Discover the 13 best things to do in Venice. With the tips in this article, you’ll get to know the best of what is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and the world.
1. Getting toknow St. Mark’s Square in Venice
St. Mark’s Square, known as Piazza San Marco, is one of the most beautiful squares in Venice and Italy. It is made up of historic buildings such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Palazzo Ducale, the Clock Tower and the Campinale, which is the tower that holds the basilica’s bells. It’s also a beautiful place to take pictures in the city.
2. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
This is Venice’s main basilica, and you’ll definitely pass by it. Although you have to pay to enter, it doesn’t cost much and is well worth a visit, as it has very detailed and beautiful architecture.
3. Entering the Doge’s Palace in Venice
Located next to St. Mark’s Basilica, this is probably the most interesting space for those who love architecture and history.
Known as the Doge’s Palace, the Doge’s Palace was inaugurated in 1424 and has a Gothic architecture that can be visited by tourists today (for a fee). For almost seven centuries it was home to the Doge of Venice, the city’s rulers.
If you want to visit it, we recommend that you buy your tickets in advance online via this ticket website.
4. Enter the Teatro La Fenice in Venice
For lovers of art and culture, the Teatro La Fenice is a must-see; after all, as well as being stunning, it hosts breathtaking shows. It was inaugurated in 1792 and has undergone a series of renovations and restorations, always maintaining all its original splendor. It’s a truly beautiful place, and you can visit it on a guided tour or to watch a show.
5. Crossing the Rialto Bridge in Venice
The Rialto Bridge is one of the most beautiful and photographable sights in the city. It crosses the Grand Canal and has become a small shopping center, with many stores and stalls around it. As the oldest bridge built to cross the canal, it is a symbol of the city, having been rebuilt in stone, but retaining its original style and architecture.
6.… and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice
Another very famous bridge is the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the Palazzo Ducale to the building that housed Venice’s old prison. It even got its name from the prisoners. According to legend, they sighed as they passed by, seeing the world for the last time. Be sure to stop by and take lots of photos.
7. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice
Located in the Dorsoduro district, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is a monument built in 1631 in the midst of the Black Death epidemic. That’s why it has this name, since the bridge was a promise made by the then ruler of the time, Nicolò Contarini, to Our Lady of Health.
In addition to its history, the Basilica is a must-see for its beautiful dome and its Baroque architectural style, which impresses all tourists.
8.… and the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice
Another interesting basilica is Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, also called the Basilica of the Frari. Located in the San Polo district of Venice, it was built by the Fransiscans between the 14th and 15th centuries. One of its curiosities is that it is part of the Chorus Assoziacione per el Patriarcado di Venezia circuit, which is an organization that cares for the heritage of various churches in the city.
Here you’ll find works by important artists from Italy and around the world, including Bellini, Donatello, Canova, Titian and Palladio. There are beautiful frescoes among the architectural works of the place, which are considered to be some of the most expressive in the country.
9. Takinga gondola ride or just strolling along Venice’s canals
Probably the most traditional tour in Venice, the gondola ride is a good way to get to know Venice’s main sights from a boat, strolling along the canals. The ride lasts between 30 and 45 minutes and usually costs around 80 euros, passing along the Grand Canal.
10. Visit the Acqua Alta Bookshop in Venice
The Libreria Acqua Alta is an incredible experience. It’s a bookshop that has its books on gondolas, and at high tide, the books float on little boats. The staff who work there wear rubber boots because of the floods and, when they happen, they have to put the books on the highest shelves so they don’t get wet. It’s a free tour and very worthwhile.
Address: Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, 5176b, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy.
Opening hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 7.45 p.m.
11. Visit the Campanile di San Marco in Venice
The Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Bell Tower) 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 whole 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 there.
12. Stroll throughthe Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice
Located in the Dorsoduro district, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection museum has impressive exhibits from the personal art collection of Peggy Guggenheim, ex-wife of the artist Max Ernst. Here you’ll find works of surrealism, cubism and expressionism by renowned artists such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brancusi.
13. Take a trip to Burano, Murano and Torcello in Venice
This is an “extra” tour that not everyone does, but which is VERY worthwhile. There are three islands next to Venice that can be visited in a single 7-hour tour.
They are Burano, Murano and Torcello, each famous for its own reason. Murano, for example, has approximately 5,500 inhabitants and is 1 km from Venice. It is famous for its works of Murano glass (a type of glass produced on the Venetian island of Murano several centuries ago).
It’s worth a visit if you have more than two days in Venice – or if you have two full days in the city and want to see the islands. To find out more about this tour, click here.
How to save money on tickets for paid attractions in Venice?
Venice is a city with a lot to see, as its beauty enchants people from all over the world. However, many of the sights and places to see in the city are paid for, requiring a ticket to see them.
We’ve traveled all over the world and found a great company on our last trips – this is the Venice Tickets website we used. As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, this site is very secure. And you can buy all your tickets in one place.
It’s worth noting that it’s always cheaper to buy in advance, online, to avoid queues and to avoid wasting your travel time. Especially in Venice, where many tickets sell out quickly.
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.
