Venice Activities: 77 Things to Do in Venice

About This Article

We put this article together for when you want a quick and compact overview of all the attractions in Venice at a glance. Prefer detailed info on the most important sights in Venice?

Then check out our article on the 22 most beautiful things to see in Venice. In it, we describe our Venice favorites in depth with plenty of tips and extra info.

Venice in 5 Facts

Did you know that…

• …Venice is a lagoon city made up of over 100 islands, connected by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges?
• …Venice was an independent republic for nearly 1,000 years and also a remarkably wealthy trading hub in Europe?
• …the city sinks about 2 mm every year, largely due to the damaging impact of massive cruise ships?
• …feeding the pigeons is prohibited and can result in a fine of around 500 euros?
• …the three to four new gondoliers each year must complete a very rigorous training program of at least 400 hours?

Those were just a few fun teasers to get you in the mood for your Venice vacation. The city has an endless number of interesting facts to offer.

So without further ado: here are our top picks for venice activities.

Classics in Venice

In this category you’ll find all the highlights that are part of the typical tourist itinerary in Venice. These are simply must-sees for anyone traveling here.

#1 St. Mark’s Square: The most important and probably the most famous square in all of Venice.

#2 St. Mark’s Basilica: Long the state sanctuary and still the most significant church in Venice. You’ll recognize it immediately by its five large domes.

Book a guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica — skip the line
#3 St. Mark’s Campanile: The bell tower belonging to St. Mark’s Basilica and, at nearly 100 meters, the tallest building in Venice. A fantastic vantage point — but expect crowds!

#4 Grand Canal: Venice’s main waterway, lined by many of the top sights. With gondolas and vaporettos coming and going, there’s always a lot going on here.

Book a gondola ride on the Grand Canal

#5 Rialto Bridge: A wide bridge of white stone spanning the Grand Canal and the photo opportunity in Venice.

#6 Doge’s Palace: The former seat of the Venetian head of state — an incredibly magnificent palace, both inside and out.

Tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica with terrace access (Tip!)

Skip-the-line ticket for the Doge’s Palace

Guided tour of the Doge’s Palace
#7 Bridge of Sighs: A bridge between the Doge’s Palace and the new prison, from which prisoners could steal one last longing glance at the city.

#8 Santa Maria della Salute: A Baroque church on the Grand Canal, built as a gesture of thanks for the end of the plague epidemic.

Our tip: The classic attractions in Venice are of course often very crowded. That’s why we recommend heading out as early in the morning as possible. While most visitors are still sitting down to breakfast, you can explore Venice relatively undisturbed. There are even special city tours that take place in the early morning hours.

Book a morning city tour

Sestieri in Venice

Venice is made up of six so-called sestieri — essentially the city’s neighborhoods. Each one has its own unique charm, and it’s definitely worth getting to know a few of them up close.

#9 Cannaregio: The most densely populated sestiere, still home to many Venetians. Few major sights, but plenty of authentic Venetian atmosphere.

Guided tour of Cannaregio
#10 Dorsoduro: A rather traditional neighborhood largely spared from tourist crowds, with lots of quirky bars, small churches, and more reasonable prices.

Private walking tour of Dorsoduro and San Polo
#11 San Marco: Essentially the tourist center of Venice, with the most famous points of interest such as St. Mark’s Square.

#12 San Polo: A neighborhood connected to San Marco via the Rialto Bridge, also home to some great attractions but noticeably less touristy.

#13 Santa Croce: Probably the least-known sestiere, but also very quiet and ideal for discovering Venice away from the typical tourist magnets.

#14 Castello: Perfect if you want to see Venice’s contrasts all in one neighborhood: glamorous boutiques in the west vs. working-class streets in the east.

Historic Buildings in Venice

Beautiful historic buildings are everywhere in Venice! Beyond the typical highlights that every visitor should see at least once, there are also many lesser-known gems that are just as beautiful — just without all the hype.

Scuole Grandi di Venezia

During the time of the Republic, there were six Scuole Grandi in Venice — essentially brotherhoods for charitable purposes. You can visit the buildings that served as their headquarters today. They’re not only stunning but also steeped in history.

#15 Scuola Grande di San Rocco: This was the wealthiest of the Scuole Grandi, and as a result houses some very valuable works of art. It’s the best preserved of all of them.

#16 Scuola Grande di San Marco: San Marco is considered by many to be the most impressive Scuola today, thanks mainly to its elaborate facade.

#17 Scuola Grande di San Teodoro: The oldest of the six Scuole. Today its two halls are used for events such as concerts.

#18 Other Scuole: There are also the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carità, di San Giovanni Evangelista, and di Santa Maria della Misericordia.

Churches in Venice

Yes, of course — Venice has churches in abundance. Here you’ll find an overview of the most important ones, plus a few insider tips that not every tourist knows about.

#19 San Giorgio Maggiore: The church takes up virtually the entire island that shares its name. From the bell tower you can see all of Venice’s top sights spread out before you.

Boat tour and entrance to the San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower
#20 Madonna dell’Orto: A beautiful church off the beaten tourist path in Cannaregio, housing important works by the artist Tintoretto.

#21 San Pantalon: An unassuming church in Dorsoduro, but the ceiling painting is a real standout — plain on the outside, jaw-dropping on the inside!

#22 Santa Maria dei Miracoli: A small architectural wonder built entirely of marble — both outside and in. A great place to find some peace and quiet.

#23 San Zaccaria: The highlight here is the flooded crypt, an underground chamber for relics. The atmosphere is almost mystical.

Other Buildings in Venice

#24 Scala Contarini del Bovolo: A spiral staircase with over 130 steps, affectionately called the snail shell (Bovolo) by Venetians.

#25 Ponte dell’Accademia: One of the four bridges over the Grand Canal and a great alternative to the Rialto Bridge for views of the canal.

#26 Torre dell’Orologio: A clock tower on Piazza San Marco. The highlight is the large blue clock, which displays not only the time but also the zodiac signs.

#27 Palazzo delle Prigioni: The word Palazzo is a bit misleading here — this is actually a prison. It’s connected to the Doge’s Palace via the Bridge of Sighs.

#28 Palazzo Grimani: A very grand palace in the Castello neighborhood, now serving as a museum for the Grimani family’s archaeological finds.

Beautiful Islands in Venice

As already mentioned, Venice consists of over 100 islands, some so small you can walk around them in just a few minutes. Here are some islands you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Venice.

#29 Murano: Considered the most important island after the main island, it’s best known for its glassmaking tradition. Perfect for shopping for jewelry and souvenirs.

Boat tour to Murano and Burano
#30 Burano: Burano is probably the most colorful island, with each little house painted a different color. One of the most beautiful places to stroll around!

Burano island tour and lace museum
#31 Torcello: Much greener than Venice’s main island, with meadows full of poppies. The top attraction on Torcello is the ancient church of Santa Maria Assunta.

Boat tour to Torcello, Murano, and Burano
#32 San Francesco del Deserto: A small oasis of calm that you really wouldn’t expect given the hustle and mass tourism on the main island.

#33 Cemetery Island San Michele: An island dedicated entirely to a cemetery — it sounds eerie at first, but the atmosphere here is truly special.

#34 Chioggia: A small island in the southern part of the lagoon, also known as Little Venice. Chioggia is especially well known for its excellent fish.

#35 Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana: Many fascinating exhibits (manuscripts, not books!) and two richly decorated halls.

Unique Experiences in Venice

In this section you’ll find a few things to do that don’t fit into the typical sightseeing categories. If you’re in the mood for something out of the ordinary, this is the place for you.

#36 Libreria Acqua Alta: An old bookshop where books are stacked in enormous piles or piled into classic gondolas all the way to the ceiling.

#37 Fondaco dei Tedeschi: A luxury department store in the historic center. The highlight is the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy a free panoramic view over the Grand Canal.

#38 Calle Varisco: At just 53 cm wide, this tiny alley is the narrowest in all of Venice. If you’re claustrophobic, you’ll want to give this one a miss.

#39 Ponte Chiodo: The last bridge in Venice with no railing whatsoever. You’d better have a good head for heights when crossing — otherwise things will get wet fast.

#40 Caga Libri: A statue whose name translates to book sh*tter. It was erected in honor of the writer Niccolò Tommaseo.

Art and Culture in Venice

Beyond gondolas and great food, Venice has a wonderful art scene and a seriously broad cultural offering. Whether you’re a closet art critic, an opera fan, or someone who doesn’t know much about culture at all — there’s genuinely something here for you.

#41 Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Probably the most famous museum in Venice, housing modern art by Picasso, Kandinsky, Max Ernst, and many more.

Ticket to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
#42 Teatro La Fenice: Italy and opera simply go hand in hand — La Fenice is the largest and truly impressive opera house in Venice.

#43 Correr Museum: One of the most important museums in Venice. Here you’ll find both historical objects and works by well-known Venetian artists.

#44 Musica a Palazzo: Not a traditional opera house, but it’s precisely the intimate atmosphere and audience involvement that make it a unique experience.

Tickets for the opera in the historic palace
#45 Galleria dell’Accademia: The second very important art museum alongside the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and really well known for its Renaissance works.

#46 Ca’ Pesaro: A beautiful palazzo right on the Grand Canal, housing a collection of modern art. A great alternative to the Peggy Guggenheim.

Museums in Venice

Venice is full of tradition, history, and the traces of brilliant minds. Whether you’re a history buff or not, these museums are well worth your time.

#47 Jewish Museum: A small museum dedicated to the history of the Jewish community and the ghetto in Venice. Admission also includes entry to two synagogues.

Walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto
#48 Leonardo da Vinci Museum: Artist, philosopher, scientist, and so much more — here you’ll learn everything about the life of this universal genius.

Ticket for the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
#49 Glass Museum Murano: If you’re on Murano, this is an absolute must-see. Glassmaking has a long tradition in Venice.

#50 National Archaeological Museum: One of the oldest museums in Venice. Fittingly, you can marvel at archaeological finds from antiquity here.

#51 Casa di Marco Polo: The rather contested birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. It’s not a proper museum, but perhaps a source of inspiration for travelers.

#52 Casino Venier: Get a glimpse into the typical gathering place for dancing, gambling, and philosophical debate during the time of the Venetian Republic.

Activities in Venice

Not really a museum person? No problem — Venice activities go way beyond museums, and you definitely won’t get bored here.

#53 Ride in a Venetian gondola: Clearly a must-do on any Venice trip. It’s not exactly cheap, though.

Ride in a Venetian gondola
#54 Stroll through the alleyways: Simply wandering through the tiny alleyways is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Venice — and it’s completely free.

#55 Visit a mask workshop: The beautiful Venetian masks are world-famous. Take a behind-the-scenes look at how they’re made.

Workshop at a mask-making studio
#56 Kayak tour through Venice: You can explore Venice not only by gondola but also by kayak. It’s a ton of fun and works great in a group too!

Kayak tour through Venice
#57 Discover Venetian street art: On the ground, on the walls, or in small shops — Venice is full of beautiful street art.

#58 Ride a vaporetto: A vaporetto is Venice’s water bus and the most common form of public transportation in the city. You’ll inevitably end up riding one sooner or later.

Buy tickets for public transportation in Venice
#59 Visit a glassblower in Venice: How is beautiful Venetian glass made? Create your own piece of glass jewelry.

Private lesson with a Venetian glass artist
#60 Beach day at Lido di Venezia: People often forget that Venice has a beach too. Perfect for when you want to treat yourself to a day of relaxation.

#61 What does a forcola maker do? The forcola is a gondolier’s oar rest. Paolo Brandolisio is one of the last craftsmen who has mastered this intricate trade.

Food and Drink in Venice

Ah, Italian cuisine is simply the best! But beyond pizza, pasta, and the rest, Venice also has its own local specialties. We’ll show you where to find the best treats in Venice.

#62 Rialto Markets: A true paradise for foodies! You’ll find delicious fruits and vegetables as well as freshly caught fish. Seriously good stuff.

Street food tour of the Rialto Markets
#63 Crostini at Osteria al Squero: A small spot right next to the Squero di San Trovaso. For just €1.50 you get a huge selection of crostini.

#64 An Aperol Spritz at sunset: One of those classic Italian aperitivos. Super tasty, and the red color just glows in the setting sun.

#65 Eat cicchetti: Think Venetian tapas — little bites of vegetables, seafood, or small sandwiches. Try as many as you can.

#66 Gelato at Suso: This ice cream shop has practically achieved cult status. Creative flavors, a great selection, and honestly just delicious.

#67 Private pasta cooking class: A fun change from just eating pasta. Plus, a private cooking class lets you dive into authentic Venetian life.

#68 Harry’s Bar: A bar dating back to the 1930s. Not only was Hemingway a regular here — Harry’s Bar is also the birthplace of the Bellini!

#69 Wine tasting: Venice is not far from numerous wineries. A short tasting excursion makes for a great day trip.

Wine and Prosecco tour through Conegliano
#70 Caffè Quadri: One of the oldest coffee houses in all of Italy, located right on St. Mark’s Square and in operation since 1775. It’s on the pricier side, though.

Gardens and Parks in Venice

After a long day of sightseeing, ready to unwind somewhere green? Venice doesn’t have a ton of parks, but we’ll show you where to find the hidden spots.

#71 Giardini della Biennale: These gardens were commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and today serve as the venue for the Biennale art festival exhibitions.

#72 Parco Savorgnan: A park in the Cannaregio neighborhood with some truly exotic plants. Perfect for a break from sightseeing.

#73 Lipu di Ca’ Roman: A nature reserve in the southern part of the lagoon, home to more than 200 different bird species.

#74 Giardino Mistico dei Carmelitani Scalzi: A small green oasis full of useful plants: from vegetable gardens to fruit trees and medicinal herbs.

Events in Venice

Haven’t locked in dates for your Venice vacation yet? Take a look and see whether you can time your trip around one of these events.

#75 Carnival in Venice: The annual highlight, a tradition spanning centuries. Throughout Carnival in February, the whole city comes alive with colorful costumes and classic Venetian masks.

#76 Venice Biennale: An international exhibition covering a wide range of art forms in the Giardini di Castello. More than 28 countries are always represented. The Biennale runs over several months, from spring through late fall.

#77 Venice International Film Festival: Part of the Biennale and in existence since 1932. From blockbusters to deeply thoughtful dramas, the film festival in early September has it all.

Extra Tip: Save Money with a Venice City Pass

When you buy a city pass, you pay once and get free or discounted admission to many sights, museums, and guided tours.

But you’re not just saving money — with a city pass you can usually also simply skip the ticket line.

For a first visit to Venice, we recommend the Venice Digital Pass. It includes three absolute must-sees: St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and a gondola ride.

Buy the Venice Digital Pass online