy tickets for tours in Venice?
To save time and money, buying travel tickets online is always the best option, in our opinion. And we’ve traveled the world a lot and, after doing a lot of research, testing and getting to know people, we discovered the company that offers the best tours in Venice, at very good prices.
So, the great tip is to browse this Venice Tickets website and check out the best tour options along with their prices, in order of the best sellers. The platform is very safe, well known and sells the main tickets so you don’t waste time on your trip with long queues, nor do you run the risk of having tickets sold out.
Save money on your trip to Venice:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Venice cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Venice. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
