This blog post is about TOP things to do in Venice Italy.
Venice is one of those cities that feel almost unreal when you arrive.
And don’t be surprised when you instantly fall in love with this beautiful city!
Whether it’s your first time visiting, or even if it’s your fifth time visiting, there’s always something magical waiting for you around the next corner in Venice.
From iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Square, to quiet canals away from the crowds, this Venice travel guide covers the absolute TOP things to do in Venice Italy, especially for first timers, so you can experience both the famous highlights and the hidden gems of Venice during your trip.
Let’s get started! ✈
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TOP Things To Do In Venice Italy
Table of Contents
What is the number one attraction in Venice, Italy?
The number one attraction in Venice is definitely the famous Saint Mark’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture located in the heart of Piazza San Marco.
I honestly think you can’t visit Venice without visiting here. Both the Basilica and the Piazza are gorgeous, and it’s the most iconic part of Venice you can’t miss out on.
TOP Things To Do In Venice Italy:
1. Explore Piazza San Marco
You can’t visit Venice without visiting the famous Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), the most famous and beautiful square in Venice.
Surrounded by historic buildings, amazing cafes, and stunning architecture, this area truly feels like the heart of Venice.
It’s especially magical early in the morning before the crowds arrive, or in the evening when there’s some live music in the square as well.
But no matter when you visit, you are going to love it here!
2. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica
Right besides St. Mark’s Square, you can find the St. Mark’s Basilica, which is one of the most impressive churches in all of Italy!
From the golden mosaics, detailed domes, and amazing interior design make it worth visiting, even if you normally skip the inside of churches while traveling.
Also, don’t miss the terrace views overlooking the square, they’re beautiful!
The basilica can get quite busy between the late morning and mid-afternoon, so booking skip-the-line tickets in advance is definitely a must and will save you A LOT of time.
Because St. Mark’s Basilica is an active religious site, make sure you dress modestly before entering.
Both shoulders and knees should be covered for both men and women.
One of the absolute highlights of visiting St. Mark’s Basilica is accessing the rooftop terrace, which offers incredible panoramic views over St. Mark’s Square and Venice’s rooftops.
The terrace is usually included with museum access tickets rather than the standard basilica entry ticket, these tickets includes the museum access.
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3. Ride A Gondola Through The Canals
Riding a gondola is probably the most iconic experience in Venice, and while it’s definitely the most touristy thing you can do in Venice, it’s also something you’ll probably remember forever.
It feels so magical to float through the narrow canals, while passing by tiny bridges and historic buildings.
Seeing Venice from the water gives you a completely different perspective of the city. For a quieter experience, try choosing smaller canals instead of the busy Grand Canal routes.
I highly recommend booking your gondola ride tickets in advance, to make sure you are getting the best and cheapest price.
If you are visiting during peak season, booking tickets in advance is crucial because the city is PACKED with tourists.
4. Walk Across Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge is the most famous bridge in Venice, and one of Venice’s most famous landmarks.
It is one of the best places to see breathtaking views over the Grand Canal.
The bridge itself is beautiful, but the whole area around it is even more magical – there are many gondolas passing underneath, you can also explore the markets nearby, and enjoy endless photo opportunities everywhere you look!
5. Visit Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is a beautiful palace that offers an amazing look into Venice’s rich history.
Inside, you’ll find lavish rooms, stunning artwork, secret prisons, and the famous Bridge of Sighs.
Even if you’re not a huge fan of museums, I still recommend going inside and experiencing the beautiful interior of the palace that is absolutely breathtaking.
Here as well, since Venice is PACKED with tourists all most all year, I highly recommend booking your tickets here in advance to AVOID standing in lines and wasting time on your trip.
6. Get Lost In Venice’s Small Streets!
My favorite thing I did in Venice was just to get lost! Wandering Venice without a plan is honestly the best thing to do in the city.
You can explore the city, come across the city’s prettiest canals, quiet bridges, and discover hidden cafes and boutique shops that are far away from the busy tourist areas.
7. Watch Sunset Along The Grand Canal
Sunsets in Venice are extra special and are incredibly romantic, especially if you are watching the sunset along the Grand Canal!
You can see the ight reflect beautifully off the water and buildings, and witness some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see.
Some of the best sunset spots are at Rialto Bridge, Accademia Bridge, and waterfront areas near San Marco.
Also, if you want to have some drinks and snacks AND watch the breathtaking sunset, I highly recommend checking out the Skyline Rooftop Bar, which is considered the best rooftop in Venice for sunset views!
8. Climb The Rooftop Terrace At T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi
Speaking of viewpoints, for some of the best free views in Venice, head to the rooftop terrace at T Fondaco dei Tedeschi near Rialto Bridge.
From the top, you’ll get stunning panoramic views over the Grand Canal, see Venice’s rooftops, and the stunning surrounding waterways.
The terrace is completely free to visit – you just need to reserve a time slot in advance during busy seasons.
You can see the breathtaking views here during the day, or watch the breathtaking sunset from here, or come here in the evening to see the city lights.
9. Explore Burano Island
If you have extra time in Venice and you feel like you’re done exploring Venice itself, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Burano!
This is a beautiful small island, famous for its brightly colored houses, peaceful canals, and a very relaxing atmosphere in general.
It feels very different from central Venice, and is especially a must-visit for photographers!
10. Visit Murano For Glass Blowing
Another great day trip from Venice is to join a day trip to Murano!
Murano is world-famous for its glassmaking tradition, and visiting one of the local workshops here is one of the most interesting experiences near Venice.
You can watch artists create detailed glass pieces by hand, and it’s a very interesting and impressive experience to learn about.
11. Take A Vaporetto Ride Along The Grand Canal
Last but definitely not least for this post, is to take a Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal!
If you want to enjoy beautiful Venice canal views without paying for a gondola, take the Vaporetto instead.
We did this, and it was an amazing experience!
The line passes many of Venice’s most famous buildings and bridges, making it one of the prettiest public transport rides IN EUROPE.
It’s not as personal and iconic as riding the gondola, and honestly you don’t need to choose between the two, you can do them both.
The Vaporetto is free though, and also gives you breathtaking views of Venice.
That’s it for today! I hope you got an idea of what to do in Venice Italy! 🙂
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This blog post was about TOP things to do in Venice Italy.
