Venice, the winding canals, colorful buildings, and charming gondolas make for a truly unique and unforgettable experience! Read this guide to find out what to do in Venice over 3 days.
What to do in Venice in 3 Days
Wake up early and go sightseeing as early as possible. Crowds will come in from cruises and nearby towns starting from 9:00 in the morning. Get ready to walk a lot, it is nice to get lost in Venice and wander the streets.
How to get from Venice Airport to the city center
The easiest and time-saving way to get from the airport to Venice is by taking the express bus to Piazzale Roma. It will take about 20 minutes and cost 10 Euro per person.
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Where to Eat and Drink in Venice
Breakfast:
- Cafe Rosa Salva: Pastry and coffee shop.
- Brunch Cafe: Serves gluten and dairy-free breakfast options.
- Cafe Florian: Is the second oldest coffeehouse in the world, opening back in 1720. As famous for its location on St. Mark’s square as for its opulent decorations and pricey menu.
Aperitif:
- Bar All’Arco: Aperitif Venetian style, bar often frequented by locals.
- El Borrachero: Bar by the Accademia bridge frequented by university students. Prosecco is served from the tap.
- Cantina do Mori: The oldest tavern in the city with a charming and rustic decor.
Lunch:
- Rosticceria Gislon: Popular among the locals, a wide range of finger foods and proper dishes at a great price.
- Birreria Forst: Where gondoliers come for lunch, make sure to try Panino con Musetto (Venetian hot dog) and their tramezzini (Venetian sandwiches).
- Dal Moro’s: Quick grab-and-go pasta.
Dinner:
- Taverna San Trovaso: Serves cuttlefish pasta.
- Nevodi: Popular family-run restaurant with a nice owner, tasty and reasonably priced.
- Trattoria alla Scala: Authentic seafood restaurant.
- Antico Forno: Pizzeria to go.
Gelato:
- Gelateria Suso: This is the most popular and busy Gelateria in the city!
- Bacaro del Gelato: Make sure to try their pistachio cream and chocolate-flavored options.
Rooftops:
- Skyline Rooftop Bar: Located on the Hilton Molino Stucky offering live music on summer nights.
- Terraza Danieli: Luxurious setting with a view of the Venice lagoon.
- La Terrazza Bar at the H10 Palazzo Canova: Offers spectacular views on the canal and the Rialto Bridge.
Where to Stay in Venice
San Polo: A few minutes from the Rialto Bridge and filled with dead-end alleyways, here you are pretty much in the center of the city and most sights are about 20 minutes away.
Castello: If you are up for a long walk through the park and a feel of local life, then Castello is an ideal neighborhood to stay in where you can get a break from the crowds.
Mestre: a city just outside of Venice with multiple buses and trams running all day, the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Overview of your 3 Days in Venice
As one of the most unique places in the world, with three days in Venice, you’ll get to see the most important sights, while having the time to get lost, get a spritz, and sample some great food along the way!
Important: The Venezia Unica Pass is a city pass that you should consider buying as it allows you to get significant discounts on museum tickets and public transportation costs. You can buy yours here.
Day 1: Visit the main sights
Start your day at St. Marks Square with its historic cafes and stunning buildings, this has always been the center of religious and public life in Venice.
Visit St. Mark’s Basilica with its stunning mosaics and gilded domes. Often referred to as the “Chiesa d’Oro” (Golden Church) due to its predominantly gold interior
Note: Entrance to the Basilica is free, however, if you want to visit the museum, the Horses of St. Mark, the Treasury, or the Pala d’Oro a ticket must be purchased
Visit the Doge’s Palace, the former residence of Venice’s ruling elite, with its opulent chambers and grand halls. In the past, the palace was used as a fortress and a prison. Nowadays, visitors can get a glimpse of the different rooms and admire the paintings by renowned Italian artists such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Bellin.
As part of the tour, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs. This iconic bridge is a reminder of the imprisoned men who would take a last glimpse of the lagoon before being condemned to death.
Day 2: Explore and Wander
Start your day at the iconic symbol of Venice trade and commerce, the Rialto Bridge, and check out the colorful, bustling daily Rialto Fish Market nearby.
Next, pay a visit to Libreria Acqua Alta, a charming library known as “the most beautiful bookstore in the world” has a huge assortment of books piled on top of each other and it is home to the city’s stray cats.
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo: A Venetian palace with a beautiful Tuscan spiral staircase tower offering amazing views over the city.
Teatro La Fenice: This opera house has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times, the interior of the building is a masterpiece of its own. To this day, world-famous operas and concerts are performed in the elaborate theater.
Other Activities and Sights
Tip: Take Vaporetto 1 or 2 for a scenic route along the Grand Canal.
Visit The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, showcasing modern art, a sculpture garden, and temporary exhibitions at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni along the Grand Canal.
Ca’ d’Oro: The Golden House of Venice was once a beautiful palace with gold leaf decoration on the outside. Located along the Grand Canal, the palace has a beautiful breathtaking façade. Nowadays, it houses the Giorgio Franchetti art collection.
Ca’ Rezzonico: One of the most impressive palaces in Venice, currently housing the Settecento Veneziano museum. Here you will find impressive and elaborate rooms, similar to what you find in the Doge’s Palace.
Gallerie dell’Accademia: Here you will find a collection of over 800 paintings of Venetian art.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco: A Renaissance-era building that houses masterpieces of Tintoretto.
If you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience, make sure to check out the Cannaregio district, home to Venice’s Jewish Ghetto.
Take the Traghetto and pay only 2 Euros to cross from the Cannaregio district back to the Rialto Fish Market. This is a great way to experience a ride on the gondola!
Day 3: Take a day trip to the nearby islands!
The only way to reach certain islands that make up the Venetian Archipelago is by water. You can opt for a vaporetto (water bus) or a wood-paneled water taxi.
You can start with your island tour by visiting San Giorgio Maggiore, located just across from Venice, you will see San Giorgio Maggiore with its bell tower and white marble church.
Perhaps, the most popular of the Venetian islands is Murano, with its historic furnaces and glass-making history. Make sure to check out the Museo del Vetro to learn about the art of glass blowing.
Continue on your island hopping tour and make sure you stroll the winding streets of Burano, known for its brightly colored houses and canals. If you have time, learn all about the history of lace craftsmanship at the Museo del Merletto.
One of the most remote islands in the Venetian archipelago is Torcello. This island is worth visiting due to the Cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Assunta, which has well-preserved Byzantine mosaics, as well as a bell tower that overlooks Burano.
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