Top Things to Do in Venice Italy
FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Venice Italy will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Venice Italy.
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Top Landmarks in Venice Italy
- See the inlaid mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica.
- Walk through the gothic Doge’s Palace.
- Walk by or under the famous Bridge of Sighs.
- Walk across the Grand Canal on the famous Rialto Bridge.
- Climb (or take the elevator) up the Campanile di San Marco bell tower.
- See the Torre dell’Orologio, a Renaissance clock tower in Piazza San Marco.
- Take a boat to San Giorgio Maggiore.
- Climb the famous Scala Contarini del Bovolo spiral staircase.
- Check out the Ca’ d’Oro palazzo along the Grand Canal.
- Visit Castello and photograph the laundry-lined streets.
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Venice Italy
- Glide through the canals on a traditional gondola.
- Take the #1 Vaporetto (public water bus) along the Grand Canal.
- Enjoy Italian Opera at Virtuosi di Venezia.
- Tour the Teatro La Fenice opera house.
- Explore the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
- Visit Squero di San Trovaso and see where gondolas are made.
- Head to Murano and watch a glassblowing demonstration.
- Attend the Venice Carnival in February.
- Create your own Carnival mask at Ca’ Macana Venezia.
- Check out the wooden puppets at L’isola di Pinocchio.
- Watch a traditional Venetian printing session at Plum Plum Creations.
- Tour the city’s underground crypt and learn about its dark history.
- Check out the former red-light district’s Ponte delle Tette (Bridge of Female Breasts).
- See Casanova’s birthplace on Calle Malipiero.
Best Museums in Venice Italy
- Tour the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of twentieth-century art with works by Picasso, Pollock, and Dalí.
- Tour Ca’ Rezzonico Palazzo and step back to 18th-century Venice, featuring period furniture and artwork.
- Check out the collection of Venetian Renaissance art at Gallerie dell’Accademia including works by Bellini and Tintoretto.
- See Tintoretto’s paintings at Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
- Explore the rotating contemporary art exhibitions at Palazzo Grassi.
- Learn about Venetian fashion and perfume at the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo.
- Explore the interactive exhibits at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum.
- Check out the contemporary art at the Art Biennale.
- Learn the history and artistry of Venetian lace-making at Museo del Merletto (Burano Lace Museum).
- Browse the Venetian art, history, and culture at Museo Correr in St. Mark’s Square.
- Learn the history of St. Mark’s Basilica and its treasures at Museo di San Marco.
Outdoor Activities in Venice Italy
- Feed the pigeons in St Mark’s Square.
- Take a tour of the city’s secret gardens.
- Explore Lido or Pellestrina on a bike tour.
- Rent a kayak and kayak through Venice’s canals.
- Walk through the restored royal gardens at Giardini Reali.
- Have a picnic lunch on the Island of Sant’Elena and enjoy the view of the lagoon.
- Take a walk along Zattere Promenade for sunset views across the lagoon.
Where to Eat in Venice Italy
- Take the Venetian Sweets and Coffee tour.
- Book a cooking class and learn how to make Venetian classics like seafood risotto and tiramisu.
- Go on a Cicchetti Crawl and try Venice’s version of tapas and local wines.
- Stop in Cantina Do Spade wine bar famous for its cicchetti.
- Take a pastry-making class.
- Eat a fried mozzarella sandwich at Rosticceria Gislon.
- Head to Osteria Bancogiro for a meal overlooking the Grand Canal.
- Enjoy an authentic Venetian seafood dinner at Antiche Carampane, Ristorante alle Testiere, or Al Covo.
- Eat traditional Venetian food at Trattoria alla Madonna or L’Osteria di Santa Marina.
- Enjoy a high-end meal at Ristorante Quadri in St. Mark’s Square with a view of the Basilica.
- Splurge on a Michelin-starred night out at Osteria da Fiore.
Venice Italy Nightlife: Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Stop in a Bacari for an Aperol Spritz and Chichetti.
- Sip a Bellini at the iconic Harry’s Bar, a favorite of Hemingway and other famous figures.
- Relax at Café Florian, the oldest café in Venice.
- Enjoy aperitivo at Campo Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro.
- Spend a night out sipping cocktails to live jazz at Bacaro Jazz or Venice Jazz Club.
- Enjoy craft cocktails at Il Mercante Cocktail Bar.
- Relax with a drink on the Cannaregio Canal at Al Parlamento.
- Head to Skyline Rooftop Bar for cocktails with a view of Venice.
- Check out Venice’s craft beer scene at Il Santo Bevitore.
Shopping in Venice Italy
- Shop along the Rialto Bridge.
- Go shopping in the Jewish Ghetto, the world’s first ghetto.
- Shop for souvenirs along Strada Nuova.
- Explore the unique Libreria Acqua Alta bookstore.
- Head to Mercerie Shopping Street and browse the boutiques and designer stores.
- Browse artisan shops and local markets in Campo San Barnaba.
- Check out the T Fondaco dei Tedeschi luxury department store with a rooftop terrace.
- Bring back a souvenir handmade Venetian mask from Ca’ Macana.
- Buy a piece of handmade jewelry crafted from Murano glass beads at Attombri Jewelry.
- Check out the colorful, handmade Venetian slippers known as furlane at Pied à Terre.
- Visit Burano to shop for handwoven lace, a specialty of the island.
Instagrammable Places in Venice Italy: Lookouts, View Points, and Selfies
- Photograph the Ponte de Chiodo, Ca’ d’Oro, Scala Contarini del Bovolo spiral staircase, and Punte Della Dogana.
- Head to T Fondaco Terrace for a free panoramic view of the Grand Canal.
- Visit Doge’s Palace and check out the terrace views.
- Photograph the Grand Canal toward the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute from Ponte dell’ Accademia.
- Climb St Marks Campanile for views of the square below.
- Climb San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower for panoramic views of Venice.
- Stand at the top of the Rialto Bridge for views of the Grand Canal and the gondolas below.
- Check out views of St. Mark’s Basin and the Grand Canal from Punta della Dogana.
Day Trips From Venice Italy
- Head to Murano Island for a glassblowing workshop.
- Spend an afternoon in the colorful fishing village of Burano, known for its colorful houses and lace-making.
- Explore the historic churches on Torcello Island.
- Take a day trip to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet.
- Visit Padua to see the incredible frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel.
- Spend a day at the beach at Lido di Venezia.
- Take a wine tour of the Prosecco Region, known for producing some of Italy’s best sparkling wines.
- Explore Vicenza, a Renaissance city known for its Palladian villas and architecture.
- Spend a day hiking in the Dolomite mountains.
- Check out Chioggia, known as “Little Venice” without the crowds.
Venice Italy Special Events
Check the Venice Italy Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan your Trip to Venice Italy
Why Visit Venice Italy
Venice Italy had almost 6 million visitors last year. People are drawn by the beauty of this floating city made up of 120 islands and 450 bridges with its maze of small streets and canals full of timeworn buildings, strings of laundry, and window boxes of flowers. Venice Italy is also full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping.
How Many Days in Venice Italy is Enough
It is possible to see Venice in 1 day but 2 days allow you to better experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is Venice Italy Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Venice Italy is low. However, there is a high risk of being pickpocketed or scammed. Stay alert in high-traffic areas and do not accept help with your luggage. Check their website for more information. https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/
Best Time to Visit Venice Italy
The best time to visit Venice Italy is during the shoulder seasons of April–May or September–October when the weather is mild, crowds have thinned, and prices are reasonable. Summer is high season. Expect temperatures in the high 70’s and 80’s; ensure your hotel has air conditioning. The low season is November–March. While there are no lines and prices have dropped, many stores are closed and you may experience flooding. Prices spike for Carnevale in February.
How to Get to Venice Italy
The main international airport serving Venice Italy is the Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). A flight from LAX to VCE is about 14 hours with one stopover; JKF to VCE is about 11 hours with one stopover. Prepare for your flight! https://outofoffice.blog/long-haul-flight/
How to Get Around Venice Italy
Venice Marco Polo Airport is located on the mainland about 13 km from Venice. There are several ways to get from VCE to the city. The ATVO express bus runs every thirty minutes with non-stop service to Piazzale Roma. Tickets cost 8 euros and can be purchased from a machine at the airport.
Alilaguna water buses run 3 lines from the airport to the city. The route takes about 1.15 hours. Check the schedule for the most convenient stop and purchase online tickets here.
A regular taxi from the airport to Piazzale Roma will cost 40 euros plus fees for luggage. A water taxi will cost 100 to 150 euros depending on where you are going in Venice and how much luggage you have.
Where to Stay in Venice Italy
I stayed on the Grand Canal when I visited Venice Italy during an organized tour and a water taxi dropped us and the luggage off at the hotel entrance. It was a nice luxury for sure.
What Should I Budget for Venice Italy
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $256 (€229) per person per day. A one-week trip to Venice for two people costs, on average, $3,578 (€3,206). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Venice Italy
Pack comfortable, breathable clothing and flat shoes for cobblestone walking. Be prepared for the season; bring sunscreen and a sunhat in the summer and an umbrella and light jacket in the spring. Be sure to pack a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders in religious buildings.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Venice Italy
Couples may enjoy a romantic dinner next to the Grand Canal, a private gondola ride, the sunset catamaran cruise, a couple’s photo shoot, or attending an opera.
Things to Do in Venice Italy with Children
The Puppet Theater, Venetian Aquarium, mini train ride in Giardini, or dressing up in period costumes are a few of the fun things to do with children in Venice Italy.
Things to do in Venice Italy with Teenagers
Teens may enjoy riding on a gondola, taking a street food tour, trying out a Venetian Escape Room, taking a ghost tour, participating in a mask-making workshop, or attending an interactive cooking class.
Visiting More Italian Cities?
Check out our Italy Travel Guide with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
Bookmark and Pin 100 Things to Do in Venice Italy, a Bucket List City
Booking Resources for Venice Italy
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Venice Italy Attractions and Day Tours
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