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Venice, Italy

Destination Guide

Venice

Italy

Best things to do in Venice

56 curated attractions in Venice, Italy. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

April - June, September - October

Average temp

13°C/55°F

Budget

Expensive

Safety

Generally safe

About Venice

Venice is a city built on water, with over 400 bridges connecting a network of islands in a lagoon. This unique arrangement stems from its historical role as a maritime power, leading to a layout that prioritizes canals over roads, and the result is the iconic gondolas gliding silently past centuries-old architecture. The city is famous for its landmarks like Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, but it also has a delightful mess of narrow streets and hidden squares. Tourists flock here primarily for the art, history, and the chance to experience a place where cars are completely unnecessary, and the biggest traffic jam is just a gaggle of tourists trying to take the perfect photo of a sunset over the Grand Canal.

Who it's for

Ideal for travelers who appreciate art, history, and unique city structures. Disappointing for those seeking traditional public transport systems or looking for a quick visit: it takes time to traverse the winding paths, and good luck finding a quiet corner away from the crowds.

Getting around

Public transport: Good

  • Walking is the main mode of transport; the city is best explored on foot
  • Vaporetto water buses run regularly, with tickets costing a few euros per ride
  • From the train station, it takes about twenty minutes to reach Piazza San Marco by foot or ten minutes by Vaporetto
  • Be prepared for occasional flooding, especially in winter
Campo Santo Stefano

Campo Santo Stefano

Squares & plazas
Cannaregio

Cannaregio

Streets & neighbourhoods
Campo Santa Margherita

Campo Santa Margherita

Squares & plazas
Venice Canals

Venice Canals

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
Diga San Giuliano

Diga San Giuliano

Fountains, statues & public art
Santa Croce

Santa Croce

Streets & neighbourhoods
Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Historic houses & mansions
Church of San Polo

Church of San Polo

Churches & cathedrals
Murano Island

Murano Island

Islands
Church of San Zaccaria

Church of San Zaccaria

Churches & cathedrals
The Ghetto Nuovo

The Ghetto Nuovo

Streets & neighbourhoods
Lido Beach

Lido Beach

Beaches
Dorsoduro

Dorsoduro

Streets & neighbourhoods
Fondamenta delle Zattere

Fondamenta delle Zattere

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Art museums & galleries
Venetian Lagoon Islands: Murano, Burano

Venetian Lagoon Islands: Murano, Burano

Islands
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista

Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista

Historic houses & mansions
Grand Canal

Grand Canal

Canals, harbours & waterfronts
Venetian Lagoon

Venetian Lagoon

Lakes
Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge

Bridges
Doge's Palace

Doge's Palace

Castles & palaces
Accademia Bridge

Accademia Bridge

Bridges
St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica

Churches & cathedrals
Torre dell'Orologio

Torre dell'Orologio

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Teatro La Fenice

Teatro La Fenice

Theatres & opera houses
Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Churches & cathedrals
St Mark's Campanile

St Mark's Campanile

Observation decks & city views
Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco

Squares & plazas
Santa Maria della Salute

Santa Maria della Salute

Churches & cathedrals
Palazzo Fortuny

Palazzo Fortuny

Art museums & galleries
Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Churches & cathedrals
Rialto Market

Rialto Market

Food markets & food halls
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

Churches & cathedrals
Giardini della Biennale

Giardini della Biennale

City parks
Gallerie dell'Accademia

Gallerie dell'Accademia

Art museums & galleries
Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs

Bridges
Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Art museums & galleries
Bridge of the Barefoot

Bridge of the Barefoot

Bridges
Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Churches & cathedrals
Museo di Storia Naturale

Museo di Storia Naturale

Science & natural history museums
Venetian Arsenal

Venetian Arsenal

Forts & citadels
Burano

Burano

Islands
Palazzo Grassi

Palazzo Grassi

Art museums & galleries
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Historic houses & mansions
Ca' Rezzonico

Ca' Rezzonico

Historic houses & mansions
Ca' Pesaro

Ca' Pesaro

Art museums & galleries
Torcello Island

Torcello Island

Islands
Museo Storico Navale

Museo Storico Navale

Specialty & quirky museums
Ca' d'Oro

Ca' d'Oro

Art museums & galleries
Libreria Acqua Alta

Libreria Acqua Alta

Boutiques, bookshops & design stores
Jewish Museum of Venice

Jewish Museum of Venice

History museums
Museo Correr

Museo Correr

History museums
Palazzo Mocenigo

Palazzo Mocenigo

History museums
Constitution Bridge

Constitution Bridge

Bridges
Murano Glass Museum

Murano Glass Museum

Specialty & quirky museums
Gondola rides

Gondola rides

Canals, harbours & waterfronts

Where to eat in Venice

The places worth planning a meal around.

Dal Moro's

Dal Moro's

Italian · $

★ 4.6 · 20,176 reviews

Suso

Suso

Italian · $$

★ 4.6 · 9,405 reviews

Caffè Florian

Caffè Florian

Italian · $$$$

★ 3.8 · 7,980 reviews

Osteria al Squero

Osteria al Squero

Italian · $$

★ 4.7 · 5,686 reviews

Cantina Do Spade

Cantina Do Spade

Venetian · $$

★ 4.4 · 4,091 reviews

Al Timon

Al Timon

Italian · $$

★ 4.4 · 3,675 reviews

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