Venice: The Complete Guide
Venice is one of Italy’s most picturesque cities. Beautiful floating palaces of stone surrounded by an ancient network of canals, built on a group of 118 islands and these small islands are linked with 400 bridges. These islands are located in the Venetian Lagoon, which sits just off of the mainland of Italy. With its Gothic architecture, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, wide piazzas, and narrow canals, Venice is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Venice is divided into six sestieri, neighborhoods that have distinctly different characters. San Marco is the heart of Venice and home to Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, and the Rialto Bridge, surrounded on three sides by a great loop in the Grand Canal.
Most tourists spend the majority of their time here, along with Dorsoduro (Pont dell’Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute), and San Polo. Santa Croce, located on the western end of Venice, is the main transportation hub. The bus station, parking garages, and train station are located here. Cannaregio, Castello, and Giudecca are where many local Venetians live, but these sestieri make great places to go for a stroll if you want to escape the tourist crowds in the heart of Venice. Finally, Murano, Burano, and Lido make great day trips from Venice, but you need to have at least three days in Venice in order to have enough time to do this.
History of Venice
Venice’s history is as dramatic as its landscape. Founded in the 5th century when locals fled to the Venetian Lagoon to escape barbarian invasions, Venice grew to become a major maritime power and the heart of a vast trading network during the Middle Ages. The city was historically the capital of the Republic of Venice for over a millennium, from 697 to 1797.
The wealth of the city built through its control of trade between Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean allowed for the creation of stunning architectural and artistic works, making it a center of the Renaissance. Notable historical figures like Marco Polo are tied to its rich past, and its unique political system and flourishing trade helped it become known as “La Serenissima,” a powerful and influential city throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.
Venice’s intricate canal system and the majestic architecture along its banks tell the story of a city that once served as a bridge between the East and West, rich with a history of commerce, art, and architecture. Today, Venice continues to be one of the world’s most awe-inspiring cities, drawing visitors from across the globe to experience its unique beauty and historical legacy.
Visiting Venice for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Venice on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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45 Best places to See in Venice
This complete guide to Venice not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Venice and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Procuratie Vecchie, St Marks Square, Venice
Location: Procuratie Vecchie, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Procuratie Vecchie, St Marks Square, Venice
Caffè Lavena
Location: Cafè Lavena, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Website | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Caffè Lavena
Procuratie Nuove
Location: Procuratie Nuove, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Procuratie Nuove
Procuratie Nuovissime (Newest Procuracies)
Location: S. Marco, 1105, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Procuratie Nuovissime (Newest Procuracies)
Piazzetta dei Leoncini
Location: Piazzetta dei Leoncini, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Piazzetta dei Leoncini
Caffè Florian
Location: Caffè Florian, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Caffè Florian
Museo Archeologico, Venice
Location: Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-7pm Apr-Oct, to 5pm Nov-Mar | Price: adult/reduced incl Palazzo Ducale €20/13, with Museum Pass free | Website | City Pass with Museums, Churches & Public Transport | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Museo Archeologico, Venice
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Location: Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Scala Contarini del Bovolo, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo Entrance Ticket | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Torre dell'Orologio
Location: Torre dell'Orologio, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: tours in English 11am & noon Mon-Wed, 2pm & 3pm Thu-Sun | Price: adult/reduced €12/7 | Website | Skip the Line Tickets | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Torre dell'Orologio
Museo Correr
Location: Museo Correr, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-7pm Apr-Oct, to 5pm Nov-Mar | Price: adult/reduced incl Palazzo Ducale €20/13, with Museum Pass free | Website | | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Museo Correr
St Mark's Campanile
Location: St Mark's Campanile, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 8.30am-9pm summer, 9.30am-5.30pm winter, last entry 45min before closing | Price: adult/reduced €8/4 | Website | Venice San Marco Tour with St. Mark's Bell Tower Tickets | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting St Mark's Campanile
Piazza San Marco
Location: St. Mark's Square, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Piazza San Marco
Basilica di San Marco
Location: P.za San Marco, 328, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy | Hours: 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 2-5pm Sun summer, to 4.30pm Sun winter | Website | St. Mark's Basilica Tour with Doge's Palace Option | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Basilica di San Marco
Harry's Bar
Location: Harry's Bar Cipriani, Calle Vallaresso, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Harry's Bar
Piazzetta di San Marco
Location: Piazzetta San Marco, Piazzetta S. Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 24 hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Piazzetta di San Marco
Biblioteca Marciana
Location: Biblioteca Marciana, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Biblioteca Marciana
Teatro La Fenice
Location: Teatro La Fenice, Campo San Fantin, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 9.30am-6pm | Website | La Fenice Opera House Entry Ticket with Audio Guide | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Teatro La Fenice
Bridge of Sighs
Location: Ponte dei Sospiri, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Bridge of Sighs
Rialto Bridge
Location: Rialto Bridge, Sestiere San Polo, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 24 Hour | Price: Free | t. Mark's, Doges Palace, Rialto, and Gondola Tour | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Rialto Bridge
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in Venice
Location: Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 8.30am-7pm summer, to 5.30pm winter | Price: adult/reduced incl Museo Correr €20/13, with Museum Pass free | Website | Stroll The Halls of Doge's Palace on a Guided Tour in Venice | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in Venice
Casa di Marco Polo, Venice
Visiting Casa di Marco Polo, Venice
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa
Location: Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa, Calle Seconda de la Fava, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10.30am-4.30pm | Price: adult/reduced €3/1.50, with Chorus Pass free | Website | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Location: Fondaco dei Tedeschi, Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Museo Fortuny
Location: Museo Fortuny, San Marco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-6pm Wed-Mon | Price: adult/reduced €10/8 | Website | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Museo Fortuny
Punta della Dogana - Pinault Collection
Location: Punta della Dogana, Dorsoduro, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-7pm Wed-Mon Apr-Nov| Price: adult/reduced €15/10, incl Palazzo Grassi €18/15 | Website | | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Punta della Dogana - Pinault Collection
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Location: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Dorsoduro, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 9.30am-noon & 3-5.30pm | Price: Entry to the church is free. sacristy adult/reduced €4/2 | Website | | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Mercato di Rialto (Rialto Market)
Location: Mercato di Rialto (Rialto Market), Calle Prima de la Donzella, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Mercato di Rialto (Rialto Market)
Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Location: Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Campo S.S. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 8.30am-noon & 3.30-6pm | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Location: Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Dorsoduro, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-6pm Wed-Mon | Price: adult/reduced €15/9 | Website | | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Ponte dell'Accademia
Location: Ponte dell'Accademia, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 24 Hour | Price: Free | | Distance: 0.7km
Visiting Ponte dell'Accademia
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro
Location: Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro, Calle Ca' d'Oro, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 8.15am-2pm Mon, to 7.15pm Tue-Sun, 2nd fl 10am-6pm Tue-Sun | Price: adult/reduced €8.50/2 | Website | Distance: 0.7km
Visiting Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Location: Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, Isola di S.Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 9am-6pm | Price: bell tower adult/reduced €6/4 | Website | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Ca' Rezzonico
Location: Ca' Rezzonico, Dorsoduro, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-5pm Wed-Mon | Price: adult/reduced €10/7.50, or with Museum Pass | Website | | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Ca' Rezzonico
Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Location: Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venezia, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, 1-6pm Sun| Price: adult/reduced €3/1.50, with Chorus Pass free | Website | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Location: Gallerie dell'Accademia, Campo della Carità, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 8.15am-2pm Mon, to 7.15pm Tue-Sun | Price: adult/reduced €12/2 | Website | | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Gallerie dell'Accademia
San Giacomo dell'Orio
Location: San Giacomo dell'Orio, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat | Price: adult/reduced €3/1.50, with Chorus Pass free | Website | Distance: 0.9km
Visiting San Giacomo dell'Orio
Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Venice
Location: Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Campo San Rocco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Price: € 8 | Website | | Distance: 0.9km
Visiting Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Venice
Church of Santa Maria Assunta - The Jesuits
Location: Church of Santa Maria Assunta - The Jesuits, Salizada dei Spechieri, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10.30am-5.30pm| Price: adult/reduced €5/4, incl museum & campanile €12/10 | Distance: 0.9km
Visiting Church of Santa Maria Assunta - The Jesuits
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Location: Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm | Price: adult/reduced €10/8 | Website | Scuola Grande di San Rocco Audioguide | Distance: 0.9km
Visiting Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia
Location: Museo di Storia Naturale Giancarlo Ligabue, Salizada del Fontego dei Turchi, Venezia, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Natural History Museum Entry Ticket | Distance: 1.0km
Visiting Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia
Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia - Santuario di Lucia
Location: Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia - Santuario di Lucia, Campo San Geremia, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 9am-1pm & 4.30-5pm Wed-Mon, 2.30-5pm Tue | Website | Distance: 1.2km
Visiting Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia - Santuario di Lucia
Church of Madonna dell'Orto
Location: Church of Madonna dell'Orto, Cannareggio, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Sat | Price: adult/reduced €3/2 | Website | | Distance: 1.3km
Visiting Church of Madonna dell'Orto
Venetian Arsenal
Location: ARSENALE DI VENEZIA, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: Access is only possible during major events and exhibitions. | | Distance: 1.4km
Visiting Venetian Arsenal
Jewish Museum of Venice
Location: Jewish Museum of Venice, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | Hours: 10am-7pm Sun-Fri Jun-Sep, to 5.30pm Sun-Fri Oct-May | Price: adult/reduced €8/6, incl tour €12/10 | Website | Private Tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice | Distance: 1.4km
Visiting Jewish Museum of Venice
Giardini della Biennale
Location: Giardini della Biennale, Calle Giazzo, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy | | Distance: 1.8km
Visiting Giardini della Biennale
Best Time to Visit Venice
Venice, with its timeless waterways and historic architecture, offers unique charms throughout the year, but some seasons enhance the experience:
Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the best times to visit Venice. The weather is mild, and the city is less crowded than in summer. This season is perfect for wandering through Venice’s alleyways and enjoying outdoor cafes before the peak tourist season begins. The city blooms with vibrant flowers, adding to the picturesque setting.
Fall (September to November): Autumn is another excellent time to visit. The weather remains warm in September and gradually cools down, providing a comfortable climate for exploring. The tourist crowds diminish, and the city regains its local rhythm. Venice hosts the famous Venice Film Festival in late August to early September, making early fall particularly exciting.
Winter (December to February): Winter is the quietest season, ideal for avoiding crowds and experiencing a more intimate Venice, with misty mornings and serene canals. Be prepared for cooler temperatures and potential acqua alta (high water), which adds a unique element to the cityscape.
Summer (June to August): Summer brings warm weather and the peak of tourist season, making the city bustling and vibrant. However, be prepared for higher prices and crowded spots. Early summer continues the excitement of the Biennale Arte, which starts in May.
Average Temperatures in Venice
- January 10°C 50°F 8
- February 12°C 53°F 12
- March 16°C 60°F 10
- April 19°C 66°F 11
- May 24°C 75°F 15
- June 28°C 82°F 12
- July 31°C 88°F 11
- August 30°C 86°F 12
- September 26°C 80°F 14
- October 22°C 71°F 12
- November 15°C 59°F 18
- December 10°C 50°F 10
Festivals held in Venice
How to get to Venice
By Air:
- Venice is served by Marco Polo Airport, located on the mainland about 8 miles from the city. The airport handles flights from major international and European cities.
- From the airport, visitors can take a bus, a taxi, or a water taxi to reach the historic city center. The Alilaguna water bus is a popular choice for a scenic route to the city.
By Train:
- Santa Lucia Train Station is the main gateway for travelers arriving by train. It’s well-connected to major Italian cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence, as well as international destinations. Exiting the train station offers a direct view of the Grand Canal, making for a grand entrance into Venice.
By Car:
- Venice is not accessible by car directly. Travelers arriving by car will need to park at Piazzale Roma or on the mainland in places like Mestre, from where they can take a train, bus, or water taxi into Venice itself.