13 Best Things to Do for Your Venice Bucket List
Want to see Venice like a local while hitting all the bucket-list spots? This guide gives the most incredible activities that showcase the city’s hidden gems and iconic landmarks.
We’ll show you why Venice has been stealing hearts since the days of Casanova – and why it’ll steal yours too!
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1. Take a Private Gondola Ride
Riding a gondola through Venice’s waterways is cliche – but it’s a must-do. Your personal gondolier guides you through the quiet canals of Santa Croce and San Polo, away from the bustling crowds.
You’ll float beneath the Gothic arches of Ca’ d’Oro and the world-famous Rialto Bridge, with unobstructed views of centuries-old palazzos.
The 30-minute journey lets you soak in Venice’s architecture from angles you simply can’t get on foot.
2. Explore St. Mark’s Square at Sunrise
While tourists sleep, St. Mark’s Square shows its most enchanting side at dawn. The first light peeks through the spires of the famous Basilica, creating a golden glow across the empty plaza.
You’ll have the famous “Salotto del Mondo” all to yourself – a rare treat before the cafes fill with visitors.
The morning mist adds an ethereal quality to the scene, and photographers line up on the Accademia Bridge to capture the perfect shot.
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3. Shop at Rialto Market
The historic Rialto Market pulses with local life, split between the Pescaria (fish market) and Erbaria (produce section).
Venetian fishermen dock early morning with their fresh catches, while produce vendors display vibrant seasonal vegetables from the lagoon region.
Even if you’re not cooking, the market offers perfect snack-shopping and photo opportunities.
4. Climb the Campanile di San Marco
Standing 323 feet tall, the Campanile offers the most spectacular views in Venice. An elevator whisks you to the top, where you’ll spot the Dolomites on clear days and watch boats crisscross the lagoon below.
The bell tower’s five historic bells each played unique roles in Venetian life – from marking workers’ days to announcing executions.
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5. Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Housing over 326 masterpieces in a quirky two-story palazzo on the Grand Canal, this museum is your ticket to 20th-century art heaven.
From Picasso to Pollock, the collection reads like a who’s who of modern art movements – Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism – they’re all here.
The building itself has a juicy backstory: it was meant to be taller, but rumor has it a rival noble family stopped construction to prevent it from overshadowing their own palazzo.
6. Explore Hidden Alleys in Cannaregio
Duck into Cannaregio’s maze of quiet canals and you’ll discover Venice’s most unspoilt district.
Stop to marvel at Calle Varisco, the city’s narrowest alley at just 53 centimeters wide – barely enough room for your shoulders.
This hidden gem sits near the bustling Fondamenta della Misericordia, offering an intimate escape through Venice’s dense urban fabric.
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7. Watch Sunset from Rialto Bridge
When golden hour hits the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge transforms into Venice’s prime sunset-watching spot.
Yes, you’ll share the view with other camera-wielding sunset chasers, but the spectacle of light dancing across the water makes it worth every jostle.
For a more exclusive experience, head to the nearby Fondaco Rooftop Terrace – just remember to book your 15-minute viewing slot in advance.
8. Explore the Jewish Ghetto
Step into the world’s first legally established ghetto, a seven-acre slice of history in Cannaregio dating back to 1555.
The district’s fascinating story is written in its architecture – buildings stretch up to six stories high, a creative solution to overcrowding when Jewish residents weren’t allowed to expand outward.
Today, five historic synagogues, kosher bakeries, and craft shops keep Jewish culture thriving in this vibrant neighborhood.
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9. Visit the Artisan Workshops in San Polo
San Polo’s maze-like streets hide Venice’s most talented artisans, keeping centuries-old crafts alive in tiny workshops.
Watch master craftsmen shape gold leaf, carve intricate wooden forcole (gondola oarlocks), and create stunning Murano glass pieces.
These ateliers are living museums where ancient techniques pass from generation to generation.
10. Explore the Islands of Murano and Burano
Just a vaporetto ride from Venice, these sister islands serve totally different vibes.
Murano’s seven interconnected islets showcase the art of glassmaking, with masters crafting everything from delicate beads to dramatic chandeliers.
Meanwhile, Burano’s rainbow-colored houses create the perfect backdrop for watching lace-makers work their magic.
The islands are small enough to explore in one day but packed with enough charm to keep you lingering.
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11. Take a Sunset Aperitivo at Fondamenta delle Zattere
As the sun dips low over Giudecca island, Fondamenta delle Zattere turns into Venice’s most chill sunset spot.
This waterfront promenade in Dorsoduro offers front-row seats to nature’s daily light show, minus the tourist crowds you’ll find at Rialto.
Grab an aperitivo at one of the local bars, settle onto a marble bench, and watch the sky paint itself in gold and pink.
12. Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco
This Renaissance masterpiece isn’t just another pretty building – it’s Tintoretto’s magnum opus.
The artist spent over 20 years decorating its halls with dramatic biblical scenes that’ll make your jaw drop.
The upper hall steals the show with moody masterpieces that play with light and shadow in ways that seem impossible for the 16th century.
Even if you’re not an art buff, the marble floors and ornate architecture alone are worth the visit.
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13. Tour St. Mark’s Basilica’s Golden Mosaics
The Byzantine splendor of St. Mark’s Basilica will stop you in your tracks. Over 8,000 square meters of shimmering mosaics blanket the walls, vaults, and cupolas, telling biblical stories through gold and warm colors.
The dim, ever-changing light creates dramatic effects as it plays across surfaces up to 28 meters high.
These intricate artworks, crafted over eight centuries, showcase Venice’s artistic evolution from Greek-Byzantine origins to modern times.
