An iconic city defined by its picturesque canals and air of romance, a weekend in Venice or even a day trip to Venice is a must on any trip to Italy! Though in recent years this touristic gem has suffered greatly from overtourism, we look towards a hopeful future when Venezia can be visited without causing harm. When that does happen, this Venice itinerary is here to provide you with everything you’ll need for an incredible trip to Venice!
This Venice itinerary will touch on things to do in Venice, best places to stay in Venice, how to get around Venice, best Venice Tours, Venice tips and FAQs, and more! Read on to make the most of an incredible day trip in Venice or a weekend in Venice!
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Venice Map
Also see: Italy Itinerary; Amalfi Coast Itinerary; Rome Itinerary; Milan Itinerary; Florence Itinerary
Ready to book your trip to Venice? Check out Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights from your departure city and take the first step towards an unforgettable weekend in Venice!
Things to Do in Venice
Venice is known for its historic practice of glass blowing, particularly on the Venetian islands of Murano and Burano. Don’t miss out on Venice boat tours over to these fascinating islands and experience the Venetian glass making process firsthand.
Delight in bringing home unique souvenirs, including mirrors, glass beads, and other rare treasures. Experiencing the history of Venetian glass blowing is an absolute must on your Venice itinerary, especially if it’s your first time in this stunning city!
My picks for best Venetian glass tours: Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour; Venice Glass Tours; Venice: Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands Boat Tour
2. Gondola Ride
One of the most classic things to do in Venice is taking a traditional gondola ride! This is a great way to experience Venice’s iconic canals and take in the city from a different perspective.
There are lots of great Venice gondola tours, and I would recommend signing up ahead of time to ensure availability when you need it, especially if you’re only taking a day trip to Venice and will be pressed for time.
Private Venice gondola tours can be a bit expensive, but certainly make for the most intimate and romantic Italian experience. If you’re on a tighter budget, consider shared Venice gondola tours which will still offer the classic gondola experience but will be a little less private.
My picks for best Venice gondola tours: Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade; Top Venice Gondola Cruises; Venice: Private Gondola Ride for Up to 6 People
Burano
3. Venice Tours
There’s no better way to experience Venice in a day than booking day tours. From Venice boat tours to Venice walking tours, there are lots of ways to explore the city’s rich history and culture during your trip. Check out Venice food tours, Venice gondola tours, Florence to Venice day tours, or a day trip to Venice from Rome to enhance your Venice itinerary.
Especially if you’ve only got a weekend in Venice, day tours are a great way to get a feel for the city’s main highlights. From Piazza San Marco to the Rialto Bridge to the glorious Grand Canal, a day tour will help you to make the most of your trip.
My picks for best Venice tours: Musica a Palazzo ‘Traveling Opera’ Performance in Venice; Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour; Legendary Venice St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
4. Get Lost in Scenic Venice Streets
Venice is all about strolling through the picturesque streets of the city on foot, losing yourself in the faded colors of Italian shops and the emerald waters of the city’s winding canals.
Be sure to take a Venice walking tour to explore the city’s major attractions, including the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Palazzo Ducale, and St. Mark’s Basilica. Cruise through the canals on vapporettos, Venetian public water busses, and explore all you can on your day trip to Venice.
*Tip: be sure to pack a lightweight shawl to cover your chest and shoulders when entering a church or holy site during your trip to Venice!
My picks for best Venice walking tours: Top Venice Walking Tours; Legendary Venice St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace; Best of Venice Tour with St Mark’s Basilica and Grand Canal Boat tour
Check Out the Best Venice Tours for a Day Trip to Venice
Consider adding a few of these tours to complement your Venice itinerary:
Best Places to Stay in Venice
My picks for best places to stay in Venice: Hotel Casanova; MyPlace San Marco Apartments; Casa Mimma Hostel; H10 Palazzo Canova
The best places to stay in Venice are in the Rialto Bridge area, around the Grand Canal, or near the famed Piazza San Marco.
For first time visitors, Piazza San Marco is the best area to stay in Venice. It’s the true “city center” and you’ll be nearby to Venice’s other major attractions which is perfect for a short stay.
The Rialto Bridge area is another of the best places to stay in Venice because it’s full of lively shops and restaurants.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, the Grand Canal area will be the best area to stay in Venice. This area is a bit more expensive but totally worth it for an upscale trip. Whether you’re spending the weekend or just a day in Venice, these areas should definitely be your top choices.
How to Get Around Venice
The best way to get around Venice is by water or on foot. For a day trip to Venice, you’ll definitely want to hop on a vaporetto, a public water bus, to quickly take you where you need to go. There are also various other options for water taxis which will make getting around much easier. That said, much of Venice is very walkable and that will be the most cost effective and charming way to enjoy your trip.
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Venice Travel Essentials
World Nomads Travel Insurance: It is incredibly important to make sure you’ve got good travel insurance before you head out on your Italian adventure. Don’t risk anything going wrong with your luggage, flights, or medical during your visit to Venice, instead choose WorldNomads.com to insure your trip. World Nomads is awesome because they allow you to buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home! It’s perfect for Venice, as it’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities, too.
Italy Power Adapter: You won’t want to forget your Italy Power Adapter when you leave for your trip! This adapter will allow you to plug in all your devices to Italian outlets, which you’ll certainly need to do at least once on your day trip to Venice. This particular adapter is great because it works in several countries, so you’ll be able to use it for future trips as well!
Charles Schwab Debit Card: If you want to save money on foreign transaction fees while in Italy, I would recommend getting the Charles Schwab debit card before you leave! This card is amazing because you can use it at restaurants and shops and to take cash out at any ATMs. This is one thing I never travel without and think every traveler should have!
Check out my Recommended Travel Essentials page for more useful resources for your Venice vacation!
Ready to book your flight to Venice? Click HERE to explore the best flight prices and deals on Skyscanner!
Venice Tips and FAQs
Can you drink tap water in Italy?
Yes, you can drink the tap water in Italy and Venice is no exception! That said, you may have to ask specifically for tap water at restaurants during your day trip to Venice, or you’ll end up having to pay for bottled water.
Don’t head to Venice without bringing some of these electrolyte packets with you! These will be an absolute life saver during your trip and will really come in handy to cure your post-day trip to Venice wine hangover!
Is Venice safe?
Yes, typically Venice is considered to be a safe city. That said, it’s important to keep an eye out for pickpockets during your day trip to Venice, especially in crowded or touristy locations.
Also consider bringing a TSA approved combination lock with you to secure your luggage or valuables in your hostel or hotel accommodation while you’re out and about during a weekend in Venice. Always bring an external battery charger with you to ensure your smartphone doesn’t die at an inconvenient and potentially dangerous time.
Finally, you should keep a small journal and pen on you when spending a weekend in Venice to write down your accommodation address and any other vital information, just in case!
How do you get to Venice, Italy?
There are several ways to get to Venice. You can fly in directly to the international Venice Marco Polo Airport, or take the train from any of the other major cities in Italy. However you decide to arrive for a weekend in Venice, be sure to pack a travel-size neck pillow for long rides, luggage tags to keep track of your belongings, and a TSA approved toiletry case for ease at airports, train, and bus stations!
What I need to know about tipping in Venice?
There is no need to tip at restaurants on your day trip to Venice, though if you feel the service was truly excellent, a gesture of leaving a 5-10% tip will be much appreciated.
Traveling Alone or Want to Join a Tour?
A great way to experience the best of Venice and then some is through Intrepid Italy Tours! Intrepid does a great job of giving you the true local experience and will show you all that Venice has to offer from a genuine and authentic perspective.
I have personally used this tour company and think they do an awesome job. They’re affordable and they focus on sustainable travel which is so important; I cannot recommend Intrepid Tours enough for your trip to Venice!
*Please note that some of the above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I make a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Please know that I ONLY recommend products that I personally use or believe to be helpful to other travelers!