Italy

Things to do in Venice

Venice is 118 small islands linked by about 400 bridges, with no cars at all, so everything happens on foot or by boat. Mornings before 9 am and evenings after the day-trippers leave are the best times to see San Marco and the quieter sestieri like Cannaregio and Castello.

  • Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica
  • Murano, Burano and Torcello by boat
  • Cicchetti and ombra bacaro crawl
  • Gondola ride on the side canals

Experiences in Venice

Food toursTaste the city the way locals eat it, stall by stall and bar by bar.Walking toursThe fastest way to understand a city on day one, with a local guide.Day tripsFull-day excursions to the places worth leaving the city for.Museums and ticketsSkip-the-line tickets and guided visits to the landmarks that sell out.Boat toursSee the city or the coast from the water, from short cruises to full-day sailing.Cooking classesLearn two or three local dishes and eat what you cook.Wine toursCellar visits and tastings in the wine areas close to the city.

Top-rated experiences in Venice

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Highlights

  • Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica
  • Murano, Burano and Torcello by boat
  • Cicchetti and ombra bacaro crawl
  • Gondola ride on the side canals
  • Secret Itineraries of the Doge's Palace
  • Prosecco hills wine day trip

Best time to visit

April to June and September to early November are the most pleasant months. Summer is hot and crowded, Carnival in February fills hotels, and acqua alta flooding is most likely between October and January.

Getting around

Walk and use the vaporetto water buses; line 1 runs the full length of the Grand Canal. From Marco Polo airport take the Alilaguna boat or a bus to Piazzale Roma, the last point reachable by road.

Local tips

  • Single vaporetto tickets are expensive, so buy a 1 to 7 day travel pass if you plan more than two rides.
  • On peak days in spring and summer day visitors pay an access fee, while overnight guests are exempt but must register.
  • St Mark's Basilica does not allow large bags and requires covered shoulders and knees.

Day trips from Venice

  • Padua
  • Verona
  • Prosecco hills (Valdobbiadene)
  • Treviso
Day trips →

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Venice?

The most booked experiences in Venice are Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica, Murano, Burano and Torcello by boat, Cicchetti and ombra bacaro crawl and Gondola ride on the side canals.

When is the best time to visit Venice?

April to June and September to early November are the most pleasant months. Summer is hot and crowded, Carnival in February fills hotels, and acqua alta flooding is most likely between October and January.

How do I get around Venice?

Walk and use the vaporetto water buses; line 1 runs the full length of the Grand Canal. From Marco Polo airport take the Alilaguna boat or a bus to Piazzale Roma, the last point reachable by road.

Do I need to book tours in Venice in advance?

For headline sights and small-group tours, yes: popular slots sell out in high season. Most partners offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

How many days do I need in Venice?

Two to three full days cover the main sights, plus one day for each day trip you want to add.

Nearby destinations

Verona103 km awayBologna130 km awayFlorence204 km awayMilan244 km away