Most districts are connected through bridges and Venice also has quite a few street signs to keep you on track. It is easy to get lost, but that is almost the best thing about it. Overall it is still quite easy to get from one place to another by walking. Especially if you are trying to see the main tourist attractions around San Marco, it is possible to do entirely by foot.
However, it is worth noting that there are stairs — lots of them, in fact. Venice by foot is going to be more tricky if you have trouble using stairs or have a pram with you. I have seen people lifting wheelchairs and prams across these steps, but it is something you need to be aware of if you are considering navigating Venice by foot.
So, you are going to Venice, but what to do? During your first 2 days in Venice, you will want to try and see as much of the city as possible. Luckily, it is definitely possible to tick off many popular tourist sites and explore many of the cities charms and quirky attractions within 2 days. Should you have the option to stay for 3 days in Venice, you can then also learn more about the surrounding islands and their cultural heritage.
The bridge is probably one of the most famous sights in Venice in terms of how often it has been pictured in photographs. Do not cross over just yet this time. Just stand and marvel at the beautiful architecture gaze on to the Grand Canal in front of you. The bridge can get quite busy at times, so if you feel too overwhelmed by crowds when on the bridge, be sure to take a stroll down one of the side steps and walk along the grand canal.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from there should you not have had breakfast yet or be needing a coffee top-up. My recommendation would be to keep your eyes peeled when looking down the side streets between restaurants. Tucked away down the darker alleyways, apart from the hustle and bustle and crowded tourist hotspots you will often find a bacaro — a traditional Venetian bar.
They are also a great way to meet some locals and get your first glimpse at what Venetians do. From the bridge, you will want to make your way towards the San Marco area, as many of the cultural and historic tourist sites are located there. If you have time for a detour, try and visit the Libreria Acqua Alta. The unusual bookstore has shot to fame more recently as pictures of tourists posing within it have become prominent on social media, but it is definitely still worth a visit due to its one-of-a-kind concept.
The bookstore sells new and used books that are shelved on gondolas, boats and other random items. Old books themselves have been turned into part of the store. One great feature is the book staircase one can climb to take a look over the canal.
Make sure that while you are walking along the area to not rush or ignore your surroundings. The streets are quite narrow, but you will find many great shops and eateries tucked among them. We tried some of the best chocolate and gelato I ever had all while making our way around San Marco and had a chat with a Venetian local while standing squeezed against an on-street coffee bar for a midway espresso. That being said, try and be considerate of the locals and let people pass beside you in the narrow streets.
When you arrive at Piazza San Marco, take a moment to take in the scene and breathe. Piazza San Marco does really make you feel like you stepped back in time despite the potentially large tourist crowds. The open square is surrounded by an arcade of shops and beautiful architecture.
Right in the centre of the square, you will find the Basilica di San Marco. The church can be visited by tourists you can book skip-the-line tickets here , but there are some days when it is closed for worshippers only. Around the Piazza, you will find the Museo Correr — a museum full of historical and cultural artefacts housed in the Napoleanic wing of the Piazza.
It serves up anything from prosecco to coffee and food. Turning away from the square towards the shore, you will find the Doge Palace. It was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Venetian Republic but is now a museum.
The bridge was built to connect the newly built prison beside the Doge palace with the interrogation rooms of the court within the palace. It is said to have its name as it was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment.
But it is not time to relax just yet. Venice is not only beautiful to walk around in. There are also many great viewpoints to marvel at the city from above. Right in St. Unfortunately, the wait time to actually be able to go up the tower is often very long.
However, there are some great alternatives to skip the queue: The Fondaco dei Tedeschi is located next to the Rialto Bridge and now houses a shopping centre Duty-Free Venice with a rooftop that gives excellent views overlooking the city. Another option is the Scala Contarini del Bovolo. This beautiful mansion is hidden away down one of the side streets not far from St. Marks Square. Even if you decide not to climb the stairs, it is definitely worth a visit just to see the unique exterior of this building.
If heights are not for you, you do not need to worry. Overlooking the lagoon is very serene, especially at sunset! If you walk towards the area of Castello, you will soon find yourself in a park far away from the hustle and bustle of San Marco. Have an Aperol Spritz or two paired with some cicchetti — the Venetian version of tapas. These are small bits of bread with a selection of different toppings and are seen as snacks to have before dinner by Venetians.
If you are looking for something more hearty than cicchetti , you will find plenty of selection, but keep in mind that the area of San Marco comes with a higher price tag. Our favourite place in the area was Osteria la Staffa located down a side street about five minutes from the square. If you are looking for some entertainment and do not mind the price tag , then there is often some live music playing in St. Marks Square at night, and you can enjoy it while seated in one of the outside tables of one of the restaurants.
Again, start your day at Rialto Bridge but this time cross over into the area of San Polo. The next couple suggestions for how long to spend in Venice are ideal in two situations. I find the city of Verona made famous by Romeo and Juliet and nearby Lake Garda are a good combination for the latter.
Remember that exception I mentioned earlier? Although my very first trip to Venice years ago left a terrible taste in my mouth, the experience of being in Venice is so singular that even a disappointing outcome is worth the hassle.
Indeed, properly addressing the question of how many days in Venice you should spend will insulate you against disappointment when you finally get there. You can discover most of what there is to see in central Venice in two days, or a very packed single day if you spend the night before there. For along time, my stock answer for how long to visit Venice was three days. This gives you two full days exploring the city center, plus a day to get out of town, likely to the outlying islands of Burano and Murano.
It is also a good orientating area as everyone knows where the San Marco Piazza is.. Our main requirements are: Doge's Palace and the secret Itinerary tour and also a walking tour of Venice.
One other day we may take the vaporetta over to Burano for lunch to see one of the islands and the other would be getting to Venice and a quick walk along the Riva and perhaps down to the Public Gardens. Seems a bit short to me and another day wouldn't go astray, but time is limited on our 5 week tour of 4 countries.
I on the other hand do not recommend the Secret Itinerary tour I probably am the only one on TA that did not like it I also agree with Rosa about traveling time in between places Benson, Have already booked the Secret Itineraries tour and will do a review when I get home.
Hope it is all we thought it would be. Skip to main content. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers. How Many Days Are Enough? Browse all 47, Venice topics ». Watch this Topic. Browse forums All Browse by destination. Venice forums. All forums. Christopher P. Level Contributor. Report inappropriate content. Destination Expert for Positano. Re: Venice
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