Venice is truly one of the most unique places in the world. 118 tiny islands are knitted together by 400 footbridges to create a beautiful city surrounded by water. Cars are prohibited, and instead you’ll see locals cruise by in their boat on their way to dinner.
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1. see the Grand Canal
You’re greeted by the grand canal the minute you step out of the train station. It winds through the center of Venice in an S shape, with palaces lining its edges and glorious bridges stretching across the water. There is no footpath along the canal, but you can enjoy it from one of the bridges or from the water on a gondola or vaporetto (water bus).
2. Get Lost in the Streets
One of the best things to do in Venice is explore the narrow alleys, winding streets, and small canals throughout the city. Venice is small enough that you can realistically walk it in a few hours, but I recommending taking it slow. Stop in a café for an espresso or a bar for a glass of wine, enjoy the view of a quiet canal from a tiny bridge, or go shopping for something to take home!
3. See the Rialto Bridge
You can’t miss the most famous bridge in Venice! The Rialto Bridge stretches over the Grand Canal and is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the canal. It was initially built in the 12th century but has undergone several reconstructions due to damage or wear. I recommend enjoying the bridge twice: once atop it taking in the views, and again from the water!
TRAVEL TIP | The Rialto Bridge is visited by millions of people each year and is quite a tourist hotspot. Get here early if you’d like to enjoy the bridge with fewer crowds!
4. Take a Gondola Ride
In my opinion, this is something you should absolutely do your first time in Venice. It’s a bit pricey and quite touristy, but it’s an experience you can’t get literally anywhere else!
Pricing starts at 80€ for a standard ride, which lasts about 30 minutes. Some features will increase the price such as taking a gondola ride at sunset or having them sing to you. We paid 100€ for the “classic” ride which includes the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal as well as some smaller, quieter canals. We passed by some historical spots too, such as Marco Polo’s house!
Finding a gondolier is quite easy, as they are stationed all throughout the city. I recommend talking to them for a few minutes before purchasing a ride to gauge the experience you will receive from them. We landed with an energetic gondolier who has worked for over 30 years and has an extensive knowledge of the history of Venice. Not all gondoliers sing either, so ask ahead of time if this is something you’re interested in!
The gondoliers typically get quite busy from 11am-3pm, so I recommend avoiding those times as it can be more difficult to find a ride or you might have to queue.
5. Explore Cannaregio
Cannaregio was my favorite area of Venice. It’s located on the northwestern edge (close to the train station) and is much quieter than the other neighborhoods of Venice. I found that the canals here were cleaner, the streets were emptier, and the food was much better!
6. Try Cichetti AT AL TIMON
While you’re in Cannaregio, stop by Al Timon for some cicchetti and wine! Cicchetti is a tapas-style Venetian speciality. It is generally some type of meat or vegetable on a piece of bread, and is meant to be enjoyed with a glass of wine.
Al Timon is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Italy, and has the best cicchetti experience in Venice. The restaurant actually has two boats on the canal for customers to sit in and enjoy their food and wine. Once you’ve finished your apertivo, get a table at the restaurant and enjoy a perfectly cooked steak!
7. Have breakfast in the world's oldest cafe
Established in 1720, Caffe Florian is the world’s oldest continuously operating café. (Some will argue Le Procope in Paris is older – but it was closed down for several years). Breakfast is a bit expensive in comparison to typical cafés in Italy, but you’re paying for the experience. The café itself is beautiful, with rich royal hues and notable figures lining the walls. I would recommend arriving before 10am before the crowds flock in.
8. Climb Scala Contarini del Bovolo
The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small palace with a winding staircase leading to an observation deck with views over Venice. The palace was originally the home of the Contarini family, but has been through a few different phases since, such as a hotel and the headquarters of charity. The palace is now used to showcase various art exhibits. Tickets to climb to the top are 8€ for adults and 6€ for children.
9. Visit the Famous Libreria Acqua Alta
This unique little bookshop in Venice has become famed on social media in recent years. The books are stored in bathtubs and even a gondola to prevent them from getting wet during the flooding that often occurs in Venice. At the back of the shop, you will find a staircase made of books leading up for a view of the canals. Personally, I found the shop to be a bit overhyped. It was quite crowded, making it difficult to take your time walking around and looking through the books. If you’re short on time in Venice, this is one I’d probably skip.
10. Piazza San Marco
San Marco is the touristy part of Venice, where you will find many of the main attractions such as Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and St. Marks Basilica.
11. Go Shopping
Of course Venice is a part of Italy, which means there’s great shopping. For my luxury lovers, I would recommend taking a stroll down Calle Larga XXII Marzo and Salizada San Moise.
There’s also plenty of unique shops in Venice. You’ll see the Venetian masks everywhere, which are an important part of Venice’s history. The masks were originally worn primarily for carnivals during the Renaissance period to conceal identity, as many legal and moral boundaries were crossed. However, the masks quickly became a staple of daily life and were worn nearly all the time in the Middle Ages. Of course, they have evolved over time and have become very decorative and embellished. Browse through a few of the mask shops and admire the handiwork of the artists who made them by hand!
12. Grab Drinks on the Canal
When you’re ready for a break from sightseeing, head to Bar Longhi on the canal for some upscale drinks and a beautiful view. The bar is located in the Club del Doge hotel, and offers a wide range of cocktails and a martini trolley (how fun)! The drinks are definitely not cheap but its a beautiful experience.
13. Enjoy a Takeaway Pizza on the Canals
One of our favorite moments in Venice was getting a takeaway pizza, grabbing a spot on the edge of the canal, and watching the sunset over the water. We got pizza from Pizza da Zorma in Cannaregio!
If pasta is more your thing, grab a takeaway pasta from Dal Moro’s instead!
14. Take a Walking Tour
A walking tour is a great way to see the best spots in the city and learn all about the history of Venice.
Here’s a few great walking tours in Venice:
Highlights of Venice, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace | 3hrs
Walking Tour of Venice | 1.5hrs
Hidden Venice: Unusual Walking Tour | 3hrs
15. Take a Day Trip
Venice has a few islands within its lagoon perfect for a day trip: Burano, Murano, and Lido.
BURANO | Known for its colorful buildings and lacemaking
MURANO | Famous for glass blowing
LIDO | Long, thin island with a beach
We chose to visit Burano, and it was so charming! It was originally a fishing village, although now it mainly profits from tourism and lacemaking now. The rainbow houses were painted in different colors so the fishermen could find their home in the fog (or if they were drunk). Their houses are said to have matched the color of their boat!
The best thing to do in Burano is simply wander around, take photos, and relish in the adorable beauty of the island. When you’re ready for a bite to eat, I can’t recommend Trattoria Gatto Nero enough! It’s a Michelen Star Restaurant with incredible fresh seafood and pasta, and fantastic service.
THE DETAILS
These islands can all be reached via vaporetto, which is essentially a bus on the water. Head to the vaporetto station and scan the QR code to purchase a ticket. Just buy the general Venice travel ticket – it will allow you to board at any of the times. The timetable can be found at the boarding point or online.
For Burano and Murano, you will take the Line 12 from F.te Nova. The timetable can be found here.
For Lido, you have several options. The Line 1 departs from P.Le Roma and travels down the entire grand canal. This is a longer ride but some people opt for it to enjoy ride along the canal. Line 5.1, 5.2, and 6 are the quicker options, departing from P.Le Roma and/or F.Te Nova.
Where to Stay in Venice
CANNAREGIO
In my opinion, this is the best area to stay in during your time in Venice! It’s a quiet, lovely little neighborhood where many locals live and spend their time. I also find it to have the cleanest canals and the best restaurants. It’s close to the train station, which is a plus for hauling your luggage to your hotel. However, it’s a bit further to many of the tourist attractions of Venice. Everything was still walking distance (with the exception of Burano, obviously), but for this reason it might not be the best option for those who don’t love walking.
CA’ BONFADINI | An absolutely stunning hotel in a 16th century historic building. The furnishings are so elegant and look as if you’re sitting in a palace!
HOTEL CA’ DOGARESSA | Offers beautiful Venetian suites with views of the canals! An incredible price compared to similar hotels in Venice.
CASA MARTINI | A Venetian style hotel built in a historic residence! This is a great find for my budget travelers.
RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL | A gorgeous five-star hotel with modern furnishings, views over the canal, and a gorgeous restaurant.
SAN POLO
San Polo is the closest I would recommend getting to the tourist Mecca of San Marco. It’s close enough to the main attractions to be convenient, without being too crowded. San Polo is the oldest part of Venice, so it’s a beautiful place to explore and get lost in. Unfortunately, hotels are not as numerous here as in other areas but here’s a few excellent options:
PALAZZO VENART | A stunning luxury hotel housed in a 16th century building. The furnishings are extravagant, their restaurant is Michelin-starred, and the hotel overlooks the Grand Canal. What’s not to love?
SANTA CROCE | A boutique hotel with Venetian flair and a beautiful courtyard. Breakfast is included each morning and they have a bar as well!
Dorsoduro
Thanks to its location near Venice’s university, this neighborhood brings a young and artsy vibe to the otherwise traditional Venice.
HOTEL GALLERIA | One of the most affordable hotels offering a canal view! Rooms offer a charming antique Venetian style.
NANI MOCENIGO PALACE | A palace-style hotel with beautiful furnishings, a spacious courtyard, and delicious breakfast!
Know Before You Go
GETTING THERE | If you’re already in Italy, I would recommend taking the train to Venice. It’s easy, fuss-free, and the train station is much closer to central Venice than the airport! We took a direct train from Milan to Venice, which took about 2.5 hrs.
GETTING AROUND | Cars are not allowed in Venice. The best way to get around is by walking! You can also take the vaporetto (water bus) or book a private boat transfer.
AVOID PICKPOCKETS AND SCAMS | As with all touristy areas, be sure to wear a bag that zips and do not carry valuables with you!
CARRY CASH | As someone from the US, I’m not used to carrying cash with me. However, cash is often preferred here and some businesses do not have card readers! (For example: gondoliers only take cash)