What to Do in Venice

If you’re looking for things to do in Venice, check out some of the things on this list. These are Venice’s top sights, as well as some of the lesser known things you can do to have fun during a visit to this beautiful canal city, and each link on the list will bring you to more information about how to do each thing with more enjoyment than hassle. And don’t forget to check out the list of tourist discount cards for Venice, which could save you money on both attractions and transportation.

Venice’s Top Sights & Attractions

The city itself! - The top sight in Venice is Venice, so go wandering and get lost!

Basilica di San Marco, aka St. Mark’s Basilica - Venice’s Byzantine masterpiece, a must-see church right on the city’s busiest square

Campanile - The bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica, it’s right in front of the church and the top offers great views

Piazza San Marco, aka St. Mark’s Piazza - Venice’s most popular square, often full of tourists but clears out beautifully at night

Gondola Ride - It’ll cost you an arm and a leg, but if your heart’s set on it there’s no alternative… Or is there?

Palazzo Ducale, aka Doge’s Palace - Next door to St. Mark’s Basilica, where Venice’s rulers once lived and passed judgment on everyone else

Ponte di Sospiri, aka Bridge of Sighs - Behind the Doge’s Palace, you can access it only via a tour of the palace; it leads from the palace court straight to the prison

Ponte Rialto, aka Rialto Bridge - The most famous bridge over the Grand Canal

Peggy Guggenheim Museum - If you like modern art, this is an excellent museum

Accademia - Only a must if you’re a real art lover, although da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” lives here (though he only comes out on special occasions)

Day Trips from Venice

Island of Murano - Famous for glass making

Island of Burano - Famous for lace-making and the multi-colored houses, a bit less overrun than Murano

Island of Torcello - The furthest away from Venice of the three most-visited islands, Torcello is almost entirely a nature reserve, though it has one lovely church full of mosaics