Venice rewards early mornings and wandering without a map. Here are the 20 best things to do, grouped by area. Prices are 2026 rates.
San Marco
- St Mark’s Basilica: golden mosaics. Entry is €10, and the €30 ticket adds the Pala d’Oro, the museum and the terrace (Art Visit Guide).
- The Doge’s Palace: the seat of Venetian power, the prisons and the Bridge of Sighs. See tickets.
- The Campanile: a lift up St Mark’s bell tower (€15).
- St Mark’s Square at dawn: almost empty, and free.
- Scala Contarini del Bovolo: a hidden spiral staircase.
The Grand Canal and Rialto
- Vaporetto Line 1 along the Grand Canal, about 45 minutes from the station to San Marco.
- The Rialto Bridge and the Rialto Market (mornings, closed on Sundays).
- Libreria Acqua Alta: a quirky bookshop where books are stacked in boats and bathtubs.
- A traghetto ride: cross the Grand Canal standing up, like the locals.
Dorsoduro and San Polo
- The Gallerie dell’Accademia: Venetian masters such as Titian, Tintoretto and Bellini.
- The Peggy Guggenheim Collection: modern art on the Grand Canal.
- Santa Maria della Salute: a domed baroque church at the canal’s mouth.
- The Frari and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco: Titian and Tintoretto.
- The Zattere: a sunny promenade with gelato and sunset views.
Islands and local life
- San Giorgio Maggiore: a bell tower with the best view of San Marco, and far fewer people.
- Murano: glass furnaces and the Glass Museum.
- Burano: rainbow houses and lace.
- Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto: the world’s first ghetto, with canalside bars.
- A bacaro crawl: cicchetti and an ombra (small glass of wine) or a spritz.
- A gondola ride: about €90 for 30 minutes by day.
Compare Venice gondola rides, island tours and skip-the-line tickets.
Tips
- Visit St Mark’s area early or late. Midday is cruise-crowd time.
- Bags aren’t allowed in St Mark’s Basilica, so use the free deposit at Ateneo San Basso.
- Check whether your day-trip date falls on an access fee day.
More Venice guides
- Venice travel guide
- Venice itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
- Where to stay in Venice
- Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica tickets
- Venice access fee: dates and rules
- Venice Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Venice
FAQ: Things to do in Venice
What is the number one thing to do in Venice?
See St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, then ride vaporetto Line 1 along the Grand Canal.
What can you do in Venice for free?
You can walk San Marco at dawn, cross the Rialto Bridge, browse the Rialto Market, explore Cannaregio and Castello, stroll the Zattere, and visit many churches, though some charge a small fee.
Are Murano and Burano worth it?
Yes. Burano’s colours are unique, and Murano’s glass is world-famous. Allow half a day for both by vaporetto.
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