Best Things to Do in Venice

A true gem of Italy, the city known as La Serenissima (Most Serene) enchants with its timeless beauty and romantic charm. If you're thinking of visiting Venice, this guide will walk you through the top 10 things to do and see so that you can make the most of your trip!

Take a Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal, Venice's most important waterway, offers a unique perspective on the city and its architecture. Lined with sumptuous palaces, majestic churches, and historic residences, this iconic canal reflects the grandeur and beauty of Venice. Enjoying a gondola ride on the Grand Canal is perhaps the best way to traverse the city while seeing the sights along the way. From this unique perspective, glide silently over Venice's shimmering waters with an audio guide in English—you're sure to fall in love with this incredible city and its history!

The Best Things to Do in Venice

The Grand Canal, the most important waterway in Venice is a must see of your visit. It offers a unique perspective of the city and its architecture. Surrounded by palaces, majestic churches and historic mansions, this iconic canal is a reflection of the grandeur and beauty of the city. Cruising this area is an unmissable activity. Some of the best activities to do here are a gondola ride along the canals, or a gondola ride while being serenaded.

The Doge's Palace, whose origins date back to the 10th century, was the seat of political power and symbol of the Republic of Venice. In addition to its rich history, the building is impressive for its exquisite decoration, made up of sculptures, paintings and frescoes in great detail. If you want to see it for yourself, don't miss out on a guided tour of the Doge's Palace. If you'd prefer to explore the monument at your own pace, admission is also included in the Venezia Unica City Pass and Venice City Pass.

Strolling around San Polo and Rialto is another must-do in the city. San Polo is one of the oldest neighbourhoods, or sestieri, to see in Venice. Within the sestiere of San Polo is the Rialto area, which is very popular with tourists for its market and mythical bridge. If you want to delve into the history of this icon of the city, a good option is to join the tour of Rialto and the Jewish quarter of Venice.

Explore the City's Museums and Galleries

A city steeped in so much history and with such a wealth of culture, it should come as no surprise that Venice is home to a variety of fascinating museums. If you're culturally inclined, definitely check out these options:

• The Museo Correr: Venice's main museum, home to works of art and historic artefacts related to the city. Admission is included as part of the Venezia Unica City Pass.
• La Gallerie dell'Accademia: originally opened as a teaching facility in 1784, this museum now houses a number of Michaelangelo's finest works, including the statue of David. See how to visit the Accademia Gallery with Civitatis.
• The Peggy Guggenheim Collection: grab a ticket for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to discover one of the most significant modern art collections in Europe, housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni along the Grand Canal.

Explore St. Mark's Basilica and Square

St. Mark's Square (also known as Piazza San Marco) lies at the very heart of Venice. Surrounded by stunning architecture and fine cafés, this beautiful square is among the most iconic on the planet. 

We recommend picking up the San Marco City Pass. With this pass, you can explore and visit a number the many landmarks and museums on the square, including the Doge's Palace, the Campanile, the Clock Tower, St. Mark's Library, the National Archaeological Museum, the Correr Museum, and the churches of Santa Maria del Giglio, Santo Stefano, and Santa Maria Formosa, not to mention St. Mark's Basilica itself.

A guided tour of St. Mark's Basilica is a must when visiting Venice. Nicknamed the 'Chiesa d'Oro' or 'Church of Gold,' this legendary landmark is renowned for its five majestic domes decorated with ornate golden mosaics that shimmer in the sunlight, as well as the many treasures housed within. See them for yourself! 

Discover the treasures of Murano and Burano

The Venice Lagoon has several islands worth exploring. Murano, famous for its glass workshops, and Burano, perfect for discovering the craft of lace-making, are two of the most popular destinations. Plus, their colourful houses are instagrammable.

In the same area, you can go to Torcello, once the most inhabited island in the Republic of Venice. Here you'll find the Basilica of Santa Maria dell'Assunta, the oldest temple in the lagoon, founded in 639!  To visit the islands of the Venetian Lagoon you have many options from the sightseeing boat tour of Venice, Murano, Burano and Torcello or a private day trip to Murano.

So there you have it, our list of the best things to do in Venice. Now all that remains is to enjoy this unforgettable city where history, art and beauty merge to perfection. If you want to get to know the island with an official tour guide, you can book the best excursions and guided tours in Venice.