Venice Italy: Travel Guide
Venice is one of the world's most beautiful cities, and it's also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, with an estimated 45 million annual visitors. The city is known for its canals that criss-cross the city, as well as its historic architecture.
This is my Top 10 list of things to see and do in Venice Italy!
My Top 10 Attractions in Venice Italy
1 - Grand Canal
Venice is a unique city that was built on islands, and these islands are connected by hundreds of bridges and canals. The extensive canals are part of the transportation system, and also an integral part of daily life. The Venetian canals are often considered one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world.
The Grand Canal is the main waterway of Venice, Italy. It is 1,000 feet wide, and approximately four miles long. It connects the lagoon with the open sea and separates the sestieri of San Marco and Cannaregio. It runs through the city from the northern to the southern bank. This main course of navigation was first laid out by a Venetian engineer named Antonio da Ponte in 1297 and completed under Doge Sebastiano Ziani in 1360 during his term as mayor of the Republic of Venice. The banks of the canal are lined with more than 150 buildings including palaces, churches and bridges from the 13th to 19th centuries, mostly Gothic or Renaissance but some Baroque. Public transport is provided by water buses (Alilaguna) and private water taxis (vaporetti), but the most poplar are the private gondola ferries that also share the waters, especially during the summer.
For tourists, the main attraction is to ride on a gondola boat and enjoy a tour of Venice from its iconic waterways.
2 - St Marks Square
[Side angle view of St Mark’s Square in Venice Italy. The Basilica starts where the picture cuts off on the right hand side]
St Marks Square, or Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy, generally known just as “the Piazza”, is the central plaza of Venice, where all the important public buildings, including the Doge's Palace and the St Mark's Basilica, are situated. It has been described as the geographic and spiritual center of Venice. It’s one of the largest squares in Europe, covering an area of about 90,000 square feet (8,400 sq m). The square is named after St Mark the Evangelist, who was the patron saint of Venice.
The square is dominated at its east end by the ornate Gothic apse of St Mark's Basilica, which was converted from a church to a cathedral at the end of the 15th century. To the left (north) stands the Procuratie Vecchie (Venetian: Procuratie 'e vechi), built by Sansovino on Gothic foundations. To the right (south) is Biblioteca Marciana (Library of St Mark) with its copy of Michelangelo's statue of Moses. The Procuratie Nuove (Venetian: Procuratie nuovi; New Offices) or “The Napoleonic Wing”, was designed in 1638 by Baldassare Longhena to be a symmetrical extension to Sansovino’s Procuratie Vecchie.
St Marks Square is a popular meeting point for Venetians and tourists alike. There are many shops selling souvenirs and crafts as well as cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a coffee or meal while admiring the beautiful architecture. You'll also find gondolas waiting here, ready to give you a ride along one of Venice's famous canals.
3 - St Marks Basilica
[St Mark’s Basilica in Venice Italy]
Venice’s St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), is one of the most iconic buildings in Venice, Italy.
It is located in the center of Piazza San Marco (St Marks Square), and is one of the most renowned works of Byzantine architecture. The basilica is dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of Venice.
The first church on the site was built in 828 in the city's commercial center by Pietro Tradonico, Doge of Venice from 827–829, who had been baptized by Pope Paschal I. The original structure was a timber building with a thatched roof, but this was replaced by a larger brick edifice with a tiled roof in 856 under Doge Pietro Tribuno Memmo (857–868). The second church's nave contained five altars: one dedicated to St. John the Baptist; one dedicated to St. Stephen; another dedicated to Sts Cosmas and Damian; another dedicated to all saints; and yet another dedicated to Sts Peter and Paul. In 976 work began on replacing it with a new stone structure designed by Pietro Orseolo.
The architectural beauty for St Marks Basilica is hard to beat. If you only have time to visit one attraction in Venice, this may be worth placing at the top of your list!
4 - St Mark's Campanile
[St Marks Campanile and the St Marks Basilica. Also visible is the Doges Palace (right), and the Cafe Florian]
The Campanile di San Marco is a free standing bell tower in Venice, Italy, located in the Piazza San Marco. Standing tall at 103.9 meters (340 ft.), the tower is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.
It was built in the 10th century as part of a basilica that was destroyed by fire in 976. The campanile was rebuilt in 1063 and completed in 1094 by Pietro Tribuno, a monk who worked on it for 40 years. The campanile has been destroyed several times since then — most recently after an earthquake in 1902.
Today it's open to tourists who want to climb up to the top for a view of Venice from above on one of its two scenic balconies.
5 - Rialto Bridge
[Rialto Bridge crossing the Grand Camal in Venice Italy]
The Rialto Bridge, also known as Ponte di Rialto, is one of the most recognizable and iconic sites in Venice. It's known as an architectural masterpiece, and it's the oldest bridge still standing in Venice. It's also one of the most photographed places in the city. The bridge spans the Grand Canal, connecting two neighborhoods: San Polo and San Marco.
The bridge was originally built from 1588 to 1591 and named after the nearby Rialto market, which was a major trading center for goods from all over the world.
The bridge is known for its market stalls that sell fresh flowers and fruit, as well as souvenirs and traditional Venetian wares such as masks and lace. It also features restaurants on its second floor overlooking the Grand Canal.
6 - Doges’ Palace
The Doges' Palace is a palace built in the Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks in the city of Venice in Northern Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme commander of the Republic of Venice's armed forces. The name "DOGE" is derived from the Latin title “dominus” "lord".
The first mention of the palace dates back to 997, when it was called "Domus Magna". At that time, it was one of the most important buildings in Venice, housing numerous magistrates and civil servants.
During the 13th century, Doge Enrico Dandolo (who later led the Fourth Crusade) decided to expand his residence into a larger complex that included several palaces. The current facade dates from this era and is made up of over 150 statues portraying famous Venetian citizens.
Today, it houses several museums that exhibit items from Venice's past. It contains notable artworks, including many paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, as well as a famous collection of ancient Roman statues. The Palazzo Ducale ("of a duke.") was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1966.
7 - Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is a bridge that crosses the Rio di Palazzo in Venice, Italy. It connects the Doge's Palace with the prison on the other side of the canal. It is an enclosed bridge with barred windows. The view from the windows of the bridge would often be the last view of Venice that the condemned would see. The name of the bridge comes from the sighs that prisoners uttered as they passed through it and took their last glimpses of Venice. The Bridge of Sighs was built in the 16th century.
8 - Ponte dell’Accademia
Ponte dell’Accademia is a famous bridge in Venice, Italy, that links the San Marco area of Venice with Dorsoduro and crosses the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge. It is one of four bridges that cross the Grand Canal in Venice.
The bridge was named after the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, (Venice Academy of Fine Art), and leads to the Accademia Art Gallery.
The Accademia Bridge is a popular spot for tourists and an appealing subject for photographers!
9 - Galleria dell'Accademia
The Accademia Gallery in Venice is a must see for any tourist who wants to experience the art and history of Venice. The museum was originally part of the Venice Academy of Fine Art (Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia), founded in 1750 and later re-founded in 1807 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The museum became independent of the Academy in 1879. The fine art school and museum are both still in operation today.
The Accademia Gallery is located on the South side of the Grand Canal. The building itself is very impressive with its classical architecture and beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceilings.
If you are interested in seeing some famous works of art from the Renaissance period then this is definitely a place to visit. It has an amazing collection of over 5,000 paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. There are many famous pieces that are on display here including works by Titian, Tintoretto, Giotto and Carpaccio among others. You can also find some ancient Roman sculptures here as well as many other sculptures from other periods throughout history. The most famous work of art in the museum though is arguably the “Vitruvian Man” by Leonardo Da Vinci. Do to the delicacy of the piece however, it is not always on display so check with the Accademia Gallery prior to planning your visit.
10 - Cafe Florian
The Café Florian, also known as the Caffe Florian, is a historic café in Venice, Italy. It is located on the Piazza San Marco and is open every day of the year. The café has been in business since 1720 and while it has undergone various changes over the years, it still retains its original character.
The building itself is decorated with Venetian artwork and features a baroque style interior design that was created by Andrea Tirali in 1727. The decor includes frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and paintings by Giandomenico Tiepolo (father of Giovanni), both of whom were famous artists during their time
The café has a history of being a meeting place for artists, politicians, writers and musicians throughout history, and has been popular with travelers and artists alike for its location near major landmarks like St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and Campanile di San Marco.
Bonus - Murano Glass Blowing
[Blown Glass display in a market in Murano Italy]
Venice is famous for its glass, and the island of Murano is where you will find some of the world's best producers. The techniques and skills used in the manufacture of glass on the island have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, there are over 80 glass blowing workshops on Murano, many of which are still run by families who have been blowing glass on Murano for centuries.
Murano is a popular tourist stop where you'll find many galleries selling beautiful glassware, including handmade vases and sculptures made from coloured crystal glass. You can even watch artisans working in their studios as they blow their creations into shape.
Final Thoughts
[Walking the streets and alleys of Venice on foot gets you off the tourist paths and allows you to really experience the local culture of Venice.]
Venice is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. The beauty of Venice Italy can be seen in its amazing architecture, the canals, and the bridges. The city has been captured by many artists and writers alike. It's a city that has been attracting tourists for centuries, and it's easy to see why. These great spots are must visit locations if you’re traveling to Venice. If you have extra time though and really want to immerse yourself in the local culture, I personally recommend walking the streets and alleys of Venice on foot.
