10 Great Things To Do in Venice in 2023 : Where Angie Wanders

Welcome to the enchanting city of Venice, a place where beauty and culture come together in perfect harmony.

From its winding canals and stunning architecture to its rich history and colourful islands, this Italian gem has something for everyone.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, with plenty of great things to do in Venice, you will have a fabulous trip. So, grab your map and let’s explore some of the top attractions of one of the best cities in Europe.

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Table of Contents

Map of the Best Attractions Worth Visiting in Venice

Stroll around St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

The square is the central hub of Venice and home to the St Marks Basilica, the Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Campanile and the Clock Tower.

People watch from one of the bars around the square.

Watch the water flood the square at high tide and have a paddle.

Be mesmerised by St Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace.

Enter the square at the promenade of Piazetta and Libreria Sansoviniana for a breathtaking arrival from the Grand Canal.

Enjoy refreshments at Venice’s oldest cafe – Caffe Florian.

Climb the Campanile (St Mark’s Bell Tower)

Rebuilt in 1912 after collapsing, this is an engineering masterpiece.

Put your walking shoes on to climb 323 feet to the top for incredible views.

Take a night tour of St Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace

Be in a small group with a local tour guide who will take you around both sites.

Enter the Basilica and feel as if you have it to yourself.

See the Basilica lit up from the dark in front of your eyes.

Be taken to the catacombs where St Mark’s body rests.

Learn about the Doges of Venice and their role in society.

Marvel at the interior of the Doges palace.

Book an evening tour of St Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace

Join a walking tour around Venice with a local

A walking tour in any country is a great thing to do, even more so in Venice with its maze of narrow streets. See Venice’s most famous sights and learn the history surrounding these landmarks, or head away from the city centre and discover secret spots and hidden gems with a local guide.

Or, if you fancy an evening tour of Venice, you can book one of the famous ghosts and legends guided tours.

Book a walking tour of Venice’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions.

Book a walking tour of Venice’s Hidden Gems with a local Venetian.

If you want to experience Venice after dark, book a Ghosts and Legends Evening Tour.

The tours will familiarise you with the city and its rich history within a few hours.

You can be taken from the central tourist hub and shown parts of Venice that you may not have known existed.

Learn insider recommendations for restaurants, bars and Venice trips.

Head for the rooftop at the T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi store

One of Venice’s incredible viewpoints is from a department store rooftop. Head upstairs and enjoy the 360-degree views across Venice’s rooftops and canals.

It is free to enter, but you must book a complimentary 15-minute slot online.

Take in the panoramic views from the rooftop.

Get your retail therapy fill in this historic department store.

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the famous Rialto Bridge.

Jump on the Number 1 Vaporetto from Piazzale Roma

Take a Vaporetto for a cheap way of cruising along Venice’s canals.

Hop aboard the number 1 Vaporetto at Piazzale Roma (where the buses arrive) and end up in Lido.

Costing only €8.00, this is a great way to tour the Grand Canal.

Cross beneath the Rialto Bridge and the Academia Bridge.

See the sights and sounds of the most famous canal in the world.

Eat Cicchetti like a local

Stopping for Cicchetti in Venice is a must.

Enjoy small pieces of bread with different toppings priced at €2.50 each. This is an excellent way of eating like a local Venetian.

Wash it down with wine for €2 a glass.

Stand with friends by the bar or take your snack outside and sit by a canal to eat it.

Join a foodie tour of Venice, including stops for cicchetti and prosecco.

Wander around Dorsoduro, the quieter side of Venice

Escape the crowds and explore the quieter and quainter area of Venice with its bohemian vibe.

Lose yourself in the winding alleyways.

Stop at a bar and enjoy an Aperol spritz, the famous orange-coloured Italian aperitivo.

Find Squero di San Trovaso, and you will see the gondola workshop.

Pop into Cà Macana, a famous Venetian mask shop, and buy yourself one to take home.

Visit one of the many museums and churches in the Dorsoduro.

Take a trip to the islands of Burano and Murano

Burano is a fishing village in the Venitian lagoon famous for its rainbow houses. It is a complete contrast to the architecture in Venice and one of the most popular days trips in Venice.

Jump on a number 12 Vaporetto and head to Burano.

Wander its tiny streets and marvel at the rainbow-coloured buildings.

Check out the church and its leaning bell tower.

Visit the lace shops along the main street and buy a souvenir.

Enjoy a freshly caught fish supper in this fisherman’s village.

Pre-book a trip to Burano and Murano to see the sights of these two beautiful lagoon towns.

Experience a gondola ride along Venice’s canals

One of the best things to do in Venice is a gondola ride. It may be pricey, and you may get stuck in gondola traffic jams (they are a thing here), but it is one of those bucket-list experiences in Venice you have to have.