24 Amazing & Unique Things to Do in Venice, Italy

Venice is one of my favorite cities. From the moment you arrive and get lost in its streets, you’ll be pinching yourself. Every tiny street is absolutely beautiful, and there is so much history! I have visited Venice twice so far, and I hope to revisit it soon. If you’re wondering what to do while you’re in Venice, this list of things to do in Venice, Italy covers everything I loved on my trip — from the main attractions, to unique hidden gems. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re coming back for more, here are all the spots I’d recommend adding to your itinerary.

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Quick Picks for Venice

If you’re short on time (or just want to lock in the best stuff ahead of your trip), these are some of the top tours and experiences I’d recommend booking.

Save this if you’re skimming!

• St. Mark’s Basilica: the prettiest church I have ever seen, get the skip-the-line tickets
• Visit the Rialto Bridge
• Take a Gondola ride (book it in advance to get a good deal)
• Climb the Campanile di San Marco for amazing views of the city
• Experience Italian Opera in a historic palazzo, such a unique experience!
• Take a day trip to Murano and see a glassblowing demonstration

Where to Stay in Venice

Venice might look small, but each area has its own vibe. Here’s a quick rundown to help you decide where to stay. One thing to keep in mind is that it is easy to get around in Venice if you don’t mind walking.

San Marco

Venice’s center, close to all the main attractions.

• Best for: First-timers, and those who want to be close to everything.
• Vibe: Historic, busy, can be pricey.
• Hotel picks:
  • Casa Alla Fenice: budget-friendly, great reviews, authentic historical rooms (building built in 1700).
  • Hotel Dell’Opera: mid-range, near St. Mark’s Basilica, has a terrace.
  • Venezia Palazzo Barocci: 4.5-star hotel, has a terrace with amazing views, a short walk from the Rialto Bridge.

Dorsoduro

Artsy left bank across the Grand Canal, packed with galleries and student bars.

• Best for: Culture lovers, for those interested in nightlife.
• Vibe: Creative, laid-back, slightly gritty in the best way.
• Hotel picks:
  • Hotel Domus Cavanis Venezia: budget-friendly, close to the Grand Canal, historic rooms.
  • EXCESS VENICE Boutique Hotel: mid-range, adults only, on-site spa.
  • Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace: one of the best hotels in Venice, 5-star, gorgeous garden.

Cannaregio

The local side of Venice. Used to be where the Jewish locals were segregated.

• Best for: Budget travelers and those who want a more local and laid-back experience.
• Vibe: Authentic, residential, aperitivo heaven
• Hotel picks:
  • Hotel Ca’ Dogaressa: budget-friendly, has a terrace, right in front of the canal.
  • Carnival Palace Hotel: mid-range, provides a terrace, a garden, and a bar.
  • Radisson Collection Hotel: gorgeous views, sauna and fitness facility, restaurant and bar on-site.

If Venice is part of a larger Italy trip, then you have to check out our 2-Week Italy Itinerary for first-timers. It is the perfect itinerary, hitting all the major attractions and cities you simply have to see.

Travel Tips for Visiting Venice

Here are some quick tips to help you make the most of your time here, and avoid a few mistakes I made my first time visiting Venice.

• Buy a vaporetto pass: If you’re planning to take the vaporetto a bunch, buy a 24, 48, or 72-hour vaporetto pass, as single rides add up fast.
• Pack a reusable water bottle: There are free fountains everywhere.
• Shoulders & knees covered for basilicas: Carry a light scarf or long-sleeve blouse in summer. The last thing you want is to make the long line only to be denied entry because of your outfit.
• No picnicking on bridges or church steps: if you do that, you’ll probably get fined.
• Carry small coins for public toilets.
• Download the AVM Venezia app to track vaporetto schedules in real time.
• Wake up early: Beat the crows and get your photos during sunrise.
• Book key tours + tickets online weeks ahead. Especially during high season. Some tours you definitely want to book are a Gondola ride, St. Mark’s Basilica, Murano & Burano Boat Tour, Vivaldi Four Seasons Concert, and Traveling Opera (such a unique experience).
• Buy skip-the-line tickets when you can. Lines are brutal (over an hour), especially for the Basilica.

Most Booked Tours & Experiences

There’s a lot to see and do in Venice, and while a lot of experiences are free, there are some tours and tickets that are worth paying for. These are the ones I absolutely recommend.

Grand Canal Gondola Ride: This is something you simply have to experience. I recommend booking ahead online, instead of doing it in person, as you’ll likely get overcharged. We didn’t plan ahead, and we were charged around $120 for a 30-minute ride. This tour is only $39 per person.

Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets: Skip the lines and explore Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica your way. Choose a self-guided visit or guided tour, or add the terrace for sweeping views and a deeper dive into Venice’s story.

Murano & Burano Boat Tour with Glassblowing: Discover Venice’s islands on this guided day trip by boat. Watch a glass-blowing demonstration in Murano, see the colorful houses in Burano, and learn about Venetian life and traditions.

Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: If you haven’t taken a cooking class in Italy yet, then you have to take this one. You’ll learn authentic recipes in a local Venice restaurant as you sip on wine.

Traveling Opera in a Historic Palace on Grand Canal: This is the most unique experience, and I wish I had done it! The performance takes place in a historic building on the Grand Canal, Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. The actors move through the building, and you’ll see each part of the show in a different hall. Such a unique experience, I 100% recommend!

Vivaldi Four Seasons Concert at Vivaldi Church: If the experience above isn’t for you, but you’d still like to experience classical music, then this is perfect for you. Listen to the Vivaldi Baroque Ensemble perform the Four Seasons in the space where Vivaldi played and composed.

24 Amazing Things to Do in Venice

Here is my full list of the best things to do in Venice! I included all the spots I loved plus a few that are still on my list for next time. The great thing about Venice is that it’s just as fun to wander and get lost as it is to tick off the “big” attractions, so I’d recommend doing a mix of both.

Related: How To Spend The Perfect 14 Days In Italy

Visit the St. Mark’s Basilica

You can’t come to Venice and skip this one. St. Mark’s Basilica is seriously the prettiest church I have ever seen, and I have traveled a lot throughout Europe. There are golden mosaics everywhere, ceilings that glow when the light hits just right.

I made a few mistakes when visiting the St. Mark’s Basilica:

1. Not purchasing tickets in advance, so we had to wait in line for over an hour in the heat.
2. Not purchasing skip-the-line tickets. The price difference is small, but it is 100% worth it, especially if you’re visiting during the summer.
3. And the last mistake was not going as soon as it opened. If you can get the tickets with a time slot, choose the earliest one. That way, you’ll be able to beat the crowds.

👉 Pro tip: Don’t forget to carry a light cardigan or scarf with you, as you have to cover your shoulders to enter the basilica.

Visit the Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of the most iconic spots in Venice. It’s the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal, and walking across it (especially early in the morning) gives you the prettiest views of the water and all the boats passing by.

The first time I visited the Rialto Bridge was in the middle of the day, and it was impossible to take a decent photo and to fully appreciate it with so many people around. So I recommend making your way there before the crowds hit.

Wander Through Rialto Market

If you’re a market person like me, you’ll love this. The Rialto Market is buzzing with locals picking up fish, produce, and everything in between. I wandered through in the morning, then grabbed cicchetti and a spritz at a spot nearby (Al Mercà — highly recommend).

Sip Coffee at the Iconic Caffè Florian

Located in the heart of St. Mark’s Square, Caffè Florian is the oldest café in Italy, established in 1720.

The interiors are straight out of a period film, with frescoed ceilings, gilded mirrors, and velvet booths. It’s definitely on the pricier side (you’re paying for the aesthetic and the view), but sipping an espresso while listening to live classical music in the square? A must.

Climb the Campanile di San Marco

If you want that postcard view of Venice, climb (well, take the elevator) to the top of the Campanile di San Marco. I recommend going up around golden hour for the prettiest views.

👉 Pro tip: The lines can be very long, so I’d advise coming either first thing in the morning or just before they close. You can also get a skip-the-line ticket, so you’re not waiting in line for hours.

Get Lost in Venice’s Backstreets

Honestly, one of the best things you can do in Venice is ditch the map and just get lost. Take a morning or afternoon to just walk around and see what you find or stumble upon.

Take That Iconic Gondola Ride

Is it touristy? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes. I was on the fence at first, but once we started gliding through the smaller canals with barely anyone around, I got it. It’s such a different way to see Venice, and I absolutely loved it, you’ll also get the best photos!

We walked around until we found someone offering the Gondola ride, and we paid $120 for a 30-minute ride. However, if you book online, you can find some for cheaper. This Gondola tour is only $45 per person.

👉 Pro tip: If you’re traveling with a group, you can get this Gondola tour for $175 for up to 5 passengers.

Explore the Doge’s Palace & Bridge of Sighs

The Doge’s Palace was home to the Doge (the elected leader of the Republic), and it also housed government offices, law courts, and even a prison.

The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace to the old prison, and the name comes from the idea that prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of Venice through the tiny stone windows. It’s wild to walk through it knowing the kind of history that happened here, definitely worth doing the full Doge’s Palace tour so you can actually go inside and see it from both perspectives.

We saw a lot of engagement or wedding photoshoots in the canal beneath the bridge. According to a romcom, if a couple “kiss in a gondola beneath the bridge at sunset while the church bells toll, they will be in love forever.”

👉 Pro tip: I did the guided combo with St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace, it was more affordable than buying separate tickets, and it was worth it to purchase the skip-the-line!

Hunt for Handmade Masks in Castello

One of the most fun things I did was wander the tiny workshops in Castello and chat with the mask makers. It’s wild how much artistry goes into these. One of my bucket list items is to attend the Venice Carnival, where people dress up and wear these masks.

👉 Pro tip: You can also book a mask-making workshop and decorate your own Venice Carnival mask to bring home.

Sip a Spritz on Fondamenta della Misericordia

This canal is lined with cute little bars and it’s where a lot of locals go for aperitivo. I came here one evening and grabbed a €4 spritz while sitting on the edge of the canal, super casual and the perfect spot for people-watching.

Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

After a few days of old churches and classic art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection was such a refreshing change. The modern art here is incredible, and the museum itself is in her former home right on the Grand Canal. Super inspiring space.

Related: 18 Amazing Things to Do in Cinque Terre, Italy

Watch a Glassblowing Demo in Murano

Murano is such an easy day trip and watching the glass masters at work is fascinating. You can either take a guided tour, or go by yourself at your own place, it is a vaporetto ride away. I took a quick boat over and ended up spending way longer than planned just wandering and popping into little shops.

See the Rainbow Houses in Burano

Burano is straight out of a fairytale. I took a half-day trip here and couldn’t stop taking photos — every house is a different bright color. It’s also a great spot to slow down and have a relaxed seafood lunch.

👉 Pro tip: If you’d like to visit both, Murano & Burano, then I recommend taking this tour to both islands, it is also includes a glass blowing demonstration.

Experience Italian Opera in a Historic Palazzo

For something truly magical and unique, this intimate opera performance is a must. Set in one of the city’s most stunning Venetian-Gothic palaces, this isn’t your typical night at the opera.

The show unfolds across different rooms of the Palazzo, one for each act, so you’re not just watching the performance, you’re moving through it. The singers and musicians perform just feet away, making this more of an immersive experience.

I truly wish I had known about this experience when I was there. I will have to return to Venice!

Enjoy the View on the Accademia Bridge

This might be one of the best spots in Venice. You’ll get a perfect view of the Grand Canal with all the boats and it’s perfect to just take it all in.

Explore Dorsoduro

If you want to escape the crowds and experience a more local, artsy side of Venice, head to Dorsoduro. This laid-back neighborhood is filled with charming canals, boho cafés, and some of the city’s best art—hello, Gallerie dell’Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Collection. It has a quieter, more authentic vibe compared to San Marco, making it perfect for aimless wandering, an aperitivo by the water, or catching sunset along the Zattere promenade.

Visit Libreria Acqua Alta

Libreria Acqua Alta is hands down one of the most unique bookstores you’ll ever step into and it is so fun to explore. There are books stacked in bathtubs and even a gondola inside, and the back patio opens up to a view of a canal.

Don’t miss the famous staircase made entirely of old books; it’s totally Instagram-worthy. Perfect for finding unique souvenirs too, I ended up buying some vintage postcards here.

Related: 25 Unique Things To Do In Florence You Can’t Miss

Take a Rowing Lesson in a Traditional Venetian Boat

Instead of just being a passenger, learn to row a traditional batela or gondola-style boat with a local. It’s a fun (and slightly challenging) way to see the canals. You can book a class with Row Venice.

Tour Venice’s Historic Jewish Ghetto

Cannaregio is one of Venice’s most underrated neighborhoods, and it’s where you’ll find the city’s Jewish Ghetto, the oldest in the world. Venice’s Jewish population was once confined to this area, beginning in 1516.

This area is full of history and culture. Walking tours here take you through narrow alleys, canals, and centuries-old synagogues that share the powerful story of Jewish life in Venice. Here, you’ll also find the Jewish Museum of Venice. 

Regardless of whether you take an in-depth walking tour or not, I highly recommend strolling around the neighborhood to see a different side of Venice. It gives you a better idea of local life.

Climb the Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Tucked away in a quiet courtyard, Scala Contarini del Bovolo is one of Venice’s hidden gems. This stunning spiral staircase (bovolo means “snail” in Venetian) winds its way up the side of a Gothic-Renaissance palace, offering a unique view over the rooftops of Venice once you reach the top.

While you’re there, step into the adjoining Palazzo Contarini di San Paternian to explore rotating exhibitions and get a glimpse into Venetian noble life.

Tour Teatro La Fenice

Even if you’re not an opera fan, a visit to Teatro La Fenice is a must. This legendary opera house, whose name means “The Phoenix”, has quite literally risen from the ashes multiple times, and today it stands as one of the most beautiful theaters in the world.

You can take a guided tour of Teatro La Fenice during the day to soak in the history and jaw-dropping interiors, or catch a performance at night for the full experience. Either way, it’s pure Venetian drama in the best possible way.

Do a Cicchetti Crawl

Venice is perfect for hopping from bar to bar trying cicchetti (think Italian tapas) and sipping wine. I spent an afternoon wandering around Cannaregio doing exactly this, super fun and budget-friendly.

👉 Pro tip: If you’re not sure where to start, you can take a cicchetti & street food tour and let a Venetian show you their favorite hidden gems!

Have a Beach Day at Lido Beach

If you’re visiting in warmer months and want a break from the city, hop on a vaporetto to Lido.

You can rent a chair, swim in the Adriatic, or just stroll along the promenade with a gelato in hand. It feels like a totally different world from the rest of Venice, but in the best way.

Listen to Vivaldi in Vivaldi’s Church

For a truly iconic musical moment in Venice, catch a live performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons inside the very church where he once composed. Taking place at the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione, aka the “Vivaldi Church”. If you’re a classical music fan (or even if you’re not), this is one of those unforgettable experiences that hits differently in Venice.

👉 Pro tip: If you aren’t able to purchase tickets for that specific concert, there are multiple others in Venice, that fit every schedule or budget.

Venice Frequently Asked Questions

Venice is one of those places you’ll think about long after you’ve left. There’s just something about wandering the quiet back canals, sipping a spritz by the water, and hearing church bells echo through the alleys that stays with you. I hope this guide to things to do in Venice helps you plan an unforgettable trip! Buon viaggio!