01706 753 636 
When George and Amal Clooney could have married anywhere in the world, they chose Venice. And honestly, who can blame them? Instead of roads, traffic and cars, you’ll find canals, boats and beautiful squares connected by a maze of narrow alleyways and bridges. This city is every bit as unique, romantic and beautiful as you might expect.
It’s also the kind of place where the best plan is often to have no plan at all, just comfy shoes, a loose itinerary and plenty of time to wander around and get slightly lost. That said, there are some sights you simply have to see, so we’ve rounded up our favourites so you can make the most of your visit.
St Mark’s Square is the heart of Venice. St Mark’s Basilica dominates one end of the square, with its glittering domes and an interior clad in over 8,000 square metres of golden mosaics. It’s as breathtaking inside as it is out. You do need to book a timed entry slot in advance, though, to avoid queuing all day.
Next door, the Doge’s Palace is another must. Once the seat of Venetian power, today you can wander its lavish chambers, cross the famous Bridge of Sighs and take a peek into the old prison cells below. On certain days in the summer, the palace stays open until 11pm, which is a great way to avoid the crowds and the high temperatures. Your ticket also covers the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and the Marciana Library, all on the square.
You can also take the lift up the Campanile bell tower, where, on a clear day, you can see right across the lagoon.
And when your feet need a rest, take a seat at one of the square’s grand old cafés such as Caffè Florian. When the house orchestras strike up, the whole square becomes an open-air concert. Although it’s good to know that a front row table while the band plays adds an extra charge on top, while a drink at the bar inside costs a fraction of that. Either way, an hour spent watching the world go by in St Mark’s Square is money well spent!
No trip to Venice is complete without seeing it from the water. A gondola ride is the classic romantic experience, gliding under tiny bridges with a serenading gondolier. If that’s not your thing, though, you can hop on the number 1 vaporetto instead. It runs the full length of the Grand Canal, and at sunset, when the palazzos are glowing pink, it’s a wonderful (and much cheaper) way to see the city.
The Rialto is an essential stop on the Grand Canal. It’s the oldest bridge across the canal and has been standing since the 1590s. It’s still lined with little shops, just as it was in the days when Venice was the trading heart of Europe, and the views from the top are lovely. But the real treat sits just beside it – a market that has been trading on the same spot for over a thousand years, with early morning fish stalls and fruit sellers. While you’re there, pop into Drogheria Mascari. It’s a wonderful old spice shop where you can pick up aromatic spices, speciality ingredients and edible souvenirs.
Venice punches well above its weight for art. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a firm favourite, a quirky yet accessible collection of modern art housed in Peggy’s former home right on the Grand Canal. It feels wonderfully intimate compared to a big gallery, and more like browsing a personal art collection in someone’s home. Which, of course, is exactly what you’re doing. There’s a peaceful sculpture garden, too. For something more classical, the Gallerie dell’Accademia holds the world’s finest collection of Venetian painting, from Byzantine icons through to Renaissance masterpieces. And don’t miss the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, often called Venice’s answer to the Sistine Chapel. Tintoretto spent over twenty years covering its walls and ceilings, and it is one of the city’s most breathtaking sights.
Venice has more than fifty churches, but if you only visit one beyond the Basilica, make sure it’s Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Behind its plain brick façade, you’ll find Titian’s soaring Assumption above the altar and a magnificent Bellini altarpiece in the sacristy.
There’s also Santa Maria della Salute, a magnificent domed church that stands at the mouth of the Grand Canal. And for a wonderful view of Venice, take the vaporetto across to San Giorgio Maggiore. This gleaming white church sits on its own little island, with a fabulous bell tower where you can take the lift up to capture some great pictures of the city from above.
For the ‘real’ Venice, head to Cannaregio to the north of the city. It’s also home to the Jewish Ghetto, which is the oldest in the world. In fact, it’s where the word itself was originally coined. Established in 1516, the Ghetto confined Venice’s Jewish community to one small island, so they built upwards, and you can still spot some of the tallest houses in the city here. With its synagogues, kosher bakeries and quiet main square, it’s a fascinating and moving corner of Venice to wander around.
If you are keen to explore more of the quieter local side of the city, head to Castello, where you can stroll along the quiet streets and browse the independent bookshops. Another lovely area to explore is Dorsoduro. Home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and a lively student population, it has a more relaxed atmosphere than the areas around St Mark’s Square, with attractive canals, small cafés and plenty of places to simply sit and watch Venice go by.
If you have time, it’s definitely worth setting time aside to explore Venice’s islands. You can take an organised tour, but if you want to explore at your own pace, the vaporetto is just as good to get you there and back.
Murano has been making glass for over 700 years, and you can watch the craftsmen at work in the furnaces before browsing the showrooms and then the Museo del Vetro to understand the story behind the craft. You can also carry on to the island of Burano, famous for its lace and wonderfully colourful fishermen’s houses.
The food in Venice is every bit as good as you’d hope, but then this is Italy! Cicchetti are Venice’s answer to tapas, served in traditional bars called bacari and washed down with a small glass of wine. Hopping between a few bacari is one of the great pleasures of an evening here. The gelato is also genuinely excellent. The real artisan stuff is kept in covered metal tins and comes in natural, muted colours. Just follow the locals if you’re not sure! If you’re an early bird, the fish markets of San Polo offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of working Venice, with stalls piled high and a buzzing atmosphere. And if you fancy a splash of glamour, pop into the small wood-panelled Harry’s Bar near St Mark’s Square. Open since 1931 and a favourite of Ernest Hemingway, it’s the birthplace of the Bellini cocktail and a quintessential Venice experience.
A great way to experience Venice is to combine it with Italy’s other great cities, like on our Venice, Florence & Rome itinerary, or combine the city with some lakeside relaxation on our Venice, Verona & Lakes holiday. Anything is possible though, so simply get in touch with our team, if you’d like to explore more of our Italian multi-centre itineraries.
Inspired by the guide? We’ve handpicked a few holidays that bring it to life—perfect for turning travel ideas into reality.
