Top 11 Things To Do In Venice: Pure Beauty

You’ll be enthralled by Venice in every direction. This city in Italy is alluring, charming, and grand. There are plenty of things to do in Venice. It is the capital of the Veneto region in the northern part of the country, and built on hundreds of small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. If you’re familiar with movies like “The Tourist,” featuring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, and “Inferno” from author Dan Brown’s novel, they are shot here in Venice. 

Quite a number of tourists flock to Venice at any point of the year, and nobody can blame them. Some 118 islands are floating on this beautiful lagoon, with 400 bridges linking them. Each is dotted with jaw-dropping palazzos and spine-tingling artworks, so Venice is a city like no other. In this guide, you’ll learn why the city is unforgettable, with the various things to do in Venice. Welcome. 

11 Best Things To Do In Venice

Let’s go ahead and explore. Find out the best things to do in Venice. 

1. Jump From One Breathtaking Architecture To The Next At Piazza San Marco

The waterfront square that is Piazza San Marco is a vivid definition of Venice. With the resplendent rolling domes of the basilica, the vast Campanile or belltower imposing its shadow around this square, and the centuries-old cafés situated underneath stately porticos, there are so many things to do in Venice while you’re here at Piazza San Marco. 

Start your tour here at the Basilica di San Marco, a Byzantine era basilica that houses golden mosaics inside it. Then, head over to the Campanile, now with elevators that take you up 323 feet for jaw-dropping views of the city and its lagoon. 

Continue your journey to the Museo Corner, located at the square’s opposite end from the basilica. This place tells the story of Venice through its displays. 

Then, if you wish to know more about these architectural icons better, visit Venice’s best bookshop, the Libreria La Toletta in Dorsoduro, where you can read books about the city. If you have kids in tow, take them to Ponte dei Sogni in Castello, where they can find picture books that also tell the city’s history. 

True, walking around this popular square in Venice can be tiring. So, if you need to give yourself a break, stop for a coffee or spritz at Quadri, an 18th-century café that has been a favorite among travelers.

2. Cruise The Venetian Canals Aboard A Gondola

If you think about Venice, you’ll be imagining those boats called gondolas that ply the city’s canals. And you are right. Cruising the Venetian canals aboard a gondola is one of the things to do in Venice that you should not ever miss. 

Yes, this experience may be too cliché and super-touristy, especially for those who want to see this Italian city from a different perspective. But, your visit to Venice won’t be complete without a gondola ride through the city’s canals, such as its two-mile Grand Canal. But, this is not for free. However, there are hints you can follow to save on the costs of experiencing this. 

Previous travelers here say you actually do not need to reserve in advance for a gondola ride. Instead, you can talk to a gondolier in-person on the day you wish to cruise. You can negotiate a lower price and longer ride, more so if you are traveling during off-peak seasons, or if you chance upon a gondolier along the city’s side streets.

Welcome to this “things to do in Venice” guide. There’s more to Venice than just the activities. Take a look at our story about the best photography spots in Venice. 

3. Visit Palazzo Ducale, The Republic Of Venice’s Seat Of Power For About 900 Years

Viewing the Palazzo Ducale or the Doge’s Palace – which is also part of Piazza San Marco – from the Venetian Lagoon is ethereal. It’s as if the palace is floating on top of the water. And this ambience just reflects its story and the things to do in Venice while you’re here. 

The vast Palazzo Ducale was the Republic of Venice’s seat of power for around 900 years. Everything from execution orders to the affairs of the Venetian leaders was done here, as evident from the various secret passageways and hidden doors that reveal its mysterious past. 

Today, this palace, with its pink and white façade standing against the lagoon, houses stunning works of art. But aside from Palazzo Ducale itself, you can also visit the famous Bridge of Sighs and through the grim prisons, the latter being best for kids. 

4. See The Famous Rialto Bridge

Everyone who visits Venice also wants to see the famous Rialto Bridge, not just to experience a gondola ride. Several centuries past, if you wanted to cross the Grand Canal, you could only do so via this bridge. But today, there are already four major bridges crossing the canal. Yet, Rialto Bridge is still the most popular. 

The current look of Rialto Bridge is the handiwork of Antonio da Ponte, a name that isn’t as loud as those of Michelangelo and Palladio, but da Ponte beat the two for the bridge. Aside from the fact that his name translates to “Anthony of the Bridge,” he also built the Rialto Bridge wholly of Istrian stone after it collapsed many times from its previous designs. This construction style was predicted to fail by critics (was it because da Ponte is not as famous as Michelangelo?), but surprisingly, the bridge still stands strong until today. 

There are various things to do in Venice while you’re here. For one, there’s a market on the western portion of the bridge that has been there for over 1,000 years now. It may not be a trading hub, but it still features a fish market, and stalls that sell fruits and vegetables.

5. Immerse Yourself In World-Class Art At Gallerie dell’Accademia

Originally an academy, the Gallerie dell’Accademia building was later turned into a museum by none other than the influential Napoléon Bonaparte. Today, it is one of the finest art museums in Italy. 

Visiting this place takes you through its buildings loaded with works that once were displayed from Venice’s church walls, also telling about the story of Venetian art along the way. You can see pieces by Paolo Veneziano, Carpaccio, Mantegna, Bellini, Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese. Thinking that they are generally Renaissance? Well, the museum consists mostly, if not all, of Renaissance art. So, if you admire Renaissance art, this is one of the things to do in Venice that you should never miss.

Aside from this “things to do in Venice” guide, we’ve also listed the city as one of the Top 25 Photographic Locations in the World!

6. Eat As The Locals Do: Go On A Food Tasting Walking Tour Around Venice

Wondering what Venetian cuisine tastes like? Participate in this food tasting walking tour around the city. This tour will make you understand that Italian food is more than just pizza and pasta, as it offers a tasteful introduction to Venetian dishes.

Aside from that, you’ll also gain an insider’s perspective on where to drink and dine in the city, as you sample a wide range of local favorites, such as fresh seafood, homemade gelato, regional wines, and traditional Venetian cookies. As they say in Italian, “Buon appetito!”

7. How About A ‘Secret Venice’ Walking Tour?

How much do you know about Venice? Perhaps quite a lot, right? Especially if you have visited this city countless times. However, with this walking tour, you’ll learn about “secret Venice” or things to do in Venice that most tourists haven’t experienced yet. 

Your Venetian guide will ask you to stroll around authentic local neighborhoods that hide captivating gems. You’ll also be delving into the histories and lores of the Jewish Ghetto, Cannaregio, and San Polo district, and stopping to admire the much quieter canals and tiny artisan workshops that still make traditional masks and gondolas. This is one of the most unique things to do in Venice that you should experience.

8. Take Photos Of Burano’s Candy-Colored Cottages

Nowadays, many tourists flock to Burano to take photos of and selfies with its gorgeous candy-colored cottages. While this is one of the best things to do in Venice while you’re here, it is only part of a bigger picture. 

Another special place in this lagoon is a fishing community that has been existing since the Medieval period. Burano’s relative isolation in the northern lagoon, which is a 45-minute Vaporetto ride from Venice, has kept its culture intact. Or perhaps, until this place became popular amongst tourists.

As you visit this place, you may want to give tips or donations to help boost its tourism. 

If you are loving this “things to do in Venice” guide, for sure, you will also love this story about the best natural wonders in Italy. 

9. Learn And Feel The Painful Story Behind Venice’s Jewish Ghetto 

Aside from the fact that the sinister-sounding term “ghetto” actually came from the Venetian word, “geto,” which means foundry, Venice’s hidden history has been tied with the Jews in this area. During the mid-16th century, Jews in Venice were forced to relocate and settle to a small northwestern section of the island, particularly in this Jewish ghetto. 

Touted as the world’s first ghetto, the Jewish residents here were only permitted to leave the neighborhood during the day since they are locked up at night and guarded (like the feeling of the recent pandemic lockdowns). 

But those things have passed. Today, this area is already part of the Cannaregio sestiere or district, and is booming with shops and restaurants, as well as several synagogues which are open for touring. If you want to learn about Venice’s relations with the Jews, visiting the Jewish ghetto is one of the recommended things to do in Venice. 

10. Head To Murano, The Home Of Venetian Glass-Making Since The 13th Century

Murano has been the residence of Venice’s glass-making since the 1200s. Today, artisans still continue to ply their trade at the workshops located around the island. If you wish to learn about local manufacturing traditions and see a collection of historic glass, you need to visit the Museo del Vetro. But here, you’ll also learn a very interesting fact about Venetian glass-making.

Glass-making in Venice is not originally Venetian. As you tour Museo del Vetro, you’ll learn that the art of glass-making was originally perfected in the Middle East. It only reached Venice through the Medieval trade that linked the city with Syria, allowing the former to copy it and take it to new horizons. Looking for insightful things to do in Venice? This is the place to be.

11. Go Church-Hopping

Religion and faith in Venice are as strong as in other cities in Europe, especially that the city’s best artworks are found inside its churches. Thus, church-hopping is one of the must-try things to do in Venice. If you can do bar-hopping and island-hopping, it’s all about church-hopping in Venice.   

But, in a city which has a church for every day of the year (as legend indicates), it is rather confusing where to get started. Past tourists in Venice suggest that you buy a Chorus pass. This ticket already has 18 of Venice’s loveliest churches. 

Churches are around the city, all are worth visiting, but the standouts would have to be the Santa Maria dei Miracoli – a marble-clad Renaissance wonder – and San Sebastiano, which Paolo Veronese almost entirely frescoed and painted.

Can’t get enough of this “things to do in Venice” guide? Or should we say, can’t get enough of Italy? How about knowing the best activities in beautiful Milan? Click this link for the story.

Things To Do In Venice: Travel Tips For First-Time Travelers To This City

There’s a popular saying that goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Rome is another city in Italy, but not too far from Venice. Thus, this adage also applies here. This proverb means it is best to follow traditions or customers of a place that you visit. 

Sure, Venice is wonderful. There are so many things to do in Venice. But the last thing you want to happen is to be surprised by something you don’t know about this place. So, let’s prevent mishaps. Find out some travel tips for first-timers visiting Venice.

• When choosing the best time to visit Venice, there are three major factors to consider: the crowds, the weather, and the things to do in Venice. If you want to avoid the crowd, do not visit on a weekend, during late spring and summer, and during Carnival. 
• For the best Venice experience, it is highly recommended that you choose to stay within the city’s historical portion. In other words, prefer to stay on the “island” instead of the “mainland.”
• Feel free to lose yourself in the sights. In other words, forget about Google Maps. 
• Be sure to get on the gondola tours. 
• You can find several affordable foods in Venice. You don’t have to spend so much just to try the local cuisine! For instance, a good and authentic bacaro serves tasty and affordable finger food enough to keep you stuffed and satisfied as you go on with your tour.
• If you booked a guided tour, make sure your tour guide is a local. 
• Take some time to enter artisan shops to discover centuries-old crafts. This way, you get to experience the real deal.
• Pack light and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking in Venice. 

La Serenissima

Nicknamed “La Serenissima” or “the Most Serene,” Venice is one of the prime destinations worldwide. Venice offers a captivating blend of culture, history, and unique experiences. From exploring its enchanting canals and admiring beautiful architecture, to indulging in tasty flavors and discovering the city’s hidden gems, you will never fall short of activities in this stunning city.

Losing yourself in the Venetian charm is easy. There’s an endless list of things to do in Venice while you’re here. It’s just pure beauty when you’re in Venice.