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Venice is one of my favourite cities in the world! Nurture Happiness Today TRAVEL shares some of our recommendations for sightseeing in Venice you may want to consider for your own trip!
The “City of Canals” is truly unique, full of history, and fascinating to visit. There is so much to explore in Venice that we could not list all the amazing sites and landmarks…we share some of our favourites in this article. Enjoy discovering this enchanting city!
(Private) Water Taxi from the Airport
If you are flying into the Venice Airport Marco Polo (VCE), we highly recommend taking the airport water taxi, rather than the “vaperetto” shared public water buses for a special entrance!
We booked the private transfer in advance before flying. It was an incredible way to see and enter Venice! The experience was both an exciting and comfortable ride, with spectacular views. Although it is a more expensive option to transfer to the city, the private boat transfer experience was an unforgettable arrival!
For options to consider for private or shared transfer to and from the Venice Airport Marco Polo:
- Private Arrival: Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Arrival Transfer
- Private Departure: Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Departure Transfer
- Shared Arrival: Venice Marco Polo Airport Link Arrival Transfer
- Shared Departure: Venice Marco Polo Airport Link Departure Transfer
Public Transportation: for the vaperetto or shared public water buses, single-fare tickets or multi-day passes can be purchased at ticket booths or ACTV ticket vending machines.
Gondola Ride
A gondola ride in Venice is a must-do! Surprisingly, I know people who have visited the magnificent city skipping this experience. Sightseeing in Venice on a gondola is truly a unique, special adventure.
There are gondolas available all around the city with different accents and décor, so booking in advance is not necessary. Also, be sure to confirm pricing and the length of time so you know the details up front. A gondola ride can be experienced privately or with others visitors.
Murano and Burano
Murano
Known for its glassware, Murano is one of most famous islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Our hotel offered a free boat shuttle to Murano so be sure to confirm if your hotel offers a shuttle as well.
We visited the Murano Glass Factory which was an interesting free guided tour. The tour enabled us to see the process and techniques for making the famous glassware. Afterwards, visitors are led into the factory’s store to see the final products and purchase any items.
We did not feel that a guided tour of the small island was necessary as we simply explored on our own after the glass factory tour. Other sights to see and visit in Murano include the Church of Santa Maria and San Donato, which is one of the oldest buildings in the Venetian lagoon. The church was originally built in the seventh century.
Murano can be reached from Venice by taking a public vaporetto (water taxi) or by private water taxi. We can recommend taking the public water bus from Murano to Burano. Many locals and tourists take the vaporetto, which was an easy, economical way to visit both islands for the day.
However, if you do prefer to take a guided tour of Murano and/or Burano, we share some popular options here with many reviews:
- Murano & Burano Islands: Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat
- Murano Glass Experience plus Visit to a Burano lace island and lace making factory
- Best of Venice: St Marks, Doges Palace, with Murano and Burano & Gondola Ride!
Burano
Visiting Burano is a very popular day trip for sightseeing in Venice. It can easily be visited in one day, combined with Murano. The island is famous for its bright and colourful buildings and is a worthwhile visit while in Venice!
In addition, Burano is famous for lace. There are many stores selling clothing and other goods made from the beautiful Venetian lace.
Saint Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
The magnificent square is open to the public and free to explore. The square is named after the stunning Saint Mark’s Basilica at the eastern end. In the Piazza is also the Clocktower with the archway that leads to the Merceria, the shopping area of Venice. Be sure to also visit the Square in the evenings for spectacular pictures.
Although the square is free to visit, we often book tours on our travels for insights and guidance. A few popular guided tours with many reviews, are listed here for your consideration if interested as well:
- Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour with a Local Guide
- Venice Walking Tour of Most-Famous Sites Monuments & Attractions with Top Guide
Saint Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Work on Saint Mark’s Basilica began in 1063 according to the official website. Built on the foundations of a previous church, it is one of the most beautiful and opulent churches we have visited on our travels. For a more in depth understanding and experience, we highly recommend a tour of the basilica.
We did a small group, guided tour after-hours and got a unique different experience! We liked the small size of the group and learning about the basilica from the guide. Read about this tour further in our article here.
For availability of the after-hours tour: Saint Mark’s Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge’s Palace
Other popular guided tours with Saint Mark’s Basilica that have many reviews for your consideration:
- Small-group Saint Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-line Tour
- Legendary Venice St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge’s Palace
- Skip-the-Line: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Fully Guided Tour
- Private Tour: Venice Skip the Line Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Rialto Bridge
The bridge offers breath-taking views of the Grand Canal. Be sure to visit this landmark both during the day and at night to capture spectacular pictures from the bridge. Expect crowds of visitors but the views are worth the wait for a great spot.
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Doge’s Palace is another must visit attraction. The impressive and opulent site was the home of the Doge of Venice. Historically, the Doge was the highest elected official at the time. Now a museum open to the public, we spent a few hours here exploring the extravagant palace, masterpieces, and dungeons.
Popular guided tour options with Doge’s Palace with reviews:
- Legendary Venice St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge’s Palace
- Doge’s Palace & Prisons Tour
- Skip-the-Line: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Fully Guided Tour
Merceria
The Merceria is the historic shopping area of Venice. There are a variety of stores, including high end brands, as well as shops, restaurants, and bars. We bought a few souvenirs here including Venetian chocolates and a Venetian mask.
Bridge of Sighs
Made of white limestone, the bridge is often photographed by visitors from the outside. The Bridge of Sighs connects Doge’s Palace to its prisons. It is named accordingly as prisoners would look out its windows and sigh as they crossed this bridge to their cells.
There is so much to see and do in this one of a kind city. Enjoy sightseeing in Venice…we hope you fall in love too with the incredible “City of Canals”!
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