The 20 Best Things To Do In Venice, Italy

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Venice is one of those cities that feels completely different from anywhere else, built on a group of 118 small islands connected by more than 400 bridges and separated by canals. It is known for its unique layout, beautiful architecture, and long, fascinating history.

In this guide, I share the best things to do in Venice, along with helpful tips on where to stay and some useful FAQs to make planning your trip easier. Whether it is your first visit or you have been before, Venice is a place that always has something new to discover.

Table of Contents

The Best Things To Do In Venice
Where To Stay In Venice
FAQs about Venice

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The 20 Best Things To Do In Venice

Ponte di Rialto – The Rialto Bridge

Venice is full of beautiful bridges, but the Rialto Bridge is easily the most famous. It’s the oldest bridge crossing the Grand Canal (the city’s main waterway), and connects the San Marco and San Polo districts. Originally built in 1181 as a simple wooden structure, the current stone bridge dates from the late 1500s, with the walkways on either side lined with shops and stalls. Although The Rialto Bridge is almost always crowded, it is still one of those things to do in Venice you kind of have to see at least once.

📍Photo spot location: Fon. de la Preson

Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto

Right next to the Rialto Bridge you’ll find what is often said to be the oldest church in Venice. It’s quite modest compared to others, but that’s part of its charm. The church is believed (by tradition) to date back to 421, although written records only go back to the 12th century. The clock on the façade is from the 15th century, and is notoriously inaccurate – often displaying the wrong time.

📍Location: C.po San Giacomo 30125

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

A small palazzo in Venice, best known for its unique spiral staircase on the outside. The staircase leads up to a small arcade with a really nice view over the rooftops. The tower itself is about 26 meters high, built in Istrian stone and brick. It’s connected to a building with some art inside as well. One of my favorite things to do in Venice – we missed it the first time I visited, so I was very happy we found it this time.

📍Location: Per S. Marco 4303
🎟️Tickets: GetYourGuide.com

Basilica di San Marco, Piazzo San Marco & Palazzo Ducale

This is easily one of the most iconic things to do in Venice. Piazza San Marco is the main square, and it’s where you’ll find some of the city’s most famous landmarks all in one place. The Basilica di San Marco is known for its detailed mosaics and impressive architecture, while the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) was once the political center of Venice and home to the Doge – the leader of the Venetian Republic.

It does get very crowded here, but it’s still worth visiting. Even just standing in the square and taking it all in is an experience. If you have time, I’d recommend going inside at least one of them – especially the Doge’s Palace if you’re interested in history.

📍Location: Basilica di San Marco
🎟️ Tickets: GetYourGuide.com

Caffè Florian

Caffè Florian is the oldest café in Italy, dating back to 1720, and it’s located right on Piazza San Marco. The interiors are beautiful, the waiters are very formal, and yes – the prices are high. But honestly, for me it was one of those splurges that felt worth it. Sitting there with a drink (we loved the bellinis) and just taking in the atmosphere was such a nice experience. Fun fact: it has hosted famous names like Casanova and Charles Dickens over the years.

📍Location: Piazza San Marco 57
ℹ️ More info: caffeflorian.com

Ponte dei Sospiri – The Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is a small enclosed bridge made of white limestone, connecting the Doge’s Palace to the old prison. It was built in the early 1600s and was used to move prisoners between the buildings. Despite its dark history as a prisoner walkway, the bridge is now known as a romantic landmark. There’s a legend that couples who kiss under the bridge at sunset will have eternal love. A popular tourist magnet indeed, but an architectural gem worth a visit nonetheless!

📍Location: Get a nice view from the nearby bridge Ponte della Paglia.

Riva degli Schiavoni

Riva degli Schiavoni is a wide waterfront promenade stretching east from San Marco, and one of the most famous walking areas in Venice. It’s a great place to just stroll along the water, enjoy the view, and watch the Vaporettos and gondolas passing by. It’s also a good spot for souvenir shopping, with small stalls along the promenade selling everything from clothes and tote bags to art and local items.

📍Location: Riva degli Schiavoni

Chiesa della Pietà – Vivaldi’s Church

Along the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, you’ll also find the beautiful church Chiesa della Pietà – best known as Vivaldi’s Church. This is where the famous composer and musician Antonio Vivaldi lived, composed, performed and taught music in the 18th century. Today, it’s a popular place to attend classical concerts, especially Vivaldi performances. Even if you’re not going to a concert, it’s worth a quick look inside.

📍 Location: Riva degli Schiavoni 30122
🎟️ Tickets: GetYourGuide.com

Enjoy the Venetian cuisine

One of the best things to do in Venice is simply enjoying the food. Venetian cuisine is shaped by its lagoon location, so you’ll find a lot of seafood, along with rice, polenta, and those classic sweet-and-sour flavors. Try local dishes if you can – it’s a big part of the experience.

Some restaurants to consider in Venice:
🍝 Trattoria da Rino: We stumbled upon this place looking for shelter when the rain suddently started pouring, it was the most amazing food and service we had in Venice.
🍝 Trattoria Al Ponte del Megio: Great truffle pasta with a charming view of the canal.
🍝 Osteria La Zucca: Known for great food and vegetarian options.
🍝 The Gritti Terrace: Enjoy some delicious food and the view of Santa Maria della Salute church.

Basilica Santa Maria della Salute

This impressive church was built to celebrate the end of the plague in the 1600s. It sits right at the entrance of the Grand Canal and is one of the most recognizable buildings in Venice. You can either visit it up close or just enjoy the view from across the water near San Marco, which is what we did. A stunning sight.

📍Location: Dorsoduro 1

Giardini Reali

Giardini Reali is a small, peaceful garden right by San Marco, and a really nice place to take a break from the crowds. It’s well-kept with greenery, shaded paths, and a few benches where you can sit down and relax for a bit. We spent some time here just slowing down, which was a nice change of pace. If you’re looking for calmer things to do in Venice, this is a great little spot to escape the busy streets for a while.

📍Location: Piazza San Marco 30124

Arsenale di Venezia

For centuries, Venice controlled the eastern Mediterranean, and The Arsenale di Venezia was the heart of Venice’s naval power. Occupying approximately 15% of the land in Venice, it employed thousands of workers at its peak, and was known for its incredibly efficient shipbuilding using advanced assembly-line methods. Today, it’s still a large complex with several points of interest spread out over a wide area, including exhibition spaces and the Naval History Museum.

📍Location: Campo de la Tana 2169
🎟️ Tickets: Venice Naval History Museum

Catch a Concert

Venice has a strong cultural scene, especially when it comes to classical music and opera. If you get the chance, I really recommend attending a concert or an opera when in Venice. We saw Ludovico Einaudi at at San Marco Palazzo, which was an absolutely breathtaking experience. There are also other year-round experiences available, such as Vivaldi concerts or operas.

ℹ️ www.musicinvenice.com

Sotoportego de la Corte Nova

One of the most unique things to do in Venice. Sotoportego is a unusually beautifully decorated passageway in Venice, which we stumbled upon by accident. Fascinated and curious, we decided to Google it after out visit, and the story behind it turned out a lot more special than we ever imagined..

According to legend, a local woman named Giovanna is said to have dreamed of the Virgin Mary during the highly deadly plague in 1630, who told her to place a small painted image of Mary together with saints known for protecting against disease.

Giovanna and the other inhabitants of Corte Nova fulfilled the Holy Mary’s demands, and everybody started to pray so that the plague would end. According to the legend, the plague stopped right at that spot – marked today by a red stone on the ground – sparing the courtyards inhabitants from contagion. Whether you believe the legend or not, it’s a really interesting place with a special atmosphere.

📍Location: Sotoportego e Corte Nova 380

See the leaning bell towers of Venice

Did you know that Pisa isn’t the only city in Italy with a leaning tower? Venice actually has three leaning towers of its own. San Pietro di Castello, Santo Stefano, and San Giorgio dei Greci. There is also a fourth leaning tower on the island of Burano. A fun little thing to look out for while exploring Venice!

📍Locations: San Pietro di Castello / Santo Stefano / San Giorgio dei Greci / San Martino (Burano)

Go on a gondola ride

A gondola ride is probably the most iconic thing to do in Venice. You get to see the city from the canals, including smaller and quieter ones you wouldn’t normally pass through. It’s often seen as a romantic experience, but honestly it works just as well with friends or family. I did it on my first visit and really enjoyed it. It’s one of those things to do in Venice that feels like a must at least once. Drop-ins available all over Venice, but booking in advance can be smart, especially if you’re traveling in a group.

Libreria Acqua Alta

Often called “the most beautiful bookstore in the world”, Libreria Acqua Alta is definitely one of the more special things to do in Venice. I honestly contemplated on whether to include this spot in my list of best things to do in Venice or not.. When we visited it was extremely crowded – we basically moved through in a queue and didn’t really get to browse, and the experience felt a bit unauthentic. That said, it’s still a unique place and worth seeing if you’re curious! Perhaps visit off-season if possible.

📍Location: C. Longa Santa Maria Formosa 5176b

Visit Burano

Going on a half day or day trip to Burano is easily one of the most iconic things to do in Venice. The island is known for its brightly colored houses, lace-making tradition, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s very photogenic and feels quite different from the main city. It takes about 40–60 minutes to get there by Vaporetto, or about 30 minutes by private water taxi, depending on where you leave from. Definitely worth the time!

Related post: Fun things to do in Burano: A colorful day trip from Venice

Visit Murano

Murano is another island in the Venetian lagoon that’s well worth a visit. Murano is famous for its glassmaking, and you’ll find plenty of shops and galleries selling everything from small souvenirs to more detailed pieces. Some places also offer glass blowing demonstrations, which are really interesting to watch. It is also possible to visit the Glass Museum with masterpieces and 17th-century glasswork.

Explore by foot without a plan

Honestly, one of my favorite things to do in Venice (and when traveling in general) is just walking around exploring without a plan. Go for a stroll, soak in the atmosphere, and see where your legs take you. We did this quite a bit in Venice and ended up finding so many charming little streets and quiet corners we never would have discovered otherwise.

Where To Stay In Venice, Italy

Stay in Santa Croce, Venice

Santa Croce is a great area if you want something quieter but still central. It has a more local feel, with small streets, churches, and a few hidden squares, but there is still plenty to see. You can easily walk to San Polo and San Marco, where most of the main sights are. It is also very convenient if you are arriving by train, which makes getting around much easier. I found it to be a really good base for exploring Venice without staying right in the busiest areas.

Hotel Ca’ Zusto Venezia ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: A boutique hotel set in a building from the 1500s. It is within walking distance of the busier areas, but still feels calm, and it is also close to the train station. Great for couples.

Stay in Lido, Venice

Lido is a good option if you want a calmer and more relaxed stay. It is about 15 minutes by vaporetto from San Marco, and feels much more local and less crowded. This area works especially well if you are staying a bit longer or want to combine Venice with some beach time. The beach is long and sandy, around 11 km, which is quite different from the rest of Venice. Perfect for families.

New Reiter Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: A great hotel in Lido with a relaxed, classic style and a nice garden area. Located close to the main street and near the vaporetto stop, which makes it easy to explore all of Venice.

FAQs about Venice

Q: Is Venice worth visiting?

A: Yes, absolutely. It can be crowded and touristy, but it is still a very special place. The history, architecture, food, and atmosphere make it a bucket list destination for a reason.

Q: When is the best time to visit Venice?

A: The best time to visit is spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). You get nice weather and fewer crowds than in summer. I personally loved visiting in May, when it is warm but not too hot or busy. Visiting in July was still great, but it was way too hot and humid for our comfort.

Q: Is Venice Sinking?

A: Yes, Venice is slowly sinking. Rising sea levels and natural ground movement mean the city sinks about 1–2 millimeters per year.

Q: How many bridges are there in Venice?

A: There are 417 bridges in Venice, which is part of what makes exploring the city so unique.

Q: How many days do I need to experience Venice?

A: Around 3–4 days is enough to see the main sights like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto bridge, and nearby islands like Murano and Burano. If you have more time, it is worth staying longer to explore quieter areas.

Q: Is there a fee to visit Venice?

A: Yes, some visitors need to pay a small entry fee. If you are visiting for the day, you may have to pay 5 euros during certain dates and times (usually between 08:30 and 16:00). It is best to check the official website for exact dates before you go: here.

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