Discover our top 10 must do things in Venice from ticking a Gondola ride off your bucket list to trying the local Cicchetti. The Italian city of Venice really is the most romantic and magical place. Home to over 400 bridges connecting over 100 tiny islands, it is such a unique city.
1. Visit San Marco
No trip to Venice would be complete without a visit to the wonderful Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). It is home to the mesmerising Saint Mark’s Basilica which is so intricate and special. It looks especially magical at sunrise or sunset due to the soft pastel colours and use of marble. Next door you will find the impressive Doge’s Palace, the former Venetian government which showcases beautiful Venetian gothic architecture. Also don’t miss the Bridge of Sighs which links Doge’s palace with the infamous prison.
Top Tip: It is definitely worth visiting as early as possible as the square can get super crowded!
2. Try Cicchetti
Cicchetti are small snacks or dishes often served with a spritz or alcoholic beverage. One way to experience Cicchetti is to do an airbnb food tour. The host will take you to 3 different places to try lots of dishes paired with a spritz or wine. Experiencing them with a local helps you try things outside your comfort zone, especially if you don’t speak Italian. If you don’t have time for a food tour we would highly recommend Osteria Bancogiro, where the meat cicchetti and the DOCG Prosecco is delicious. For a really authentic experience we’d recommend cicchetti at Rosticceria Gislon. Here we highly recommend trying the olive ascolane (deep fried green olives stuffed with meat) and the mozzarella prosciutto (deep fried mozzarella and ham).
Top tips on Cicchetti:
- Best time to have is before noon or early evening when everything is fresh
- Be adventurous, try something new
- Have cash to pay
- It is never too early for a Spritz
3. Eat Gelato at Gelatoteca Suso
TRUST US, this will be the best gelato you ever taste, especially if you try the delicious Opera flavour. It is hazelnut flavour mixed with Nutella, so good! You might have every intention of visiting several gelato shops but once you try this you won’t want to risk going anywhere else!
Top Tips:
- Try the cone cup as it is much easier to eat
- If you are going to try somewhere else, it is advised by locals not to go anywhere the gelato is brightly coloured as it means they are artificial flavours. Pastel types are better!
4. tick a gondola ride off your bucket list
Can you really visit Venice and not experience a Gondola ride? Well you can… but would you want to? No way! It really is a bucket list experience which can be so romantic and special. Everyone should experience at least once. Standard gondola rides have a fixed cost of 80 euros for a 30 minute tour, however the price goes up at night to 120 euros. And here is a fun fact… there are only 2 female gondoliers in Venice and you will find them in the Cannaregio district.
Top Tip:
- Approach a Gondolier in the area you want to visit, for a quieter experience you may wish to walk a few blocks away from the main area.
5. Enjoy a spritz at a rooftop bar
A lovely way to enjoy the sunset in Venice is on a rooftop terrace bar with a cocktail in hand. We highly recommend the Solana Bar at the Splendid Venice Hotel which has a really romantic atmosphere. It has a 360° view of the Venice and you can even spot the top of St. Mark’s Cathedral which is only a few blocks away. We recommend ordering a refreshing and delicious Aperol Spritz (our favourite Aperol Spritz in Venice) and watch the sun set over the city.
Top Tip:
- The terrace bar is open weather permitting and therefore it’s best to check with the hotel if it is open on the day you wish to visit!
6. Watch the sunset at the rialto bridge
The Rialto bridge is truly the heart of Venice and a really popular spot to watch the sunset. The iconic bridge is one of 4 bridges which crosses the grand canal. Interestingly Michelangelo put in a bid to design it but his wasn’t chosen.
Top Tip:
- If you’d rather be seated to watch the sunset, arrive early and grab a seat at a bar along the canal. It will cost you an overpriced drink but will be worth it for the sunset view and atmosphere.
7. Visit the oldest cafe in the world
Located in Piazza San Marco, Caffè Florian owns the title of the oldest cafe in the world. Opened in 1720 the opulent cafe is extremely beautiful and precious. However of course having this prestige comes with a price. It costs over 30 euros for 2 cappuccinos! Yes you read correct over 30 euros. The bill includes a charge to listen to the live music, which by the way is wonderful. For us the experience was worth it and we are glad we visited.
Top Tip:
- If paying this is not in your budget there is always the option to order and drink an espresso at the bar.
8. Explore Burano Island
There are many islands you can visit in the lagoon but we would highly recommend taking the trip to the colourful Burano island. You can reach the island by talking the public ferry which costs € 7.50 each way. You can spend a couple of hours exploring the island which is filled with brightly painted homes. The colourful homes are a result of the island’s heritage as a fishing village, where bright colours made it easier for fisherman to spot their homes returning in the fog of the lagoon. You can also check out Burano’s very own leaning tower, the San Martino Church. We would also recommend checking out the charming Panificio Pasticceria Garbo bakery. Here you can try a traditional Burano biscuit (Bussola) and delicious Meringues.
9. Visit cANNarEGIO
The Cannaregio district in Venice is the oldest Jewish quarter in the world and home to the only “street” in the city. You can do some shopping on the Strada Nova and check out the fancy supermarket, Despar Teatro Italia. We also highly recommend a stroll along the Fondamenta degli Ormesini, home to many restaurants and bars with outdoor seating along the canal. Also check out the quirky new hostel called Combo which is a great place for a coffee stop.
10. Visit the T fondaco Rooftop viewpoint
An amazing place to take in the views of Venice from a different perspective is the luxury T Fondaco dei Tedeschi shopping mall. You can access the amazing rooftop terrace for free, so long as you book your 15 minute time slot beforehand. The 360 degree view is breathtaking and on a clear day you can even spot the Dolomites in the distance. The shopping mall itself is extremely modern and beautiful. Also check out the glamorous restaurant AMO located on the ground floor for a fancy cocktail or snack.
We hope you enjoyed reading our top 10 must do things in Venice. For more Venice inspiration click here.
Want to save this to Pinterest?
Hover over the image below to save it!
