Published on 8/14/2017 Last Updated on 12/31/2025
The first time travelers to Venice cast their eyes on the Grand Canal, their senses fill with overwhelming astonishment and joy.
Get ready to explore this wonderful set of Venetian islands in the Adriatic Sea, either by foot or boat.
Start by exploring our vacation packages to Italy.
Iconic Places in Venice to Visit
From historic bridges to iconic bookstores and stunning plazas, discover the best places in Venice to visit during your trip.
Piazza San Marco
The main tourist destination in Venice.
Most people who travel to Venice arrive at Piazza San Marco by water taxi or ferry. Admire the brilliance of the white limestone and pink marble on the walls of the Doge's Palace, where Venetian rulers resided for 1,000 years until 1789. You can spend hours marveling at the silhouette of Venetian marble buildings, meandering through narrow laneways filled with small boats ferrying goods, and watching gondolas with tourists taking photographs.
Rialto Bridge
Watch the gondolas gliding along the Grand Canal.
A vista for thousands of artists each year, the Venetian city dates back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Most travelers to Venice enjoy riding the gondolas around the Venice waterways, taking photographs of the 500 year old Rialto Bridge, drinking coffee around St. Mark's Basilica and visiting the many museums around Venice.
Teatro La Fenice
One of Europe's most famous opera houses, Teatro La Fenice (“The Phoenix”) has risen from devastating fires multiple times and remains a symbol of Venetian resilience. Even if you don't attend a performance, guided tours allow you to admire its lavish gold interiors, royal boxes, and richly painted ceilings. Classical music lovers will find this a highlight of the city.
Libreria Acqua Alta
Known for being the most photographed bookstore, not only in Italy, but around the world, Libreria Acqua Alta houses books from centuries ago to contemporary times. One of their most impressive features is that they stack books in small boats, barrels, bathtubs, and other oddities to protect from Venice's frequent flooding. Other quirky features include a staircase made of old books and resident cats that call the library their home.
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Galleria dell'Academia is home to Venice's greatest collection of pre-19th century art, highlighting masterpieces from Veronese, Tintoretto, Titian, and Bellini. Definitely stop by here if you want to see the artistic prowess Venice held throughout Europe.
Regions of Venice
From the most popular districts to hidden gems in Venice, discover the best regions to visit.
San Polo
Compact and atmospheric, San Polo is centered around bustling local markets and narrow streets packed with bacari (Venetian wine bars). It's an excellent district for sampling cicchetti and seeing everyday Venetian life up close.
San Marco
Beyond the famous square, San Marco has plenty of refined shopping streets, historic cafés, and cultural landmarks. Wander just a few streets away from the crowds to discover solitary canals and elegant palazzi that hint at the district's aristocratic past.
Dorsoduro
Dorsoduro features wide promenades drifting along the water's edge, relaxed wine bars, and stunning sunset views across the Giudecca Canal. You'll surely love the artsy, youthful glow the city proclaims.
Cannaregio
Venice's most residential district feels authentic and lived-in. It's known for its historic Jewish District relaxed canalside bars, and excellent local dining. Evenings here are lively without feeling touristy, making it ideal for aperitivo.
Castello
Castello is a district that feels more local than any other in Venice. Stretching east from San Marco, Castello becomes increasingly local the farther you walk.
The Islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello
Cluster of islands surrounding the medieval city of Venice.
Before you leave, take a short boat ride from San Marco to the island of Murano where you can see the colorful decorative glassware blown and crafted by hand. On the island of Torcello you can visit Venice's first cathedral. Complete this day-trip with a stop on Burano and do a little shopping for handcrafted lace, the island's specialty.
Day Trips from Venice
Following your travels to Venice, there are various other nearby Italian towns to visit. A 30-minute train ride from Venice will have you in the picturesque canals of Treviso. If you are traveling south to Rome, you should also visit the town of Verona where Shakespeare set his famous play, "Romeo & Juliet." As you travel south to Tuscany, the wonderful Renaissance inspired sculptures in nearby Florence awaits your continued vacation in Italy.
Padua (Padova)
Just 30 minutes by train, Padua is home to one of the world's oldest universities and Giotto's breathtaking frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel. It combines scholarly history with lively piazzas for a mesmerizing experience you won't forget.
Vicenza
Elegant, compact, and a little mysterious, the UNESCO-world heritage city of Vicenza is celebrated for Andrea Palladio's renaissance architecture. If you're looking to get the perfect social-media or postcard-worthy shot, definitely stop by Vicenza.
Chioggia
Referred to as “Little Venice” Chiogga is a beautiful small town outside of Venice that has canals, fishing boats, and colorful markets. The best part is that although it feels much like Venice, the crowds are much smaller. We recommend you try the seafood before you leave Chiogga!
Bassano del Grappa
Nestled near the Alps, Bassano is known for its wooden bridge, mountain views, and grappa distilleries. It offers a scenic contrast to lagoon life.
Prosecco Hills (Valdobbiadene & Conegliano)
Filled with charming villages, rolling vineyards, and some of the best wineries around, this UNESCO-listed region is great for escaping the bigger cities. Spend a night or two here for a relaxing getaway while still being able to enjoy Italy's beauty and culture.
By the late 13th century, Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe. When you travel to Venice today, experience all of the glory of this floating city.
