Things To Do in Venice, Veneto

Activities, attractions and tours
Venice showing a river or creek, a bridge and heritage architecture

Venice Attractions

If you have always wanted to spend a sojourn in one of the most entrancing spots in Italy, you should contact our offices here at Expedia to talk about the best ways to discover the City of Canals. Whether you are seeking a romantic vacation destination or looking for an ideal city to take the family on a cultural holiday, we can help you find the attractions in Venice to make your trip memorable.

Of course, if you are going to be visiting the city with a romantic partner, you will be almost obligated to include one of the world-renowned gondola rides among your Venice excursions. You can even get married in the middle of one of Venice's canals. However, the boats aren't all for show and glamor. The City of Water is actually formed on an archipelago containing 117 islands, and water transport is a normal way of getting around for many local residents of Venice.

There are so many things to do in Venice that you could spend years in the city and still not experience everything it has to offer. Like all cities in Italy, Venice is steeped in culture, tradition, and art. Naturally, St. Mark's Basilica is at the top of the list of the must see places in the Floating City, and the nearby Piazza San Marco is something you should see before you leave Venice. We can also provide you with information concerning other Venice activities that will suit your personal tastes and preferences as well as provide you with a map of the city so you can create your own personalized Venice tours.

The health-conscious tourist will be delighted to discover that Venetian cuisine is largely based on fresh, healthy seafood. Shopping is also one of the main attractions in Venice, and several high fashion designers have their main offices here. Guests of this city have an abundance of choices of activities, and everyone who visits this city will leave with vibrant memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.


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Top places to visit

1. St. Mark's Square

Step into Venice’s most famous square and expect to be impressed by the opulence of St. Mark’s Basilica, the towering Campanile, and the gothic façade of the Doge’s Palace. This lively hub has been the focal point for Venetian life for over 10 centuries. Enjoy a drink in one of the cafés under the colonnaded arcade that lines the square or visit its most iconic buildings.
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St. Mark\'s Square featuring heritage architecture, a square or plaza and a city

2. Rialto Bridge

When riding a vaporetto (water bus) or gondola along the Grand Canal, look up as you round the bend by the fish market: One of Venice’s most iconic sights appears before you. The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) has been a feature of the city since the late 1500s. It has a distinctive V-shape design, high stone arcades and balustrades from which tourists peek at the gondolas in the canal below.
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Rialto Bridge which includes heritage architecture, a bridge and a lake or waterhole

3. St. Mark's Basilica

Approach St. Mark’s Square from any angle and, on a fine day, you’ll see the golden spires of St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica San Marco) glimmer in the sunlight. This is why the locals call this the Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold). As you get closer, you’ll see the many sculptures, reliefs and mosaics of the ornate facade. This church is a spectacular example of Byzantine architecture.
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St. Mark\'s Basilica which includes heritage architecture

4. Doge's Palace

The pink marble façade of the 14th-century Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a striking sight on St. Mark’s Square. The arched loggias and the fortress-like peaks on top of the walls convey a sense of wealth and power to those who approach Venice by sea. Every aspect of this building was designed to impress, from the imposing décor of the Hall of the Great Council, to the luxurious apartments.
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Doge\'s Palace which includes château or palace, heritage architecture and interior views

5. Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is Venice’s famous S-shaped thoroughfare. On any given day you can hear the splashing of the oars of the gondolas that slowly traverse the city just as they have done for centuries. A trip in a gondola is almost unavoidable because there are very few sidewalks along the canal, and the backs of the Floating City’s buildings drop straight into the water. A more modern and faster way to see the Grand Canal, and the main tourist attractions alongside it, is by vaporetto (water bus). For a simple crossing, take a traghetto, a ferry on which you remain standing for the duration of the short trip.
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Grand Canal featuring heritage architecture, a river or creek and a city

6. Teatro La Fenice

To experience an operatic performance at La Fenice Opera House is to watch some of the world's best singers in a lavishly decorated auditorium. The 18th-century theater is one of Europe's premier locations for the introduction of new operas. Performing at La Fenice Opera House helped launch the careers of Verdi and Rossini. Among the operatic stars to have graced its stage are Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland.
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La Fenice Opera House featuring a city and heritage architecture

7. Bridge of Sighs

The 17th-century Bridge of Sighs sits above the Palace River. It was designed to connect the interrogation rooms of Doge's Palace with a prison on the other side of the waterway. Discover why this white limestone structure is considered to be one of the most romantic sites in Venice, despite its dark history.
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Bridge of Sighs showing a river or creek and heritage architecture

Discover the most popular places to visit in Venice

Explore areas of Venice

Dorsoduro featuring heritage architecture and a coastal town

Venice City Center

The stunning cathedral and charming cafes are just a few highlights of Venice City Center. Make a stop by St. Mark's Square or St. Mark's Basilica while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
San Marco featuring kayaking or canoeing and a river or creek

San Marco

4.5/5(373 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of San Marco is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica.

San Marco
Venetian Ghetto showing boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cannaregio

4.5/5(244 area reviews)

Travelers to Cannaregio praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Venetian Ghetto and Casino of Venice.

Cannaregio
Dorsoduro showing a river or creek and a bridge

Dorsoduro

4.5/5(84 area reviews)

The ample dining options and fascinating museums are top of the list for many visitors to Dorsoduro. A stop by Maritime Station or Campo Santa Margherita might round out your trip.

Dorsoduro
Castello featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek

Castello

4.5/5(155 area reviews)

Castello is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like St. Mark's Square and Venetian Arsenal.

Castello
San Polo featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbor

San Polo

4.5/5(69 area reviews)

San Polo is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari or Palazzo Pisani Moretta.

San Polo

Day trip destinations from Venice