Travel Insights

When you think Venice, you think canals and gondolas. And while these are at the heart of an authentic Venetian experience, this Italian city has a lot of other things to offer as well.
For example, Venice has some of the finest meat and cheese in Italy, so make sure to set a day aside to eat your way through the city. Venice was also one of the most prominent artistic and economic centers in Renaissance Italy. This means you’ll be exposed to beautiful art, sculptures, and piazzas everywhere you look.

Ready to plan your Venice trip?

Here are the 20 top things to see and do in Venice.

1. Gondola or water taxi ride on the Grand Canal

Did you know Venice actually constitutes 117 small islands in northern Italy?

No wonder gondolas, and now water taxis, are the best way to get around the city. And let’s just say the Grand Canal is the most popular, albeit busiest, route to take.

So here’s a tip.

Avoid morning and evening gondola or water taxi rides and opt for a night time schedule instead.

The entire stretch along the canal is lit up with beautiful views of ceiling frescos and chandeliers.

If you’re traveling with a group of friends, opt for a private water taxi, which is more expensive than regular water taxi but more economical than a gondola ride.

2. St. Mark’s square (or Piazza San Marco)

St Mark’s square is located right on the Grand Canal and is the largest and most famous piazza of Venice.

Needless to say the square is gorgeous, surrounded by beautiful buildings with striking archways.

The most prominent buildings surrounding the piazza are St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile, Doge’s Palace, and Torre dell’Orologio.

If you want to get your trip started with a dose of Venetian history, this is the place to be.

3. St. Mark’s Basilica

This 11th century cathedral is the main church of Venice and is one of the most important example of Italo-Byzantine architecture in the city.

The opulent frescos and the gold ground mosaics are a sign of Venice’s opulence in the Middle Ages. The main façade has a distinctly Gothic appearance and is topped by a striking ornamental roof.

The interiors with tellelated marble floors and walls decorated with mosaics and frescos of prominent conquests are just as eye catching.

4. St. Mark’s Campanile

This 323 ft tall tower located right outside the basilica dominates the skyline of Venice. This is also the tower where Galileo famously presented the prowess of his telescope to the then Doge of Venice. The event is marked by a plaque on the observation deck. The tower also features in the video game Assassin’s Creed II.

5. Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace is another beautiful tribute to the Italo-Byzantine style of architecture. It was originally the residence of the Doge of Venice, the highest authority of the Venetian Republic. In 1923, its opulent interiors were opened as a museum to the public.
Make sure you explore the palace in detail, from the Doge’s apartments and institutional chambers to the Old Prison.
The palace also connects to the Bridge of sighs.

6. Bridge of Sighs

This bridge is connected to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s palace, and although beautiful, it’s said to have a dark history. Back in the day, the large windows of this scenic white limestone bridge offered prisoners the last glimpse of the outside world before they were taken down to their cells.

The English name was given by the Romantic poet Lord Byron as a direct translation of the Italian name: Ponte dei Sospiri.

7. Ponte di Rialto

This is another significant and eye catching bridge in Venice that is of immense historical and cultural importance. It connects the San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice and was originally a wooden bridge till it collapsed in 1524. The current symmetrical and ornate stone structureon the Grand Canal is a result of reconstruction.

It’s an important pedestrian thoroughfare, but what makes this bridge even more enjoyable are the jewelry and souvenir shops lining it.

8. Gallerie dell’Accademia

The Gallerie dell’Accademia is home to the Vitruvian Man by Da vinci as well as other prominent works by Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto and Canaletto.

The gallery was opened in 1756 by Napoleonic decree and remains of the greatest galleries of Renaissance artwork today.

9. San Giorgio Maggiore

This small island is not connected to the main canals from Venice, but it can be easily reached by water taxi from the Grand Canal.

Make your way here to stroll through the cobbled streets, admire the boats moored at the harbor, and climb the bell tower (which is almost a replica of the one at St. Mark’s square) for amazing views of the city.

10. Venice Lido

Lido island hosts the Venice Film Festival every year and is a great place for star spotting during this time.

The island is 11 km away from the heart of Venice, but it’s easily axxessible by vaporetto. If you’re a voracious reader, you may be interested to know that Hotel Reviera on this island served as a refuge to famous figures such as Lord Byron, Thomas Mann, and Ernest Hemmingway.

The island also has a long, tranquil stretch of beach if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

11. Murano

Murano is another set of small islands in the Venice districts (not within the main city of Venice) and is more quaint than Venice. This area is also known for the art of glass blowing, which is demonstrated across the different factories here. However, if you want to go on a journey of the history of glass making, we suggest making your way to the Murano Glass museum.

12. Murano Glass Museum

This museum was founded in 1861and was originally a palace meant for the residential quarters of the bishops of the region. The collection here dates back to the early forms of glass making till the 20th century specimens (for instance glass vases, light fixtures and jewelry), including specific collections designed by Murano glass and architect Carlo Scarpa.

13. Torcello

Believe it or not, the island of Torcello is even older than Venice. While it’s a popular destination near Venice, t’s small population means it’s a more quieter retreat.

Why visit Torcello?

To admire the stunning mosaics of Santa Maria Dell’Assunta Cathedral of course.

14. Santa Maria Dell’Assunta Cathedral

This cathedral in Torcello was built in 630 AD and houses eye catching Byzantine mosaics from the 11th to the 13th centuries. The most famous mosaic work here is a beautiful rendition of the Last Judgement.

The cathedral also has a bell tower that you can climb to admire the skyline of Torcello and Venice.

15. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Another grand cathedral to admire in Venice is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, which is situated at the opposite end of the Grand Canal. This church was built as a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church and its gorgeous baroque design draws everyone. The strategic hexagonal shape of the cathedral also means that the interior is flooded with sunlight while the façade is beautifully decorated with the statues of the four apostles.

16. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Don’t let the unfinished look of this gallery fool you – this building houses one of the most premiere art collections in the world. Located in the Dorsoduro district, this gallery pays homage to modern and post modern art movements like surrealism, cubism, and expressionism through artworks by Picasso, Dali, Pollock, and Mandrian.

17. Burano Island

Take a day trip to Burano Island and admire the colorful houses scattered all over the island. This area is also famous for its seafood and farm-style pasta with organic ingredients.

18. Museo del Merletto

The Murano Lace school taught merchants of the area to weave intricate lace in the medieval times. It’s said that lace from this area played a seminal part in Da Vinci’s altar piece at Milan’s Duomo. Another thing you shouldn’t miss here is the leaning bell tower at the Church of San Martino.

19. Palazzo Grassi

This palace was one of the last structures to be built on the Grand Canal and houses the provocative art collection of François Pinault, a French billionaire. Apart from the jaw-dropping permanent exhibits, there are many temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

However, the highlight of the palace is of course the interiors designed by minimalist master and Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

20. Caffè Florian

Wrap up your Venice tour with a sumptuous meal at Caffe Florian at St. Mark’s square

The décor of the café has remained pretty much unchanged since the 1800s and has attracted figures such as Charlie Chaplin and Andy Warhol. Indulge in a mouth watering risotto or their range of delicious chocolates while you’re here.