The Venice Bucket List: Top Things to do in Venice, Italy

Thinking about visiting Italy and wondering about the best things to do in Venice? Here’s the ultimate Venice Bucket List – all the best experiences not to miss in Italy’s most romantic city.

Considered one of the most unique and romantic cities in the world, a trip to Venice should be on everyone’s bucket list. Its timeless beauty, history, renaissance architecture, and delicious food attract millions of visitors every year, making it one of the most popular and sought-after destinations in Europe.

Venice is compact and most sights and bucket list experiences are walkable. Whether you plan to spend 24 hours in Venice or even a week, there’s so much to do in this culturally rich Italian city.

Here is my list of the top Venice bucket list experiences that are an absolute must for a well-rounded trip to Venice.

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Best Time to Visit Venice, Italy

Venice is probably the most crowded city in Europe, especially in the summertime high season so it’s a good idea to time your visit well to make the most of good weather and fewer crowds.

In general winter in Venice is cold, and wet and sees some flooding, and water levels tend to rise. Fall is perfect if you’d like to see Venice in the fog and with fewer crowds. Spring is a great time to visit for a good balance of weather and crowds, especially in April and May. Summers are hot and busy.

Whatever time of year you choose to visit Venice it’s fairly easy to lose the crowds. Heading away from Piazza San Marco into areas such as Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, Castello, and Giudecca are full of some awe-inspiring spots, and local squares with not many crowds in sight.

Getting Around Venice

Once you get to Venice you’ll find that exploring the city is a little different to what you might be used to. Venice is charming and best explored on foot and by water taxi. Many of the tiny islands that compromise the city are linked by footbridges, making walking the best way to get around Venice.

Between the larger islands, however, you’ll need to take a boat taxi for a Vaporetto (water bus). You can buy a vaporetto day ticket, stamp it when you first get on the water bus, and then use the water buses all day long.

For individual tickets, you’ll be able to buy them at each vaporetto stop and stamp them as you get on.

The best thing you can do with your time is to just get lost in its magical, crumbling alleyways without a map and simply walk and see where you get to – it’s all part of the experience.

Top Tip: Venice Visitor Fee– Starting in 2024, Venice has implemented a day-use fee on selected days throughout the year, a plan long discussed and now set in motion. This fee targets tourists who visit the city just for the day. If you’re planning a day visit head to the official Visitor Access Fee website to find out if you need to pay.

Top Things to Do in Venice, Italy

Visit San Marco Square and San Marco Basilica

The number one attraction in almost any Venice bucket list guide, St Mark’s Square has to be one of the most, if not, the most famous square in the world.

It’s been the centre of Venetian art, trade, and commerce for hundreds of years- even the Doge decided to erect his Palace here. Walk through the square and around the gallery marvelling at the old cafes and Venetian mask stores, and admire St Mark’s Basicila and its impressive mosaics from the outside as well as the imposing 16th-century cathedral tower.

Next, go into the Basilica and admire all the gold and centuries of hard work and artistic skill.

Float Along the Grand Canal

There are many ways to take in the Grand Canal but the best has by far got to be float on it. Take a gondola, Venetian water taxi, or a Vaporetto and marvel at some of the most iconic facades of Venetian architecture, gaze at the cute docks, piers, cafes, and restaurants, and admire all the bridges along the way.

Headed to Venice with little time? Check out The Ultimate Venice One day Itinerary

Eat Pizza By a Canal

While pizza isn’t exactly from Venice, it is Italian which makes it perfectly valid in this romantic city. Put pizza and a Venetian canal together and you have an unforgettable, whole-heartedly Italian bucket list experience.

Head to my favorite pizza place Pizza 2000, grab a classic margarita to go, and head to a nearby canal to sit and eat it, watching the gondolas go by.

Photograph the Bridge of Sighs

Probably one of the first sights you’ll see but the view from the Bridge of Sighs was one of the last prisoners saw as they crossed this bridge from the interrogation rooms to the doge’s prison next door. The bridge has a bleak past but is now one of the most iconic symbols of Venice.

It’s located right by St Mark’s Square so make sure to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Eat Gelato

On a baking summer’s day in Italy, nothing beats a gelato break. Head to the famous gelateria Gelatoteca Suso, which really has some of the best gelato you’ll find in the city. There are also many vegan/dairy free options.

Otherwise, there are plenty of other spots in Venice for fantastic gelato with canal views.

Visit the Doge’s Palace

The Doge, elected by the aristocracy of Venice was the ruler or king of the city-state of Venice from the 8th Century, a custom that lasted for one thousand years.

A visit to this palace is unmissable for learning about Venetian history, architecture, opulence, customs, and arts. It’s one of the best things to do in Venice.

As the Doge’s Palace is one of the most popular sights to visit in Venice, it’s worth getting your entrance ticket in advance to avoid the very long queues that can form here.

Book your Doge’s Palace tickets here to skip the lines.

Take a Gondola Ride

A ride on the symbolic gondola is a must when in Venice, I mean where else in the world are you going to do it?

The feeling of floating on the water, maneuvering through the narrow canals, and enjoying the views from the water is like stepping back into a lavish, bygone era.

Gondola rides are expensive but oh, so worth it. Gondola stations are located throughout the city so try to move away from St. Mark’s Square to negotiate a cheaper rate.

Stroll Across Rialto Bridge

The most famous bridge in Venice and one of the five to cross the Grand Canal. This bridge is wider than many and contains a mix of traditional shops across it. Rialto Bridge is a marvelous place to take a seat, rest those tired legs, and watch the water traffic go by.

Venice Bucket List: Visit Burano

Located in the north of the Venetian lagoon, a 40-minute Vaporetto ride from St. Mark’s Square Burano has recently gained more and more popularity for its colourful houses.

It’s a beautiful residential area where there isn’t too much to do but just explore the canal-lined streets, squares, and markets. Many local people live here too so it’s a chance to mingle with the locals, people watch and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Visit Murano

Just north of Venice lies Murano, a group of seven islands. Famous for its centuries-old tradition of glassmaking, Murano offers a unique blend of artistry and history.

Wander through charming streets lined with colorful buildings and artisanal shops showcasing exquisite glassware. Make sure to also visit the Glass Museum to explore the island’s rich heritage and watch master glassblowers at work in local workshops.

Don’t miss the stunning Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato, renowned for its Byzantine mosaics. A short boat ride from Venice, Murano is a delightful escape into a world of creativity and craftsmanship.

It’s also a lovely place to get away from the crowds of Venice, relax, and stroll its own canals.

Have an Aperol Spritz or Bellini

In Venice, enjoying an Aperol Spritz or a Bellini is a quintessential experience. Both iconic cocktails originated in this enchanting city.

The Aperol Spritz, a refreshing mix of Aperol, prosecco, and soda, is perfect for sipping along the canals.

Meanwhile, the Bellini, a delightful blend of prosecco and white peach purée, was created at the legendary Harry’s Bar Cipriani. Opened in 1931, Harry’s Bar is the best place to savor this classic drink, offering a glimpse into Venice’s vibrant social scene and its rich culinary heritage.

Indulging in these cocktails is a delightful way to embrace Venetian tradition.

Oogle at the Ca’ D’Oro Palace

The Ca’ D’Oro is one of the oldest and best-surviving examples of Venetian Gothic architecture- if you only have time to see one palace this should be it.

It has one of the most elaborate and pretty facades facing onto the Grand Canal which used to be decorated in gilt and polychrome, thus the name, ‘oro’ meaning gold.

Head inside to explore further and look out for the intricate 15th-century ceiling carvings and fantastic floor tiles.

Visit the Galleria dell’ Accademia

The center of pre-19th-century Italian art in Venice the Galleria dell’Accademia is the place to go for your dose of Italian masterpieces.

Containing priceless works by Italian masters such as Bellini, Tintoretto, and Titian among others it’s a must for not just art lovers.

Ride a Water Taxi

If the Vaporetto doesn’t quite live up to your Venetian transport expectations, take a water taxi, a much faster, stylish, and chic way of getting around.

Visit the Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale is one of the most prestigious contemporary art events in the world which happens in Venice every other year between May and November.

Established in 1895, it showcases cutting-edge contemporary art and attracts artists, curators, and enthusiasts worldwide. The Biennale features a sprawling array of exhibitions, installations, and performances across the city, from the historic Giardini and Arsenale to various palazzos and gardens.

If you’re in Venice during the Biennale, checking out the central pavilions and scouting out some artwork is a must.

Eat Venetian Tapas or Cicchetti

Cicchetti are Venice’s local answer to tapas and they are an incredible way to eat while sightseeing in Venice.

Simply stroll from one ‘bacari’ to another while taking in the sights on the way. Cicchetti is made with a slice of baguette on which many different toppings are placed from salami to grilled veggies. Pair this with a spritz or a cold glass of white wine and you’re ready to go.

Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

One of the largest and most impressive Basilicas in Venice, the Salute Basilica can’t be missed. This stunning baroque masterpiece, completed in 1681, stands proudly at the entrance of the Grand Canal.

Built as a tribute to the Virgin Mary after a devastating plague, its majestic dome and intricate façade are a symbol of Venice’s architectural grandeur. Inside, the basilica dazzles with marble floors, ornate altars, and Titian’s vibrant paintings.

Take the Vaporetto over to the other side and admire its amazing door and intricate carvings and details up close.

Marvel at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Another of the unmissable museums in Venice, this time for 20th-century European and American art, this Guggenheim collection is on a par with that of New York.

Housed in the elegant Palazzo Venier dei Leoni along the Grand Canal this renowned museum was once the home of the American art collector Peggy Guggenheim.

Today, it boasts an exceptional collection featuring masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Pollock. You’ll be able to explore an array of avant-garde sculptures, paintings, and surrealist works that shaped 20th-century art.

The museum’s serene garden and stunning canal views offer a tranquil escape from the city for a few hours.

Have a Coffee at Caffe Florian

Located on St. Mark’s Square this rather expensive and touristy cafe looks like it hasn’t changed in a few hundred years.

Stop by for a coffee and be awed by the splendid Baroque furniture, the old, Italian paintings on the walls and the flamboyant touches.

These are some of the best Venice tours to get the most out of your trip:

Any questions about your Venice bucket list experience? Feel free to leave your questions or comments below.

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