10 Best Things to Do in Venice

Visit Saint Mark’s Square to see three of the most famous Venice attractions

Piazza San Marco is the largest square in Venice and a very popular meeting point for both locals and tourists. However, it’s good not only for making appointments.

Saint Mark’s Square is where you can get a glimpse of three of the most famous Venice attractions: the Doge’s Palace that is now one of the top city museums, Saint Mark’s Basilica known for its unique Italo-Byzantine architecture style and St. Mark’s Clock tower.
Credit: Janice Waltzer

Get lost in the Old town

The Old town of Venice is a definite must-see! As in the past Venetian canals were the main routes of communication, streets in the Old city are nothing more than just space left between the buildings.
Venetian streets are so narrow, winding and bizarre that they basically form a maze in the middle of the city. Get lost there and find out where the road will take you! And don’t miss street musicians on the way – many of them are really good!

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city

After you’ve already experienced Venice from the ground and water, make your trip complete by taking a look from above.
Visiting Campanile di San Marco, which is the tallest (99 m) building in town, is definitely one of the best things to do in Venice. It’s open to visitors daily and offers absolutely breathtaking views of the grand city!
We’d recommend visiting the Campanile after 6 PM – that is how you can avoid long lines and enjoy the city view during the so-called golden hour. And don’t forget to bring your camera!

Eat and drink like an Italian

Time to eat Italian food in Italy! Try local pizza and pasta, enjoy an antipasti plate with a glass of delicious Italian wine and don’t forget about countless gelato flavors they offer all around the city!

Don’t miss local delicacies

While Italian food is well-known and loved all over the world, Venetian cuisine gets considerably less attention. And that is a crime as authentic food is one of the best Venice attractions!
Check out Venetian bigoli and gnocchi, try creamy golden polenta that locals love more than pasta, or hang out at a bar eating cichetti and drinking wine with your friends.
For people with a passion for seafood, Venice is a paradise! Local restaurants offer a huge variety of sea creatures, including those that you’ve never even seen or heard of before.

Join one of the festivals

Venice has a very busy agenda, and we strongly recommend checking if there are any festivals or events held during your stay.
As you probably know, the biggest and most famous Venetian festival is Carnevale associated with people wearing masks, lots of entertainment and delicious street food. However, it’s not the only one.
Venice has something to offer the whole year round: the famous Venice Film Festival, various summer concerts and outdoor events, annual gondola races, parties for Halloween and so much more! If something’s happening in Venice during your stay – you ought to be there!
Credit: Moyan Brenn

Take a one-day trip to nearby islands

The list of things to do in Venice can be greatly expanded if you have enough time for that. The city is located in the picturesque lagoon together with many islands that can be easily reached by public transport.
The best candidates for one-day trips are islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Apart from the fact that you’ll discover new beautiful places and get to know a little bit about local crafts, it can be a great chance to escape from the crowds of tourists and have a peaceful day for a change.

So, that is our view of what to do in Venice. Heed the recommendations and you’ll definitely enjoy your stay! Also, if you have something to add to the list, feel free to leave a comment below the article. We wish you a pleasant trip and the best experience possible!