How to Spend a Day in Venice

A city like no other, Venice is very real and manages to be just as spectacular as the hype surrounding it. A floating city of islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic Sea, La Serenissima as it’s called by locals, is packed with a grand history and a unique way of life. It is a must-see on everyone’s first trip to Italy.

Traveling to this magical city, it’s important to plan out your Venice itinerary in advance so as to not get too overwhelmed. There’s an awful lot of things to do in Venice and even just getting through the best places to visit in Venice will take you at least 2 days. To help you plan a trip here, we’ve put together this itinerary so that you can comfortably navigate what to do in Venice in 1-2 days. You likely won’t want to leave but when you do, you’ll leave knowing that it really is as magical as it seems.

Even just wandering from one canal to the next, could fill a day if you let it. You will stumble onto quiet parts of the city, local haunts, witness everyday life in Venice and escape the heat and packs of tourists. Still, if you’re only staying for a short time, you’re going to want to ensure you cover all of the best things to do in Venice while you’re there. To do so means starting with the central district of San Marco and then venturing out to the outer neighbourhoods and islands that take your interest.

What to See in Venice

• Doge’s Palace
• Grand Canal
• St. Mark’s Square
• Bridge of Sighs
• Ponte Di Rialto
• Gallerie dell’Accademia
• Jewish Ghetto
• Teatro La Fenice
• Venice Lido
• St. Mark’s Basilica
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

How to Get Around Venice

With no cars and no roads, your travel options change drastically. For general sightseeing and exploring through the central districts, you can get around by walking pretty comfortably. The layout of the street in Venice is quite a maze though, so don’t be surprised if you get lost along the way. Thankfully there are maps and maps on our smartphone to guide us.

One of the most popular activities while visiting Venice is, of course, to go on a gondola ride. While a truly Venetian way of seeing the city, gondolas are expensive and a special experience rather than a regular means of transport.

I think to get around Venice’s waterways you want to make use of the city’s vaporettos. These vaporettos not only run along from Venezia Santa Lucia down the Grand Canal but also out to Venice’s many islands. Tickets, which also work for public transport in Mestre, start at a single trip ticket, with 24 hour and 48-hour tickets offering much better value. I would recommend getting a 24-48 hour ticket so you can hop on and off easily.

Where to Eat in Venice

You have to eat cicchetti when in Venice! Little bites enjoyed with a glass of wine or prosecco at a little bar. We stumbled onto Vino Vero in Venice, a new wine bar. It was on a quiet canal, serving up delicious cicchetti and wines. There are little bars sprinkled around Venice that serve up this classic combo.

If you are visiting Burano Island, Riva Rosa Ristorante is a must. Get the Risotto di “Go”, which is a risotto made with a broth of the go fish that are local to the region. Curtis and I both agreed we would go back just to eat lunch here. Plus also to visit Venice, but it was a memorable risotto!

Looking for a sweet treat? There are many gelaterias, but if you want a nice pastry or an S cookie, stop into Pasticceria Tonolo, a local spot. Or grab a fruit tart at Pasticceria Rizzardini, a small place that’s been around since 1742.

Where to Get the Best View in Venice

Make a trip over to San Giorgio Island and climb up the San Giorgio Maggiore campanile and get spectacular views from atop of San Marco Square and the grand canal.

My favourite, because it had a fantastic view of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge, is the rooftop terrace of The Fondaco dei Tedeschi! You can signup beforehand and go at a select time, you get 20-30 minutes on the terrace to take photos, take in the view and just savour it.

And of course, there is an amazing view from San Marco campanile! Iconic and worth the wait.

What Islands to Visit in Venice

Venice is surrounded by a number of alluring and easily accessible islands, all of which boast distinctive traits. If you have time or an extra day, visit a couple of the islands surrounding Venice!

Murano Island

Murano is a joined group of islands known for its colourful traditional waterfront houses. But unlike Burano, Murano is much larger and closer to Venice, making it a much easier place to explore. It may be best known for its local glassmakers, their workshops you can watch or take part in, and creations like the Cometa di Vetro.

Burano Island

30 minutes from the city center among the islands of the Venetian Lagoon rests the fishing island of Burano. A humble village, tourists are drawn to the island by its famed rows of brightly coloured homes. You can visit lace shops and see the remaining few women who still make lace objects by hand. They are a rare, literally dying breed!

Giudecca

Standing on the edge of Giudecca and looking back across the water towards the city provides arguably one of the best views of Venice, where you can fully appreciate the layout of the city. Just a short water bus across the canal, the island is extremely accessible and is the ideal position for taking a step back to admire Venice from afar with a cold drink or gelato.

And with that, you’re now ready to spend a day or two in Venice!  See my other Italy guides here.