"If you read a lot, nothing is as great as you've imagined. Venice is – Venice is better." This famous quote by Fran Lebowitz captures the beauty and splendor of Venice perfectly: no matter how high your expectations for the city may be, the real thing is even better! On the flip side, the city's endless beauty and countless iconic landmarks might make planning an itinerary feel a bit overwhelming. So how many days do you actually need to make the most of the city? Let's break it down!
This guide will give you an overview of all the must-see sights in Venice, whether you're planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a week-long expedition to the city. Regardless of your time frame, we highly recommend booking a private tour of the city to ensure the best possible hassle-free experience.
Day Trip
Does your itinerary only allow for one day to explore Venice? No problem! Lucky for you, Venice is a compact city that's also very walkable. In fact, you can walk right across town in about an hour or so. This also means that all the main sights are within easy reach of each other. That being said, you really shouldn't bite off more than you can chew. To make the most of your day trip to Venice, we really recommend being selective and only choosing a few highlights to visit, rather than rushing from monument to monument - even though you technically could.
Obviously, you'll want to catch some views of the city's iconic canals. One of the best places to do this is the Rialto Bridge, a scenic pedestrian overpass built over the Grand Canal. Keep your camera at the ready, as the views are to die for! From Rialto Bridge, it only takes around 10 minutes to walk over to St. Mark's Square, arguably the most iconic spot in all of Venice. This lively piazza is lined by many of the most popular attractions in the city. After strolling through the square, you can visit the beautiful St. Mark's Basilica, followed by a stint to the imposing Doge's Palace. From the Doge's Palace, you can continue on to the Bridge of Sighs, a historic passageway that was once used to transfer prisoners from court to prison.
There is a lot to see and even more to absorb here - the city's history literally reaches back over a thousand years! The best way to optimize your time is to book a full-day tour of the city.
2 Day (Weekend) Trip
A weekend in Venice? Yes please! If you have two days to spend in the city, you can expand your scope and explore the canals and streets well beyond St. Mark's Square. For a weekend trip to Venice, we definitely recommend taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, as this is hands down the best way to take in the architecture of this unique floating city.
Besides marveling at the scenery, a two-day trip to Venice also gives you enough time to enjoy the arts. But take your time! Racing from one museum to another can soon feel exhausting and eventually, all those great works of art will start to blur into one. Instead, we strongly recommend sticking to just one museum and taking it all in at your own pace. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is arguably the most famous art museum in Venice, with a collection featuring iconic works by the likes of Giorgio De Chirico and Jackson Pollock.
Italy is, of course, known as a foodie's paradise as well, so you should definitely sample some local cuisine during your weekend trip. As a coastal city, Venice is most famous for its seafood, and let's face it, you can never go wrong with some divine Italian gelato!
5-Day (Week-long) Trip
If you're able to spend five days (or more!) in Venice, you are one lucky duck. In this time frame, you'll get to experience this beautiful city to the fullest and explore those fabled canals and cobblestone streets at your own pace. In fact, one of the best experiences you can have in Venice is to get lost! Leave at least one afternoon free to simply stroll down those picturesque streets. These relaxed promenades will introduce you to the local way of life like nothing else can. Seeing how compact the city is - not to mention being surrounded by water - there is never any real danger of actually getting lost. For a truly immersive experience, enjoy your walking tour of the city with an experienced local guide.
Since you have more time to spare, you can also expand your stay in Venice to the neighboring islands. There are over 100 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, with Murano being the most popular to visit. This is the birthplace of the world-famous Murano glass, and most visitors head here to explore the glass factories and pick up some unique souvenirs. Burano is another popular destination, famous for its colorful buildings and intricate lacework. Visiting these islands also means you get to ride around in an authentic Venetian water taxi!
Conclusion
The city of Venice is very visitor friendly, whether it's for a day trip or a week-long visit. Due to its compact size and walkable layout, you can get a good feel of this iconic Italian city in just a single day. If you can stay in town a little longer - whether it's for a weekend or even a whole week - you can take your time, stroll about, and get to know the city beneath its beautiful surface.
To ensure the best possible experience within the allotted time frame, why not explore Venice with one of our experienced tour guides? Our tours are fully customizable, too, so you're guaranteed to get the Venitian experience of your dreams. Consult with our guides and start planning your trip today!