25 Best Things To Do In Venice, Italy

Venice is one of Italy's most picturesque cities. Beautiful floating palaces of stone surrounded by an ancient network of canals. Here are some of the best things to do in Venice!

Venice is one of the most popular Italian cities for tourists, even with all the other beautiful & historic places there are in Italy.

The City of Water is celebrated because of its unusual circumstances, sitting on 100+ small islands connected by over 400 bridges.

There are basically no roads, transportation is accomplished via boats on a confusing network of canals. It's truly unlike anything I've ever experienced before!

Because most travelers visiting Italy stop by the city for a few days, I wanted to recommend some fun and unusual things to do in Venice during your trip.

Jump to:

• Best Things To Do In Venice In 2025
• 1. Explore Saint Mark's Square
• 2. Libreria Acqua Alta Book Store
• 3. The Bridge Of Sighs
• 4. The Grand Canal (Canale Grande)
• 5. Ponte Di Rialto Bridge
• 6. Ride A Gondola In Venice
• 7. Visit Doges' Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
• 8. St. Mark’s Basilica
• 9. Go Up San Marco Campanile
• 10. Take A Day Trip To Burano
• 11. Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute
• 12. Eat A Traditional Tramezzino
• 13. Buy A Venetian Carnival Mask
• 14. Scala Contarini Del Bovolo
• 15. Crypt Of San Zaccaria
• 16. Catch An Epic Venetian Sunset
• 17. Rialto Market Shopping
• 18. Watch A Gondola Being Made
• 19. Cool Off With Venetian Gelato
• 20. Teatro La Fenice
• 21. Grab A Drink At Hotel Danieli
• 22. Basilica Of Saints John & Paul
• 23. Ride The Vaporetto Water Taxi
• 24. Glass Making On Murano Island
• 25. Attend Venice Carnival!
• Best Time To Visit Venice
• Where To Stay In Venice
• Transportation Around Venice
• Budget Travel Tips For Venice Italy

Venice Italy Highlights Map

Best Things To Do In Venice In 2025

1. Explore Saint Mark's Square

St. Mark the Evangelist is Venice's patron saint. Signs of this connection can be found throughout the city, with an excellent example being St. Mark's Square.

Also called Piazza San Marco, it is Venice's main public square, basically the social heart of the city. There are a bunch of famous landmarks here, like the Clock Tower, St. Mark's Basilica, Doges' Palace, and the Winged Lion of Venice.

St. Mark's is also home to many public events that have been held here for centuries. You'll find TONS of friendly pigeons, although keep in mind that feeding them has been banned.

2. Libreria Acqua Alta Book Store

Perhaps unsurprisingly, flooding is a frequent problem for a city built on water. So various Venetian institutions have come up with unique responses to the problem.

A cool book store called Libreria Acqua Alta placed its books and magazines in bathtubs, waterproof containers, and even a full-sized gondola! It makes for a very unique and very whimsical setting.

3. The Bridge Of Sighs

The Bridge Of Sighs is a unique enclosed bridge of white limestone spanning the Rio di Palazzo in Venice. There's an interesting story behind the name.

It once led to a notorious Venetian prison, the beautiful view through its stone "bars" was a convict's last sight of Venice before losing their freedom... and often their life. Hence the "sighs" as they passed.

4. The Grand Canal (Canale Grande)

Venice was once the capital of a maritime empire, and a center of commerce and culture during Europe's Renaissance period. The Grand Canal is the most important channel running through the city.

It's also the largest and forms a recognizable "reverse S" through Venice when the city is viewed from above. Some of the most spectacular buildings in Venice line The Grand Canal!

Many of these buildings can only be accessed by boat. So you'll find boats of all sorts heading up and down the canal in a fascinating form of organized chaos.

5. Ponte Di Rialto Bridge

There are four large bridges that span the Grand Canal. The original of them all was Rialto Bridge, which started out as a pontoon bridge in the 12th century but has since been rebuilt into what you see today.

The current bridge was built in the late 16th century, at a time when critics claimed that it would soon fall into ruin. But more than four centuries later, the Rialto Bridge still stands in splendid defiance.

6. Ride A Gondola In Venice

Are the Venice gondola rides worth it? Well, it depends. Are you the type of person to visit Egypt and skip the pyramids? If so, go ahead and skip the gondola.

But if you're genuinely curious about history and new travel experiences, suck it up and pay the €80 EURO price to rent one for 30 minutes.

7. Visit Doges' Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The Republic of Venice came into existence in the 8th century and continued to exist until the late 18th century when Napoleon embarked on his conquest.

During that period, the republic was presided over by The Doge, a chief magistrate elected for life by Venetian nobles. Think of him as a combination of Pope & President.

Nowadays, the iconic Palazzo Ducale (Doge Palace) that housed the Doge has become one of the most famous landmarks of Venice, and a popular museum.

8. St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica, located in St. Mark's Square, is the most famous of Venice's churches and the cathedral of the Patriarchate of Venice.

Style-wise, the church is a mix of influences, having been built in the 11th century before being embellished again and again over the course of centuries. Today it boasts gold-leaf mosaics and beautiful domed ceilings.

Make sure to visit the small basilica museum inside, as well as the outdoor terrace with excellent views of the public square below.

9. Go Up San Marco Campanile

St. Mark's Campanile is one of the most recognizable landmarks in St. Mark's Square, a massive 98 meter (323 ft) bell tower that looms over its surroundings.

Galileo himself used the tower as an observatory to study the skies and in 1609 he demonstrated his telescope to the Lords of the city.

There is an elevator that goes to the top providing you with an unforgettable view of one of the most magnificent parts of Venice, including the Venitian Lagoon and Santa Maria Della Salute.

The ride to the top costs €8 EURO.

10. Take A Day Trip To Burano

Burano is one of the smaller islands that can be found around the Venetian Lagoon. It's reached via a 40-minute water taxi from St. Mark's Square.

This small fishing village is unique for its brightly painted homes of pink, blue, yellow, and green. It's a kaleidoscope of color with its own network of canals too.

Burano is also a center for lace-making, though the traditional methods see very little use these days because of their complicated and time-consuming nature.

11. Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute

In the 17th century, Venice suffered a particularly bad outbreak of the bubonic plague when 80,000 people died.

As thanks for its deliverance from the plague, Venetians built the Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary who they believe saved them from much worse.

The result was a wonderful Baroque style structure which came complete with a beautiful dome that has become an iconic part of the Venetian skyline.

12. Eat A Traditional Tramezzino

Tramezzini are Italian sandwiches that use two pieces of soft white bread with their crusts removed.

Venetian Tramezzini are famous for being stuffed fuller than most of their counterparts, with the most traditional examples using either ham or tuna.

They are great as a snack, particularly for people who want something substantial. Probably the best place to grab a Tramezzino is Bar alla Toletta (Bar at the Toilet).

13. Buy A Venetian Carnival Mask

Even if you're not visiting Venice during their annual Carnival in February, it's still possible to buy, or even better, MAKE one of the famous Venetian Carnival masks!

Scholars speculate the masks were a way to shrug off the structure of class, enabling participants to enjoy a temporary measure of freedom.

You can easily pick up one of your own as a souvenir. There are cheap versions sold from street carts, or the more elaborate hand-made art pieces can be bought in specialized mask shops like Ca'Macana. You can even take a class and learn how to build your own!

14. Scala Contarini Del Bovolo

If you're looking for a cool hidden attraction in Venice, there's a palazzo in San Marco with a spiral staircase called Scala Contarini Del Bovolo, as it resembles a snail shell.

This curved set of stairs is a perfect example of Renaissance art spreading through the city in the 15th century. It became associated with not just the palace but the Contarini family who lived there.

15. Crypt Of San Zaccaria

San Zaccaria is a central Venetian church built using a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. However, the church tends to be best-known because of its flooded crypt.

Curiously, the water has enhanced the overall feel of the space, perfectly suitable as a resting place for some of Venice's earliest Doges (religious and political leaders).

16. Catch An Epic Venetian Sunset

Venice has some amazingly colorful sunsets. They are complemented by the city's magnificent architecture built along all the waterways and canals. Not to mention the gondolas floating about.

Sunsets often boast deep pink, yellow, purple, and orange colors. Unfortunately this partly due to all the smog hovering over the city... but it's great for photography!

One of the best places to view the sunset in Venice is along the ferry pier at San Marco.

17. Rialto Market Shopping

No visit to Venice would be complete without visiting the Rialto Market, seeing as how one of the city's chief claims to fame was as a commercial hub.

The Rialto Market's canal-side location means that it has played an important part in the day-to-day lives of Venetians for a very long time.

You can find fruit, vegetables, and fresh fish in the food section, plus countless souvenirs in the tourist section. The market is open from 9am to 9pm, and is situated near the big white Rialto Bridge.

18. Watch A Gondola Being Made

Squero di San Trovaso is one of the last remaining Venetian gondola boat yards, where local craftsmen build and repair the €20,000 traditional boats.

While the boatyard isn't generally open to tourists, you can watch them work from across the canal. If you're lucky, they'll be outside varnishing one of the boats.

19. Cool Off With Venetian Gelato

After a long day wandering through the city, I recommend stopping by the Suso Gelatoteca for a cold and refreshing cone of tasty Italian gelato.

One way to know if you're getting authentic, Italian gelato is to check the colors. Are they bright and florescent? Skip it! Real gelato is much more subdued.

Another great spot for gelato in Venice is Gelato Di Natura in San Croce. Make sure to eat it fast before it melts all over your hand!

20. Teatro La Fenice

Sometimes called Phoenix by English speakers, Teatro La Fenice is a beautiful old Venetian opera house.

It has been destroyed and rebuilt two separate times following different fires, hence the "phoenix" name.

The interior is the star of the show, designed in classic Italian fashion, with lots of gold and seating in closed boxes for an extra measure of privacy. You can explore on your own, or book a guided tour.

21. Grab A Drink At Hotel Danieli

If you want to see how the other half does Venice, stop into the lavish former 14-century palace Hotel Danieli and grab an evening drink at Bar Dandolo.

This 5-star hotel has hosted such notable people as Charles Dickens, Harrison Ford, and Peggy Guggenheim.

The lobby bar was featured in 3 different James Bond films: Casino Royale (2006), From Russia with Love (1963) and Moonraker (1979). Totally worth a martini (shaken, not stirred...)!

22. Basilica Of Saints John & Paul

The Basilica of Saints John and Paul is a smaller basilica that can be found in Castello, and the public square around it is a popular place for families to hang out.

Curiously, it isn't named for John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle. Instead, it is named for a more obscure pair of saints who are said to have been eunuchs belonging to the Emperor Constantine's daughter Constantina.

23. Ride The Vaporetto Water Taxi

By now you've already heard me mention the Vaporetto water taxi a few times. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around Venice.

It's basically a floating public bus, that stops frequently at different docks around the city. It may not be quite as romantic as a wooden gondola or private boat, but it gets the job done.

Vaporettos usually run between 6am and 10pm, and you can buy a 24-hour ticket for about €20 EUR, or 48-hours for €30. A single ticket costs €7.50. Book your tickets online in advance here.

24. Glass Making On Murano Island

Murano is another small island just outside Venice, reachable via water taxi. It's become known around the world for its glass-making artisans.

You can stop into the Museo del Vetro – Museum of Glass to learn about the history of Murano glass and how its made, or even sign up for a glass blowing class and make some yourself!

25. Attend Venice Carnival!

Modeled after ancient Greek and Roman festivals, Venice Carnival is a holiday that allowed regular citizens to dress up in anonymous costumes, making fun of the aristocracy without fear.

But it eventually backfired, allowing criminals to get away with all kinds of crimes behind the masks, and Carnival was banned in 1797. The celebration & parties returned though during the 1960’s.

These days, Venice Carnival lasts for two weeks in February, with all kinds of parades, concerts, private parties, and people dressed up in elaborate costumes.

Best Time To Visit Venice

High season for Venice Italy is during the summer from June to August, when everyone is on summer break. It's hot and very crowded! Try to avoid the summer if you can.

The best time to visit Venice is during the shoulder seasons, March - May and September - November. Still busy, but not as bad as summertime.

If you are looking to travel on a budget, visit Venice during the acqua alta, or "high water" months of October through January. This is when the city floods on a regular basis.

Venice Carnival is usually held during February. 2025 Carnivale de Venezia dates are February 14th to March 4th.

Where To Stay In Venice

Normally I’d recommend staying at an Airbnb, but for Venice, a vacation rental investment explosion has forced locals to leave the city because they can no longer afford rent. Which kinda sucks. So here are my hotel recommendations for where to stay in Venice!

Transportation Around Venice

Most people get to Venice by flying into Venice's Marco Polo Airport. From there, you can jump on the ATVO airport transfer bus to Piazzale Roma, the main bus terminal. Buses run every 20 minutes and cost €6 EUR. From the terminal, you can pick up a Vaporetto and start floating down the Grand Canal.

Vaporetto

The Venice public "water bus". A single ticket costs €7.50 EUR. 24-hour unlimited ticket for €20 EUR. 48-hours for €30. 72-hours for €40. Timetables here. Book tickets online in advance here.

Water Taxis

For a slightly cooler experience, you can book a motoscafi (water taxi). It's basically a wooden speed boat that travels much faster than the public Vaporetti. But it's more expensive.

For up to five people, the price is €110 to or from the airport. Or €82 from the train station to Plaza San Marco. So if you're sharing with a group, it isn't so bad.

Gondola

€80 for 30 minutes before 7pm, €100 after 7pm. The price is good for up to 6 people. This is more of a tourist attraction than a practical way to get around the city. I'd recommend trying it at least once though! You can also book gondola trips online in advance here.

Budget Travel Tips For Venice Italy

• Don't try and see absolutely everything in Venice if don't have much time. Pick a few things to do each day. The large crowds can be stressful.
• Speaking of crowds, mentally prepare for them. Unless you're visiting off-season, Venice is ALWAYS packed, like 60,000 - 80,000 people each day!
• To avoid the huge influx of cruise ship passengers that descend upon Venice, check out this Cruise Ship Calendar to help plan your trip around them.
• Buy a Vaporetto ticket for the whole time you're in the city. Visiting for 3 days? It's worth it to get the 72-hour unlimited ticket for €40.
• Don't waste money on bottled water. Almost every public square has a free water fountain. Just bring a reusable water bottle!
• Buy a Venice City Pass for discounted rates on museums and galleries, around 20% -30% off.