Things to Do in Venice: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Venice, built on 118 islands in a lagoon, is one of the most unique cities in the world. St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal lined with palaces, the Rialto Bridge, gondolas gliding through narrow canals and the colorful islands of Murano and Burano make it an unforgettable destination, best enjoyed early in the morning or in the evening.
This guide covers the best things to do in Venice, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Venice
St Mark's Basilica
Golden mosaics.
Doge's Palace
Seat of the Republic.
Grand Canal
Main waterway.
Rialto Bridge
Iconic bridge and market.
Gondola ride
Classic experience.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Modern art.
Murano
Glassblowing island.
Burano
Colorful houses and lace.
Venice in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · St Mark's
Start early at St Mark's Square before the crowds, visit St Mark's Basilica with its golden mosaics and climb the Campanile for views over the lagoon. Lunch with cicchetti in a bacaro. In the afternoon, tour the Doge's Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs, then enjoy an evening stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni.
2Day 2 · Grand Canal and Rialto
Ride vaporetto line 1 along the Grand Canal past Renaissance palaces, then explore the Rialto Market and the Rialto Bridge. Lunch in San Polo. In the afternoon, visit the Frari church with Titian's Assumption and take a gondola ride through quiet canals at sunset.
3Day 3 · Dorsoduro
Visit the Gallerie dell'Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, then the Salute basilica and the Punta della Dogana. Lunch on the Zattere with a view of Giudecca. In the evening, have a spritz on Campo Santa Margherita with students and locals.
Venice in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Murano and Burano
Take the vaporetto to Murano to watch glassblowers at work, then continue to Burano with its brightly painted houses and lace tradition. Lunch with risotto di gò in Burano. Visit tiny Torcello with its ancient cathedral before returning in the evening.
5Day 5 · Cannaregio and the Ghetto
Explore Cannaregio, the most authentic neighborhood, with the Jewish Ghetto, the first in the world, and Fondamenta della Misericordia. Lunch at a local trattoria. In the evening, enjoy the lively bars along the canal.
Venice in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Lido or Verona
Relax on the beaches of the Lido, or take a train to Verona or Padua for the day. Lunch on the way. Return for a last evening in Venice. The Lido offers long sandy beaches and Art Nouveau villas, while Padua is just 30 minutes away by train with Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Morning coffee at a historic café, last purchases of Murano glass and masks, and a farewell dinner with sarde in saor and seafood pasta near a quiet canal. Water buses to Marco Polo airport leave regularly from the Fondamenta Nove.
What to do in Venice on a weekend
Things to do in Venice on a weekend? Saturday: St Mark's and the Doge's Palace. Sunday: Grand Canal, Rialto and Burano.
Carnival in February and the Biennale from spring to autumn.
What to do in Venice in the evening
In the evening, quiet canals and spritz in Campo Santa Margherita.
Music at Florian's on St Mark's Square.
Venice for couples
For couples, a sunset gondola ride, Burano and dinner by a canal.
Venice with kids
With kids, vaporetto rides, glassblowing in Murano and the Lido beach.
What to eat in Venice
Cicchetti
Venetian tapas.
Sarde in saor
Sweet-sour sardines.
Risotto al nero
Squid ink risotto.
Spritz
Aperitif.
Tiramisù
Veneto dessert.
Where to stay in Venice: best areas
San Marco
Central.
Cannaregio
Authentic.
Dorsoduro
Artsy.
Lido
Beach.
What to do in Venice when it rains
Things to do in Venice when it rains? Doge's Palace, Accademia, Guggenheim and churches.
How much does a trip to Venice cost?
Expect $200–450 per night; day-tripper access fee applies on peak days.
Practical tips for Venice
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October.
Getting around
Walking and vaporetto.
Our practical tips
- Buy a vaporetto pass.
- Visit early or late.
- Book the basilica.
- Get lost in Cannaregio.
- Check acqua alta.
- Pay the access fee if required.
Mistakes to avoid
- Eating on St Mark's Square.
- Sitting on monuments.
- Summer crowds midday.
- Gondola without fixed price.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Venice?
St Mark's, the Grand Canal and Burano.
How many days?
Two to three.
Is there an entry fee?
On certain peak days for day trippers.
Best time?
Spring and fall.