Things to Do in Venice
50 curated spots from Venice itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Modern art museum in Peggy Guggenheim’s former home on the Grand Canal, showcasing 20th‑century masters and a sculpture garden.[4]
2h · $20-25
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Explore Venice’s premier art museum with works by Bellini, Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto; don’t miss the views from the nearby Accademia Bridge.
2h · $18-22
Doge's Palace
Tour the palace rooms, bridges, and courtyards for major history and strong interior photography.
2h · €30-€40
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Tour the former seat of Venetian power, crossing the Bridge of Sighs and seeing grand chambers, paintings, and prison cells.[1][3]
2h · $30-35
Rialto Bridge & Market Stroll
Walk from San Marco to the Rialto Bridge, photograph the Grand Canal from the top, then browse the nearby produce and fish market.[3][4]
1h 30m · Free
Rialto Market & Bridge
Arrive by mid‑morning to wander the produce and fish stalls and then walk up to the Rialto Bridge for classic Grand Canal views.[2][3]
1h 30m · Free
Fondamenta della Misericordia
Finish with a neighborhood evening walk for bars, reflections on the water, and a relaxed nightlife atmosphere.
1h 15m · Free
Gallerie dell'Accademia
See major Venetian painting collections in a compact museum that works well on a slower day.
1h 30m · €15-€20
Ghetto Ebraico (Jewish Ghetto)
Walk the historic Jewish quarter, with its tall houses and quiet campi; visit the small museums and synagogues with a guided tour if open.[2]
1h 30m · $15-25
Murano Island
Take the vaporetto to Murano, wander its canals and glass shops, and if interested, watch a glass‑blowing demonstration.[4][6]
2h 30m · $10-20 (vaporetto and optional demo)
Piazza San Marco
Linger in the main square, study the basilica’s facade, the Campanile, and the arcades; photograph the geometry of the paving and colonnades at different angles.[2][4]
1h · Free
Piazza San Marco & St. Mark’s Basilica
Arrive mid-morning, admire the square, then visit the basilica’s golden mosaics and terrace for panoramic photos over Venice.[1][2]
2h · $15-25
Rialto Market
Browse the historic fish and produce market in the morning, watching restaurant buyers and locals shop among vivid displays.[4]
1h · Free
Riva degli Schiavoni to Giardini Walk
Walk the long waterfront from the Doge’s Palace toward the Biennale gardens, watching boats on the lagoon and photographing wide vistas.
1h 30m · Free
St. Mark’s Basilica
Enter the basilica to see golden mosaics and Byzantine domes; visit the museum and terrace for close‑up mosaics and panoramic photos over the square.[2][4]
1h 30m · $10-20
St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Explore the ornate Byzantine-style basilica with its golden mosaics and, if available, book a skip-the-line or after-hours tour for a more peaceful visit.
1h · $15-30 (depending on tour)
St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace
Visit the glittering 9th-century basilica with Byzantine mosaics and the adjacent Gothic Doge's Palace. Allow 2-3 hours combined. Book skip-the-line tickets online. Best morning light for interior photography is 9-11 AM.
3h · $32 (combined ticket)
Zattere Promenade
Walk along the Zattere waterfront facing the Giudecca Canal, pausing for photos of boats, churches, and lagoon light.
1h · Free
Accademia Bridge & Zattere
Start at Accademia Bridge for Grand Canal photos (best east view of palazzi/Salute dome); walk Zattere promenade to Punta della Dogana for Giudecca lagoon shots—golden hour sunset ideal, less crowded southern tip.
2h · Free
Arsenale & San Pietro di Castello Walk
Take a vaporetto or walk east toward the historic Arsenale gates, then continue through quiet streets to the island-church of San Pietro di Castello.
2h 30m · $0 (walking) or ~$10 for vaporetto access on a pass
Bacari Bar Hop
Spritz and cicchetti crawl in cozy wine bars.
2h · $10-15
Basilica dei Frari (Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari)
Visit this major Gothic church with important artworks and tombs; take time to admire the interior and then explore the surrounding San Polo streets.[4]
1h · $5-10
Basilica di San Marco
Visit the gilded interior and mosaics; photography is often restricted inside, so plan to enjoy the space visually and shoot the exterior instead.
1h 15m · $11-$20Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Gothic brick church housing works by Titian and Bellini; its vast interior and chapels showcase Venetian religious art and architecture.[3]
1h · $5-10
Burano Canal Walk
Spend the afternoon among Burano's colorful houses, canal edges, and small bridges for standout photography.
2h 30m · Free
Burano Island
Continue by vaporetto to Burano to photograph its intensely colorful houses, canal reflections, and lace shops along the main streets.[4][6]
2h 30m · Included in vaporetto pass or ~$10-15
Burano Island (Colorful Houses)
Continue by vaporetto to Burano to wander the rainbow streets, lace shops, and canals; aim for early afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds.
2h 30m · Included in vaporetto pass
Burano Island & Colorful Houses
Continue by vaporetto to Burano to see brightly painted homes and lace-making traditions, with fantastic photo opportunities along every lane.[3][2]
3h · Free (excluding vaporetto and any lace purchases)
Burano Island Color Walk
Take Vaporetto Line 12 from Fondamente Nove to Burano and spend a relaxed few hours wandering its canals lined with brightly painted houses and small lace shops.
2h 30m · $8-20 (vaporetto passes)
Burano Lagoon Half-Day
Take the vaporetto to Burano for colorful facades, quiet canal reflections, and one of the best photography settings in the Venice lagoon.
3h · $20-$35 including transitRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Al Timon
Go for cicchetti and drinks in a lively bacaro setting, ideal for an easy final-night meal.
1h 30m · €20-€35 per person
Osteria al Squero
Grab cicchetti and a spritz near the Zattere side of Dorsoduro; keep it casual and sample a few small plates.
1h 15m · €20-€35 per person
Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti
Intimate spot along a quiet canal offering creative Venetian dishes and an excellent wine list; opt for a pasta or seafood main with a glass of local red or white.
1h 15m · $30-45 per person
Osteria Enoteca San Marco
Sit down in a tucked-away spot near the square for pasta or seafood and a glass of wine, avoiding the most touristy cafés on the piazza.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Pasticceria Tonolo
Classic Venetian pastry shop; stand at the bar for espresso and try a cream-filled krafen or a local brioche.
45m · $6-10 per person
Osteria alle Testiere
Intimate osteria near Santa Maria Formosa with a daily market‑driven menu; they are accustomed to accommodating specific dietary constraints if you note them at reservation, often preparing bespoke dishes from ultra‑fresh seafood or vegetables rather than fixed pastas.
1h 15m · $60-90 per person
Torrefazione Cannaregio
Have espresso al banco and a pastry before the day starts; keep it simple and local.
45m · $6-$12 per person
All'Arco
Iconic cicchetti bar with fresh seafood small plates; order sarde in saor and prosecco.
1h · $40-60 per person
Caffè Florian
Historic 18th‑century café right on Piazza San Marco; ideal for a slow, indulgent seated breakfast of coffee, pastries, or simple egg dishes—staff can guide you to options that avoid any problematic ingredients based on your restriction.
1h · $35-55 per person
Caffè Rosso
Join locals and students in Campo Santa Margherita for espresso or cappuccino al banco and a pastry, standing at the bar for authentic Venetian coffee culture.[2][7]
45m · $8-15 per person
Cantina Do Spade
Classic bacaro near the Rialto Market offering cicchetti and cooked dishes; go inside, explain your restriction, and they will steer you to or adapt plates such as grilled fish, vegetable antipasti, or simple polenta‑based bites compatible with your needs.
1h · $25-45 per person
Osteria ai 40 Ladroni
Canalside osteria on Fondamenta della Sensa known for seafood and relaxed glamour; with advance notice they can suggest off‑menu preparations (grilled fish, simple risotti, or vegetable mains) tailored around your dietary restriction.
1h 30m · $55-85 per person
Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso
Casual spot a few minutes from the Rialto Bridge serving cicchetti, seafood pastas, and Venetian classics.
1h 15m · $25-35 per person
Cantine del Vino già Schiavi
Go for cicchetti, a spritz, and a casual standing or bar-stool dinner before an evening stroll.
1h 15m · $20-$35 per person
Lineadombra
Modern, design‑forward restaurant with a wooden deck over the water near Punta della Dogana; they are used to high‑end clientele and can structure a customized tasting or à la carte meal that respects specific dietary restrictions while highlighting seasonal Venetian produce and seafood.
2h · $90-150 per person
Osteria al Duomo
Courtyard osteria on Murano serving pizzas and Venetian dishes; sit in the garden if weather allows.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Susanna
Hidden cooking class spot: hands-on **cicheti-making** and fresh cornetti with lagoon coffee.
2h · $20-25 per person
Trattoria al Gatto Nero
Signature **risotto di gò** (goby fish risotto) amid colorful houses—ferry-accessible gem.
1h 15m · $15-22 per person
Trattoria al Gatto Nero da Ruggero
Popular Burano trattoria for risotto di gò and fresh lagoon seafood; reserve and choose a simple main to stay within budget.
1h 15m · $25-35 per person
Trattoria alla Madonna
Fresh seafood focus; try bigoli in salsa (pasta with anchovies) or grilled fish.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person