Venice, Italy

Things to do

3 days in Venice

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace at opening time; book ahead.
  2. AfternoonGet lost in the quieter Cannaregio and Castello districts, far from the crowds.
  3. EveningGo from bacaro to bacaro for cicchetti and a spritz, then see the Rialto at night.

Day 2

Take the vaporetto to Murano and Burano, or check the day-tripper fee rules for your date.

Day 3

Visit the Accademia gallery or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, cross to the Giudecca for the view back over the city, and end in Dorsoduro's Campo Santa Margherita.

What to eat

Cicchetti, sarde in saor and a Spritz.

Local tips

Make the most of Venice

Beat the crowds

Wander San Marco early in the morning or late in the evening. On busy days, day-trippers pay an access fee; check the dates before you go.

Best photo spot

The view of San Marco from the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, from its bell tower or the waterfront. The Rialto Bridge at dawn.

Getting there

Take the vaporetto from the station or the airport bus to Piazzale Roma. A day pass makes boat hopping easy.

Don't miss nearby

Cannaregio and Castello, the quieter districts where Venetians still live, are only a short walk from the crowds.

Good to know

Get lost on purpose: the side streets are the real Venice. Stay overnight if you can, the city changes completely after the day-trippers leave.

Secret spots

1 secret spot near Venice

Our most hidden places around Venice: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Venice to take with you.

98 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Venice

Getting there

  • Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)8 km away
  • Treviso Airport (TSF)25 km away
  • Padua35 km away
  • Ferrara85 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Coast
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryItaly

Questions

Venice: good to know

Is Venice worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and the coast. Canals, palaces and quiet back lanes once the day crowds leave.

How many days do you need in Venice?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 3-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Venice?

You can visit all year. Wander San Marco early in the morning or late in the evening. On busy days, day-trippers pay an access fee; check the dates before you go.

How do you get to Venice?

The nearest airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), about 8 km away. Take the vaporetto from the station or the airport bus to Piazzale Roma. A day pass makes boat hopping easy.

What is there to see near Venice?

Nearby hidden places include Burano (9.3 km), Padua (34 km) and Ferrara (86 km).

More hidden places in Italy (65)