Many years ago, while my friends and I (Bolle) were traveling across Europe by train, we naturally also visited the beautiful and unique city of Venice. We spent three days there and visited the famous Venice sights, such as the bustling St. Mark’s Square, the pretty Rialto Bridge, the typical Venetian gondolas, and the many narrow streets of the island city. The unique lagoon city on the Adriatic coast in northeastern Italy was built on more than 100 islands and awaits you with many great highlights. In the following article, we’ll show you the top sights in Venice that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Enjoy browsing!
- Sights in Venice
- The best time to visit Venice
- Sights in Venice – Beaches on the island of Lido
- Cool hotels
- Arrival in Venice
- Airport transfer
- Transport & local mobility
- Sights in Venice – Travel reading
Sights in Venice
The lagoon city is bursting with highlights and you should allow yourself enough time to explore the great spots. In the following map, we’ve marked the most important sights in Venice, as well as a few cafés, hotels, and special shops.
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1. Grand Canal
If you take a look at Venice on Google Maps, you’ll certainly notice the much larger river. This is the so-called “Grand Canal”, which is almost 4 kilometers long and between 30 and 70 meters wide. This canal is also the main waterway, winding its way through the lagoon city in an S-shape. Numerous churches, palaces, museums, hotels, restaurants, and other interesting sights await you along the canal.
2. Rialto Bridge
You’ve surely heard of the famous Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), right? This structure is one of Venice’s top sights and, at 48 meters long, spans the Grand Canal. Perhaps you’re now wondering why this bridge is so special?
Ships have docked here for centuries to sell their (sometimes luxurious) goods in the city. The bridge thus became the central trading center in the lagoon city. But be careful: the crowds here are huge! It’s best to visit the bridge very early in the morning or late in the evening. Another bridge worth seeing is the Ponte dell’Accademia.
3. Venice Sights – Mercato di Rialto
The popular Rialto Market is just a 5-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and awaits you with a large selection of fruit and vegetables. Right next door, the tour continues to the fish market, where you can buy fresh fish from the Adriatic, as well as seafood, crabs, and much more. Numerous restaurants, bars, and cafés have also settled around the Rialto Market.
4. The Imposing St. Mark’s Square
If you stroll through Venice, sooner or later you will come across St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco). This enormous square is impossible to miss, as it is 175 meters long and an impressive 82 meters wide. It is home to numerous luxurious restaurants and cafés, as well as the 99-meter-high clock tower (Campanile di San Marco).
Napoleon once described St. Mark’s Square as “the most beautiful salon in Europe.” As part of a guided tour, you can take an elevator to the top of the church tower and enjoy the magnificent view over the square and the lagoon city. It’s best to book your ticket in advance to avoid the extremely long wait times. The tower is open Monday to Sunday between 9:45 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Click here for tickets.
5. St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Square is also home to the world-famous St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), which you shouldn’t miss. Take enough time to explore this impressive building. The two-story façade alone, with its five domes, five portals, and elaborate mosaics, is a real eye-catcher. The northern portal Sant’Alipio dates back to the 13th century and depicts St. Mark’s Basilica during this period. Furthermore, the facade is covered with numerous sculptures and around 2,600 ancient columns.
But it’s not just the facade that will amaze you; the interior of the basilica will also leave you speechless. Inside, you’ll find four mighty pillars and six columns divided into three naves. The walls, floors, and ceilings are also covered with countless mosaics, covering a total area of more than 8,000 square meters. These mosaics thus form one of the largest contiguous mosaic surfaces in the world. Amazing, right? Due to the extensive use of gold, the cathedral is also nicknamed the “Golden Basilica.”
You can visit St. Mark’s Basilica free of charge; you only need a valid ticket for some additional rooms (Treasury, St. Mark’s Museum, Altarpiece) and for the view from the bell tower. We recommend booking your ticket in advance to avoid the long lines. The basilica is open Monday to Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can visit the cathedral on Sundays between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- St. Mark’s Basilica: Skip-the-line tour with Pala d’Oro*
- Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica: Skip-the-line tour with terrace access*
- St. Mark’s Basilica: Skip-the-line tour with gondola ride*
6. Doge’s Palace
One of the most important sights in Venice is the Doge’s Palace, which was built in 1340 as the seat of government. The imposing palace offers you an insight into the lives of the city’s rulers and illustrates how powerful and important the government and judicial bodies once were. The architecture is a mix of Gothic and Venetian architecture.
Inside, you can admire various halls with stucco, magnificent ceilings, gilded carvings, and enormous paintings. The Doge’s Palace is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To avoid long waits, we recommend booking your priority entrance ticket online in advance. Book your ticket here*, which includes access to the National Archaeological Museum, the Civic Museum, and the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.
7. Venice Sights – Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace with the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) and bears this name for a very specific reason. On the final meters to their imprisonment, the prisoners crossed this bridge and, with a deep sigh, cast a last glance at freedom.
The 11-meter-long bridge may seem inconspicuous, but with its historical background, you look at it from a different perspective. The best view of the bridge is from the opposite bridge, “Ponte della Paglia”.
8. Cannaregio – The Jewish Quarter
Be sure to also visit the Jewish Quarter (Cannaregio), which is located in the north of the island city and is formed by 33 islands. This district is known for its 16th-century Jewish ghetto and, among other things, awaits you with the Strada Nova, a tourist mile with numerous souvenir shops, stores, hotels, bars, and restaurants. Stroll through the many alleys and side streets, explore the magnificent Ca’ d’Oro Palace, the ancient churches, and picturesque bridges.
9. Scuola Grande di San Rocco
In the Middle Ages, charitable “associations” (also called confraternities) were formed in Venice, each dedicated to a specific social and professional goal. Located in the San Polo district is the “Scuola Grande di San Rocco”, the best-preserved of the six great schools or confraternities.
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco became famous for the over 60 paintings by the artist Jacopo Tintoretto, which you can admire in the impressive interior. The “school” is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the ticket office closes at 5 p.m. Admission costs €10 per person.
10. Venice Sights – Teatro La Fenice
There are countless buildings in Venice that are truly worth seeing. One of these buildings is the Teatro La Fenice, which is located right in the city center. It is the largest and most famous opera house in the island city and is also one of the most important opera houses in the world. Operettas and classical operas are still performed in this theater, conducted by Italy’s best conductors. The theater has more than 1000 seats and awaits you with excellent acoustics and a 98-piece orchestra.
Be enchanted by the elegance and beauty of this theater and immerse yourself in the world of Venice’s most important opera house. Book a ticket and explore the theater on your own. With an audio guide, you can also learn all the interesting background information about the theater. You can of course also take a guided tour or attend a performance directly. Click here for your admission ticket*.
11. Santa Maria della Salute
The Baroque church Santa Maria della Salute is one of Venice’s most famous sights, located between the Bacino di San Marco and the Grand Canal. It was built in honor of the Virgin Mary between 1630 and 1687. Its bright limestone façade and its expansive domes are particularly striking.
Although you can see this church from many corners of the city, you can only reach it by ferry (Salute stop) or across the Ponte dell’Accademia bridge. The church is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Sundays, you can visit the site between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free; you only pay €4 if you want to visit the sacristy.
12. Carnival in the Lagoon City
You’ve probably heard something about the famous and historic Carnival in Venice, right? This festival has been celebrated since 1162, and not just on one day, but for ten consecutive days.
You can expect colorful and pompous costumes, elegant masks, glamorous balls, lots of music, entertainment, feasts, and fireworks. It all starts on February 19, 2022, in St. Mark’s Square with an exciting parade through the narrow streets of the city. The parade of the best costumes on the second weekend is particularly popular.
- Venice: Workshop – Create your own Carnival mask*
- Venice Carnival: 4-Hour Grand Ball Gala Dinner & Show*
- Venetian Carnival Pub Crawl*
- Venice Carnival Walking Tour and Life of Casanova*
13. San Giorgio Maggiore
The small island of San Giorgio Maggiore is located opposite San Marco and is also one of the city’s top landmarks. On this island is the church of the same name, San Giorgio Maggiore, which is still a magnificent Renaissance basilica today. A unique garden labyrinth, a Vatican Chapel, a cultural center in the monastery, and beautiful views from the church tower await you on the island. You can book your island tour here*. You can reach the island with the public water bus number 2.
14. Traditional Gondola Ride
Would you like to take a traditional gondola ride through the small canals of the lagoon city and admire Venice from the water? Countless gondoliers await you in Venice, offering you various tours and prices. A tour with other tourists usually costs between €30 and €35 per person (6 people in total in the boat).
You can also book a private tour, although this is significantly more expensive, at at least €100. Then you won’t have to share the boat with strangers and can relax and be chauffeured through the picturesque canals with your companion. A ride usually lasts 30 minutes.
- Small group gondola ride on the Grand Canal from €34 per person*
- Private gondola ride on the Grand Canal from €159 per person*
- Private gondola ride to the Bridge of Sighs from €120 per person*
- Gondola ride with the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge from €90 per person*
- Venice: Private gondola ride with lunch or dinner from €109 per person*
15. Excursion to Burano
Colorful, more colorful, Burano! Have you ever heard of the small island of Burano? It is primarily known for its numerous colorful fishermen’s houses lined up along the canals. For this reason, the car-free island is also called the “most colorful island in the world.” Make yourself comfortable in one of the many restaurants and enjoy delicious fish and seafood fresh from the lagoon. You can also visit the Museo del Merletto and the ancient church of St. Martin Vescovo with its leaning tower during a walking tour. The island is about 45 minutes from Venice and is best reached by water bus (lines 12 and 14). You can also join one of the popular tours that visit the lagoon’s three most beautiful islands (Murano, Burano, and Torcello). You can purchase the transport tour to the islands for just €18 (book here*) or book a guided tour for €36 (book here*). Alternatively, you can also purchase a day ticket for the water buses* if you plan to travel further that day anyway.
The Best Time to Visit Venice
We were in Venice in August because we wanted to do our European train trip in the summer. We also didn’t have university during that time. In retrospect, we can definitely recommend not traveling to Venice in the summer. It was very busy at all the sights, and the narrow streets were packed with people. I’ve never seen such a crowded city before; it was truly crazy! Another negative aspect was the unbearable heat in the narrow streets and the unpleasant stench from the canals.
If you have to rely on the summer months (July and August), you’ll probably have to live with these negative aspects. However, if possible, travel to Venice during the off-season. It’s not quite as hot and not as crowded. Hotel stays are also somewhat cheaper during the off-season. On our next trip to Venice, we’ll definitely choose the off-season!
Venice Sights – Beaches on the Island of Lido
You don’t just want to go sightseeing, but also want to unwind and swim in the sea? No problem! You’ll also find beautiful beaches around Venice that are perfect for a short swim. We took the water bus over to the approximately 12-kilometer-long island of Lido, where most of the beaches are located. Some beaches are public, while others are private and subject to a fee. The public beaches are: Spiaggia di San Nicolò, Spiaggia di Murazzi, Alberoni Beach, and Bluemoon Beach.
You’ll quickly notice the many beach huts available for rent. These huts are equipped with loungers, parasols, tables, and chairs, and are, of course, not exactly cheap. You’ll also find numerous restaurants and bars along the beach promenades where you can grab a snack or two. You can reach the island by water bus (vaporetto), which all arrive at the “Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta” harbor (Lido SME for short). The ferry ride only takes around 15 minutes and costs at least €10.50 (the price for a one-way water bus ride).
Cool Hotels
We spent 3 days in Venice and stayed right in the city center. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name or where exactly it was located. It was a simple and inexpensive room for 4 people. In the following overview, we’ve picked out a few really nice hotels that we would book ourselves immediately. Do you know of any other great places to stay in Venice? Let us know in the comments.
Our pick:
Book a room here*
This small but fine hotel is located in the Dorsoduro district and is housed in a 15th-century building. The rooms are all decorated in typical Venetian style and feature a comfortable bed, TV, storage space, and a bathroom with a shower. In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast to start the day full of energy.
4.5 out of 5 points* on Tripadvisor
Book a room here*
The Palazzo Orseolo awaits you in a prime location, just a few meters from St. Mark’s Square. From some rooms, you can overlook the canals and watch the gondoliers at work. Look forward to air-conditioned rooms with a large double bed, storage space, TV, coffee maker, safe, bathroom, and shower. You can also use the designer toiletries in the bathroom free of charge.
4.5 out of 5 points* on Tripadvisor
Book a room here*
This charming boutique hotel is located in the Jewish Quarter and awaits you with very elegant and stylish rooms. All rooms feature a desk, TV, bed, minibar, bathroom, and wardrobe. A continental breakfast buffet is served in the morning. The famous Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square are just a 10-minute walk away.
4 out of 5 points* on Tripadvisor
Book a room here*
This 4-star hotel is located directly on the Grand Canal and is just a few minutes’ walk from numerous attractions. The spacious rooms are modernly furnished and feature a comfortable bed, desk, seating, TV, coffee maker, bathroom with shower, and other amenities. The roof terrace overlooking the canal is particularly noteworthy.
4.5 out of 5 points* on Tripadvisor
Arriving in Venice
By train: We traveled through Europe by train (InterRail) and therefore also took the train to Venice. The good thing about it is that you arrive directly at the island city’s Santa Lucia station. You pass the long “Ponte della Liberta” bridge, which connects the mainland with the lagoon city. A truly magnificent journey with a view! The train journey from Munich to Venice takes around 7 to 8 hours and costs from around €45. Book tickets here*.
By car: You should only travel by car if you absolutely have no other option. The island city itself has no roads, and for this very reason, the few parking spaces around the train station and terminals are very expensive. Alternatively, you can park on the mainland (Venice City Park is inexpensive) and then continue to the island by bus, train, or boat.
By plane: Most vacationers probably arrive by plane. Venice has its own international airport (Marco Polo Airport), which is 12 kilometers from the city. Flights to Venice start at an incredible €14 round trip and depart from all over Germany. Some airlines also fly to Treviso Airport (TSF), which is 42 kilometers from Venice. We’re not big fans of cheap flights and would prefer the environmentally friendly train option.
Airport Transfer
Once you’ve reached Marco Polo International Airport, there are several options for getting to Venice city center. You can continue on by shuttle boat, bus, taxi, or water taxi. In the table below, we’ve listed the prices and linked the relevant providers for you. The fastest way is with the express buses, which will take you to Venice in just 20 minutes. The ticket costs just €8 per person.
Local Transport & Mobility
As we mentioned at the beginning, you can easily get around the city on foot. Especially in the city center, you can get from one sightseeing attraction to the next quickly. There are also water buses (public ferries) that travel on various routes through Venice and the surrounding area. Line 1 travels the entire Grand Canal in 45 minutes, making it a sort of “sightseeing line.” If you don’t feel like making more than 20 stops, you can take Line 2, which is an express line and only stops about five times between the train station, the Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Square. The entire journey takes around 30 minutes. Lines 1 and 6 take you from Venice to the island of Lido. Lines 12 and 14 take you to Burano, Line 4 to Murano, and Line 12 to Torcello. A one-way trip on the water bus costs €10.50 and is valid for 75 minutes. You can travel more cheaply with the day ticket, which costs “only” €23. This allows you to travel on the water buses in Venice and the surrounding area (including Lido, Murano, Burano, and Torcello) all day long. The 2-day ticket costs €33, the 3-day ticket costs €43, and the weekly ticket starts at €63. You can get your ticket for the water buses here*.
Venice Sights – Travel Reading
Want to learn more about Venice? With the travel guide from DuMont-Verlag*, you’ll learn all about the top sights in Venice on 308 pages, along with some great tips. The travel guide from Reise Know-How Verlag*, with a total of 156 pages, also receives excellent reviews. Here, you’ll also learn all about the city’s top highlights, get cool information on excursion tips, and plenty of inspiration.