The 18 best things to do in Venice: our top picks

Venice is unlike anywhere else, built directly on water across 118 small islands linked by more than 400 bridges. It began in the 5th century, when people escaping barbarian invasions settled here, and over time it became a powerful maritime republic that controlled trade routes between Europe and Asia for nearly a thousand years.

These days, Venice is home to around 50,000 residents but sees about 25 million visitors each year. That imbalance means the city constantly walks a line between everyday life and mass tourism. To really get a sense of Venice beyond the surface, it helps to step away from the busiest areas, spend time in quieter neighborhoods, and support the small workshops and artisans who keep traditions alive.

Here’s a guide to some of the best things to do in Venice, from the famous sights to places that give you a better feel for local life.
 

1. Antica Drogheria Mascari

Close to the Rialto, this long-running spice shop has been open since 1948. Shelves hold glass jars and wooden crates filled with saffron, loose-leaf teas, spice blends, candied fruits, and dried goods from across the world. It is a reminder of Venice’s long history in global trade. Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Venice.

Mornings are the quietest time to visit. The staff know their stock well, so it is worth asking about seasonal ingredients or what they recommend. A small pouch of saffron or a jar of spice mix is both practical and easy to take home from your trip to Italy.

2. Rialto Market

The Rialto Market has been part of daily life for more than a thousand years. Before 9 a.m., local chefs and home cooks choose from crates of produce from nearby islands and seafood caught in the lagoon.

You might see Sant’Erasmo’s violet artichokes or soft-shell moeche crabs.

Arrive early if you want to see the full activity, and ask before taking photographs. When you have finished looking around, join the locals in a nearby bar for a small glass of prosecco and a plate of cicchetti. This is a great addition to any Italy itinerary.

3. Visit a Bàcaro

A bàcaro is a small, usually standing-room wine bar where you can order ombra, a small glass of wine, with cicchetti such as creamy baccalà on polenta or tramezzini sandwiches.

The tradition is to try a few bites, then move on to another place. You will find more local businesses in neighborhoods like Cannaregio or Castello. Ordering is simple. Point to what you want, stay at the counter, and keep portions small so you can try more than one. The best way to plan a trip to Italy is to add as many food stops as possible.

4. Visit the Lace Makers of Burano

Burano, about 45 minutes by vaporetto from Venice, is known for its long tradition of needle lace-making. You can see artisans at the Lace Museum or in small workshops, working on punto in aria (“stitches in air”), a technique that began in the 1500s when Burano lace was worn by European royalty.

A single small piece can take months to complete. If you want something genuine, buy directly from the makers instead of from shops selling imported versions. The brightly painted fishermen’s houses are part of what makes the island distinctive. 
 

5. St. Mark’s Basilica

This Byzantine church reflects Venice’s history as a link between East and West. Inside, more than 86,000 square feet (8,000 sq m) of mosaics depict biblical scenes. This is one of the most popular things to do in Venice.

Built to hold the relics of St. Mark, it is also decorated with marble columns brought from Constantinople and the bronze horses above the entrance. The Pala d’Oro altarpiece contains nearly 2,000 precious stones.

Book skip-the-line tickets in advance and visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the largest crowds. For more about avoiding the crowds, see our guide to the best time to visit Venice.

6. Food markets beyond just Rialto

Rialto Market is well known, but smaller neighborhood markets show more of the everyday side of Venice. The market on Via Garibaldi in Castello sells seasonal produce, fresh pasta, and regional cheeses to local residents, and visiting here is one of the best things to do in Venice.

In Cannaregio, near the Guglie bridge, there are stalls with fresh seafood and vegetables.

On Tuesday mornings, the market on Lido draws regular shoppers, while the Saturday market on Rio Terà San Leonardo has a mix of produce and specialty foods.

Arrive before 11 a.m. for the best selection and bring a reusable bag. Depending on the season, you might find radicchio di Treviso, white asparagus, or other regional produce, and many vendors will let you taste before buying. Visiting these markets supports the local food culture outside the main tourist areas.

7. Libreria Acqua Alta

This bookstore deals with Venice’s seasonal flooding by storing books in bathtubs, waterproof bins, and even a gondola inside the shop.

Cats wander through the aisles, and outside there is a staircase built from old encyclopedias that leads to a canal view.

The selection might seem scattered, but you can find vintage editions, art books, and titles about Venice in several languages.

It attracts plenty of visitors with cameras, but it is still a working bookshop. Buying something helps keep it in business. Go early or late in the day to avoid the busiest times. Outside there are book displays and quiet corners to sit for a while.

8. Doge’s Palace

For nearly a thousand years, this Gothic palace was home to the doge, Venice’s leader, and served as the city’s government and court complex. Inside, there are grand rooms decorated with paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese.

The Bridge of Sighs connects the interrogation rooms to the old prison, where Casanova was once held. The Secret Itineraries tour takes you through hidden corridors, cells, and the torture chamber.

It is worth booking ahead, as spaces are limited. On the main route, the Great Council Hall stands out with the world’s largest oil painting. Visiting late in the afternoon usually means fewer people and softer light in the courtyard.

9. La Fenice

La Fenice, or “The Phoenix,” has burned down and been rebuilt three times since it opened in 1792. It has hosted the premieres of works such as Verdi’s La Traviata and Rigoletto.

Inside, you will see red velvet seats, gold-trimmed balconies, and a painted ceiling. Guided tours include the royal box, backstage areas, and stories from the theater’s history.

Attending an evening performance is the best way to experience it, but tickets should be booked early, and formal dress is expected. Standing room tickets are a more affordable option. Audio guides explain its history and architecture. La Fenice remains an important part of Venice’s cultural life and has repeatedly returned after disaster.

10. Local artisan workshops

Venice still has craftspeople keeping traditions alive that have been passed down for generations. You can watch mask makers in Castello shaping papier-mâché, bookbinders near Campo Santa Maria Nova working on leather-bound books, and oar makers (remeri) carving forcole, the curved oarlocks used on gondolas.

If you want to see them at work, mornings are best. In Cannaregio, the Fondamenta degli Ormesini has several workshops open to visitors. Buying directly from the maker means it is authentic and the payment goes straight to them.

Some workshops run small classes, but you need to book ahead. Avoid places that feel set up mainly for tourists. Supporting these crafts helps ensure Venice remains a place where things are still made by hand. There are plenty of great day trips from Venice you can take to find artisan shops as well.

11. Cannaregio

Cannaregio is Venice’s most populated district and has the feel of a working neighborhood. The Jewish Ghetto, founded in 1516, has historic synagogues, kosher bakeries, and the Jewish Museum that explains the area’s history.

Fondamenta della Misericordia and Fondamenta degli Ormesini are lined with great bars and restaurants. The Madonna dell’Orto church holds several Tintoretto paintings and is usually quiet.

Away from the main routes, you can see canals strung with laundry, gardens behind old gates, and boatyards where repairs are still done by hand.

People live and work here, so it is best to keep your voice down and avoid blocking narrow streets or doorways. Cannaregio shows the side of Venice that exists beyond tourism. See our guide to where to stay in Venice.

12. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is in the unfinished Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and holds her collection of modern art with works by Picasso, Pollock, and Dalí.

The 18th-century building has a sculpture garden and several rooms that still look much as they did when Guggenheim lived there. Her bedroom and dining room are open to view.

The terrace café faces the Grand Canal and is a good place for a prosecco after visiting the galleries. On Wednesday evenings, there are aperitivo events, and Sunday mornings have family activities. The garden is also where Guggenheim’s dogs are buried, a small detail that reflects her personal connection to the place.

13. Take a gondola tour

A gondola ride is one of the most recognizable things to do in Venice, but it’s also a good way to see the city from the water. You pass along smaller canals and get a close-up view of buildings that you can only see from a boat. This is a great way to get around Venice.

Every gondola is handmade from eight types of wood, with a design that has been refined over centuries. For a quieter experience and sometimes better prices, start from less busy areas like Fondamenta dell’Osmarin near San Zaccaria or the Bacino Orseolo behind San Marco.

You can share with other passengers to reduce the cost. If you want to avoid Grand Canal traffic, ask to go through residential canals instead. Some gondoliers talk about the history as they row while others prefer not to. These rides also help maintain traditional boatbuilding skills that are passed down through local families.

14. Le Stanze del Vetro (Rooms for Glass)

On San Giorgio Maggiore Island, this free museum focuses on Venetian glass with exhibitions that change regularly. The displays range from centuries-old pieces to modern works.

The permanent collection includes rare pieces from well-known Murano workshops. The galleries are bright and uncluttered, giving you time to look closely at each piece.

From the island, there are clear views across the water to San Marco. While you are here, you can also visit Palladio’s church next door. The museum shop sells certified Murano glass, so what you buy directly supports artisans. At times there are talks or demonstrations that explain the process behind the craft. It's a great addition to any North Italy itinerary.

15. Lido

This barrier island is about 7.5 miles (12 km) long and works as both an Italy beach destination and a regular neighborhood.

In September the Venice Film Festival draws crowds, but for the rest of the year the pace is slower (see our guide to the best time to visit Italy).

Renting a bike is an easy way to see the Art Nouveau villas, the Jewish cemetery, and the fishing village of Malamocco. There are public beaches that are free and private ones where you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

On Wednesdays there is a market with fresh produce and household goods. Restaurants here often serve fresh seafood at prices that are usually lower than in the historic center. The vaporetto ride over gives you open lagoon views. At the north end there is a nature reserve with birdwatching and quiet stretches of sand.

16. Ca' d'Oro (Palazzo Santa Sofia)

On the Grand Canal, this Gothic palace once had gold leaf on its façade, which is why it is called the “Golden House.” Today it holds the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti, where Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts are displayed in rooms that still feel like part of a home.

Mantegna’s St. Sebastian draws attention, but so do the carved marble details and the open loggia facing the water. The courtyard still has its medieval marble wellhead and a mosaic floor. From the upper balconies you can see along the canal in both directions. 
It is usually quieter here than at the major landmarks. The collection also includes ceramics, bronzes, and tapestries that show aspects of patrician life in Venice.
 

17. La Bottega dei Mascareri

Near Campo San Polo, this workshop produces Venetian carnival masks using papier-mâché techniques that have been passed down for centuries.

Brothers Sergio and Massimo Boldrin trained with master craftsmen and now make masks for local theaters and carnival events. Visitors can watch them shape, mold, and paint designs ranging from traditional Commedia dell’Arte characters to original creations.

Each mask takes several days to complete, so prices reflect the amount of work involved. The workshop also runs mask-making classes that need to be booked in advance. While working, the brothers explain the history and meaning behind the different mask styles. Buying here means you are taking home something authentic and supporting a tradition that is still part of Venice’s cultural life.

18. Murano

About a 10-minute vaporetto ride from Venice, Murano has been producing glass for more than 700 years. In 1291, the Venetian Republic moved all glassmakers here to lower the risk of fires in the city and to keep their methods secret.

The Glass Museum gives useful context before visiting a furnace to watch glass being made. Larger factories sometimes have free demonstrations but will often pressure visitors to buy. Smaller studios can feel more personal.

The Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato has Byzantine mosaics and a display of what are said to be dragon bones. Organized tours that combine Murano with other islands are usually commission-based. Going on your own by vaporetto gives more flexibility. To ensure authenticity, buy from furnaces that display the Vetro Murano Artistico trademark. Beyond the workshops there are residential streets and local restaurants where you can get a break from the busier parts of Venice.