The best things to do in Venice are unlike anything else in Italy — or indeed anywhere in the world. Built on a network of 118 islands connected by canals and bridges, Venice defies every expectation and rewards every visitor who makes the effort to get here.
You won’t truly understand why this city is so extraordinary until you’re actually standing in it — watching gondolas glide silently past ancient palaces, getting deliberately lost in narrow alleyways that lead to unexpected piazzas, and realising that the whole impossible, beautiful place has been here for over a thousand years. The best things to do in Venice span world-class museums and palaces to completely free canal-side wandering that costs nothing at all.
This guide covers all the best things to do in Venice in 2026 — from must-book tickets to hidden free gems — so you can make the most of this extraordinary city without overspending.
1. Explore St Mark’s Square and Basilica
St Mark’s Square — Piazza San Marco — is the heart of Venice and one of the most beautiful public spaces in the world. Surrounded by the magnificent Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bell Tower and the elegant Procuratie buildings, this extraordinary square has been the centre of Venetian life for over a thousand years. One of the best things to do in Venice is simply to sit here in the early morning before the crowds arrive — coffee in hand — and absorb the atmosphere.
St Mark’s Basilica itself is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world. The golden mosaics covering every surface of the interior are breathtaking — over 8,000 square metres of gleaming gold mosaic that took centuries to complete.
The square is free to visit. Book skip-the-queue Basilica tickets from ourVenice attractions page.
2. Visit the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is one of the best things to do in Venice for history and art lovers. This extraordinary Gothic palace was the seat of Venetian power for nearly a thousand years — home to the Doge and the centre of the Venetian Republic’s government. Inside, magnificent frescoed chambers, the Bridge of Sighs, and the largest oil painting in the world by Tintoretto await.
The Bridge of Sighs — through which condemned prisoners were led to their cells — is one of the most photographed sights in Venice. Walking across it and understanding its history adds a powerful dimension to the visit.
Book tickets in advance from ourVenice attractions pagefrom €14.
3. Take a Gondola Ride
Taking a gondola ride is one of the most iconic best things to do in Venice — and despite its reputation for being expensive, it’s a genuinely special experience that most visitors don’t regret. Gliding silently through Venice’s narrow canals on a traditional gondola, steered by a gondolier in striped shirt and straw hat, is an experience that stays with you forever.
The standard gondola ride lasts 30-40 minutes. Book in advance for the best prices and to guarantee availability, especially in peak season. A slightly more affordable option is the traghetto — a traditional gondola ferry that crosses the Grand Canal for just €2 per person.
Book gondola rides from ourVenice attractions pagefrom €29.
4. Climb the St Mark’s Bell Tower
Climbing St Mark’s Bell Tower — the Campanile — is one of the best things to do in Venice for views. The tallest structure in Venice, it offers the finest panoramic view of the city, the lagoon and the surrounding islands from its top. On a clear day you can see as far as the Alps stretching along the horizon.
The elevator makes it accessible for all visitors and the view is one of the most extraordinary in all of Italy. Go at different times of day for different light — sunset from the top of the Campanile is unforgettable.
Tickets from €10 on ourVenice attractions page.
5. Visit Murano and Burano
Taking a day trip to the islands of Murano and Burano is one of the best things to do in Venice — and many visitors say it’s the highlight of their entire trip. Murano is famous for its extraordinary glass-blowing tradition that has been perfected here for centuries. Watching a master glassblower create a delicate vase or sculpture from molten glass is genuinely mesmerising.
Burano is even more visually spectacular — a small fishing island whose houses are painted in vivid, contrasting colours that look almost impossibly photogenic. The colours were traditionally used by fishermen to identify their homes through the fog. Wandering Burano’s streets is one of the great free pleasures of visiting Venice.
Book Murano and Burano island tours from ourVenice attractions pagefrom €19.
6. Get Lost in the Back Streets
One of the absolute best things to do in Venice costs absolutely nothing. Put away the map, turn off the GPS, and simply wander. Venice’s network of narrow calli (alleyways), small bridges and hidden campi (squares) away from St Mark’s Square is where the real city lives.
The Cannaregio neighbourhood — Venice’s most authentic residential district — is particularly rewarding. The Jewish Ghetto here is the oldest in the world. The Castello neighbourhood has local bars and restaurants that most tourists never find. Getting genuinely lost in Venice is a pleasure rather than a problem — you’ll always end up somewhere interesting.Free — no ticket needed. ✅
7. Attend a Vivaldi Concert
Attending a Vivaldi concert in one of Venice’s historic churches is one of the most memorable best things to do in Venice for music lovers. Venice was the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi — one of the greatest composers in history — and hearing The Four Seasons performed live in a beautiful baroque church by candlelight is a genuinely spine-tingling experience.
Performances are held regularly throughout the year in venues around the city. Book in advance to secure the best seats.
Book Vivaldi concerts from ourVenice attractions pagefrom €25.
8. Ride the Vaporetto
Riding the vaporetto — Venice’s water bus system — is one of the best things to do in Venice that doubles as a sightseeing experience. The Line 1 vaporetto travels the entire length of the Grand Canal from Piazzale Roma to St Mark’s Square — passing under the Rialto Bridge and alongside some of the most extraordinary palaces in the world — for the price of a regular ticket.
Sit at the front or back of the boat for the best views. Do this on your first afternoon in Venice to get your bearings and see the city from the water. It’s one of the finest and most affordable experiences the city offers.
Buy a Vaporetto Pass from ourVenice attractions pagefor unlimited travel.
9. Visit the Rialto Market
The Rialto Market — on the banks of the Grand Canal near the famous bridge — is one of the best free things to do in Venice. This extraordinary market has been supplying Venice with fresh fish, seafood and produce for over a thousand years. The fish section in the morning — with its extraordinary variety of Adriatic seafood laid out on marble counters — is a spectacular and completely free experience.
The market is open Tuesday to Saturday mornings. Go early — by 7am — for the best atmosphere. Nearby you’ll find excellent wine bars (bacari) serving cicchetti — Venetian tapas of bread, cheese and seafood — for €1-2 each.
Free to visit. ✅
10. Watch Sunset Over the Lagoon
Watching the sun set over the Venetian lagoon is one of the most romantic and beautiful best things to do in Venice — and it’s completely free. The Fondamenta delle Zattere on the south side of Venice offers sweeping views across the lagoon towards the island of Giudecca. The light on the water at sunset, with the silhouettes of boats and distant islands, is simply magnificent.
Alternatively, cross to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore for sunset views back over Venice and St Mark’s Square — one of the finest views in the entire city.
Free — no ticket needed. ✅
Practical Tips for Venice
- Book tickets in advance:The Doge’s Palace and other major attractions sell out in peak season. Never arrive without pre-booked tickets.
- Avoid peak summer:July and August bring enormous cruise ship crowds to Venice. April, May, September and October offer a much more enjoyable experience.
- Get up early:Venice before 8am is magical — almost no crowds, beautiful light on the canals, and the city at its most authentic.
- Watch your budget at restaurants:Avoid any restaurant directly on St Mark’s Square or the Grand Canal — prices are extreme. Walk into the back streets for excellent local food at reasonable prices.
- Validate your vaporetto ticket:Always validate before boarding — inspectors do check and fines are significant.
For official travel information visit the Italian Tourism Board.v
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