What to Do in Venice

Venice is one of those cities where the to-do item most often recommended isn’t a museum or ruin or gallery – it’s an activity. I’m talking about getting lost in Venice, which is even my top recommendation for visitors to the city. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a healthy list of things to do in Venice besides getting thoroughly lost.

Here is a list of the top sights in Venice with links to more detailed information about many of them. There are also additional articles about what to do in Venice listed here, in case you want a more targeted itinerary than just a big list.

Useful Articles for Planning What to Do in Venice

Venice’s Top Attractions & Activities

St. Mark’s Basilica – Venice’s Byzantine masterpiece, a must-see church right on the city’s busiest square
Piazza San Marco – Venice’s most popular square, often full of tourists but clears out beautifully at night
Campanile (Bell Tower) – The bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica, it’s right in front of the church and the top offers great views
Rialto Bridge – The most famous bridge over the Grand Canal
Palazzo Ducale – Next door to St. Mark’s Basilica, where Venice’s rulers once lived and passed judgment on everyone else
Bridge of Sighs – Behind the Doge’s Palace, you can access it only via a tour of the palace; it leads from the palace court straight to the prison
Riding a Gondola – This doesn’t have to be on your must-do list (especially if you’re on a tight budget), but for many it defines a trip to Venice
The city itself – Don’t forget, getting lost in Venice is the best thing you can possibly do there!

>> And don’t forget to check out my list of weird and wonderful Venice sights, too!

photo by GViciano