What to do in Venice

Activities, attractions and tours

Grand Canal featuring heritage architecture, a lake or waterhole and kayaking or canoeing
Venice
Doge\'s Palace which includes château or palace, heritage architecture and general coastal views
Venice
Venice featuring boating, street scenes and a city
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Top places to visit

1. St. Mark's Square

Step into Venice’s most famous square and expect to be impressed by the opulence of St. Mark’s Basilica, the towering Campanile, and the gothic façade of the Doge’s Palace. This lively hub has been the focal point for Venetian life for over 10 centuries. Enjoy a drink in one of the cafés under the colonnaded arcade that lines the square or visit its most iconic buildings.
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St. Mark\'s Square which includes heritage architecture and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

2. Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is Venice’s famous S-shaped thoroughfare. On any given day you can hear the splashing of the oars of the gondolas that slowly traverse the city just as they have done for centuries. A trip in a gondola is almost unavoidable because there are very few sidewalks along the canal, and the backs of the Floating City’s buildings drop straight into the water. A more modern and faster way to see the Grand Canal, and the main tourist attractions alongside it, is by vaporetto (water bus). For a simple crossing, take a traghetto, a ferry on which you remain standing for the duration of the short trip.
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Grand Canal showing a river or creek and a bay or harbor

3. Rialto Bridge

When riding a vaporetto (water bus) or gondola along the Grand Canal, look up as you round the bend by the fish market: One of Venice’s most iconic sights appears before you. The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) has been a feature of the city since the late 1500s. It has a distinctive V-shape design, high stone arcades and balustrades from which tourists peek at the gondolas in the canal below.
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Venice featuring a bridge and a river or creek

4. Doge's Palace

The pink marble façade of the 14th-century Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a striking sight on St. Mark’s Square. The arched loggias and the fortress-like peaks on top of the walls convey a sense of wealth and power to those who approach Venice by sea. Every aspect of this building was designed to impress, from the imposing décor of the Hall of the Great Council, to the luxurious apartments.
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Doge\'s Palace featuring street scenes and heritage elements

5. St. Mark's Basilica

Approach St. Mark’s Square from any angle and, on a fine day, you’ll see the golden spires of St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica San Marco) glimmer in the sunlight. This is why the locals call this the Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold). As you get closer, you’ll see the many sculptures, reliefs and mosaics of the ornate facade. This church is a spectacular example of Byzantine architecture.
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St. Mark\'s Basilica showing heritage architecture, religious elements and a church or cathedral

6. Teatro La Fenice

To experience an operatic performance at La Fenice Opera House is to watch some of the world's best singers in a lavishly decorated auditorium. The 18th-century theater is one of Europe's premier locations for the introduction of new operas. Performing at La Fenice Opera House helped launch the careers of Verdi and Rossini. Among the operatic stars to have graced its stage are Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland.
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Teatro La Fenice featuring a city, kayaking or canoeing and a river or creek

What to do in Venice

Popular places to visit

St. Mark\'s Square which includes a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a city

St. Mark's Square

4.5/5(1,265 reviews)

Experience the timeless charm of Venice’s glorious heart, home to the city’s most famous cultural icons, many cafés ... and several thousand pigeons.

St. Mark's Square
Grand Canal which includes a ferry, a city and a marina

Grand Canal

4.5/5(1,134 reviews)

Venice’s famous canal winds through the city and brings you to nearly all of its world-famous attractions. Hop in a gondola or vaporetto to take it all in!

Grand Canal
Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge

4.5/5(1,260 reviews)

Take a stroll across Venice’s oldest and most iconic bridge for romantic views, souvenir shopping and street entertainment.

Rialto Bridge
Port of Venice

Port of Venice

4/5(425 reviews)

Explore the waterfront of Port of Venice and enjoy other activities such as boating in Venice. Experience the area's fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries.

Port of Venice
Doge's Palace

Doge's Palace

4.5/5(832 reviews)

This grand building was home to Venice’s rulers for centuries and is still a statement of wealth and power.

Doge's Palace
St. Mark\'s Basilica which includes heritage architecture

St. Mark's Basilica

4.5/5(1,116 reviews)

Gilded mosaics, a jewel-encrusted screen and magnificent Byzantine architecture make this cathedral one of the most stunning attractions in Venice.

St. Mark's Basilica
Lido of Venice Beaches

Lido of Venice Beaches

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Lido of Venice Beaches during your travels in Venice? Visit the churches and charming cafes in this romantic area.

Lido of Venice Beaches
La Fenice Opera House featuring a city and heritage architecture

Teatro La Fenice

4.5/5(199 reviews)

Tour the lavish interior of one of Italy's most prestigious music venues then enjoy an evening of classic or experimental opera.

Teatro La Fenice
St Mark\'s Campanile featuring heritage architecture

St Mark's Campanile

4.5/5(843 reviews)

Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views from the top of this landmark bell tower, where Galileo once made his name.

St Mark's Campanile

Explore areas of Venice

Dorsoduro which includes heritage architecture and a coastal town

Venice City Center

The stunning cathedral and charming cafes are just a few highlights of Venice City Center. Make a stop by St. Mark's Square or Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
San Marco which includes a river or creek and kayaking or canoeing

San Marco

4.5/5(1,050 area reviews)

One of Venice’s most iconic sights is known all over the world for its historic square, cathedral and surrounding shops and cafés.

San Marco
San Polo featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbour

San Polo

4.5/5(146 area reviews)

The smallest of Venice’s six districts, this is also one of the oldest. It offers many tourist sites in its palaces, its churches and the Rialto Bridge.

San Polo
Venetian Ghetto which includes boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cannaregio

4.5/5(577 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Cannaregio is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Jewish Museum of Venice and Casino of Venice.

Cannaregio
Dorsoduro which includes a bridge and a river or creek

Dorsoduro

4.5/5(297 area reviews)

One of six districts in Venice, this beautiful area has many sights located along the edge of Venice and on the island of Giudecca.

Dorsoduro
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Santa Croce

4.5/5(210 area reviews)

Santa Croce is known for its charming cafes, and you can make a stop by Piazzale Roma and Grand Canal while in the area.

Santa Croce

Day trip destinations from Venice

Mestre showing street scenes

Mestre

Photo "Mogliano Veneto" by Threecharlie (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Threecharlie (CC BY-SA)

Mogliano Veneto

Venice featuring heritage architecture

Alberoni

Photo by Vin Lane-Kieltyka

Quarto d'Altino

Photo by petite on board - J.upiter

Mirano

Photo by Charlotte Tweed

Stra

Frequently asked questions

Is Venice worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Venice is visit Marina di Venezia. Check this top sight off your to-do list, then experience more of the area's culture and history.
How do I spend a day in Venice?
Start your day with a visit to Marina di Venezia and Lungomare d'Annunzio Beach. Then, explore other parts of Venice for local restaurants and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Venice?
Marina di Venezia is one of the top tourist attractions in Venice and deserves a spot on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Venice?
Three days in Venice is more than enough to enjoy the city's main attractions. Many travellers book for three days on average. Marina di Venezia, Lungomare d'Annunzio Beach and Palazzo Pisani Moretta are among the most popular sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a little longer to explore nearby hotspots like Mestre.
Is Venice a walkable city?
That comes down to what you'd like to do and see in Venice. Several key attractions, like Lungomare d'Annunzio Beach and Palazzo Pisani Moretta, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Venice's neighbourhoods, Venice City Centre is 0.48 kilometers away from downtown, while San Marco is 0.16 kilometers away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Venice with kids?
If you're looking for sights and tours for all ages, check out these fantastic ideas for what to do in Venice with kids.

What to do in Venice for adults?
Venissa Vineyard and Cantina Marco Polo 6811 are just a couple of the things to do in Venice. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Venice?
From visiting parks to strolling around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Venice. If you're looking for inspiration, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Lungomare d'Annunzio Beach is a top spot for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing activities.