All Articles 3 perfect days in Venice

3 perfect days in Venice

By Maria Kirsten Adelmann9 Jan 2024 10 minutes read
Woman walking through arcade leading to St Mark's Square, in Venice, Italy
St Mark's Square
Image: Francesco Vaninetti Photo/Getty Images

Venice is one of those cities where you want to put on your fanciest clothes first thing in the morning and take pictures on every street corner to make your friends back home jealous. Its blue canals, crumbling palazzos, Renaissance architecture, and grand piazzas are like something out of a fairytale.

While you could easily spend a week here, three days is the ideal amount of time to pack in the best of the city. Our itinerary covers Venice's main attractions, coolest neighborhoods, and most famous lagoon islands, including Burano, with its bright, Instagram-worthy houses, and Murano, world-famous for its hand-blown glass.

We've organized days by location, so you're not zigzagging back and forth across the city. Each activity includes plenty of stops to rest and recharge with Venice's other showstoppers like lagoon-fresh seafood, cicchetti (Venetian tapas and the city's happy hour staple) and plenty of lagoon views and boat rides.

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DAY ONE

Sunrise at Doge's Palace in St Mark’s square, Venice, Italy
Doge's Palace
Image: Matteo Colombo/Getty Images

MORNING: Bask in the splendor of San Marco

Start your day early on Venice's most famous square, Piazza San Marco, which is packed with architectural wonders and a gorgeous view of the lagoon. Napoleon once called the plaza "the world's most beautiful drawing room." Your first stop is the Basilica di San Marco, an astounding cathedral with spiky Gothic pinnacles, a gilded interior, and 4,000 square meters of mosaics.

Take your time exploring the basilica, then make the trip to the top of Campanile di San Marco. Unlike other famous European bell towers, this guy's got an elevator, so the only breathtaking thing about it is the absurdly stunning view.

Lines can get out of control at these locations, so your best bet is to book ahead. If you do, you can probably wrap up both sites in 90 minutes rather than hours if you're in a hurry. And don't forget to wear church-appropriate attire.

After taking in the basilica, wander around the square and the narrow alleyways of the charming San Marco neighborhood. Make sure to grab a pre-lunch gelato at Gelato Fantasy, one of the area’s best gelaterias.

AFTERNOON: Visit a gilded palace and view Venetian art

It may not be the Italian way, but we'd opt for an early lunch at Caffe Florian on San Marco Square. This meal is less about the food than the atmosphere—the 18th-century cafe is one of the oldest continuously operating cafes in the world and once hosted the likes of Casanova, Goethe, and Proust. The gilded rooms with red velvet seats are great for photo ops, but if you want to save a few bucks, eat at the bar, where dishes cost half as much.

Now it's time to hit the square's other main attraction, Doge's Palace, a Gothic masterpiece where the Venetian head of state once lived. You can easily spend two or three hours here soaking in the gilded and frescoed ceilings and checking out picturesque spots like the golden stairs, and the white limestone Bridge of Sighs, where long-ago prisoners took in their last views of Venice.

After the palace, cross the canal to visit Gallerie dell'Accademia and admire Venetian masterpieces by Bellini, Titian, and others. Most days, the museum is open until 7:15 pm, so you'll have plenty of time to look around.

DOGE'S PALACE TOUR OPTIONS

  • Tripadvisor reviewers rave about the 75-minute Secret Itinerary Tour, which takes you behind the scenes at Doge's Palace. It's run by the museum and fairly inexpensive (tickets include palace entry), but you've got to book ahead.
  • See both of the day's main attractions in one swoop with the three-hour Legendary Venice Tour, which covers both the Basilica di San Marco and Doge's Palace. Tour guides are exceptional, putting the sights in context, plus you get special access to a terrace with a view over the square.
  • If you'd rather go it alone, the Doge Palace audio tour is worth the few extra bucks. Be sure to bring an ID—they'll hold it until you return the guide.

EVENING: Aperol Spritzes, lagoon seafood, and the Grand Canal

Revive yourself with cicchetti and an Aperol spritz or red wine along the canal at the low-key Cantine del Vino Gia Schiavi. (If you really go to town here, you can skip dinner altogether.)

Afterward, enjoy an evening tour of the Canal Grande. If you can swing it, gondola rides are a tourist favorite for good reason, but expect to spend about 80-100 euros for your 30-minute ride. Budget travelers don't have to miss out—take the #1 Vaporetto from S. Maria del Giglio to Plaza Roma for a 40-minute canal tour at one-eighth the price.

Still hungry? Rio Novo Ristorante Pizzeria serves up fresh-caught lagoon seafood. If you've got gas in the tank after a serious day of sightseeing, it's just a ten-minute walk to Campo Santa Margherita, a busy square that only gets livelier at night.

Travelers say: "Doge's Palace was absolutely one of my favorite places to visit during our European adventure. This history is amazing, and the rooms are spectacular. One was over 50 meters long, and it's astounding how complicated it would have been to build such an enormous room with no pillars in the middle to hold up the ceiling. We must have taken over 100 pictures each. Would 100% make sure this is a high priority during your visit." —@RjessMMM

Worthy detours along the way

DAY TWO

Spicy Seafood Soup at Gio’s, in Venice
Gio’s
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Bridges, basilicas, and other delights

Be sure to hit Rialto Market for Venice's vibrant fresh produce and fish first thing in the morning. It's a favorite of both tourists and locals and will give you a little taste of local life. Next, walk across the ornate Rialto Bridge, an iconic, shop-lined bridge. The family-owned Gioielleria Eredi Jovon is a gem for genuine souvenirs like classic cameo necklaces and Murano glass earrings. Once across the water, enjoy the free view at T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi, a terrace on top of a shopping mall (it opens at 10:15 a.m. and book tickets in advance).

Next, take the 15-minute walk to the brick, gothic Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Inside, you'll find works by Bellini, Titian, and Donatello. Right around the corner, the must-see Scuola Grande di San Rocco awaits with Tintoretto's unbelievably ornate painted ceilings, sometimes compared to the Sistine Chapel (sans seething crowds).

RIALTO MARKET AND BEYOND; VENICE FOOD TOUR OPTIONS

AFTERNOON: Canal-side lunch and modern art

Sit down for a seafood lunch at the canal-side Osteria Fanal Del Codega. Once you've refueled, take the 15-minute walk to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Detour for gelato at Gelateria il Doge—more than one Tripadvisor reviewer has claimed it serves up the best gelato they've ever eaten.

Next, peruse Peggy Guggenheim's massive personal collection of modern European and American art. All those Picassos and Dalis are displayed in her one-time home—an 18th-century palace.

EVENING: An iconic opera house and a corner pub

Chill out with your daily dose of cicchetti and drinks at the affordable and relaxed Corner Pub. Next up is an evening performance at Teatro La Fenice, one of the world's most famous opera houses. It doesn't matter what kind of show you see, an orchestral performance, concerto, or opera; the theater itself, with its layers of golden balconies and heavenly baby blue ceiling, is enough to blow you away.

If you want to end the day with a classy bang, Gio's is truly exceptional, with views as delicious as its seafood.

Worthy detours along the way

Travelers say: "You will never see a grander achievement than Tintoretto's work in Scuola Grande di San Rocco. A unified work, from the bottom floors to the grand ceiling, this storytelling is a wonder to behold. Lesser known than the Sistine Chapel but no less wonderful." —@AtlantaMadman

DAY THREE

Man blowing glass at The Glass Cathedral, in Murano
The Glass Cathedral
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Island hopping in the lagoon

Start your morning on the 50-minute vaporetto ride to Torcello, one of the most famous lagoon islands. Once you've hit land, it's about a 10-minute walk to Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, a 7th-century church filled with Byzantine mosaics. Make sure to take in the bell tower view and wander the nature reserve's paths, including the Ponte del Diavolo (the Devil's Bridge).

Back at the ferry port, you can hop on the vaporetto for the five-minute ride to Burano, famous for its brightly painted houses and lace-making industry. Tre Ponti, where three canals meet, is a photographer's dream.

AFTERNOON: Murano's world-famous glass

Burano's other claim to fame is its seafood; we wouldn't let you leave without it. It is hard to go wrong here, but we'd pick the canal-side Trattoria al Gatto Nero, a family-run restaurant that scored a nod in the Michelin guide. Need help deciding what to order? Tripadvisor reviewers rave about the seafood risotto.

After refueling, hop on the vaporetto again and enjoy the 30-minute ride to Murano, the island known worldwide for its handmade glassware. The main drag, Fondamenta dei Vetrai, is packed with artisan shops. Stop in at The Glass Cathedral for a glass-making demonstration. The beautiful brick Duomo di Murano Santi Maria e Donato is also worth stopping in to view the "dragon bones" behind the altar.

ISLAND TOUR OPTIONS

  • Let someone else do the planning for you with this tour of both Murano and Burano. In five hours, you'll see glassblowers on Murano and lacemakers on Burano, with free time to explore both islands. Tours are limited to 20 people.
  • See a little more a little faster with the affordable 4.5-hour Murano, Burano, and Torcello Sightseeing Tour. You'll only have about 45 minutes on each island, so only choose this if you're the hyper-efficient type.
  • If you'd rather just focus on Murano, this 2-hour Murano by Private Watertaxi Tour includes a trip to the glass factory, a glassblowing demo, and a knowledgeable tour guide to lead the way. Pickup from the hotel is another significant advantage here, but you'll have to find your way home.

EVENING: Dinner and drinks, Venetian-style

After a day of island hopping, it's time to relax, Venetian-style. Head to the Cannaregio neighborhood to chill at the canal-side wine bar VinoVero. Afterwards, walk through the Jewish Ghetto to Trattoria Bar Pontini. It may look like just another trattoria, but the food here is always excellent. If you want to extend the night but can't bear to drink another Aperol Spritz, Il Santo Bevitore has tons of Italian craft beers on tap.

Worthy detours along the way

Travelers say: "From Tre Ponti, you can see the wandering tourists, the canal-side restaurants, the brightly colored buildings, and the bridges over the canals. These things are quintessential Burano and really give you a taste of the island. You can take in the whole ambiance from this very spot." —@TravelerTP

Know Before You Go


June through August is high season for Venice, with tons of tourists, humid weather, and temps in the 80s. Aim for April/May or September/October for fewer crowds and weather in the 60s and 70s. Venice winters are relatively mild, but with temps in the 40s you still have to bundle up. No matter when you’re going, be sure to check the calendar before you book—prices can skyrocket around big events like Carnevale, Easter, and the Venice Film Festival.



Most businesses and attractions close shop on Sunday, save for in tourist-heavy area like San Marco during high season. Attractions are often closed on Mondays as well, and stores typically open later on Mondays.



As with other Italian cities, some shops and restaurants close for a midday break between 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. until 3:30 or 4 p.m. Typically, you can get your coffee fix around 8 a.m., your Aperol spritz fix in the afternoon or evening until 12 a.m. or 1 a.m., and that lagoon seafood starting at noon, then for dinner between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Shops often open around 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., close for lunch, then reopen until 7 p.m.



San Marco: Not only is San Marco jam-packed with attractions, it’s also extremely central, making it one of the best places to stay in the city—if you don’t mind smaller rooms and a little noise. Location is definitely one reason travelers give Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia high praise, but it’s also because they love chilling with prosecco on the rooftop terrace. Plus, the décor inside is classically Venetian—think wood-beam accented ceilings and dark leather couches.

San Polo/Santa Croce: Hotels in San Polo and Santa Croce can be close to the sights in San Marco or close to the train station—ie, a little off the beaten path. Be sure to check the deets on the exact location and closest vaporetto stop. You might not mind being away from the crowds as you peruse the breakfast buffet or relax at afternoon happy hour at Hotel Moresco, a canal-side hotel with elegant rooms and a dark wood library.

Dorsoduro: This lively neighborhood has plenty of its own attractions, from major museums to basilicas, especially to the east as you near San Marco. A huge portion of it sits right along the Giudecca Canal with its long promenade, Zattere. We’d opt to stay at Palazzo Veneziano, a modern hotel with luxe Italian accents like Murano glass lamps. Rooms can be downright massive, with private terraces or hot tubs. While the hotel feels away from the crowds, it’s just a minute’s walk from the water and a seven-minute walk from the Gallerie dell’Accademia.



Public transportation: The vaporetto (water bus, run by ATVO) is Venice’s main mode of transit, with stops along the water throughout the city. At more than five bucks a pop, trips can add up, so consider a daily, multi-day, or weekly pass. A traghetto (or ferry) is a long gondola that goes back and forth across the canal, basically in lieu of a bridge. These cost a few bucks and aren’t covered by the pass.

By bike: Biking isn’t allowed in Venice.

By taxi: Cars are not allowed in Venice.

Airport transfers: The Alilaguna water bus leaves from the docks right outside Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo (VCE) and gets to the city center in about 60 minutes. Depending on where your hotel is, it could be easiest to take the (land) bus to Piazzale Roma (about 25 minutes) and a vaporetto from there. The quickest option would be to take a private water taxi, but expect to shell out at least $100.


Maria Kirsten Adelmann
Maria Kirsten Adelmann has lived in the US and Europe and once traveled around the world on a ship, visiting ports in Asia, Africa, and beyond. She has written hundreds of reviews of hotels, cruise ships, and travel products.