Things to Do in Venice
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Venice, Italy, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Venice. Mind the tides, and the pigeons, we have a reputation to defend, a city built across roughly 118 small islands in a lagoon, home to a grand square Napoleon once called the drawing room of Europe, and crossed by the oldest of four bridges spanning the Grand Canal. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Venice: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the flood risk. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Venice's Roughly 118 Islands
Venice is famously built across roughly 118 small islands in a lagoon, nobody's entirely sure of the exact number, myself included, I've stopped counting. The whole city sits on wooden piles driven into the lagoon floor centuries ago, a genuinely remarkable feat of engineering that's kept the city standing this long.
A vaporetto (water bus) ride along the Grand Canal is the simplest way to appreciate this island layout from the water, a good, practical way to see the city's palazzos and canals without walking the whole route.
Best time Any time; morning for calmer canals
St Mark's Square
A grand square, described by Napoleon as 'the drawing room of Europe,' is Venice's main public square, St Mark's Square, floods regularly, I consider that a feature, not a bug, from a bathing perspective. St Mark's Basilica, with its Byzantine mosaics, and the Doge's Palace, both border the square and should sit near the top of any first visit.
Go early morning if you want the square without the peak daytime crowds, and check current tide forecasts (acqua alta) if visiting during the wetter months, flooding here is routinely part of city life rather than exceptional.
Hours Basilica daily, roughly 9.30am–5pm
Address St Mark's Square, Venice
The Rialto Bridge
The oldest of four bridges spanning the Grand Canal is the famous Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs is the other famous one, named for prisoners' last view of the city, bit grim, that one. Both reward a visit for very different reasons, the Rialto, lined with small shops, offers sweeping canal views, while the Bridge of Sighs carries a considerably darker history.
The Rialto Market, right by the bridge, makes a good morning stop, fresh produce and seafood stalls that have operated in roughly this spot for centuries, a good, everyday counterpoint to the more tourist-focused sights nearby.
Best time Morning for the market; evening for the bridge itself
Address Rialto Bridge, Venice
Best time to visit Venice
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's peak crowds and heat. For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Venice guide.
Acqua alta (seasonal high tide flooding) is most common roughly October through January, check forecasts if travelling then, particularly around St Mark's Square, which floods most readily.
Getting around Venice
Venice is entirely car-free, walking and vaporetto (water bus) are the only ways to get around, budget extra time given how easy it is to get pleasantly lost in the winding streets. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Venice and 2 Day Venice Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Keeping an eye on costs? Venice on a Budget covers what's free and where the tourist markup actually is. Travelling as a couple? Venice for Couples covers a sunset gondola and the Accademia Bridge. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in Venice breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Venice worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, few cities anywhere combine this much unique geography and architecture, St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge together represent some of the most distinctive urban scenery in Europe.
- How many days do you need in Venice?
- Three days covers St Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and a proper vaporetto ride comfortably.
- Is Venice expensive?
- Yes, one of the pricier Italian cities, particularly for accommodation and dining near the main sights, though walking the city and viewing the architecture remain free.
- What is Venice famous for?
- Being built across roughly 118 small islands in a lagoon, St Mark's Square, called 'the drawing room of Europe' by Napoleon, and the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of four crossing the Grand Canal.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
