17 Things to See & do in Venice, Italy
A Quick Guide
This is a quick guide to Venice, things to see and do.
We’ve included some of the major sights to see and a variety of other things to do.
If you want to make a plan or are not sure what to see in Venice, this should help.
St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
1. St Mark’s Basilica
The 11th century church of gold, the Cathedral of Venice, St Mark’s Basilica is one of the most dominant buildings in St Mark’s Square.
Inside there are 8,000 square meters (86,000 sq feet) of gold mosaics that cover almost all the upper areas of the interior. It is a beautiful sight.
St Mark’s Basilica Tickets & Tours See Below
2. Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is one of the main landmarks in Venice.
The Palazzo Ducale was the residence of the Doge of Venice who was the supreme authority of the former Republic and the Palace was the heart of the political life and public administration in Venice.
Doge’s Palace Tickets & Tours See Below
St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tours & Tickets
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Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace
Skip The Line Ticket
See the world famous Doge’s Palace. View More
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St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica
Skip The Line Ticket
Includes Entry & Audioguide to the Basilica. View More
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Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica
Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica
Guided Tour
LA FENICE & HISTORIC CAFES
3. La Fenice Opera House
A famous and beautiful Italian opera house where major composers, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi premiered their works
4. Historic Venice Cafes
Caffè Florian & Gran Caffè Quadri, are the two most famous grand cafes of St Mark’s Square, visited by Casanova, film stars, poets and more.
La Fenice Opera House Tours & Tickets
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La Fenice Opera House
La Fenice Opera House
Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
View La Fenice Opera House ➤ View/Book
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Teatro La Fenice
Teatro La Fenice
Guided Tour
La Fenice Opera House Guided Tour
VENICE GHETTO & ST MARK’S BELL TOWER
5. Venice Ghetto
Venice Ghetto dates from 1516 and is the oldest ghetto in the world.
The Venetian Ghetto was the area of Venice in which Jews were compelled to live by the government of the Venetian Republic.
6. St Mark’s Bell Tower
One of the most dominant sights in St Mark’s Square.
From the top of the belltower you can view where the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei demonstrated the first telescope.
Venice Ghetto & St Marks Belltower Tours & Tickets
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Jewish Ghetto and Synagogue Visit
Jewish Ghetto and Synagogue Visit
Guided Tour
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Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour
Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour
and Synagogue Visit
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St. Mark’s Campanile
St. Mark’s Campanile
Belltower Skip The Line Entrance
VENICE ART GALLERIES
7. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Modern art collection on the Grand Canal.
One of the most visited attractions in Venice and a collection of some of the most important European and American art of the twentieth century
8. Galleria dell’Accademia
One of the great galleries of the world with many famous artists’ work
Founded in 1750 to give the city an Academy of painters and sculptors, the Gallerie dell’Accademia is an extraordinary collection of art from Byzantine through Gothic to the Renaissance artists.
GUGGENHEIM & ACADEMIA TICKETS & TOURS
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Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Fast Track Ticket
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Gallerie dell’Accademia
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Admission Ticket
RIALTO MARKETS & GONDOLA TRIP
9. Rialto Markets
Close to the Rialto Bridge, the Rialto Markets have been in existence since 1097.
The markets are an authentic Venetian experience – a place where many restaurant owner and locals come to buy fresh produce.
10. Gondola Trip
Taking a trip in a Gondola – one of the “must do” things in Venice.
There are many options from a daytime or evening gondola trip, shared or private. See the page for more details.
RIALTO MARKETS & GONDOLA TRIP TICKETS & TOURS
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Rialto Market With Tastings
Rialto Market With Tastings
Guided Tour
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Grand Canal Gondola Ride
Grand Canal Gondola Ride
Plus Secret Canals
With app commentary
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Private Gondola Ride
Private Gondola Ride
Trip Along Grand Canal
Grand and other canals
VAPORETTO & BRIDGE OF SIGHS
11. Vaporetto down the Grand Canal
The vaporetto or waterbus is the heart of transportation in Venice.
For a first trip to Venice, cruise down the Grand Canal on line 1 (but avoid rush hour!)
12. Bridge of Sighs
The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment.
You can easily see the Bridge near St Mark’s Square, but get a Doge’s Palace Tour to see it from the inside.
VAPORETTO & BRIDGE OF SIGHS TICKETS & TOURS
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Waterbus and Mainland Bus Pass
Waterbus and Mainland Bus Pass
Vaporetto (Waterbus) and Land Transport Pass
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St Marks & Doges Palace
St Marks & Doges Palace
inc Bridge of Sighs
MURANO, BURANO & ROOFTOP TERRACES
13. Visit Murano and Burano
Murano is home to the craft of glass making, the Museo del Vetro glass museum and rare mosaics while Burano is famous for its brightly painted houses and lacemaking
14. The Rooftop Terraces of Venice
The most popular rooftop viewing terrace in Venice has been the Fondaco dei Tedeschi which is closing soon, unfortunately.
However there are others! See our tour below to view Venice from the heights!
MURANO, BURANO & ROOFTOPS TICKETS & TOURS
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Murano & Burano
Murano & Burano
Private Boat Tour
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Murano, Torcello & Burano
Murano, Torcello & Burano
Venetian Islands Tour
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Exclusive Rooftop Terraces Tour
Exclusive Rooftop Terraces Tour
Guided Tour With Prosecco
CICCHETTI & COCKTAILS IN VENICE
15. Eat Cicchetti
Bacari are typical bars in venice that serve wine and snacks (cicchetti).
Sampling cicchetti in a Venetian bacaro is one of those Venice experiences you simply must do!
16. Cocktails at an exclusive bar
Treat yourself to a world class cocktail at a five star hotel.
Perhaps Bar Gabbiano at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, maybe the Arts Bar at the St. Regis Hotel or how about a drink with a view from the Skyline Rooftop Bar of the Hilton Molino Stucky on Giudecca or Bar Terrazza Danieli.
CICCHETTI TICKETS & TOURS
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LOSE YOURSELF IN VENICE
17. Explore & Get Lost!
One of the joys of Venice is wandering and getting lost, finding beautiful views, buildings and great art.
Having a gelato, a coffee and appreciating the beauty that is Venice.
Venice is so small you are never far from away from a vaporetto stop or an attraction
OTHER VENICE ATTRACTIONS
Link to: St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark’s Clock Tower
The famous clock tower of St Mark’s Square
Link to: National Archaeological Museum
Archeological Museum
Greek and Roman artifacts and more
Link to: Marciana Library
Marciana Library
One of the oldest libraries
Link to: Olivetti Museum
Olivetti Museum
Carlo Scarpa and vintage Olivetti
Link to: Piazzetta di San Marco
Piazzetta San Marco
Where the death penalty was carried out
Link to: Church of Santo Stefano
Church of Santo Stefano
13th century church with Tintoretto’s Last Supper
Link to: Church of San Salvatore
Church of San Salvador
Works of art in this 16th Century church
Link to: Church of San Moise
Church of San Moise
Art from Meyring to Tintoretto.
Link to: Santa Maria del Giglio
Santa Maria del Giglio
Rubens and Venetian Baroque facade
Link to: Palazzo Grassi
Palazzo Grassi
Modern and contemporary art
Link to: Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Stunning staircase/views
Link to: Palace Gardens
Palace Gardens
Relaxing Royal Gardens
Link to: Music Museum
Music Museum
300 years of Italian violin making
Link to: Harry’s Bar
Harry’s Bar
Legendary 1930s Bellini Cocktail bar
Link to: Fortuny Palace
Fortuny Palace
19thC collection by Mariano Fortuny
Link to: San Giorgio Maggiore
San Giorgio Maggiore
Best known for its church by Palladio
Link to: Torcello
Torcello
Byzantine Mosaics and film stars
Link to: Lido di Venezia
Lido di Venezia
Liberty villas, Film Festival & beach time
Link to: Mazzorbo
Mazzorbo
Vineyards, Michelin restaurant & peace
Link to: San Francesco del Deserto
San Francesco del Deserto
Island visited by St Francis
Link to: San Michele
San Michele
Venice’s Cemetery Island
Link to: San Servolo
San Servolo
Island with the Museum of Madness
Link to: Sant’Erasmo
Sant Erasmo
Market garden of Venice with birdlife and forts
Link to: La Certosa
La Certosa
Renovated historic island
Link to: Le Vignole
Le Vignole
Romans and Venetian vacation place
Link to: Pellestrina
Pellestrina
Nature, novels, beaches and relaxation
Link to: San Lazzaro degli Armeni
San Lazzaro degli Armeni
Monastery of the Armenian Catholic Church
Link to: Lazzaretto Nuovo
Lazzaretto Nuovo
Eco & archeological museum
Link to: Chioggia
Chioggia
A “little Venice” and fishing port
Link to: Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
A large natural history collection
Link to: Papadopoli Gardens
Papadopoli Gardens
Shaded garden near Piazzale Roma
Link to: Church of San Nicola da Tolentino
San Nicola da Tolentino
Works of Art & Doges Burial site
Link to: San Stae Church
San Stae Church
Richly decorated Baroque church
Link to: Palazzo Mocenigo
Palazzo Mocenigo
18th century Venetian Palazzo
Link to: San Giacomo dell’Orio
San Giacomo dell’Orio
Art by Palma the Younger, Veronese, Schiavone
Link to: Ca’ Pesaro
Ca Pesaro
The seat of Modern Art in Venice
Link to: Ca d’Oro
Ca d’Oro
Venetian Gothic Palazzo
Link to: Campo dei Mori
Campo dei Mori
The legend of the three Moors
Link to: Casino di Venezia
Venice Casino
Richard Wagner & gambling
Link to: Chiesa degli Scalzi
Church of the Scalzi
1654 church with frescoed chapel and ceiling
Link to: Color Library
Color Library
Mosaics known and used worldwide
Link to: Madonna dell’Orto
Madonna dell’Orto
The church for lovers of Tintoretto
Link to: Marco Polo House
Marco Polo House
House of a great world explorer
Link to: Oratorio dei Crociferi
Oratorio dei Crociferi
Pictorial cycle by Palma the Younger
Link to: Wagner Museum
Wagner Museum
Musuem of the composer Wagner
Link to: Santi Apostoli
Saint Apostoli
One of the oldest churches in Venice
Link to: Scuola Grande della Misericordia
Scuola Vecchia della Misericordia
10th-13thC Church/School
Link to: Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
A great example of the early Venetian Renaissance.
Link to: Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge
One of the most popular sights in Venice
Link to: Campo San Polo
Campo San Polo
A large Venetian public square
Link to: Church of San Polo
Church of San Polo
Paintings by Tintoretto, Palma the Younger
Link to: Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
S.G. San Giov. Evangelista
This second oldest Great School
Link to: Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Scuola grande di San Rocco
Tintoretto’s paintings
Link to: San Giacomo di Rialto
San Giacomo di Rialto
Vivaldi Instrument Collection
Link to: Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Santa Maria dei Frari
Titian’s burial place – many paintings
Link to: Acqua Alta Bookshop
Acqua Alta Bookshop
A very orginal bookshop
Link to: Scuola Grande di San Marco
Scuola Grande di San Marco
Art, architecture, medical volumes & instruments
Link to: Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Basilica dei S. Giovanni e Paolo
Burial place of 25 doges
Link to: Church of San Zaccaria
Church of San Zaccaria
17th/18th century paintings
Link to: Marinaressa Gardens
Marinaressa Gardens
Relaxing Gardens used for art exhibitions
Link to: Naval Museum
Naval Museum
Museum of Venice’s seafaring history
Link to: Venetian Arsenal
Venice Arsenale
Former Venetian shipyards
Link to: Palazzo Grimani
Palazzo Grimani
16th century Renaissance Venetian Palace
Link to: Querini Stampalia
Querini Stampalia
Art collection and museum
Link to: Riva degli Schiavoni
Riva degli Schiavoni
Waterfront walkway to Arsenale
Link to: Riva dei Sette Martiri
Riva dei Sette Martiri
Riva of the Seven Martyrs
Link to: San Francesco della Vigna
San Francesco della Vigna
Resting place of many doges
Link to: San Giovanni in Bragora
San Giovanni in Bragora
Where Vivaldi and Pope John Paul II were baptised
Link to: Santa Maria della Pieta
Santa Maria della Pieta
Vivaldi and Gasparini’s Church
Link to: Venice Biennale & Giardini
Venice Biennale
Gardens of the Venice Biennale
Link to: Cabot House
John Cabot House
House of explorer John Cabot
Link to: Ca Rezzonico
Ca Rezzonico
A real Venetian palazzo
Link to: Fondamenta delle Zattere
Fondamenta delle Zattere
Lovely waterfront walkway in Dorsduro
Link to: Palazzo Cini
Palazzo Cini
Renaissance art and objects from Florence
Link to: Ponte dei Pugni
Ponte dei Pugni
A bridge famous for brawling and fist fights
Link to: Punta della Dogana
Punta della Dogana
Old customs point with great views
Link to: San Barnaba
San Barnaba
Used in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Link to: San Pantalon
San Pantalon
A vast ceiling painted by Fumiani
Link to: San Sebastiano
San Sebastiano
A centre of Venetian art, especially Veronese
Link to: Santa Maria della Salute
Santa Maria della Salute
1631 church built to deliver Venice from the plague
Link to: Scuola Grande dei Carmini
Scuola Grande dei Carmini
Artistic works & more
Link to: Squero San Trovaso
Squero San Trovaso
A traditional Gondola boatyards
Link to: Giudecca, Venice, Italy
Giudecca
Home of Il Redentore church by Palladio