Related Articles
Top Things To Do In Venice Italy – 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 I think it’s a must-see. I felt so much love that I visited Venice again and all I can say: the city did not disappoint – it is one of the most beautiful places in Northern Italy.
If we picture Venice in our heads, we probably all have the gondolas, the canals and the bridges in our eyes – and yes, it’s Venice, but there’s so much more to do. This 2 day Venice itinerary is all about where to go and what to see in Venice plus lots of important travel tips.
Top Things To Do In Venice Italy
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product/service through my links (at no extra cost to you). More about him there.
One Day In Venice: Detailed Itinerary, Map, What To See & Top Tips
I visited Venice twice. Once we stayed on the Venice Lido (outer island) which meant we had to take a boat to get to Venice. It was a beautiful boat ride and the Lido was cute so I wouldn’t mind staying there again. The other time I stayed outside of Venice (on the mainland) and took a bus to get to Venice. However, for some reason I can’t remember exactly where I stayed. So here are some other tips for accommodation in Venice.
Many people visit Venice for a day – especially people who arrive by cruise ship. You can certainly see in one day, but I recommend visiting Venice in two days. Then you can also take a trip to at least one of the other beautiful islands nearby and you can see Venice when the crowds haven’t arrived/gone (early morning and after 6pm).
Ideally, you start your first day in Piazza San Marco. From there you will move on to other attractions. I will not mention specific places for rest or lunch.
Piazza San Marco (in English St. Mark’s Square) is one of the most crowded places in Venice. So I recommend getting there early – before the many tourists arrive.
Venice 2 Day Itinerary
Piazza San Marco is the largest square in the city and contains famous buildings such as the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace. Napoleon called it “the most beautiful living room in the world.” This square was a place for discussing politics and commercial business. Apart from the historical buildings (some 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 common) and have it in one of the side streets instead.
St. Mark’s Basilica, also known as St. Mark’s Basilica, is perhaps the most famous building in St. Mark’s Square.
The church bears the name of Saint Mark, whose body is kept here. In fact, it was built in the 9th century for this very purpose. The oldest mosaic on the facade dates from the 13th century and is in the lunette above the leftmost portal – depicting the stolen body of Saint Mark arriving at the basilica. A stolen body? Some Venetians stole the body of Saint Mark from Alexandria and brought it back to Venice in the 9th century, after which the construction of the church began.
It has undergone many renovations since then. Before it became the cathedral of Venice in 1807, it was the private chapel of the Doge. It looks impressive from the outside – and certainly from the inside as well.
Free Things To Do In Venice
We didn’t go inside, but you can book a tour if you’re interested in seeing the amazing interior. To get in, you have to queue – possibly the longest queues in Venice. Even early in the morning the queues are already crazy. You can also visit the San Marco Museum, the Treasury and the Golden Altar (Pala d’oro).
Campanile di San Marco (Campanile di San Marco) rises 99 meters and is one of the best places to visit in Venice in 2 days. This bell tower was built in the 12th century – and rebuilt several times between the 12th and 14th centuries, but the bell tower did not take its final form until the 16th century. In 1902 the bell tower suddenly collapsed – but in 1912 the new one was opened. Besides all this: The views from the top are still outstanding.
While there are stairs, you must use the elevator to get to the top. So it doesn’t involve climbing a lot of stairs to admire all of Venice and its lagoon. It’s impressive and definitely worth the money – enjoying the view from there was one of my highlights in Venice.
Most people recommend visiting the Palazzo Ducale as it is impressive. I would have loved to visit the museum, but the crowds put me off, so I preferred to just explore it from the outside.
Venice’s Vaporetto Ferries: Prices, Routes, And Guidebook For Using Them
The Doge’s Palace, built in the 14th century, is also located in Piazza San Marco and was the residence of the Doge of Venice (elected chief leader in the past). However, it was sometimes partially used as a prison as well. Today it houses a museum with numerous exhibitions.
The 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 around the place, which is now a museum.
In fact, you can’t miss the Grand Canal – the main “street” of Venice. Well, this is not a street as we know it. To be more precise, the Grand Canal is one of the busiest waterways, where many gondolas, boats, etc. provide public transport with some lovely hotels, shops and restaurants.
It is over 3 km long and between 30 and 70 meters wide – with an average water depth of 5 meters. No, swimming in the canal is not allowed at all, but it is such an interesting and unique place. If you walk along the Grand Canal – or take a boat or gondola cruise – you’ll see wonderful historic buildings – some dating back to the 15th century.
Top 10 Things To Do In Venice, Italy
I love the Piazza in Venice, but I really adore the Grand Canal. Sure, it’s crowded, but a walk along the Grand Canal gives you the feeling of being in the most extraordinary city in the world. The food and drinks here are also overpriced. It’s a good place to eat if you’re on a budget and don’t mind paying a bit more for the view.
The most famous bridge is the Rialto Bridge (Venetian: Ponte de Rialto), which can get quite crowded but is still worth a visit. It is the oldest of the four bridges crossing 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 buy souvenirs (such as typical Venetian masks). There’s even a small space on one side where you can sit and watch the people and the gondolas, even if you’re not visiting a restaurant.
For many tourists, the gondola ride is a must. The trip is around €80-90 during the day – one boat holds up to six people.
Venice In May
To be honest, I’m not sure if a gondola ride is worth the money. So I haven’t done it at all. If it’s on your bucket list or you’re on a budget, then it’s sure to be a great experience. Book your gondola rides here to get the best deals and save money.
This first day in Venice is busy – and you’ll probably be exhausted. 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 for your itinerary.
For the second day in Venice, I recommend taking a trip to one or two of the places I mention below.
A must visit place in Venice in 2 days is this stunning little island: Burano. You may have seen these extremely colorful houses on social media. The small island is located northeast of Venice and is easily accessible by ferry – vaporetto, which is the main mode of transport in Venice and quite affordable.
Top 10 Amazing Things To Do In Venice Italy
Another place you could include in your Venice itinerary is Murano, a smaller island near Burano. It is known for its long tradition in glass production. See glass factory tours here. You can easily combine a trip to both islands and get there on the same steamer. 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 more time, I recommend you go to Venice Lido Island. It is an 11-kilometer barrier island in the Venetian lagoon. Lido has a beach and several cafes, hotels and shops. I think it’s worth the visit.
