Venice Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Venice is a magical city with iconic canals, historic palaces, and enchanting architecture. Key attractions include St. Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal, and Rialto Bridge. Don't miss a romantic gondola ride or a visit to the vibrant markets.
With 300+ hand-picked places to explore, Venice rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Venice
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Monument to Carlo Goldoni — located in Campo San Bartolomeo, this monument honors Venice's influential playwright, Carlo Goldoni. Just as worthwhile is Santa Maria della Salute: ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts, this landmark showcases Venetian resilience through its stunning architecture. St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) completes the picture: a key stop in Venice, this basilica showcases remarkable mosaics and stunning architecture as part of a city exploration.
Monument to Carlo Goldoni
Venice • Monuments & Statues
Located in Campo San Bartolomeo, this monument honors Venice's influential playwright, Carlo Goldoni.
Santa Maria della Salute
Venice • Famous Landmarks
Ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts, this landmark showcases Venetian resilience through its stunning architecture.
St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Venice • Historic Architecture
A key stop in Venice, this basilica showcases remarkable mosaics and stunning architecture as part of a city exploration.
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Venice • Historic Squares & Plazas
Ideal for couples and those seeking a peaceful retreat in Venice's historic atmosphere.
Museums & Culture in Venice
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Scuola Grande di San Rocco: integrate art and music into your Venice itinerary at this historic venue rich in cultural significance. Locals will also point you to Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute — the unique octagonal design of this Baroque masterpiece dominates the entrance to the Grand Canal in Venice. And for something different, there's Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari: incorporate a visit to this striking Gothic church into a day exploring Venice's artistic heritage.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Venice • Art Galleries
Integrate art and music into your Venice itinerary at this historic venue rich in cultural significance.
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Venice • Historical Sites
The unique octagonal design of this Baroque masterpiece dominates the entrance to the Grand Canal in Venice.
Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Venice • Historical Sites
Incorporate a visit to this striking Gothic church into a day exploring Venice's artistic heritage.
Rialto Bridge
Venice • Historical Sites
A historic stone arch bridge framing the Grand Canal, perfect for scenic views and local atmosphere.
Best Things to Do in Venice
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Venice Cooking Class with a Local Chef — experience hands-on cooking with local ingredients as you learn Venetian culinary traditions. Row Venice earns its reputation too — experience traditional Venetian rowing along the scenic canals of Venice with expert guidance. Round out the shortlist with Venice SUP Tours — explore the historic canals of Venice from a unique perspective on a stand-up paddleboard.
Venice Cooking Class with a Local Chef
Venice • Indoor
Experience hands-on cooking with local ingredients as you learn Venetian culinary traditions.
Row Venice
Venice • Outdoor
Experience traditional Venetian rowing along the scenic canals of Venice with expert guidance.
Venice SUP Tours
Venice • Sports
Explore the historic canals of Venice from a unique perspective on a stand-up paddleboard.
Venice Kayak
Venice • Outdoor
Navigate the winding canals of Venice by kayak for a distinctive perspective on this iconic city.
Where to Eat in Venice
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with La Tecia Vegana — perfect for lunch or dinner, this vegan restaurant transforms classic Italian dishes into plant-based delights. Just as worthwhile is Osteria ai Pugni: a cozy bar near Ponte dei Pugni, popular for its friendly atmosphere and local drinks. Ristorante Alle Corone completes the picture: enjoy a fine dining experience in an elegant setting that reflects Venice's culinary traditions.
La Tecia Vegana
Venice • Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants
Perfect for lunch or dinner, this vegan restaurant transforms classic Italian dishes into plant-based delights.
Osteria ai Pugni
Venice • Casual Dining
A cozy bar near Ponte dei Pugni, popular for its friendly atmosphere and local drinks.
Ristorante Alle Corone
Venice • Fine Dining
Enjoy a fine dining experience in an elegant setting that reflects Venice's culinary traditions.
Ristorante Riviera
Venice • Fine Dining
A fine dining experience along the Giudecca Canal with a focus on sustainability and local ingredients.
Venice After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Bar All'Arco: a popular stop for an authentic Venetian experience, ideal for drinks and small bites after exploring the city. Locals will also point you to Cantine del Vino già Schiavi — ideal for wine lovers seeking a relaxed atmosphere and local flavors in Venice. And for something different, there's Jazz & Co.: end your day in Venice with live jazz and craft cocktails in a cozy atmosphere.
Bar All'Arco
Venice • Pubs & Bars
A popular stop for an authentic Venetian experience, ideal for drinks and small bites after exploring the city.
Cantine del Vino già Schiavi
Venice • Pubs & Bars
Ideal for wine lovers seeking a relaxed atmosphere and local flavors in Venice.
Jazz & Co.
Venice • Live Jazz Venues
End your day in Venice with live jazz and craft cocktails in a cozy atmosphere.
The Glam
Venice • Cocktail Bars
An ideal stop for cocktails after exploring Venice's enchanting canals and historic sites.
Where to Stay in Venice
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Ca' Bonvicini — authentic 18th-century furnishings define this charming bed and breakfast in Venice's Santa Croce district. Ca' della Corte earns its reputation too — this bed-and-breakfast serves as a comfortable base for exploring the enchanting canals of Venice. Round out the shortlist with Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo — a tranquil courtyard offers a rare breakfast experience in busy Venice, near the Grand Canal.
Ca' Bonvicini
Venice • Bed & Breakfast
Authentic 18th-century furnishings define this charming bed and breakfast in Venice's Santa Croce district.
Ca' della Corte
Venice • Bed & Breakfast
This bed-and-breakfast serves as a comfortable base for exploring the enchanting canals of Venice.
Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo
Venice • Mid-Range Hotels
A tranquil courtyard offers a rare breakfast experience in busy Venice, near the Grand Canal.
B&B Bloom Settimo Cielo
Venice • Bed & Breakfast
Set in the San Marco district, this bed-and-breakfast offers scenic rooftop views of Venice.
Shopping in Venice
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Venetian Dreams — ideal for shoppers seeking unique Venetian souvenirs and exclusive jewelry designs. Just as worthwhile is Il Grifo Venezia: a quaint vintage shop on Calle della Mandola, perfect for unique finds and stories behind each piece. Mercato di Campo San Barnaba completes the picture: located in Campo San Barnaba, this market features a variety of handmade Venetian crafts and artisanal products.
Venetian Dreams
Venice • Souvenir Shops
Ideal for shoppers seeking unique Venetian souvenirs and exclusive jewelry designs.
Il Grifo Venezia
Venice • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A quaint vintage shop on Calle della Mandola, perfect for unique finds and stories behind each piece.
Mercato di Campo San Barnaba
Venice • Markets
Located in Campo San Barnaba, this market features a variety of handmade Venetian crafts and artisanal products.
Oro Gioielli
Venice • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Ideal for jewelry enthusiasts and vintage lovers seeking unique pieces in Venice.
Parks & Green Spaces in Venice
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is San Francesco del Deserto: incorporate a visit to this serene island into your Venetian exploration for a peaceful contrast to the city's bustle. Locals will also point you to Campo Santa Margherita Play Area — families can unwind at this lively playground in a bustling Venetian square, surrounded by local culture and cafes. And for something different, there's Isola di Sant'Erasmo: a tranquil stop that complements a day of exploration in Venice with its natural beauty and local produce.
San Francesco del Deserto
Venice • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Incorporate a visit to this serene island into your Venetian exploration for a peaceful contrast to the city's bustle.
Campo Santa Margherita Play Area
Venice • Playgrounds
Families can unwind at this lively playground in a bustling Venetian square, surrounded by local culture and cafes.
Isola di Sant'Erasmo
Venice • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A tranquil stop that complements a day of exploration in Venice with its natural beauty and local produce.
Parco delle Rimembranze
Venice • Parks
A peaceful park geared toward families seeking a break from the busy city atmosphere.
82 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Venice that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Venice list:
- Hidden Venice Walking Tour· Walking
- Venice Film Festival· Seasonal
- Cooking Class with Chef Lorenzo· Indoor
- The Secret Room· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
- The Clandestino· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
Planning where to stay in Venice?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
Where to Stay in Venice →Plan Your European Adventure
Explore 22,000+ places across 70+ European cities