Venice Uncovered: 15 Things to See & Do for First-Timers

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, for qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I love and use.More information: Disclosure

Known as the “City of Canals,” Venice is a captivating location unmatched by any other. This city in northeastern Italy, tucked away in the lagoons, enthralls tourists with its maze-like canals, winding alleyways, magnificent gothic and renaissance-style palaces, and medieval bridges situated on and off water canal shores. 

Arriving in Venice is like to entering a surreal world where the only means of transportation for both goods and people to reach the city are water boats and gondolas floating in the Grand Canal. 

Venice is a once-in-a-lifetime travel destination that offers stunning scenery, traditional Venetian food, and a fascinating history.  Venice, Italy, is renowned for its water canals, gorgeous architecture, and rich cultural legacy.

Here are some of the top recommended sites to explore and activities to enjoy while you are in Venice as a first-timer.

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco): is the famous square of Venice and home to several noteworthy spectacular Venetian sites, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile (bell tower), St. Mark’s Clocktower (Torre dell’Orologio), and the Marciana Library.

Please check my How to Get to Venice: Essential Tips & FAQs post to learn about Venice transportation essentials and other tips.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal’s banks are home to more than 170 remarkable buildings. The Grand Canal has the shape of a reversed s letter and is 2.4 miles long. Walk along the canal banks to admire Venice’s splendor. Additionally, ride a vapporetto or gondola around the Grand Canal to see the palaces, churches, and bridges.

St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Following the city’s unique grand canals, St. Mark’s Basilica is the most striking masterpiece in Venice. St. Mark’s Basilica is notable for its Byzantine architecture, Romanesque and Islamic influences, as well as its Gothic elements. The interior dome of the basilica features mosaics covered with gold and elaborate interior decorations. Several artifacts, columns, and sculptures were looted from churches and palaces in Constantinople (Istanbul) during the fourth crusade and brought to Venice to show the wealth and power of the Republic. 

The four ancient bronze horses, which were once set on top of the basilica’s entryway, were the most significant stolen artwork. Each bronze horse weighs a ton and is more ancient than the basilica. Following Napoleon’s invasion of Venice in 1799, authorities placed the horses on top of a triumphal arch in Paris. After Napoleon’s defeat, they returned the horses to Venice. Due to concerns about air pollution, authorities replaced the original ancient bronze horses with replicas in 1973, and the originals are on display inside the basilica

The columns at the entrance door came from Constantinople. There are various Byzantine-style stones and artifacts visible on the basilica’s exterior. The architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica is similar to that of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia cathedral/mosque (Ayasofya) due to its Byzantine influence. 

Taking pictures inside is not permitted. When you enter the basilica, you will be amazed by the amount of gold and precious stones used to ornament the ceilings and interior. 

The basilica was originally dedicated to the Greek saint St. Theodore. After a group of Venetians smuggled St. Mark’s body from Alexandria, Egypt, covered in layers of pork, to Venice, the basilica became the saint’s final resting place. As a result, they dedicated the basilica to Saint Mark.

The St. Mark’s Basilica is available for visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with the final submission at 4:45 p.m. Instead of standing in long queues to see the basilica, purchase your skip the line entrance ticket online and visit the basilica without waiting in line. Tickets are available for purchase through Tiqets, Headout, Viator, and other online sites and applications.

Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

The Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most famous attractions, is the city’s oldest bridge, dating back to the 16th century. Until the 18th century, this was Venice’s only bridge. The initial bridge was constructed of wood. Fire demolished it, and the current bridge took its place.

Cross the bridge to enjoy spectacular views of Venice and explore the stores on it. Yes, you read that correctly: there are several shops on the bridge offering Murano glassware, carnival masks, crafts, and more.

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a magnificent gothic-style palace built in the 14th century to showcase the city’s wealth and serve as the residence of Venice’s Doge. Following its initial construction, the palace underwent numerous changes over the years, including extensions and modifications. 

The palace served as the seat of administration for the Republic of Venice until Napoleon’s takeover in the late 18th century. Eventually, Venice joined Italy’s territory in 1866. 

The palace went through repair in the early twentieth century before reopening as a museum to the public in 1923. 

Porta della carta is the ceremonial entryway of the Doge’s Palace. Above the entryway, you can see the winged lion, which is the symbol of Venice and St. Mark.

From the courtyard, you can see the Scala del Giganti, which contains statues of Mars and Neptune that represented Venice’s strength on land and at sea at the time. 

The Golden Stairs (La Scala D’Oro) is one of the most impressive gold and white stucco decorated staircases you’ll ever see. The staircases lead to the Senate and Collegio rooms. The frescoes in the lower part of the staircase glorify Venice’s naval power and its triumph in Crete and Cyprus during its golden age. 

The doges hosted their ambassadors in the Collegio Hall. The hall ceiling features a beautiful 16th-century painted ceiling. 

Sala delle Quattro Porte (Hall of the Four Doors), with its ceiling commemorating the city’s dominance over sea commerce routes, features paintings adorned with mythical symbols, including Jupiter, the god of the seas.

The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Spiri) was constructed in the early 17th century to connect the Doge’s Palace with the new prison. The bridge was built of white Istrian limestone stone. The only way to cross the bridge is to go to Doge’s Palace. Furthermore, you may get the best views of the bridge from the Doge’s Palace.

The palace is accessible by the porta del Frumento, which is located on the waterfront side of the building, near the ponte de Paglia.

Doge’s Palace Tickets

There are various ticket options for visiting Doge’s Palace. Additionally, if you wish to avoid long lineups, you can get your skip-the-line ticket online. Moreover, if you’re interested in the Doge’s Palace Secret Itinerary tour, it’s advisable to buy your tickets ahead of time. It is a popular tour, so it may sell out quickly. There is also a ticket that includes a guided tour.

In addition, you can purchase a single ticket that covers the Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, National Archeological Museum (Museo Archelogico Nazionale), and Monumental Rooms of Marciana National Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana).

You may buy a variety of tickets online, such as the ones from Tiqets and Headout applications.

Murano, Burano, Lido, San Giorgio Maggiore and Other Islands

Venice lagoon comprises small 118 islands. Among them, the largest island is Murano and other popular islands to visit are the islands of Burano, Lido, Torcello, and San Giorgio Maggiore.

Boat journeys to surrounding islands are very convenient. In addition, many organized boat tours are available to visit adjacent Venice islands.

San Giorgio Maggiore Island is the closest and the most photographed islands from the St. Mark’s Square in Venice. It also houses San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica and its Campanile (tower). Furthermore,the Basilica showcases some of the most exceptional art collection in Venice. It consists of three floors with paintings. To get to the island, use a vaporetto from the San Marco San Zaccaria or Piazzale Roma stop. Additionally, the San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica offers free access. 

Murano

Explore the well-known Murano Glass Museum on the island of Murano. This island’s inhabitants have been creating and trading various glassware products internationally since the 13^th century! If you would like to learn more about how to get to Murano and other islands, check my How to Get to Venice: Essential Tips & FAQs post.

Burano

Visit Burano to explore its famous ancient lace craft work and brightly painted buildings. The island is approximately 45 minutes away from Venice. Like Murano glassware, Burano has been exporting its famed Burano lace since the 16th century all over the world. the island’s primary attractions include the lace museum and its leaning bell tower.

Lido

The beach island Lido, which resembles a fish, is a popular beach destination to visit from Venice,with its long sandy beach coast and many grand hotels such as Hotel Excelsior. Additionally, the Venice Film Festivals take place in Lido. You can get there in about 15 minutes by taking the vaporetto line 14 from St. Mark’s Square to Lido.

There are various water taxi and bus tours available for exploring Venice and the islands nearby. Certain activities, such as grand canal tours, can sell out quickly, so make sure you buy your tickets in advance.

Book a sunset Venice tour to see the shores of Venice and other nearby islands, such as San Lazzaro, home to an Armenian monastery since early 18th century.

Right next to the San Giorgio Maggiore Island, you can see Giudecca island. Moreover, the famous Belmont hotel Cipriani is located on the Giudecca islands, with a 5-minute water taxi drive away from the city of Venice.

Explore Venetian Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical Architecture

If you like gothic architecture style, Venice has some exceptional examples, including the Ca’ d’Oro (Golden House), Palazza Contarini del Bovolo, and the Scuola Grande di San Marco. The Contarini family commissioned the gothic-style Ca d’Oro (Golden House)  in the 15th century. The building has been home to the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti, a museum exhibiting artwork, since 1927.

How were the buildings built in Venice?

It’s quite astonishing how the Venetians were able to build the impressive structures that still stand today. First, the residents brought wood from Croatia, Slovenia, and other places to create the structures in Venice. Then, they pushed wood beams several feet under muddy dirt and pressed water until they hit a strong clay layer at the bottom. Consequently, the wood beams hardened because there isn’t enough oxygen down there. Subsequently, they laid impermeable limestone on top of the wood beams to provide the building’s sturdy base. After that, they added Istrian stone bricks composed of hard limestone. Additionally, the structures’ lowest floors are open to the canal waters, serving as warehouses for unloading commodities. Furthermore, each piazza has its own underwater cistern.

Ca’Rezzonica, currently used as a public museum, is a baroque and rococo architecture-style building built in the 18th century. The museum is dedicated to 18th-century Venetian painters’ paintings.

Santa Maria di Nazareth Church, aka Church of the Scalzi, is one of the impressive baroque-style churches in the Cannaregio district, completed in the 18th century. The interior of the church is as spectacular as its exterior.

Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo is a neoclassical-style church built in the 18th century in the Santa Croce district. The temple front part of the church was influenced by Pantheon.

St. Mark’s Campanile 

The St. Mark’s Campanile stands as the tallest building in Venice, reaching a height of 323 feet. Visitors can ride the elevator all the way to the top of the Campanile to enjoy a panoramic view of Venice. They rebuilt the existing campanile structure in the early 20th century, following the collapse of the former bell tower in 1902. Additionally, visitors can purchase admission tickets online.

The Marciana Library (Biblioteca Marciana)

Biblioteca Marciana is another notable Renaissance style structure located in St. Mark’s Piazza. It is one of the oldest remaining public libraries in Italy. The library, built in the 16th century, consists of more than 13,000 Greek and Latin manuscripts, as well as around one million classics, humanities, and Venetian history publications.

St. Mark’s Clocktower (Torre dell’Orologio)

St Mark’s Clocktower (Torre dell’Orologio) is a Renaissance-style building from the late 15th century. It serves as a passage connecting St. Mark’s Square to le Mercerie, Venice’s famed shopping area. Here, visitors can find a diverse range of retailers, ranging from high-end designer to souvenir shops, as well as restaurants to choose from.

The clocktower is a stunning masterwork that you cannot miss from St. Mark’s Square. In addition, on top of the structure, two bronze figures are ringing a bell. Just below that, the winged lion, commonly known as the St. Mark’s Lion, is visible.

Above the clock is a statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Moreover, if you happen to be in Venice on January 6th, Epiphany and Ascension Day, you might witness three Magi emerge from one of the pathways where you can observe the precise time. The hour is displayed on the left in Roman numerals, and the minutes in Arabic numerals on the right.

Gold and enamel were used in the main clock section for the zodiac symbols, the earth in the middle, the sun, and the moon figures. The clock accurately displays the zodiac sign and moon phase for each day.

Rialto Market

Cross the Rialto bridge and discover the vibrant Rialto Market. Here, you can find fresh produce fruits and vegetables, seafood, and local delicacies. Notably, the market has been on the same spot for almost 1000 years. Furthermore, the market consists of two sections: pescaria, which is a seafood market, and erberia, the fruits and vegetables market.

If you want to avoid crowds, visit the market in the morning. Additionally, you can observe native Venetians doing their grocery shopping there in the mornings.

Stroll Along Le Mercerie for Shopping Experience

Le Mercerie is an area in San Marco with a series of several narrow streets with souvenir shops, leather bags and shoes, and an array of high-end luxury boutiques. Le Mercerie spans between Rialto bridge and San Marco square. Among the Mercerie, Calle Larga XXII Marzo consists of a variety of art galleries and luxury brand stores, such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Bulgari, Miu Miu, and Dolce Gabbana, among many others. 

Building Bridges by Lorenzo Quinn

The Building Bridges (Construendo Ponti) was designed by Lorenzo Quinn, the son of famed actor Anthony Quinn, and is located in the Arsenale Bienniale. The bridge is pretty impressive. It is located in the north of Venice’s Castello district. You may see the bridge by taking a waterbus or strolling. The bridge is made out of six pairs of hands in various postures, each representing a particular emotion, such as love, wisdom, hope, faith, or friendship.

Check out the Biennale Art Exhibition

Venice is famous not only for its bridges, but also for its architecture and art. If you wish to explore a different side of Venice, check out the city’s internationally renowned contemporary art and architecture exhibition Biennale. 

The Biennale is one of the most internationally recognized contemporary art and architecture exhibitions. As a result of this, famous artists from all over the world are selected to display their work in the exhibition. Every participating country has its own exhibition pavilion.

Furthermore, the exhibitions are hosted in Arsenale North and Giardini Della Biennale. The annual exhibition is open to the public, usually beginning in late April and lasting until November.

Additionally, if you want to explore more than just the standard tourist attractions in Venice, visit the official Biennale website.

Savor the Local Venetian Cuisine

Venice has its own unique cuisine in the northern region of Italy. Venetian cuisine has its own authentic seafood and pasta dishes.

What dishes to try in Venice?

• • Cicchetti (small appetizers) is a Venetian local specialty. They are small plate, finger food. Typically, they top a piece of crostini with various toppings, such as marinated seafood like sardines, vegetables such as artichokes and potatoes, cheese and dried meat types, like prosciutto and mozzarella. You can spot various cicchetti restaurants in Venice. 

Where to taste Cichetti?

• • Al Merca : A cicchetti restaurant located a few minutes from Rialto Bridge and Rialto’s Pescario, offers a variety of seafood cicchetti.

• • Al Timon, located in the Cannagerio district, is another great option for cichetti.

• • Baccala Montecato is also a type of cicchetti served on crostini or fresh bread, has a unique history, having arrived in Venice from Norway during the Venetian period. Baccala montecato consists of dried cod and other varieties of white fish. Chefs cook dried cod fish and mash it into a creamy texture. This cicchetti became my favorite during my time in Venice.

• • Check Cantina Cantaletto for Baccala Montecato and other Venetian specialities, located in Castello.

• • Bigoli pasta is a local Venetian dish. It is thicker in shape and resembles udon noodles. Venetians frequently serve with anchovies and onion sauce.

• • Marinated sardines (Sarde in saor) Sardines are a popular fish across several Italian regions. Sarde in saor is a traditional Venetian sardine dish including onions, raisins, and pine nuts.Venetian chefs serve fried Sardines with sautéed onions, raisins, and pine nuts.

• • La Piazza Restaurant is another good selection to try a wide range of Venetian and other Italian seafood and meat dishes, pizzas, and more. It’s only a few blocks away from San Marco Piazza, and it is a popular restaurant, so make a reservation in advance. When we decided to have lunch there with no reservation, we needed to wait for 30 minutes for a table.

Consider trying risotto al nero di seppia (risotto with cuttlefish ink), a classic delicacy of the region.

Enjoy the Italian Coffee and Gelato

Historians believe that Venetian traders were among the first to introduce coffee to Western Europe from the Ottomans in the late 16th century. After its introduction, following London, Venice opened the first coffee shop in Europe. Coffee became so popular that by the late 18th century, Venice had over 200 coffee shops.

If you’re a coffee lover, don’t miss out on visiting Caffe Florian, Venice’s oldest coffee establishment, located in St. Mark’s Square. The coffee shop opened in 1720 and has served as a coffee house ever since. Since its establishment, Caffe Florian has served thousands of Venetian noblemen along with merchants, artists, intellectuals, and politicians, including Casanova, Goethe, Charles Dickens, Clint Eastwood, Queen Elisabeth II, Francois Mitterand, and Matt Damon, to name a few.

The historic coffee shop consists of six rooms with a vintage ambiance decorated with mirrors, paintings, and gold-colored ceiling ornaments.

It is worth noting that the Florian was the only café that admitted women at the time. By obtaining a special authorization, the café continued to serve women in the women’s room, which is today known as the Senate Room.

As coffee lovers, we couldn’t resist checking out Caffe Florian and tasting its famous coffee varieties. Caffe Florian serves a variety of coffees and treats, including tiramisu. As a side note, if you order your coffee and drink at the bar area, you can get your espresso at a lower price.

In addition to its indoor sitting areas, the coffee shop also has an outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your drink of choice in St. Mark’s Square.

Other Cafes in Venice
Some other good coffee spots are Farini di Venezia and Caffe del Doge, both located in San Polo district of Venice.

Of course, gelato is a must-have in Venice, just like it is across Italy. Gelateria Gallonetto and Gelato Fantasu Castello are a few of the popular gelato shops.