Things to do in Venice

Regarded as one of the world’s most picturesque cities, Venice attracts millions of visitors every year who travel from all corners of the globe to experience its unique charms. The capital of the Veneto region in Northern Italy, the city is built across a group of 118 small islands and is renowned for its history, architecture, and contributions to the arts and culture. Here, we look at six of the top things to do in this fascinating destination.

Take to the Grand Canal on a Gondola

Given the layout of the city with its abundance of canals and bridges, it’s almost impossible to visit Venice without enjoying a boat trip at some stage. The enduring image most people have of Venice is one of a romantic gondola ride along the labyrinth of winding waterways. With around 500 of these traditional wooden boats currently in service, there are countless opportunities to experience this relaxing mode of transport. Drift along and feel your cares melt away. For the full Venetian experience, you can even choose to be serenaded by your gondolier.

Things to do in Venice - Gondola ride

Enjoying a relaxing boat ride through the city’s winding waterways is the quintessential Venetian experience.

Alternatively, take the vaporetto, a public ferry service which can be thought of as the bus network of Venice. Sit back and enjoy the ride as you take a leisurely cruise along the famous Grand Canal from Piazza San Marco to Ferrovia Santa Lucia train station, taking in the beauty of the hundreds of Venetian palazzi (palaces) which line the water. Traveling the Grand Canal is surely the most iconic way to experience the incredible sights of Venice.

Explore Majestic Architecture

Venice’s waterways host a wealth of impressive structures. The countless canals mark out a unique cityscape, which houses a multitude of popular visitor attractions. Perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Venice is Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). Here you can find the breathtaking Basilica di San Marco. Existing in one form or another for over a thousand years, this magnificent cathedral dominates the square. The basilica includes a separate campanile (bell tower), which stands more than 98 meters tall and is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The other major attraction in St. Mark’s Square is Doge’s Palace. The former seat of the Venetian government, this ornate palace is one of the most enduring symbols of Venice, and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Things to do in Venice - Basilica di San Marco

Basilica di San Marco is among the city’s best-known landmarks, attracting thousands of visitors every day.

Venice is renowned the world over for its distinctive architectural style. Venetian Gothic originated during the 14th century, and combines trademark Gothic-style arches with Byzantine and Moorish influences. Myriad examples can be found throughout the city, the most notable of which include Doge’s Palace, the Ca’ d’Oro palace and the Palazzo Giustinian. One of the greatest pleasures in visiting Venice is to stroll over the ancient bridges connecting the many sestieris (or districts). These scenic walkways offer a glimpse into a bygone era, which literally comes to life before your eyes.

Enjoy a Night at the Opera

Venice has a long tradition in the arts, particularly where opera and classical music are concerned. The city is known as the birthplace of commercial opera, and was home to world’s first public opera house, Teatro San Cassiano. By the end of the 17th century, Venice had become the opera capital of the world, with an additional ten venues hosting sold out shows night after night. The most famous opera house in Venice (and arguably the world) is La Fenice. Originally built in 1786, this splendid hall hosted the premiers of many timeless classics of the genre, and offers a sumptuous setting in which to enjoy this uniquely Italian art form.

Things to do in Venice: A Night at the Opera

La Fenice is renowned as one of the grandest opera houses in the world (Image Credit: Youflavio).

One of Venice’s most famous sons is undoubtedly the celebrated Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. Born in 1678, the enduring popularity of his work is evidenced by the sheer number of performances of his music you will find around the city, and in particular the ever-green Four Seasons suite. What better place to enjoy this timeless classic than the city which inspired it?

Visit Murano and Burano Islands

The island of Murano is renowned for its creative glassmaking, which has a long and celebrated history. Tourists flock to the island to admire the countless studios and shops selling colorful decorative glasswear, including ornate vases, figurines and jewelry. Stick around to witness one of the many live glass-blowing demonstrations, which offering a fascinating insight into the artisan’s craft.

Things to do in Venice - visit Burano Island

With its winding canals and brightly colored buildings, the charming island of Burano is an Instagramer’s dream (Image Source: Tommie Hansen).

Burano is another highly popular destination, which can be explored as part of the same boat tour as Murano. Situated on a group of four islands, this charming fishing village has become famous for its brightly colored houses and casual eateries serving fresh seafood straight from the Venetian Lagoon. In addition to its highly photogenic residences, the area has a long tradition in the manufacture of handcrafted lace, which you can learn about at the Museo del Merletto museum.

Discover Artistic Masterpieces

Venice has been recognized as an important center for the arts since the late Middle Ages. Grand masters such as Canaletto, Tiepolo, Titian and Tintoretto left their mark on the city, and their works can still be viewed in their intended settings after all these years. Don’t miss Tintoretto’s masterpiece Crucifixion at Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Things to do in Venice - Visit art galleries and museums

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is noted for its collection of paintings by Tintoretto, including the masterpiece Crucifixion (Image Credit: Sailko).

The Accademia museum houses a plethora of Venetian paintings, including iconic works such as Bellini’s Madonnas and Giorgione’s Tempesta. The Museo Correr located in St. Mark’s Square is one of Venice’s 11 civic museums, and hosts a remarkable collection of historical sculptures and paintings dating back to as early as the 15th century.

Today, the city is home to a thriving contemporary arts scene. At the center of this is the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, one of the most important collections in Italy which contains works by celebrated artists such as Braque, Dalí, Duchamp, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Picasso and Pollock.

Go on a Culinary Adventure

The Italian love affair with food is well documented. Venice is no exception, with the city offering a variety of local specialties. Naturally, many of these center around seafood. Some of the dishes to look out for include sarde in saor, a sweet-and-sour appetizer featuring sardines, onions, pine nuts and raisins. Venetian scampi is another signature dish, and considered to be among the best you can taste, particularly during summer when shrimp are in season.

Things to do in Venice - Enjoy Carpaccio

Enjoy Carpaccio, a signature Venetian dish with a history as rich as its taste.

Carpaccio is a local dish consisting of thinly sliced beef with a sauce made from mayonnaise, mustard, tomato and fresh cream. First created in Harry’s Bar in Venice (where the famous Bellini cocktail was also invented), the dish is named after famous 15th-century painter, Vittore Carpaccio. These are just a few of the myriad culinary delights to be found in the city. Be sure to seek out the hidden gems and experience the best in Italian food like a local!


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