There are no truer words than these ones: You don’t need to worry about figuring out what to do in Venice, Italy because there is so much on offer. In fact, no amount of time visiting this incredible city will feel like enough time as this gorgeous location will spoil you with so many delights that you will remain comfortably full and entertained for your entire tip.
Now if you are more of a visual person, then you will be happy to know that we are grating you access to the most delightful virtual tour of Venice. This Italian escape was so deserving o a little video montage that we had no other choice but to oblige – you’re welcome. So, feast your eyes on the ultimate escape with this short video.
What to do in Venice
Throughout this video you will get the opportunity to begin virtually visiting Venice, Italy, as we intentionally show you what you can do whilst visiting. This includes exploring a few of the canals (that are a top bucket-list contender) as well as take you through the beautifully winding streets of this wonderful city.
Now, while we are content letting the video speak for itself, we do think that it’s worth mentioning that the ancient city was a republic for 1000 years. This is relevant because from the moment you step into this wonderful city you will immediately notice that its history is still well preserved from big landmarks like St Mark’s Square to its theatres and cobbled streets. Italians are incredibly proud of their heritage and their culture, and it can be seen throughout every inch of this incredible city. So, while you peruse all of its wonders, make sure that you take in a money to fully experience all of its historical and architectural beauty.
Everything has its place; everything has been meticulously designed and everything has been steeped in beautiful history. Even if you aren’t really into cultural things, trust us when we say that you will be enthralled in the most delightful display – wherever you go! But more on that will be shown to you in this video!
From the moment that you press play on this video, you will be transported to the most marvellous city to experience, that is easily one of the most photogenic cities on the planet. It is also visual proof that when it cones to figuring out what to do in Venice, Italy, you will be thrilled at all of the things that are available to you. This video of Venice will also give you an aerial view of the buildings and waterways of the world-famous romance capital of the world. Further proving that there are plenty of things to do in Venice Italy, and you don’t even have to look that far to have experience and memories that will last you a lifetime.
And so, without further ado, here is your digital exploration through the wonderful city of Venice Italy! Warnings: May result in your purchasing a one-way ticket to Venice!
And here is a list of the top sights of the lagoon city of Venice
For tours in Venice, check out Get Your Guide:
St. Mark’s Square
St. Mark’s Square is the center of Venice’s political life and a meeting place for Venetians on festive and religious occasions. It is one of the most visited squares in the world thanks to its enchanting atmosphere and art treasures.
No trip to Venice is complete without a visit to St. Mark’s Square, and there are plenty of things to do in the area once you’re there.
Some of the most famous Venice sights and landmarks can be found in St. Mark’s Square. This large square is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, as it is home to some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
These include St. Mark’s Basilica, the Clock Tower, and the Procuraties. In addition, the square is also connected to other notable Venice attractions such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Doge’s Palace
The Palace was residence of Doges and center of politics and justice for Serene Republic.
The opulent Doge’s Palace has loomed over the tourist hub of San Marco in Venice for over a thousand years. Since 836, it has served as the seat of government and justice for the Republic of Venice. As an autonomous republic and a commercial maritime power, the Doge’s Palace played a role in the world economy for centuries.
Even today, the Doge’s Palace stands as a beautiful example of Venetian architecture. You will be truly amazed by its luxurious interiors.
Here’s how to get Doge’s Palace tickets.
St. Mark’s Basilica
It’s a building in Byzantine style, main church of city.
The construction of St. Mark’s Basilica began over 900 years ago and today it is one of Italy’s most impressive buildings. The cathedral is absolutely worth seeing and it’s one of Venice highlights!
The 8,000 square meter interiors are completely wallpapered with gilded mosaics and precious marble. You will be particularly impressed by the floor. This consists of an infinite number of small marble mosaics.
You shouldn’t miss the climb to the terrace of St. Mark’s Basilica. From there you have the best view over St. Mark’s Square, which is also one of the most beautiful sights of Venice!
Campanile di San Marco
This is the highest building in Venice, called by the Venetians “el paron de casa”, or “the master of the house”.
The St. Mark’s Tower is the freestanding bell tower of St. Mark’s Cathedral, which construction began as early as 888 AD. The original purpose for the building was to act as a lighthouse rather than a home for the cathedral bells, due to its location providing an excellent view of Venice and the lagoon.
However, centuries later in 1511, the decision was made to place the bell atop the already constructed tower.
An elevator reaches 100 meters high to where visitors can take in stunning views of both land and water while also hearing church bells toll if timed correctly with their visit hour-wise.
As Galileo Galilei did at some point during his life, many people choose to interpret constellations from this vantage point, too.
Being the tallest structure around for miles makes it quite popular among those who appreciate such things – not only because it provides great photo ops, but also because one gets bragging rights upon completion of the climb up all the stairs leading there.
Clock Tower
This is where you’ll find on the roof terrace two bronze statues ( called “Mori”), which strike the hours on a large bell.
There are many hidden details in this extraordinary building. For example, the figures of two shepherds striking a bell were cast in 1497 by Ambrogio delle Ancore. If you look closely, you’ll notice that only one of the figures has a beard. This is because he is supposed to symbolize an old man, in contrast to the younger shepherd. Not many people know this, but the bell is actually struck in a very special way by the two figures. The old shepherd strikes the hour two minutes before it’s actually time, representing the time that has already passed. Meanwhile, the young shepherd strikes the hour exactly two minutes after it’s supposed to happen, representing the time that is still to come.
Twice a year, the Torre dell’ Orologio offers a very special spectacle: on Epiphany and Ascension Day, it’s possible to watch the Magi, led by an angel, pass by the statue of the Virgin Mary every hour.
Marciana State Library
The library houses ancient manuscripts, books, paintings. This is a sight for book-lovers and avid readers. The Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana (National St. Mark’s Library) is definitely worth a visit for you.
Prominently located in the south of St. Mark’s Square, opposite the Doge’s Palace, it is one of Italy’s largest national libraries and houses some of the world’s most important collections of Greek, Latin and Oriental manuscripts – making it a must-see for history buffs too.
At the same time, the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana is also unique as being the only institution remaining from Venice’s days as a Republic.
Take in the stunning architecture
The Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Campanile di San Marco are all located within the square, making it the perfect place to get a taste of Venice’s world-famous architecture. Be sure to take your camera, so you can capture some incredible photos!
Enjoy some people watching
With its central location and beautiful setting, St Mark’s Square is one of the best places in Venice for people watching. Grab a cappuccino or gelato from one of the nearby (very expensive) cafés and enjoy observing locals and tourists as they go about their day (just be sure not fall into one of those pesky canal holes!).
Rialto
The Rialto is a lively and vibrant area of Venice, with the small church of San Giacometto (traditionally the oldest in Venice) and the colorful fruit and vegetable market and the folkloric fish market (mercato di Rialto). The Rialto is also home to the world-famous La Fenice opera house. The Rialto area was first settled by fishermen in the 5th century, and later became an important commercial center as Venice began to grow and thrive.
The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) quickly became an iconic symbol of Venice. The bridge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Venice, with its sweeping views of the Grand Canal below.
The Rialto Bridge is the most famous of the 435 bridges in Venice! It dates back to the 12th century, although the current stone structure was built in the 16th century. For over 250 years, it was the only bridge crossing the Grand Canal, making it an important link between the two districts of San Polo and San Marco. Strolling through the Rialto market stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables or seafood straight from the Adriatic Sea is a quintessential Venetian experience.
Squero
The Squero is a unique Venetian shipyard where small rowing boats are built using traditional methods. Mascarete, sandoli, caorline and of course the famous gondolas are all crafted here. Today there are only five squeri still in operation on the island, but in the past there were many more.
The tradition of building small rowing boats in Venice dates back to the 12th century. These boats were used for transportation and fishing. The first squero was built in 1174 and was located on what is now known as the Fondamenta dei Ormesini. The word “squero” comes from the Latin “sculpatum” which means “to carve”. This is because all the boats at the Squero are hand-carved from a single piece of wood. The only power tools that are used are electric drills and saws, everything else is done by hand.
If you want to see how these beautiful boats are made, you can visit one of the five remaining squeri in Venice: Ca’ di Dio, Ca’ del Serraglio, Migliara 32, Rio Marin or Sant Anna.
Accademia Bridge
The Accademia Bridge is the only wooden bridge in Venice. From here, you can enjoy some of the best views of this stunning city. The Arsenale is an ancient shipyard that’s partially open to visitors today.
You can explore it and learn all about its history in a fun and creative way. If you’re looking for a more romantic experience, take a gondola ride through the canals of Venice.
This is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. You’ll get to see some of the most famous landmarks, like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Basilica, up close.
Cannaregio & Jewish Quarter
The Cannaregio neighborhood is no longer what is used to be–a neighborhood full of locals. Nowadays, the streets are lined with tourists who had almost taken over the numerous bars. Thanks to its attractive location right next to the train station, obviously.
It feels like you are right on the beach of Rimini, with so many tourist stores, souvenir shops, and tourist bars in one spot! If you’re looking for cheap Aperol, it’s only 3 euros a glass here, which makes it much cheaper than in other areas. You can walk completely from the Rialto Bridge along the Grand Canal through the Cannaregio district. Like that, you can explore and enjoy some of the smaller alleyways, too. The Jewish quarter is especially worth seeing in Cannaregio.
It’s still quite nice to walk through the alleyways and watch all the bustle and bustle — very Venetian and authentic.
Zattere
The Zattere is a great place for a walk, with stunning views of the island of Giudecca. It’s one of our favorite spots in Venice, especially for a delicious gianduiotto from the ice cream parlor Nico or an apéritif at the kioschetto.
Walking along the Zattere, you can’t help but notice the beautiful Venetian villas that line the promenade. But did you know that these villas have a long and fascinating history? Some of the most famous Venetian families built their residences here, including the Grimani, Foscari, and Pisani. The architecture of these homes is truly unique, with each one boasting its own style. For example, Villa Foscari – also known as La Malcontenta – was designed by Andrea Palladio in 1557. It’s one of his most famous works, and it’s considered to be one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Venice.
If you’re interested in learning more about these incredible buildings, we recommend taking a guided tour. You’ll get an up-close look at some of Venice’s most iconic landmarks and hear stories about their intriguing pasts.
Venice at night
If you want to explore the unique beauty of Venice during the day, the night brings a more mystical and melancholic atmosphere. Join an intimate and exciting ghost tour in Venice and immerse yourself in the charm of the night.
Going to a concert of classical music should be an experience not missing in your itinerary. Not only the La Fenice theater or concert halls, but also the “osterie” (traditional Venetian cafes) often host free concerts in the evening. A romantic gondola ride after dark along the canals is definitely an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a lifetime.
And once you’re ready to book your flight, start booking your Venice activities below:
For more travel tips on Venice, check out the below posts:
- How to Get from the Venice Train Station to Venice City
- Movies Filmed in Venice, Italy
- Unusual Things To Do in Venice
- What to Do in Venice, Italy
