Famous Venice attracts thousands of tourists every year. I guess everyone knows this picturesque city „on water and wood“. There are dozens of tours to choose from. But how to visit Venice on your own? Where to park and not leave the whole property behind? We have summarized all this and much more for you in this article! Find out more about top things to do in Venice.
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TIP: Are you short on time and want to see the best of Venice? Discover all the unforgettable things to do in Venice in one day.
Venice - what you didn't know
- Venice lies on 118 islands separated by 150 canals. You can find up to 417 bridges here! And over 400 gondolas.
- The Grand Canal divides Venice into two parts. Only 4 bridges lead over it.
- Have you ever thought about the depth of water? The large channel is max. 5 m deep, the other smaller ones are 1.5-2 m deep.
- What is the origin of Venetian masks? In the past, they were worn to conceal the identity of the locals. In Venice, people were divided into several social classes. The lower classes could not participate in social life. Especially in the Venice Carnival section, everyone put on masks. Everyone could gamble, dance or even flirt with each other.
- In the past, each island was a separate village that had its own church. That is why there are as many as 137 churches.
6. How was Venice built? Wooden wheels were attached directly to the seabed. A stone layer was built on them, on which the entire city stands today. The wood is in a preserved state, as the sunny seawater conservating it.
7. Why is Venice sinking? No, it’s not just global warming. Venice stands on sediments that are unstable. Even the Adriatic Plate, on which they are located, is slowly moving under the Apennine Mountains. That’s why Venice leans slightly to the northeast. And of course, every year the rising sea level also takes its toll. Venice sinks by 2-5 mm every year. They have floods there 5-6 times a year.
You should also: Discover the best Instagram spots in Venice, where every corner offers a picture-perfect scene.
How to get to Venice
If you are going to Venice by car you should definitely read our guide about Parking in Venice. Parking there is very expensive. However, you can save a lot with our tips! If you are coming from Mestre, in the article you will find all the ways to get from Mestre to Venice.
Venice from airport Marco Polo
ACTV bus number 5
The journey takes 30-40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €8. If you buy a multi-day tourist card with it (more in the section „How to move around Venice“) the price is €6.
ATVO blue bus
The journey takes only 20 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €8. The bus has less than two stops and is more comfortable than the ACTV bus.
Vaporetto Alilaguna
There are several lines that will take you not only to Venice but also to the surrounding islands. The price for a ticket to Venice is €15. Here are timetables, pricing and more.
Water taxi
Water taxis have space for up to 10 people and are only worthwhile if you are a large group. A ride from the airport to Venice costs more than €100.
Taxi
You can take a taxi from Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma in Venice for €40-50.
Transfer
And of course, there is also a private transfer. It is one of the most expensive options. The driver will pick you up directly at the airport and then the water taxi will take you to your hotel in Venice. Here is all you important information.
TIP: Are you going to Italy with the love of your life, and want to explore more than Venice? Check out the best honeymoon destinations in Tuscany and enjoy your vacation to the fullest!
How to get around Venice
Of course the best way to get around Venice is on your own. If you plan to stay in Venice for 2 days to see the most famous sights you don’t need anything more. Enjoy wandering through the narrow alleys, beautiful bridges at every step and discover different places. This is how you get to know the city best. For families with children – it will be more difficult with a stroller. There are a lot of stairs.
The second mode of transport is vaporetto – water buses. They pass through the entire Grand Canal and around Venice. An evening ride on the Gran Canal is a very nice experience. Vaporetto is especially ideal if you want to visit surrounding islands such as Murano or Burano. We have summarized the types of tickets, prices and instructions for buying them in article Top things to do in Burano,Italy.
TIP: Venice is perfect for couples who want to enjoy a romantic time together. Therefore, you should plan your stay and book one of the 15 romantic hotels in Venice that will make your trip unforgettable.
Types of tickets
(platí v celých Benátkach a okolí)
Standard tickets
- one-way vaporetto (75 min) 10.5€
- bus/tram between Venice and Mestre or Lido 4€
Multiday tickets
- 1 day – €26
- 2 day – €36
- 3 day – €46
- 7 day – €66
TIP: For bookish travelers seeking a literary escape, Venice offers some of the best bookstores that blend the city’s rich history with a love for books. Wander through charming alleyways and discover hidden gems where shelves overflow with both Italian and international literature.
14 Top things to do in Venice
1. Rialto Bridge
Where else to start? This is probably the most famous bridge in the whole city. Why is it so visited? The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge in Venice leading over the Grand Canal. There are smaller markets with various goods in the premises on the bridge. If you come here during the day, it will be really crowded. Therefore, we advise you to come here early in the morning. At that time, there is hardly anyone here. And you will enjoy the bridge more.
TIP: It gets super crowded during the day. Come early in the morning to take some shots here.
2. St. Mark's Square
St. Mark’s Square has always been the center of religious life. It is surrounded on three sides by beautiful historical buildings. On the fourth stands the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica. You can find many major attractions of Venice around St. Mark’s Square. Get ready for hundreds of pigeons here. This place is also very interesting in winter months when its flooded. Enjoy a coffe in one of many cafes around or take in the views of famous St Mark’s Basilica and Campanile tower.
DID YOU KNOW: Venice gets flooded for a few days every winter. St. Mark’s square turns to a little lake during that time. You certainly need rubber boots during. Read more about Venice here.
3. St. Mark's Basilica
Price: 3€ + 7€ for museum
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
St. Mark’s Basilica is a must visit attraction in Venice. This is the place where you can feel what Venice was like in the past. Marvel at stunning art, mosaic and its marble floors.
St Mark’s Basilica is a very popular which means there is a long line of people waiting to get inside. Prepare to spend long time here. Or you can get this fast-track entry ticket.
It is the tallest building in Venice. There are 323 steps leading to the top. Tickets for St Mark’s Campanile cost 10 €, while for 12 € you can get a fast track ticket.
4. St Mark's Campanile
Price: 10€ / 12€ fast track, children under six are free
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Campanile bell tower is the tallest building in Venice. It is certainly worth visiting to get a different view over Venice. Originally it served as a watchtower to protect Venice from attacks. There are 5 bells inside. In the past they were used to mark the beginning and the end of a working day.
5. Doge's Palace
Price: 30€
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm
Doge’s Palace is amazing attraction especially for history lovers. It’s a stunning Venetian Gothic architecture is a sight to admire. Some even claim Doge’s Palace is a key to understand the history of Venice. We recommend getting your skip-the-line ticket to Doge’s Palace here.
6. Bridge of Sighs
You might not find the bridge so interesting without its historical background. This bridge connects the famous Doge’s palace – the palace of the leader of the former city-state of Venice, the administrative center and the court with the prison building. Prisoners went from the palace to the prison through this bridge. This is how the name of the bridge was created.
7. Island of Saint Giorgio Maggiore
One of the most photographed basilicas in Venice is located on this island. Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore. The basilica hides beautiful paintings by Tintoretto. It also provides a beautiful view of Venice from its bell tower. You will take the elevator up here. You can get to the island by vaporetto number 2. Here you can find more information about current opening hours and prices.
8. Ride a gondola
How can you visit Venice and not ride a gondola? It is one of the most iconic experiences one cann have in Venice. It might be pretty expensive when you try to find someone on the stree. If you want to avoid all the haggling, we recommend booking your trip via Get Your Guide.
9. Visit Murano and Burano islands
If you have extra time, we definitely recommend visiting at least one of these islands. We managed to visit only Burano. Burano is a small island with incredible colors. It is also known for its lace. Murano, in turn, became famous for the production of Murano glass. Both islands can be reached by vaporetto. Read our guide Top things to do in Burano.
Less known places
10. Chiesa di San Zaccaria
Price: 1.5€
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm
A church stood on this site already in the 9th century. But only a few centuries later, the Church of St. Zaccaria was built there. The architecture of the church itself is a great attraction. The interior is gorgeous. But an even bigger attraction are the flooded tombs under the church. There are vaulted ceilings and columns from the period when the church was built. It’s this underground water that completes the atmosphere of these tombs. An optical mirror is created here and the columns appear even higher. Judge for yourself. Unfortunately, we did not manage to get inside. We arrived late. They should be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
11. Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Price: 7€
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Stairs like from a fairy tale! It’s probably the most impressive spiral staircase in all of Venice. The staircase is part of the Contarini del Bovolo palace. The peak is located at a height of 28 m. It provides beautiful views of Venice. There is a separate loggia on each floor. As you can see in the picture, the reddish bricks alternate beautifully with white stone.
IMPORTANT: Interest in visiting this place is quite high. Ticket must be booked online in advance. The entrance fee is €8 per adult. The first entrance is at 10 am and the last at 17 pm.
12. Ponte Chiodo - A bridge without railings
Until the 18th century, bridges were built without any railings. Today, Ponte de Chiodo is the only bridge without any handrails on the sides. You can find this tiny bridge in the Cannaregio area. It is is really beautiful. We definitely recommend a walk to it. You will get to the less touristy parts that are worth visiting.
13. Castello area
Castello is the largest of the 6 central parts of Venice. It is not far from the center at all. Despite this, it is one of the places where you can find calm and quiet squares. Without a lot of tourists. The widest street in Venice is located here – Via Garibaldi. This is where the locals spend their days. You will find markets and several shops. There are also many bars and restaurants. We recommend visiting Bar Mio. Try their tramezzini – sandwich with crab meat. A great delicacy among the locals. You will also find several parks here. The most visited of them is the Giardini park.
14. Wander where your feet take you
What could be better? Throw away the map, throw away the navigation and go where you are most attracted. This is how you can come across the most beautiful places. Or escape from the tourist crowds that overwhelms the main sights. Discover local lives, meet locals and have a coffee in a small cozy cafe. That is the best and most authentic experience.
And finally – this is what a Venetian ambulance looks like. If you liked the article please let us know! We also welcome your personal experiences from a trip to Venice.
Where to stay
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