Famous for its canals, impressive bridges and elegant domes, Venice feels almost like walking through a painting. Beyond the picture-perfect views, the city is also home to unique cultural treasures you won’t find anywhere else. It’s easy to see why Venice often makes it onto so many travel bucket lists, especially for those planning an Italy itinerary for 10 days.

But with so much to take in, what are the best places to visit in Venice? What’s worth seeing and doing while you’re here? Let’s explore together.

Explore the San Marco Square Complex

A visit to Venice often begins right here. San Marco Square is the city’s living room: busy and full of history wherever you look.

1. Piazza San Marco

A panoramic view of San Marco Square. Photo by marinadatsenko on Adobe Stock

It's here, in this large square, that you will find Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance influences. At the far end stands Saint Mark’s Basilica with its beautiful domes, while the tall bell tower rises just to the side. Not far off, the Doge’s Palace adds to the impressive line-up.

Almost everyone who comes to Venice finds themselves here sooner or later; it’s truly one of the must-see places to visit in Venice, and it does get busy. Suppose you can, go early in the morning. The light of dawn makes the basilica’s domes sparkle even more.

2. Saint Mark's Basilica

Glinting gold mosaics and bold Christian symbols everywhere you look. Photo by Pavlo Vakhrushev - stock.adobe.com

What really struck us was how familiar some of the patterns felt. It was almost as if the tiles, stone and glass designs we see today were inspired by these floors and walls that have been here for a hundred years.

To visit the prayer area, the ticket is only about €3 (just under £3), which honestly feels like a small price to pay for something so timeless. Unlike many of the popular places to visit in Venice that feel more like tourist stops, this one feels noticeably calmer.

3. Saint Mark's Campanile

Just hop on a lift, and it takes you right to the top of the bell tower. The doors open, and suddenly the whole of Venice is in front of you. You can see St Mark's Square below you and follow the curve of the Grand Canal. In the sunshine, you could even spot the surrounding islands and the Dolomites in the distance.

Tickets cost approximately €10, and if you wish to use the binoculars, an additional euro is required. You can book ahead online to get the time you want, or simply grab a ticket from the kiosk at the entrance; they take cards too. The only catch is that you don’t get long up there, maybe five minutes or so.

4. Doge's Palace

If you’re curious about the history of the Republic, Doge’s Palace is easily one of the most fascinating places to visit in Venice. It’s a Gothic building with little hints of Islamic style in the details. Step inside, you have gilded staircases and beautifully carved balconies which date back to the Middle Ages.

Walking across the Bridge of Sighs from the inside and stepping into the old prison cells was one of the highlights for us, eerie but really fascinating. We spent well over an hour just wandering around and still felt like there was so much left to see.

5. Caffè Florian

Right in the middle of St Mark’s Square, it’s pretty hard to miss this café, and yes, it really has been open for centuries. It’s one of the oldest cafés in the world that’s still serving coffee today. Definitely pop in if you want to enjoy a proper Italian coffee while surrounded by elegant old paintings and the soft sound of violins.

The desserts and drinks are nice enough. Not too crazy, but nice. It's a bit pricey and has a cover charge of about €8. Though all in all, sitting there and watching the square come alive more than makes up for it.

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Stroll Around the Rialto and the Grand Canal

From the square, it’s an easy walk or a quick vaporetto ride to the Rialto. This is where you’ll really get a feel for local life, with all the activity happening along both sides of the Grand Canal.

Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Photo by Aerial Film Studio on Adobe Stock

6. Grand Canal

Imagine Milan’s busy streets filled with cars and scooters, and now picture the same kind of bustle, but on water. That’s the Grand Canal. You’ve got vaporetti, water taxis, gondolas and little boats gliding past. It feels busy, but in a way that’s gentler. Along the banks, you’ll spot some of the most iconic places to visit in Venice: the old stone Rialto Bridge, the elegant wooden Accademia Bridge, and the beautiful Ca’ d’Oro, often called the Golden House.

To see the city like locals do, hop on a vaporetto (basically a bus that runs on water) for about €9. If you want something more private, a gondola ride is around €100 for about half an hour. Any time is good for a ride along the canal, but we loved it most in autumn, when the crowds had thinned, and the whole place felt just a little more peaceful.

7. Rialto Bridge

Being one of Venice's oldest landmarks, it’s no surprise that the Rialto Bridge is often named among the noteworthy places to visit in Venice. The bridge itself turned out to be much bigger than we’d imagined, with a tall stone arch and a row of little shops running along the middle.

From the top, you’ll get a nice view, with gondolas drifting below and the Grand Canal stretching out ahead. Around the bridge, you’ll also find plenty of local restaurants, perfect for sampling Venetian specialities. The only tricky part is the crowds. When we last went in February, right in the middle of peak season, it was absolutely packed.

8. Rialto Market

The best place to get some fresh seafoods, produce, and pasta. Photo by trialartinf - stock.adobe.com

Even if you’re not planning to cook in Venice, it’s worth popping by this market for a little wander. Right at the foot of the Rialto Bridge, it’s not very big, but it’s one of the most brilliant places to visit in Venice to get a feel for everyday life in the city. The nicest part is hearing people chatting in Venetian rather than standard Italian.

The fish market in the area was the actual eye-catcher. You can obtain practically everything fresh from the Adriatic, such as sea bass, red mullet, prawns and octopus. And in case you need a rest, there are lots of small bars and cafés nearby where you might sit down for a coffee or a croissant.

Immerse Yourself in Art & Culture

Venice isn’t only about canals and gondolas. The city has inspired artists for centuries, and some of the ideal places to visit in Venice are its galleries and museums.

9. Teatro La Fenice Opera House

The entrance to Teatro La Fenice, aka The Phoenix Theatre. Photo by thauwald-pictures on Adobe Stock

Teatro La Fenice has always been the city’s most famous opera house and has hosted some of the world’s greatest performers. With an audio guide, you can walk through the Foyer, the Apollonian Halls, and beyond, listening to anecdotes about legends such as Maria Callas and her brilliant career here.

Even if you don’t see a performance, the theatre itself is worth viewing. The gilded balconies, red velvet seating and flashy chandeliers are impressive in their own right. Tickets aren’t the cheapest for a short visit, but the beauty and atmosphere more than justify it.

10. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The gate leading to the property. Photo by abc foto - stock.adobe.com

Right on the Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection sits in what used to be Peggy Guggenheim’s own home. It isn’t a huge gallery, but that’s actually what we loved about it, one of the more unique places to visit in Venice, where you can wander at your own pace without feeling rushed. Inside, there’s an amazing mix of early and mid-20th century art: Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract pieces and some striking sculptures too.

Afterwards, you can stop at the little garden café in the area. Nothing over the top, just a quiet corner with a drink at a reasonable price. Tickets are about €17, and children go free, which we thought was really fair for such a unique glimpse into modern art in Venice.

11. Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Walking into this grand building feels a little like stepping straight into a Renaissance story. Tintoretto’s work is everywhere, filling the halls with energy and emotion. The painting that held us the longest was his Crucifixion; it’s one of those pieces you just keep coming back to.

Everything here feels larger than life: enormous canvases, beautiful sculptures, and a ceiling so detailed you could lose yourself in it. Luckily, there are mirrors dotted around so you can admire it without craning your neck. If you love art, this is easily one of the unmissable places to visit in Venice.

12. Libreria Acqua Alta

Acqua Alta Bookstore one of those quirky spots in Venice. Photo by precinbe on Adobe Stock

Like many visitors, we first came to this bookshop after spotting photos online, and it really is as quirky as it looks. Books are stacked in bathtubs and even in a gondola to keep them safe from high water. And there’s a staircase made of old encyclopaedias that’s become something of an icon.

The place has a whimsical feel, with cats wandering about as if they own it. You won’t necessarily find rare books here, and it can get a bit crowded. However, it is worth dropping by, if only to capture a jolly side of Venice.

13. Gallerie dell’Accademia

While the Peggy Guggenheim nearby leans towards the modern, the Accademia takes you back in time. This gallery is one of the most worthwhile places to visit in Venice, home to unique works of art, sculptures and frescoes from the Renaissance. You’ll also come across touches of Byzantine and even Romanesque style here.

Even if you only enjoy art on instinct, it’s the kind of place where you can happily spend hours without wanting to miss a single piece. The only small downside is that their book and gift shop feels a bit limited; it would have been nice to see a few more unique souvenirs from the Accademia itself.

Admire Churches & Unique Architecture

If you're still fascinated by the churches of Venice, you're in for a treat. Scattered throughout the city are more serene, breathtaking spaces that introduce Venice's unique style of architecture.

14. Church of Santa Maria della Salute

Santa Maria della Salute sits along the Grand Canal. Photo by Igor Tichonow on Adobe Stock

The church rises right at the entrance to the Grand Canal, its soft white domes looking almost like they’re floating above the water against the sky. The interior is octagonal in shape, supposed to represent the Virgin Mary's crown. A few artworks add to the sense of peace, making it one of the more memorable places to visit in Venice.

What really stayed with us, though, was the view from the dome. It may not be as high as the Campanile, but it’s still a lovely place to take in the sight of the canal stretching north across the city. Best of all, it’s free to go in; just remember it usually closes around 5 pm, so it’s worth fitting it in earlier rather than leaving it too late.

15. Spiral Staircase Scala del Bovolo

The view from atop of Contarini del Bovolo stairway. Photo by ronnybas - stock.adobe.com

Hidden away in the back of the city's maze of narrow streets, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo is a well-kept secret. The spiral staircase is easy to climb, and at the top there’s a quiet terrace where you can look out across the rooftops. It’s so peaceful, a nice change from the busier places to visit in Venice, like Rialto or St Mark’s Square, and the best part is you rarely need to queue.

Inside the tower, two small rooms show modern art. They’re not big, but they add something extra to the experience. Tickets are around 7 to 9 euros. Some people think that’s a bit much, but if you’re in the area, it’s a lovely stop. If you can, try going in the late afternoon when the rooftops glow in the softer light; it makes the view even more memorable.

Wander Through the Islands and Other Special Corners

There’s more to Venice than the main landmarks. Hop across to the smaller islands and you’ll stumble upon colourful houses and a slower side of the city.

16. Murano

Intricate glass flowers of Murano. Photo by Chris on Adobe Stock

Murano is also one of the distinctive places to visit in Venice for those looking to explore beyond the main city. The island is known for its chandeliers, vases, jewellery and all sorts of delicate glass pieces. The little roads and bridges here are tranquil and tidy, untroubled by the thick crowds of the inner city. Think local town charm with colourful houses. Getting here is easy, too. A vaporetto from St Mark’s Square with a simple 24-hour return ticket is enough for a relaxed day trip. Note that the ferry trip is around 45 minutes each way.

17. Lido

The public beach at Lido. Photo by Vladislav Gajic on Adobe Stock

The island is one of the serene places to visit in Venice if you want to escape the more crowded parts of the city. It only takes about 15 minutes on the vaporetto from S. Marco or San Zaccaria to get here, and a 24-hour ticket makes things easy. 

The Adriatic here feels calm and welcoming. Most people come prepared with their own swimwear, ready to spend the day in the sea. If you like, you can rent a parasol and a lounger (around €20). And be sure to hit Trattoria Andri for some fresh seafood.

Bike about 20-30 minutes south, and you will find yourself in Malamocco. It’s a tiny fishing village that is actually older than Venice itself. There’s nothing quite like chatting up with locals with cats sleeping in the sun in the background when you head so far.

18. Burano

A peaceful retrat from Venice. Photo by Pawel Pajor - stock.adobe.com

It’s easy to visit Murano and Burano in one day. Just hop on the vaporetto and enjoy the ride. Burano, in particular, feels almost like it was made for postcards. No wonder it’s often listed as one of the favourite places to visit in Venice, because every photo you take here comes out looking special.

The whole island is a splash of colour. Orange, yellow, pink, red, purple, etc. every house and little shop front has its own bright shade. Even the boats are painted to match, so when they’re tied up along the canals, the whole place looks like a painting. The locals seem laid-back and friendly, which makes wandering around here feel even more pleasant.

19. Jewish Quarter (Ghetto Ebraico di Venezia)

These days, the Venetian Ghetto still feels full of life, even though the Jewish community here is much smaller than it once was. As you wander through the winding streets, you’ll come across traces of its long history, from the Jewish Museum to the five synagogues tucked away in the neighbourhood. The most eye-catching is the Schola Spagnola, with its striking decorations and delicate stucco details.

You’ll find the Ghetto in the Cannaregio district, and it’s easy to get to by vaporetto. The nearest stops are Guglie/San Marcuola. From Guglie, just cross the bridge and turn right along Fondamenta de la Misericordia; in only a few minutes’ walk, you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.

20. Squero di San Trovaso Boatyard

Ever wonder what a gondola shipyard looks like? Photo by Stanislav Samoylik - stock.adobe.com

Tucked away in Dorsoduro, this is not really a tourist attraction, but it is still interesting if you are curious about how gondolas are made. Stop by the canal outside and watch the craftsmen repair or build the gondola. If you’re lucky, one of the craftsmen may strike up a conversation and show you the whole place. Or you could book in advance for a guaranteed tour.

Just a few steps away is the Zattere, a massive sunny promenade that runs along the Giudecca Canal. After you see the boatyard, walk down to the Zattere for a gelato at Gelateria Nico.

Your Next Adventure in Venice Awaits

From grand churches and historic landmarks to traditional crafts and charming little islands, the list of great places to visit in Venice we’ve just shared is sure to delight even the pickiest of travellers. So why not grab your CabinZero, the lightweight, durable backpack with a lifetime warranty, and set off on your dream trip to this magical city today?

Quyen Pham