Located in the Adriatic sea, a beautiful coalition of more than 100 small islands is Venice, the northern capital of Italy’s Veneto region.
Venice is known as Italy’s floating city as it does not have any roads. The island is connected via bridges and a network of canals.
Venice is a small and compact city – ideal to be explored in a couple of days, but we wanted to make sure you experience the absolute must-do things.
We have put together a compilation of the 22 things to do in Venice, Italy when you do decide to fly there.
St.Mark’s Square
A piazza is an open public square in Italy surrounded by buildings, It is the center of public life in Italy.
St.Mark’s Square is the most famous Piazza in Italy. Located by the grand canal, it is of very high significance to Venice.
The Piazza is also home to several buildings of very high significance as well to Venice. These buildings are the St.Mark’s Campanile, St.Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace and Torre dell’Orologio.
Campanile Di San Marco (St.Mark’s Campanile)
Being one of the most recognized symbols of Venice – St.Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower located in St.Mark’s square.
St.Mark’s Campanile is the tallest building in Italy towering at 98.6m with a golden statue of Angel Gabriel on the very top.
You can enjoy it from St.Mark’s Square but if you take the elevator to the top, you will most probably have the most panoramic view of all of Venice.
St.Mark’s Basilica
Built in 1092, It is the most famous and most renowned building in all of Venice. It is also the most famous of all of the city churches.
Located in St.Mark’s Square the church is home to ornate detailing through sculpture and paintings on the outside
It is also one of the best-known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture.
Grande Canale
The Grande Canale is the largest canal in Venice that travels all the way from one side of Venice to the other.
It’s impossible to miss the Grande Canale as you normally see tourists flocking this Canale traveling up and down the Grande Canale in Gondolas & Vaporettos
Rialto Bridge
Being one of the only four bridges that span across the Grande Canale, the Rialto bridge is the most iconic of the four bridges.
This stone bridge was built after the original bridge collapsed in 1524.
The Rialto bridge is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Venice.
One of the best things to do in Venice is to stand in the Rialto bridge, and take a moment to glimpse down the Grande Canale and just let the art of the sink in
San Giorgio Maggiore
One of the smaller islands of Venice, San Giorgio Maggiore is home to the church of San Giorgio Monastery.
You can get to the island by jumping aboard a vaporetto or by booking a private water taxi.
Gondola Ride
When in Venice, ride on a Gondola.
It is cliche, but it is the city’s main vehicle for navigating its canal network, also it is a lot of fun (we want to make sure we mention that).
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Another iconic building of Venice, which also sits at St.Mark’s Square, the Doge’s palace is a beautiful piece of history which is now a museum.
The detailing inside and outside the palace are loved and cherished by people all over the world.
When you walk around the Palace you will get some beautiful views of the city that cannot be obtained from other locations.
Bridge of Sighs (Inside & Outside View)
When visiting the Doge’s palace, another must-do thing to do in Venice is to visit the bridge of sighs.
The view from the inside is considered of high regard, as this is the last view that prisoners have of the city before they are sent in for their execution.
Once you are done with the inside view you can get an outside view of this bridge to top of the iconic experience – most tourists do not do this.
Stand with the Doge’s palace in front of you and the Grande Canale behind you and you will see a bridge that runs down the eastern side of the Doge’s palace.
Stand on this bridge to get an outside view of the Bridge of Sighs.
Castello & Cannaregio (Quieter Neighbourhoods)
Castello & Cannaregio are quieter neighbourhoods in Venice.
Castello is a 15 minute walk from St.Mark’s square. It’s a good choice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists.
It’s also a lot cheaper on the wallet as you don’t find nearly as many tourists traps here.
Cannaregio is another quieter getaway from tourists and is also the island that served as a Jewish Ghetto.
The world’s first Ghetto also sits on this Island.
Basilica Di Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Fra
A gothic styled church that was completed in the 14th Century, the Basilica Di Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari was completed by Fransicians to emulate their belief of living life in poverty.
The exterior of the church resembles the belief as you will notice is is a lot more minimal when compared toSt.Mark’s Basilica
Corer Civic Museum
This is a large museum that displays artifacts from Venitan history and royal quarters.
If you do visit the Doge’s palace, the standard ticket allows you to visit the Corer Civic Museum as well.
We have included this as a must-do, as most people do not consider this in their list of must-do things but are always pleasantly surprised when do finally visit
San Sebastiano
San Sebastiano church is home to famous works of art by Paolo Tiepolo. This church has been undergoing restoration for over a decade.
A little known thing that we would say is an absolute lovely thing to do in Venice
Peggy Guggenheim Art Collection
One of the most renowned art collections in the world, the Peggy Guggenheim Art Collection is located in the Dorsoduro district.
It’s an unfinished palace that is home to the works of Mondrian, Dali, Pollock and Piccaso.
Also, visit the palace very early in the morning and visit the sculpture garden before everyone starts flocking in.
Carnevale Festival (February)
This festival happens every February in Venice. People dress up in masquerades and celebrate till the morning.
This is one of those experiences that not a lot of people can experience as it happens only for one night during the year.
So if you do plan to travel to Venice, try and plan it for February.
Burano Island
A 40-min water taxi from St.Mark’s Square will take you to Burano Island.
This is home to beautifully colored houses. Burano is also home to the ancient art of lace-making which is not practiced widely now although.
Lazzaretto Nuovo
Another getaway from the tourists is Lazzaretto Nuovo. You can book a private boat to take you to this island which is now home for exhibitions and events.
The scriptures on the walls are stories of ancient merchants.
Lido Island
One of the lesser visited islands of Venice – Lido Island is your place to get away from the bulk of the tourists and the crowd.
Lido Island has a beautiful stretch of beach that is perfect to wind down if the crowds get you all rushed.
Torcello Cathedral (Oldest building in venice)
This is the oldest building in Venice and is the home to the skull of Saint Cecilia which has been housed there for hundreds of years.
This church is a testimony to beautiful Venetian-Byzantine architecture.
It is home to beautiful mosaics and a gold leaf art piece.
Murano Glass Museum
Murano is home to glassblowing. This tradition originates from Murano and it is still practiced there to this day.
The glass museum displays the island’s glass history.
Visit the Fornace Ferro Murano glass factory to view how glassblowing is still practiced to date.
Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute
Located on the opposite side of the Grande Canale to St.mark’s Square, the Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute is the second most renowned church in Venice.
It is not decorated as much as the other churches in Italy, this church is beautifully symmetric (in our opinion)
Gallerie Dell’accademia
This 19th Century museum is located opposite the Ponte dell’Accademia, and is home to beautiful 19th century art.
One of the best known pieces housed in this museum is that of the Vitruvian man by Da Vinci.
