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Visiting Venice in Italy and wondering what are the best places to see and things to do in Venice? In this guide, we cover all the essentials: top landmarks, sights and top tourist attractions
Things You Must Do In Venice
Built on 118 islands divided by a network of canals and full of stunning architecture, rich culture, romantic gondolas and captivating history,
Must See Venice Attractions & Their Histories
It’s unique! It is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, but also one of the most remarkable cities in the world!
The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and when you see it, you’ll understand why. With such a rich past, Venice is full of beautiful places to see and fascinating things to do. Who hasn’t heard of the famous St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal or the Rialto Bridge… However, there is more to see and do in Venice than its most famous monuments!
At the same time, most visitors only have a day or two in Venice and want to be sure to see all the “musts”. And the choice of where to go and what to see can be overwhelming… So in this guide, we share the BEST sights, AMAZING experiences and top tourist attractions that Venice has in store for its visitors.
We’ve also created a map showing all the best things to do in Venice. It will give you a better idea of where everything is and help you plan your visit. For each site, we also tell you how long you need to see it.
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How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or your fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons for more information about each site. Click the arrow in the upper left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the map saved on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to “Your Places”/”Maps”. If you want to print the map or view it in a larger window, click “View larger map” in the upper right corner.
As you can see, most of the main attractions in Venice are very close to each other. And the city’s compact size allows you to enjoy most of the sights in just 1-3 days.
Good to know: To help you plan your time in the ‘Floating City’, we’ve listed the most popular Venice attractions first. The first 10 places are a must (and can be done in a day). #11-15 are a very nice addition to any Venice itinerary. The rest are incredible sights that will make your trip even more special than just seeing “the must-sees.”
So if you can, plan for 1.5-3 days in the city when planning your Italy travel itinerary. This will allow you to explore a little deeper and appreciate Venice much better!
Best Places To Visit In Venice Italy
TIP: If you only have one day in Venice and want to get the most out of your visit, check out this popular walking tour of the city. It’s one of the most comprehensive tours that covers all the must-see places in Venice, plus a gondola ride. All the tours we have done with this company are always top notch.
) is a must-see in Venice! It is here that you can see some of the most beautiful Venetian architecture and really feel what Venice is all about. Some of the most beautiful palaces in Venice can be found here and a trip along the canal feels like traveling back in time!
(water buses), gondolas and water taxis that travel to and fro in all directions. It’s a fascinating show to watch!
The Grand Canal is Venice’s main waterway and separates one half of the city from the other. It is almost 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long, but there are only 4 bridges crossing the Grand Canal and almost no footbridges along it.
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The best way to experience the surroundings of the Grand Canal is from the water and you can do this by taking a vaporetto, a boat tour or a gondola (note that the gondolas will only take you on a small part of the canal) . ). The most beautiful part of the canal that you really shouldn’t miss is the southwest part of the Rialto Bridge. So if you take a boat between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, you’re sure to see the best of it!
Although there is no footpath for the entire Grand Canal, there are several sections where you can walk along the canal. The nicest part of the canal that you can explore on foot is the area around the Rialto Bridge. There are wide promenades here, full of restaurants and cafes. It’s a nice place to have a drink and watch the hustle and bustle of the canal.
Good to know: line 1 is the best vaporetto to explore the Grand Canal. It includes Ca’ d’Oro Palace, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Ca’ Rezzonico Palace, Santa Maria della Salute and the popular Rialto Bridge.
TIP: It’s best to get a public transport ticket for the day and hop on and off the boats as much as you like. It costs only a fraction of what gondolas or water taxis cost.
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It is the largest and most beautiful square in Venice. It should be at the top of any Venice sightseeing list.
It is here that most of the most important buildings in the city are located. Dating back to the 12th century, the square’s main highlights are St. Mark’s Basilica and Bell Tower, along with the Doge’s Palace (you can find out more about all of this below).
But there are also other fascinating buildings to see in St. Mark’s Square, especially the Venetian Clock Tower (
). A marvel of 15th century engineering, the clock shows the time, the ruling sign of the zodiac and the current phase of the moon.
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You’ll also find some of the city’s most popular cafes. They are located on the ground floors of the Fiscalies (the three connected buildings that run around the perimeter of the square).
TIP: If it’s not too busy and you can find a free table in the square itself, be sure to sit down for a coffee. And yes, it’s too expensive and touristy, but having a drink in one of the cafes in St. Mark’s Square is one of the Venice experiences you should do at least once! Most places here are not known for great service. The best-rated coffee shop in Saint Mark’s Square is Caffè Florian.
Good to know: the Campanile, the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace are the most popular tourist attractions in Venice and can be very busy, with long queues… So try to visit them as early as possible in the morning, before that the majority of visitors arrive. . Learn more about each of these attractions below.
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St. Mark’s Square is the main place to visit in Venice. Most of the must-see attractions are located here.
Day In Venice
It is the oldest and most impressive of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. It is also one of the most famous places in Venice. No trip to the city would be complete without walking across this iconic bridge at least once!
Originally built in the late 16th century and marking the gateway to the Rialto Market, this elegant stone bridge has three staircases divided by arcades. The central complex is full of shops and vendors and is usually so busy that it is almost impossible to pass. The stairs on the outer sides of the bridge offer amazing views of the Grand Canal and its passing gondolas.
Since the bridge itself is very busy, the best place to admire its structure is from below. The Riva del Vin and the Riva del Ferro are particularly good places to take pictures!
TIP: For an unforgettable view of the Rialto Bridge, get up early and visit at sunrise. With few tourists, little noise and better light for photography, you are guaranteed a memorable experience! Also, visit in the evening when the bridge is brightly lit and provides a very romantic backdrop.
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If there’s one activity you must do in Venice, it’s the traditional Venetian gondola ride!
You’ll find gondoliers waiting for you on virtually every bridge in Venice. And as cliché as it sounds, no visit to the city would be complete without a private gondola ride! It’s one of those experiences that are just like that
Canal ships have taken over this role. This means that the main purpose of the iconic gondolas is now to fulfill visitors’ romantic dreams of taking in the sights while cruising the city’s waterways.
Good to know: Cable car rides are strictly regulated and all charge the same prices, but run different routes depending on where they start. For a more authentic experience, look for routes that will also include some of the smaller canals. On the other hand, the Grand Canal is
