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Must Things To Do In Venice – Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world. Yes, Venice is quite touristy but that doesn’t change the fact, that Venice is such a special city that it is, I think, a must-see. I felt so in love that I visited Venice again, and all I can say is: the city doesn’t disappoint—it’s one of the most beautiful places in northern Italy.
If we picture Venice in our head, we probably all have gondolas, water canals and bridges in front of our eyes – and yes, it is Venice but there is much more to do. This itinerary for Venice in 2 days is all about where to go and what to see in Venice, plus lots of essential travel tips.
Must Things To Do In Venice
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I visited Venice twice. One time I stayed on the Venice Lido (an outer island), which meant we’d have to take a boat to Venice. It was a lovely boat ride, and the Lido was lovely, so I wouldn’t mind staying there again. The second time I stayed outside Venice (on the mainland) and took a bus to Venice. However, for some reason, I can’t remember where exactly I stopped. So, here are some other suggestions of accommodation for Venice.
Many people visit Venice for a day – especially those who arrive via a cruise ship. You can certainly catch a glimpse in one day, but I recommend visiting Venice for two days. Then you can also visit at least one of the other beautiful islands, and you can see Venice when the crowds don’t come/go (early morning and after 6 pm).
Ideally, you start your day in Piazza San Marco. From there, you’ll head on to other attractions. I will not mention any particular place to take a break or have lunch.
Piazza San Marco (in English, St. Mark’s Square) is one of the most crowded places in Venice. Thus I recommend getting there early – before too many tourists arrive.
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Piazza San Marco is the largest square in the city and houses such famous buildings as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Napoleon called it “the most beautiful drawing room in the world”. This square used to be the place to discuss politics and trade business. Apart from the historical buildings (some are mentioned below) there are also many restaurants and cafes, but be aware that it is expensive. If you’re on a budget, skip a coffee here (10€ or more is typical) and have one across the street instead.
The Basilica di San Marco, also known as the Basilica of Saint Mark, is perhaps the most famous building in Piazza San Marco.
The church is named after Saint Mark, whose body is kept here. In fact, it was built in the 9th century for just this purpose. The oldest mosaic on the façade dates from the 13th century and is in the Lonet above the far-left portal – depicting the stolen body of St Mark arriving in the basilica. Stolen body? Some Venetians stole St Mark’s body from Alexandria and brought it back to Venice in the 9th century, and construction of the church began.
Since then, it has gone through several renovations. Before it became the Cathedral of Venice in 1807, it was the private cathedral of the Doge. It looks impressive from the outside – and of course from the inside too.
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We didn’t go inside, but you can book a tour if you’re interested in seeing the incredible interior. To get in, you have to stand in line – probably the longest line in Venice. They are crazy about Rekha even in the morning. You can also visit the San Marco Museum, the Treasury and the Golden Altarpiece (Pala d’Oro).
The Campanile di San Marco (St Mark’s Campanile) is situated at a height of 99 meters and is one of the best places to visit in Venice in 2 days. The bell tower was built in the 12th century – and was rebuilt several times between the 12th and 14th centuries, but the campanile only took its definite form in the 16th century. The campanile suddenly collapsed in 1902 – but the new one was inaugurated in 1912. Apart from all this: the views from the top are still outstanding.
While there are stairs, you will need to use a lift to reach the top. Therefore, it does not involve climbing many stairs to admire the whole of Venice and its lagoon. It’s impressive and definitely worth the money – enjoying the panorama from up there was one of the highlights of my Venice trip.
Most people recommend visiting the Palazzo Ducale because it is impressive. I would have liked to go to the museum, but the crowds intimidated me, so I preferred to visit it from the outside.
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The Doge’s Palace, built in the 14th century, is also located on Piazza San Marco and was the residence of the Doge of Venice (the elected chief leader in former times). However, at times it was also partially used as a prison. Nowadays, it houses a museum offering several exhibitions.
This building is an excellent example of Gothic architecture. If you decide to buy a ticket to the Doge’s Palace, you can find out a lot about the history and design (which is beyond amazing) and walk through the place which is now a museum.
You really can’t miss the Grand Canal – the main “street” in Venice. Well, this ain’t no street as we know it. To be more precise, the Grand Canal is one of the busiest water-transport corridors, with lots of gondolas, boats, etc. providing public transportation, lined with some lovely hotels, shops, and restaurants.
It is over 3 km long and 30 to 70 m wide – with an average water depth of 5 m. No, swimming is not allowed in the canal at all, yet it is such an interesting and unique place. If you walk along the Grand Canal – or take a boat cruise or gondola ride – you’ll see wonderful historic buildings – some dating back to the 15th century.
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I love the piazzas in Venice, but I really like the Grand Canal. Sure, it’s a crowded area, but strolling down the Grand Canal makes you feel like you’re in the most extraordinary city in the world. Food and drink are also expensive here. This is a good place to eat if you are on a tight budget and don’t mind paying a little extra for the view.
The most famous bridge is the Rialto Bridge (Venetian: Ponte di Rialto), which can be quite crowded but is still worth a visit. It is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal (built in the late 16th century). Its unique shape has made it a popular photo spot – so another must-see on your 2-day Venice itinerary.
There are also shops on the bridge, where you can get souvenirs (like typical Venetian masks). On the one hand, there is also a small space where you can actually sit and observe the people and the gondolas, even if you don’t go to a restaurant.
The gondola ride is a must for many tourists. A ride during the day is around 80-90€ – one boat can hold up to six people.
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To be honest, I’m not sure whether the gondola ride is worth the money. So, I didn’t do that at all. If it’s on your bucket list or you don’t have the budget, it’s definitely a great experience to have. Book your Gondola ride here to get the best deals and save money.
It’s a busy first day in Venice – and you’ll probably be tired. But with only 2 days in Venice, we don’t have much time to waste. Venice is such a beautiful city, and there are great places nearby to add to your itinerary.
On the second day in Venice, I recommend visiting one or two of the places mentioned below.
One of the must-see places in Venice in 2 days is this stunning little island: Burano. You must have seen these very colorful houses on social media. The small island is located north-east of Venice and is easily accessible by a ferry – a vaporetto, which is the main form of transport in Venice and quite economical.
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Another place that you can include in your Venice itinerary is Murano – a small island near Burano. It is famous for its long tradition of glass making. See a tour for a glass factory here. You can easily combine travel to both the islands and reach there by the same vaporetto. The good thing is that you can decide quite spontaneously – so on the way from Burano to Venice, you can still choose whether you want to see Murano or not.
If you have some more time, I recommend visiting the island of Venice Lido. It is an 11 kilometer long barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon. The Lido has a beach and some cafes, hotels and shops. I think it’s worth a visit.
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