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Venice: top things to see, do and experience
There are cities you visit and cities you pass through. Venice, however, is a city to be discovered, slowly and without rigid maps, letting the water, the light, and the architecture guide you. If you’re wondering which are the things to do and see in Venice, this city will continuously surprise even those who think they already know it.
Built across more than a hundred islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Venice is a marvel of engineering and political vision. Here, streets become narrow alleys called calli, squares transform into campi, and water is not just decorative: it is an integral part of everyday life.
– Practical information for visiting Venice
– Top 10 things to do and see in Venice
– Events in Venice
Practical information for visiting Venice
Venice is easily accessible, but some organisation is necessary, especially for first-time visitors. Here are the main options to reach Venice and some useful information to know before your trip.
How to reach Venice
- BUS TOUR FROM LAKE GARDA
A convenient option for a day trip without worrying about parking or local transport. This tour includes the bus journey, a boat transfer to Piazza San Marco, a guided tour (in English and German), and free time to explore. More info and booking here. - TRAIN
Venice is connected to the mainland via Venezia Santa Lucia Station. From here, you can either walk to Piazza San Marco (around 25–30 minutes, crossing the Rialto Bridge) or take vaporetto line 1 (slow and scenic) or line 2 (faster). - CAR
Cars cannot enter the historic centre. Parking is available at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, but both options are often crowded and expensive. A smarter alternative is Marive Car Park in San Giuliano, on the mainland, which offers a direct vaporetto transfer to Venice. This avoids traffic stress and allows you to start your visit enjoying views of the lagoon. More info about the parking in Venice here.
Venice entrance fee
On certain days, an entry fee to Venice is required to manage tourist flows. Check our detailed guide for full information and updates here.
Top 10 things to do and see in Venice
1. Piazza San Marco and the Basilica: Venice’s monumental heart
Piazza San Marco is the inevitable starting point for any visit. Not only is it scenically breathtaking, but it also embodies the historical and symbolic essence of Venice. Here are some of the city’s most powerful symbols: St Mark’s Basilica, with its golden mosaics and Byzantine influences, and the Doge’s Palace, the seat of political and judicial power in the Serenissima. Just a short walk away lies the famous Bridge of Sighs, often romanticised, but originally built as a passage to the prisons.
For a more authentic experience, return to Piazza San Marco early in the morning or in the evening, when the square is quiet and regains its true urban character.
2. The Grand Canal: Venice seen from the water
The Grand Canal is the backbone of the city. Cruising along it by vaporetto is like travelling through centuries of history: Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque palaces follow one another. It’s one of the simplest and most authentic ways to experience the city from its most privileged perspective: the water.
The best times to enjoy the Grand Canal are early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Line 1, the slower route, offers a more comprehensive view of the palaces along the canal, making it ideal for first-time visitors to Venice.
3. Rialto Market: the everyday Venice
Wondering which are the things to see and do in Venice to understand how the city really works? Rialto Market is the answer. Among stalls of fresh fish, seasonal fruit, and vegetables, a daily ritual still unfolds, filled with Venetian dialect, human interaction, and ancient gestures. It’s one of the best places to observe real Venetian life, far from postcard images.
The market is busiest in the early morning, during regular trading hours, especially on weekdays. It’s easily accessible by vaporetto, making it simple for visitors to include in their morning itinerary.
4. Gallerie dell’Accademia and Venice’s major museums
The Gallerie dell’Accademia is the perfect place to understand Venetian art. Here you’ll find masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, and Bellini, essential for grasping the city’s cultural history. Complementing this heritage are museums like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Palazzo Grassi, and Punta della Dogana, which explore the continuous dialogue between past and present.
If your stay is short, it can be helpful to select one or two key museums. Check out our article on what to see in Venice in a day for further suggestions!
5. Venice’s churches: from the Frari to Santa Maria della Salute
Venice’s churches are like open-air museums under a roof. The Basilica dei Frari houses extraordinary artworks and funerary monuments, while Santa Maria della Salute dominates the Bacino di San Marco as a symbol of the city’s rebirth after the plague. Also not to be missed is San Pantalon, famous for the world’s largest ceiling painting on canvas.
Many churches require a small entry fee, and for those planning to visit several, combined passes can be a convenient option.
6. The sestieri of Venice: exploring beyond the beaten track
Venice is divided into six sestieri, each with its own distinct identity. San Marco represents the city’s monumental face, Dorsoduro is artistic and university-focused, San Polo and Santa Croce reflect Venice’s mercantile history, while Cannaregio still retains a genuine, everyday atmosphere. Castello, finally, stretches towards the Arsenale and the lagoon, offering a more residential side of Venice.
To truly experience the city’s daily life, it’s worth taking some time for a walk without a fixed itinerary, especially in the less central sestieri.
7. Venezia from above: panoramic bell towers
Climbing a bell tower gives a real sense of Venice’s structure and its relationship with the lagoon. From St Mark’s Bell Tower, you can overlook the entire city, while San Giorgio Maggiore offers views across the Bacino di San Marco, the surrounding islands, and the Lido.
Both St Mark’s Bell Tower and San Giorgio Maggiore are accessible by lift. On clear days, you may even catch a glimpse of the Dolomites in the distance.
8. Teatro La Fenice: Venice’s musical soul
Teatro La Fenice is one of the most famous opera houses in the world and embodies the musical soul of Venice. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, it stands as a symbol of resilience and rebirth. Even a daytime visit allows you to appreciate the elegance of its interiors, while attending a performance offers a unique insight into the city’s cultural life.
Evening performances usually require advance booking, whereas day visits can often be purchased directly at the entrance.
9. Eating in Venice: bacari, cicchetti, and historic osterie
Enjoying good food in Venice is an essential part of the experience. From bacari, where you can stop for an ombra of wine and a few cicchetti, to historic osterie serving traditional lagoon cuisine, choosing places frequented by locals is the best way to avoid disappointment.
Stopping at a bacaro for cicchetti and a glass of wine is one of the simplest ways to immerse yourself in Venetian culinary tradition.
10. The Venice Lagoon and its islands: Murano, Burano, Torcello, and the Lido
Venice cannot be fully understood without its lagoon. Murano tells the story of centuries-old glassmaking traditions, Burano captivates with the vibrant colours of its houses, and Torcello offers a quieter, more primordial glimpse of the city. The Lido, on the other hand, reveals Venice’s more open and maritime side, especially outside peak season.
The Lido is one of the few islands in the lagoon where cars are allowed, giving it an urban layout very different from the historic centre.
Events in Venice: Biennale, Film Festival, Carnival, and contemporary culture
No guide of things to do and see in Venice would be complete without mentioning some of the city’s major events:
- The Venice Biennale, dedicated to art, architecture, cinema, dance, and theatre, transforms the city each year into a widespread creative laboratory.
- The Venice Film Festival, held annually on the Lido, brings directors, actors, and international productions, turning the city into a global stage.
- The Venice Carnival, with its historic masks and palace events, is a key moment that revives the 18th-century Venetian imagination.
In addition, various festivals, temporary exhibitions, and music events ensure that Venice remains a lively destination throughout the year.
These are just some of the best things to do and see in Venice: from its canals to the lagoon islands, from museums to panoramic bell towers, every visit offers unique experiences to be savoured step by step.
