Looking for the best things to add to your Venice bucket list? Then look no further. This STUNNING European bucket list destination has so much to offer in just a small area.
Hailed as one of the best places in the world to visit, you will soon find out the charm of this Italian coastal town. While you are planning your Venice activities, make sure to check out other cities you can add to your Italy bucket list.
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Venice bucket list – best things to do in Venice
1. Ride in a gondola
One of the best (yet possibly most expensive) and romantic ways to get around Venice is in a gondola. Hop in one and explore the Venetian canals!
2. Visit the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is located right along the canal and served as the meeting place for Venice’s government. Today, it can be toured by visitors!
3. Uncover Venice’s history at Museo Correr
Museo Correr is a Venetian museum that’s not as well known as some of the other museums in the area, but it’s still worth visiting because of the incredible sculptures inside.
4. Walk around Saint Mark’s Square
Take a walk around Saint Mark’s Square and see what you might find. This square is surrounded by tons of great must-visit attractions like Saint Mark’s Basilica.
5. Attend the opera at Teatro La Fenice
This beautiful opera house in Venice is truly breathtaking. It opened in the 18th century and has been a place for opera and other performances ever since.
6. Eat gelato from Gelato di Natura
You have to eat gelato, so add it to your Venice bucket list! This sweet treat is excellent from any gelato shop, but one of the top-rated spots in Venice to get it is at Gelato di Natura.
7. Go on a free walking tour
Free walking tours are the perfect way to learn more about Venice. These are often run by locals and will help you get the lay of the land and some historical background before you explore on your own.
8. Watch the boats on the Grand Canal
Head to the Grand Canal to watch all of the boats come and go. This area of the city is busy, but it’s perfect for people watching and is great camera fodder.
9. Look for the Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is an iconic Venetian bridge that connects the prison to the Doge’s Palace. It’s said that prisoners used to let out one last sigh here!
10. Visit Grassi Palace
Stop by Grassi Palace, or Palazzo Grassi, right along the Grand Canal. It’s an 18th-century house that is truly breathtaking, so you won’t want to miss it.
11. Take a trip to Burano
With a quick ferry ride, head to Burano. This island is most famous for its vibrant homes and delicious seafood. It’s worth spending a day here to discover some hidden gems!
12. Peruse masterpieces at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Make your way to this modern art museum if you love the arts. It’s one of Venice’s top-rated attractions and is filled with true masterpieces by popular artists.
13. Climb to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile
With quite a few steps, you can climb to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile! This is said to be the best place for a great view in Venice, no matter the time of year that you visit.
14. See the dome at Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute
The Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute is one of Venice’s most famous Roman Catholic churches. It’s most well known for its giant cupola!
15. Spend a day in Murano
Another excellent day trip from Venice is Murano, an island with colorful homes that’s most famous for its glassblowing. Attend a glassblowing workshop to see how it’s done!
16. Attend a cooking class
To learn more about the local cuisine, attend a cooking class! These are often run by local families or chefs who will let you know all their secrets when it comes to cooking classic dishes.
17. Witness great paintings at Gallerie dell’Accademia
Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia, one of Venice’s most loved museums. It’s located right on the Grand Canal and features important Italian artworks.
18. See the alter in Chiesa di San Zaccaria
Take a trip to Chiesa di San Zaccaria to see the important altar inside that it’s most well known for. While the church itself is pretty unassuming, the interior is still impressive.
19. Go inside Saint Mark’s Basilica
Saint Mark’s Basilica is the most well-known church on this Venice bucket list. Located in St. Mark’s Square, this gorgeous basilica is an architectural masterpiece.
20. Stroll through Giardini della Biennale
For a relaxing afternoon, head to Giardini della Biennale. This is an underrated landmark in Venice located right along the water; it’s a beautiful promenade!
21. Attend the Venice Film Festival
If you love movies, attend the Venice Film Festival on Lido Island! It takes place in September annually and is the oldest festival of its kind worldwide.
22. Attend Carnevale
The most important and well-known festival on this Venice bucket list is Carnevale. It usually happens in the month of February and is the perfect time to learn more about Venice!
23. Take a trip to Torcello Island
From Venice, take a day trip to Torcello Island, which is actually not lived on by many people. It’s popular for being home to the beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta!
24. Find the cats at Libreria Acqua Alta Bookstore
This quirky but lovable bookshop is filled with books that are housed in gondolas in case of flooding! Be sure to be on the lookout for the owner’s cats.
25. Try traditional Italian pizza
You can’t visit this city without adding trying traditional Italian pizza to your Venice bucket list! Here’s a hint: traditional Italian pizza doesn’t have pepperoni… that’s an Americanized addition.
26. Go on a wine tour
While in Venice, you can go on a wine tour. These are usually run by locals and will bring you all over the city to try tons of the best wine in Venice!
27. Step inside the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is a beautiful church in Venice near St. Mark’s Basilica. It’s a 16th-century church that’s one of the most historic.
28. Try a traditional espresso at Caffe Florian
Be sure to try the local espresso at Caffe Florian, which is the oldest cafe in the world. It opened in the 18th century and has been a Venice staple ever since.
29. Ride a Vaporetto
If you can’t afford the gondolas, take a ride on a Vaporetto! This is a fancy term for the public waterbuses that run around the city and can take you to different spots in Venice.
30. Make a carnival mask
Right around the time of Carnevale, you can join in on the fun and make a mask. Year-round, sometimes you can even attend a workshop!
31. Attend Venice Biennale
Do you love the arts? Consider attending the Venice Biennale, a huge art festival that covers all facets of the world. It’s held every other year during the summertime.
32. Attend a glass blowing workshop
In Murano, attend a glass blowing workshop! Instead of seeing and watching a demonstration, find a class that lets you get hands-on and try it yourself.
33. Get lost
Okay, but seriously… Venice is filled with tiny cobblestone streets and tons of islands, so spend an hour just wandering around and seeing what hidden gems you might encounter.
34. Explore the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter is one of the more historic spots in Venice. While the history is not necessarily good, it’s worth visiting here to learn more and explore the area.
35. Take in the view from Ponte dell’Accademia
Stop by Ponte dell’Accademia, one of the other bridges that cross Venice’s Grand Canal. This bridge offers excellent views of the area.
36. Photograph the spiral staircase at Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
One of Venice’s most photographed spots is the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo’s spiral staircase. It also offers some of the best views of the Venice skyline in San Marco.
37. Learn at the Venetian Arsenal
At the Venetian Arsenal, visitors can learn more about the city’s history and wars. This armory also includes lots of information on naval efforts in the area.
38. Find a great book at Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana
This public library is genuinely magnificent, just like you’d expect a library to be on this Venice bucket list. It opened in the 16th century to the public and is filled with tons of books.
39. Wander around Cannaregio
Cannaregio is often ignored by tourists, which is why it’s the perfect place to wander around and explore. You might even meet locals in this area!
40. Check the time on the clock at Torre dell Orologio
Visit the Torre dell Orologio, a famous clock tower in Piazza San Marco/St. Mark’s Square. This historic tower will take your breath away if you can find it.
41. Swim on Lido Island
Lido Island is another tiny island right next to Venice. It’s a great place to go and explore and maybe even dip your toes into the water on one of the free beaches.
42. Shop at the Rialto Market
For some fresh produce, head to Rialto Market. Local vendors come and meet here and sell their produce to visitors. It usually only happens on the weekends.
43. Visit Campo Santa Margherita
Near the University of Venice, you can find this great square. It’s a bit underrated but is truly beautiful. It’s the perfect place to sit on benches, people watch, and enjoy the wonderful Venetian weather.
Editorial credit: Javen / Shutterstock.com
44. Learn about music at the Music Museum
The Music Museum in Venice is solely focused on showcasing and educating on Baroque arts. It’s located inside a pretty building, but this is genuinely one of Venice’s hidden gems.
45. Grab a drink at Harry’s Bar
Stop by Harry’s Bar, the perfect place to grab a drink on this Venice bucket list. While it’s pricey, the drinks and atmosphere are great.
46. Snap a photo at Rialto Bridge
Arguably the most famous bridge in Venice is the Rialto Bridge, which crosses the Grand Canal. Walk from San Marco to San Polo and snap a photo at the top!
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