By Monika
Things to See in Venice – What Not to Miss on Your First Visit.
If Venice is on your Italian itinerary and you’ve never been there before, this article is for you!
There’s something special about Venice and you feel it the moment you arrive. From the winding canals and historic bridges to the quiet alleyways and lively piazzas, the city feels magical.
After exploring Venice myself, I realized that its charm comes not only from iconic sights like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge, but also from simply wandering around and getting a little lost along the way.
And we got lost! And missed one of the most famous sights! We were SO close – read on to find out which one it was and how NOT to miss it…
In this guide, I’m sharing the very best things to see in Venice and some of the quieter spots that will highlight the city’s special charm…
Important: I’ve covered all the logistics of planning your trip to Venice, including how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, plus the information about the Venice Access Fee (and much more!) in my “Venice Travel Tips” guide. Please read it to prepare for your visit and avoid common first-timer mistakes!
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- Things to See in Venice – What Not to Miss on Your First Visit.
- Best things to see and do in Venice
- Piazza San Marco
- Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)
- Piazzetta San Marco
- Gondola ride
- Ponte di Rialto
- Libreria Acqua Alta
- Visit a museum
- Walk around and explore
- Visit Venice Lagoon Islands
- Take a guided tour of Venice
- Take a cooking class
- Best things to see in Venice on a map
- Is Venice worth visiting?
- Best time to visit Venice
- How many days do you need in Venice?
Let’s get to the fun part now!
Best things to see and do in Venice
Venice ended up being my favorite of the three cities we’ve visited during our trip to Italy. While I loved Rome and was absolutely charmed by Florence, I just fell in love with Venice. And that’s saying a lot, as I don’t really consider myself a city person!
Piazza San Marco
That’s typically the first place visitors head to after arriving in Venice, and we did just that. We dropped our luggage at our hotel and walked to the plaza.
It’s a large square, with Basilica di San Marco at one end and the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) at the other, with the Bell Tower (Campanile di San Marco) standing tall on the corner of the plaza and Piazetta San Marco, leading to the pier and the Grand Canal.
Here is a link to a handy map you can download for reference. Just scroll down the page a little and click the link to download “Piazza San Marco Walk”.
It is typically the busiest pace in Venice, but don’t get discouraged – it’s wort braving the crowds to see it!
Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)
The Basilica is simply stunning, both outside and inside. It is the biggest and the main church in Venice.
It was initially a private chapel of the Doge and became a cathedral in 1807. Its current architecture dates back to the 11th century when it was rebuilt after a fire.
It houses the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, stolen from Egypt in the 9th century by two merchants to bring importance and prestige to the city.
You enter the church through Porta San Pietro (St. Peter’s Door). Look up as you enter (or if you’re waiting in line), and you’ll also see the balcony with the famous four horses.
It is also known as the Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold), and the minute you step inside, you’ll understand why. The entire ceiling is covered with intricate golden mosaics. So beautiful!
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9:30 am to 5:15 pm and Sunday 2 pm to 5:15 pm. The church is closed to visitors during religious services.
Tickets: You do need a ticket to enter the Basilica, which I realized on the day of our visit, on the train from Florence (oops!). I panicked for a moment and started searching the website, but eventually decided we’d just wing it – and it worked out just fine 😊
We ended up just waiting in line to enter, which seemed long but moved fast, and it gave us time to look around and take in the layout of the square. You can purchase your ticket at the ticket office located at Porta di San Clemente (to the right of the main gate) or at the self-service ticket dispensers.
It also turned out that tickets bought onsite are €3 cheaper than those purchased online (the €3 is the online service fee), but if you don’t want to wait in line, it may be worth it.
Just visit the official website, create an account, and choose your ticket.
Good to know: online tickets are timed, so you have to specify a 30-minute time window to enter.
You have a few ticket options, giving you access to different areas of the church.
The basic ticket covers just the main floor of the church and the cost online is listed at €10, with discounts for EU students under the age of 26, groups of 4 or 5 adults and seniors. Children under 10 enter for free.
We just had a basic ticket and did not explore other areas of the Basilica, but I’ve heard that the Museum and the balcony (Loggia dei Cavalli) are worth a visit, to see the Horses of St. Mark and get a view of the piazza from above.
If I were to visit again, I would choose that option (Basilica S.Marco + Museum €20).
Good to know: your ticket to Basilica di San Marco is only valid for the day and time you purchased it for; HOWEVER it also includes access to other places for 6 months from the day of purchase. One of them is the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello (one of Venice Lagoon islands – more on that a little further in this article) – keep that in mind in case you’re planning a day trip there. Full list here.
Helpful hint: please remember the dress code – your arms and knees must be covered or you will not be allowed to enter the Basilica.
My daughter and I just carried light scarves to wrap around our waists and thin cardigans to cover our shoulders in our backpacks.
Time needed: about 1 hour should be enough, plus wait time in the ticket line if you didn’t purchase admission in advance.
St. Mark’s Basilica Tours
If you’d like to learn more about the history and art of the Basilica, you can book a guided tour.
Check the options below:
Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Bell Tower)
This bell tower is just over 98 meters (323 feet) tall and is the tallest building in Venice. It offers incredible views of the area – the plaza, the city rooftops, the canal and lagoon islands.
And the good news? You don’t have to climb any stairs to get to the top – you ride the elevator!
We were so happy to learn that, as our legs were still sore from climbing the Florence Duomo (over 460 stairs!) and our hike in Cinque Terre in the two days before we came to Venice.
Once you get to the top (which is the belfry level), you’ll find yourself about 60 meters above the piazza and can walk around the perimeter to enjoy those stunning views!
Tickets: again, we just waited in line (not too long and moving fast) and got our tickets at the entrance. You can purchase them online, just like for the Basilica.
The cost for an adult ticket purchased online is listed at €15, with discounts for EU students under the age of 26, groups of 4 or 5 adults and seniors. Children under 10 enter for free.
Good to know: online tickets are timed, so you have to specify a 30-minute time window to enter.
The dress code isn’t enforced at the Bell tower, so you can wear shorts and tank tops on hot days.
Helpful hint: If you find navigating the official website confusing you can book skip-the-line admission tickets to both the Basilica and the Bell Tower on Get Your Guide or Viator.
Opening hours: vary depending on the season; summer – daily from 9:30 am to 9:15 pm and winter – daily from 9:30 amd to 7:15 pm.
Visit this page of the official website and scroll all the way down for the updated opening hours of the Basilica and the Bell Tower.
Time needed: 45 min – 1 hour, depending on how long you’ll spend admiring the views. Add time to purchase tickets onsite if you didn’t do it online.
Another option for more scenic views: San Giorgio Maggiore Church
You can see this church and its bell tower standing tall on a small lagoon island when you’re up on the viewing deck of St. Mark’s Bell Tower.
It’s a quick (3-minute) vaporetto (water taxi) ride from the San Marco – San Zaccaria stop right at San Mark’s Piazetta pier to the island (San Giorgio stop).
You can learn more about this Benedictine Abbey and its history here.
Please note: currently (2026), the Bell Tower is closed for renovation (the church is open). Visit the official website for updates on the reopening date.
Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)
Palazzo Ducale is an impressive building taking up one side of Piazza San Marco and famous for its stunning, ornate pink and white marble exterior.
It really is impressive!
It used to serve as a residence for the Doge and a center of political power in Venice. Today it’s a public museum.
We did not visit the Palace, we opted for the Basilica, but if you have more time in your itinerary, you should definitely go inside to see the various rooms, armory, art collections, and the famous golden staircase.
Tickets: Tickets to the Palace also include access to the Correr Museum and can be purchased online on the official website.
The cost is €35 if you buy less than 30 days before your visit and €30 if you purchase more than 30 days in advance. There are discounts for students and seniors; children under 10 enter for free.
Tickets to the Palace and the Correr Museum are timed and you’ll have to choose the time for your visit at the time of purchase.
Helpful hint: you can visit the Correr Museum up to 3 days after your Palazzo Ducale admission.
If you find navigating the official website confusing, you can purchase your ticket here.
Opening hours: vary by season; summer – daily, 10 am to 6 pm and winter – 10 am to 5 pm. Check this page for updated information.
Time needed: about 2 hours for a thorough walkthrough.
Doge’s Palace tours
Prefer a guided tour? Check out these options:
Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)
This is probably the most famous bridge in Venice.
And the only covered bridge in the city. And it’s the bridge we completely missed during our visit!!!
Yes, we did! I don’t even know how that happened… I usually do a ton of research for our trips, and I certainly knew about it, but I must not have refreshed my notes on the train ride from Florence that morning, so please read this section carefully to avoid the silliest mistake we made!
The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace to its prisons and was the point where convicted prisoners could take one last look at the city and the lagoon before being imprisoned. The story says that the name of the bridge came from the sighs of sadness the prisoners made when they said goodbye to the free world on that bridge.
To find it, just walk to the end of Piazetta do San Marco, towards the water where you’ll see a small bridge behind the palace buildings.
It’s called Ponte della Paglia. And that’s where we made the mistake – we thought THAT was the Bridge of Sighs! WRONG! You need to step onto that bridge and look back towards the plaza to get a view of Ponte dei Sospiri….
Well, I want to come back to Venice anyway, and this time, I won’t miss it!
Helpful hint: you can only see Ponte dei Sospiri from two other bridges in Venice: Ponte della Paglia and Ponte de Canonica.
Here is a map to help you find them:
Piazzetta San Marco
This is the area of the plaza leading from the Bell Tower to the pier and the Grand Canal.
That’s where you’ll see two tall pink marble columns – one crowned with a statue of a lion (for St. Mark) and one topped by a statue of St. Theodore (the patron of Venice).
This is where the Doge supposedly announced the death sentences.
When you walk down towards the water, you’ll see many gondola stands, where you can get a ride on the canal.
Gondola ride
No trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride, right?
You can get a gondola ride from one of the stands on the pier near Piazza San Marco (see above) or anywhere in the city, on the smaller canals. Just make sure you agree on the prices before your ride.
Helpful hint: gondola ride prices are set by the city and should be posted by the dock. They are “per gondola” (usually up to 5 people), not “per person” and vary by the time of day.
A typical gondola ride lasts about 30 minutes.
We weren’t quite sure how to go about it so we booked our gondola ride before our trip. It was a great experience, although I don’t believe we sailed under the Bridge of Sighs, as I don’t think I would’ve missed it!
But we did go into many small canals and it was a lot of fun. And very cost-effective as well!
Helpful hint: book a ride that specifically states that it includes the Bridge of Sighs.
Here are some great options if you prefer to prebook your experience:
Ponte di Rialto
Ponte do Rialto is the first bridge in Venice to span the Grand Canal.
It connects the sestiere of San Marco with San Polo and it’s considered one of the most beautiful and unique bridges in Venice.
It’s lined with shops on both sides, and because of that, it reminded me a little of Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
If you continue walking for about 3 minutes after you cross into San Polo, you’ll reach Mercato di Rialto – the largest fish and vegetable market in the city.
The Rialto Bridge also offers stunning views of the Grand Canal.
Libreria Acqua Alta
This is such a fun place to visit!
Hidden is a little side alley, this bookstore is best known for having a real gondola inside (full of books on display, of course!)…
…and a staircase made of books.
Find it on the map of Venice attractions below and make sure to visit!
Visit a museum
If you’re an art and/or history enthusiast, consider visiting one of these museums in Venice:
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- a modern art museum; open Wednesday – Monday (closed on Tuesdays) from 10 am to 6 pm.
Buy timed tickets in advance on the official website or here.
It’s located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, about 15 minutes on foot from Piazza San Marco.
Museo Correr
- houses art pieces and exhibits showing the history of Venice; open daily 10 am to 6 pm in the summer and 10 am to 5 pm in the winter.
The timed ticket includes access to both the Doge’s Palace and the Museum.
You can purchase admission on the official website or here
It’s located right in Piazza San Marco.
Gallerie dell’Accademia
- one of the smaller art museums in the city, open daily (except Mondays) from 9 am to 7 pm.
You can buy tickets on-site.
The Gallery is located just a 5-minute walk from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Walk around and explore
Spend some time just strolling around Venice’s alleys and check out the fruit market stalls – they are impressive!
Have some “cichetti” (an Italian version of tapas) at one of many cafes by the water…
Peek into the canals from many different bridges and just take in the magic…
Visit Venice Lagoon Islands
Venice is surrounded by smaller and bigger islands and they are very easily accessible by vaporetto (water bus).
They make such a fun stop in your Italy itinerary!
I’ve already mentioned San Giorgio Maggiore, but the most famous and by far most visited are the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
We visited all three as a day trip from Venice, and had a wonderful experience. Here are the highlights:
Murano – best known for its glassmaking. There are glass museums and glass-making presentations, plus a ton of little shops selling local glass crafts.
Burano – best known for its lace. Make sure to visit the Lace Museum, then stroll around and look at the super charming colorful houses.
Torcello – known for medieval ruins, a bell tower and the “Devil’s Bridge”. Smaller and quieter, but for us it was definitely worth a visit.
Time needed: allow at least half a day if you’re only planning to visit Murano and Burano, or all day if you want to add Torcello as well.
READ MORE: Murano, Burano and Torcello: an Amazing Day Trip to Venice Lagoon Islands.
Take a guided tour of Venice
For guided Venice sightseeing, you can easily book a tour and explore the city with a knowledgeable guide.
Try one of the free tours offered by Guru Walk or FreeTour, or check out the paid tour options below:
Take a cooking class
Cooking classes are a great way to experience local culture and try some of the regional delicacies.
We took a pizza making class in Rome, at the beginning of our Italian adventure and had a wonderful time.
In Venice, you can make pasta and tiramisu or learn to prepare a traditional Venetian dish at a local’s home!
Best things to see in Venice on a map
Let me help you find all the amazing Venice attractions – just click on the marker on the map below, get directions and plan your time in the city.
Is Venice worth visiting?
Absolutely!
As I mentioned earlier, it is my favorite city in Italy so far. I love its unique layout, walkability, endless small bridges to cross, offering views of picturesque small canals, gondolas and signs of authentic life in Venice (like laundry hanging out the windows!).
Even the hustle and bustle of Piazza San Marco in the peak summer season didn’t spoil this picture for me.
As you can see, Venice is a small, walkable city, just packed with character and unique things to see and do.
Best time to visit Venice
If you want to avoid the heat and the crowds, try to skip the summer months – from June to August.
Spring and fall will still give you nice weather with fewer people and shorter lines.
For ideas on how to incorporate Venice into your Italian vacation, check out our 7- days Italy itinerary and see exactly how we spent our days!
How many days do you need in Venice?
To see the main highlights, just one day can be enough, but to see most sights at a more relaxed pace, two days would be better.
READ MORE: One Day in Venice? Here’s Exactly What to See and Do!
Add another day if you plan to take a day trip to the Lagoon Islands (Murano and Burano, plus I recommend adding Torcello)
Planning a trip soon? Read my “Tips for Visiting Venice” to learn all you need to know to prepare for your visit!
Need more Italy Travel tips? This guide to planning your first trip to Italy is for you!
👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!
🛜 Stay connected during your trip with an eSIM like Airalo, Saily or Sim Local!
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About Monika
An avid traveler and a passionate trip planner, mildly obsessed with being organized and prepared 🙂
Well aware of how precious travel time is, I’m here to share my experience and help you get the most out of your vacation time.
“Taking the hassle out of trip planning”
