Venice is a magical place and one of Italy’s most popular cities. Venice has gondola-filled canals, centuries-old architecture, picturesque corridors, and incredible waterfront views. This city is on a small island, so visiting during the off-season for me was key to enjoying this incredible destination without the crowds. I can’t recommend enough just getting lost in its quaint alleyways, you never know if may lead to the canal! This city really is so stunning, and I wouldn’t rush your time here, it’s a city meant to just enjoy. Keep reading for all the best things to do in Venice and how to plan the perfect 3 days in Venice Italy itinerary.

3 Days in Venice Italy Itinerary

What is the best time to visit Venice?

The best time to visit Venice is during the shoulder seasons between April to May or September to October. November to March can be quite cold and rainy in Venice, and because of its many canals, the city can flood during this time.

Is it Expensive in Venice Italy?

Venice is one of Italy’s most popular cities, therefore it’s expensive to visit. Because of its smaller size and well, being an island, there are limited accommodations and places to stay. That said, traveling during the shoulder season and avoiding the summer months will save money when traveling to Venice. You don’t need to spend a week in Venice. 3 days in Venice Italy is the perfect amount of time to visit and won’t break the bank.

Venice and Rome are both expensive cities to visit in Italy. In Rome, there are plenty of areas outside the city to stay if you’re on a budget, check out where to find the best places to stay in Rome.

How to get to Venice

The best way to get to Venice is by boat, but first, fly into the Venice Marco Polo Airport. Venice has over 100 islands, and you cannot drive to the city center and only reach it by boat.

Venice Marco Polo to Venice

The best way to get from the Venice Airport to Venice city center is taking a water bus. The Water Bus B to Arsenale will take you to the city center near San Marco, San Polo, and Castello. The water buses are located right across the street from the airport’s exit and are easy to find. You will need to purchase tickets for the water buses before boarding. It took us around an hour to reach our stop from the airport.

Venice Airport to Venice City

You can enjoy a water taxi if you want private views of the city or have lots of large luggage. These water taxis cost anywhere between €100-150 euros per ride, even if a hotel arranges them for you.

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3 Days in Venice Italy: Here are all the best things to see and do in Venice!

Day 1

See Venice’s historical Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Campanile, and St. Mark’s Basilica

Day 2

Wander around Rialto Market and Bridge and enjoy views from the Tedeschi Rooftop

Day 3

Day Trip to Burano, Murano, or both!

Best Places to Stay in Venice

Venice is divided into six neighborhoods or sestieres. The six sestieres of Venice are San Marco, San Polo, Dorsodouro, Cannaregio, Castello, and Santa Croce. San Marco, San Polo, and Castello are the best areas to stay in Venice because of their proximity to the best things to see in Venice. Cannaregio is famous for its Jewish Quarter and Dorsodouro is Venice’s university district and less touristy. San Croce is a small area between the two and is the farthest from Venice’s city center.

What you need to know before visiting Venice

Make sure to download a Venice map

A few things you need to know before spending 3 days in Venice Italy is that you may want to bring cash, Venice operates in the euro currency. You should also download an offline map of Venice from Google Maps. You should have an offline map because wifi isn’t always available. It can also be difficult for Google to navigate as it doesn’t always understand how to get around this canal-filled city.

Is Venice touristy?

Venice is one of the most visited cities in Italy, so yes it’s touristy but also authentic at the same time. The one thing you need to know before visiting Venice is to be careful of pickpockets. Many tourist-filled cities in Italy are popular among pickpockets, I was even pickpocketed when visiting Rome! The best way to avoid being pickpocketed in Venice is to have a lock on your purse or bag because even wearing it in front of yourself is sometimes not enough!

Here’s how I was pickpocketed in Rome and how you can avoid being pickpocketed in future travels!

Day 1: See Venice’s historical Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Campanile, and St Mark’s Basilica

Visit Doge’s Palace bright and early

This 10th-century Venetian gothic architectural gem was essentially The White House of Venice. Doge’s Palace is where the ‘Doge of Venice’ once resided and is one of the best things to do in Venice. The Doge was the elected authority, and he and his elected company were the most powerful men in Venice who ruled the city. It is so well preserved, and each room is beautiful. I recommend pre-booking tickets for the first opening of the day since it can get busy.

Audio guides are available upon entering, but if you’re looking for a guided tour here’s a great option that includes St. Mark’s Basilica.

Pre-book tickets for St. Mark’s Campanile

The best way to visit St. Mark’s Campanile Bell Tower is to time your pre-booked tickets after visiting Doge’s Palace. This tower was once intended as a watch tower and is now the tallest building in Venice. It’s worth going to the top of the Bell Tower in Venice; it offers some of the best views of the city. Don’t worry, there is an elevator so you won’t have to climb any stairs! You will need to pre-book tickets before you visit.

Wander into St Mark’s Basilica

One of Venice’s historical gems that you must visit when spending 3 days in Venice Italy is St. Mark’s Basilica. This ‘church of gold’ was once the Doge’s private chapel. This basilica’s architecture includes Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Renaissance styles. St. Mark’s Basilica may be free to visit, but pre-booking tickets for a small fee is recommended. When we visited there was a long line to enter the church for non-ticket holders. They were charging admission but were only accepting cash.

Marvel at the last Byzantine Altarpiece in the World

The Pala d’Oro is over 1,000 years old and adorned with thousands of gems. It is the last remaining Byzantine altarpiece and you can find it at St. Mark’s Basilica. You will need an additional ticket to visit. You can purchase these tickets inside the basilica with cash.

Pass by the Bridge of Sighs

If you’re wondering why the Bridge of Sighs is so famous, it’s because of its historical legend and architecture. It is named for the prisoners who would look through the small window in the bridge and ‘sigh’ at their last view of Venice before being brought to their cell. On a more heartfelt thought, there is a saying that lovers who kiss under the ridge in a gondola will be rewarded with eternal love!

Take a photo at Riva degli Schiavoni

Walk east of the Bridge of Sighs and you’ll find this beautiful photo opportunity. Insert ‘Riva degli Schiavoni’ into Google Maps for the exact location. If you’re lucky you’ll find plenty of gondolas in the foreground of the beautiful island with San Giorgio Maggiore Church. We visited this spot early one morning and had it all to ourselves, it was quite romantic!

If you’re looking for other beautiful photo opportunities in the area, find the ‘S Marco’ ferry terminal and ‘Gondola Dogana Vallaresso’. If you want other incredible photo opportunities in Italy, check out this complete guide to Rome!

Buy a book from Libreria Acqua Alta

This bookstore has been made famous by social media and it’s one of the most unique things to do in Venice. It feels quite historical as soon as you step into the shop, there’s even an old gondola filled with books as you step inside. We didn’t have a chance to stop when we spent 3 days in Venice Italy as it is a bit out of the way. If you’re heading to the Jewish Quarter and have time, you could stop on the walk to the Jewish Quarter depending on how tired your legs are.

If you’re an animal lover, the shop is also known to be full of resident cats! Do you want to know where else has plenty of cute and cuddly resident cats?! Santorini Greece!

Wander around the Jewish Quarter

For dinner, this evening on your 3 days in Venice Italy itinerary wander over to the incredible Jewish Quarter. I recommend Trattoria Bar Pontini for dinner. If you’re up for it visit Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto. Make sure to stroll around ‘Rio della Misericordia’ and ‘Ponte Chiodo’ which you can find on Google Maps.

Day 2: Wander around Rialto Market and Bridge and enjoy views from the Tedeschi Rooftop

Climb Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Before heading to Rialto Bridge in the morning, stop by Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and the surrounding area. This 15th-century palace is known for its multi-arch spiral staircase and incredible views of Venice. The surrounding area is also just as lovely. Make sure to cross these popular bridges: Ponte de La Verona, Ponte de Piscina, Ponte S. Moisè, and the ‘Insta famous pier’. Yes, there’s a location on Google Maps for the ‘Insta famous pier’!

Visit Rialto Bridge and Market

Venice is built on the water connected by bridges and one of the best things to do in Venice is walk the famous Rialto Bridge. This bridge has been rebuilt several times and connects the neighborhoods of San Marco and San Polo. The Rialto Market is located on the San Polo side of the bridge and is mainly a fish, fruit, and vegetable market. When we visited we bought a few pre-made Italian spices to bring home and small souvenirs. The market does close early, usually around 3 pm so keep that in mind!

If you want an experience at the Rialto Market, get there around 6 am when the fishermen bring in their catches of the day. I’ve read it’s one of the most unique things to do in Venice!

Try Venice’s Cicchetti for lunch!

Since Rialto Bridge is such a popular tourist destination, there’s an abundance of restaurants in this area. If you want a more authentic Venetian experience, walk away from the market and bridge. During our 3 days in Venice Italy, we enjoyed pizza at Antico Forno and walked around the surrounding neighborhoods to find a special spot for lunch, keep reading for the location!

Enjoy the outdoor atmosphere at Ostaria dai Zemei

We found the most delicious cicchetti at Ostaria dai Zemei. This authentic Venetian spot only offers outdoor seating, and the restaurant operates almost like a convenience store. You walk in on one end, give your cashier your order or order a drink, and then find a table outside. If you’re unfamiliar with cicchetti, I like to think of it as the Italian version of Spanish tapas.

I don’t even remember looking at a menu when we visited since there was only one waiter for the entire restaurant. I think we pointed to a plate of the cicchetti and that was it! Much of the cicchetti is similar. It’s served on white bread with a variety of vegetables, meat, cheese, and sometimes fish on top.

See Venice from the rooftop of Fondaco dei Tedeschi

You can’t spend 3 days in Venice Italy and not see Venice from this rooftop. This is one of the best free things to do in Venice! You’ll have to book tickets before visiting, but there’s no charge! From this rooftop, you can see Rialto Bridge and sweeping views of Venice and its famous canals. This building is a large, luxury department store and has plenty of public restrooms if you need one!

Enjoy a Sunset Gondola ride

Enjoying a gondola ride is one of the best things to do in Venice! You can pick up a gondola for many locations across Venice, and you may find it less expensive if you do so in a more non-touristy area.

How much does a gondola ride in Venice cost?

The going rate for a gondola ride in Venice is around €100 euros. This price can change based on where you pick up the gondola in the city, but we found this didn’t matter much. If you want an exciting ride pick up a gondola around the Grand Canal. For a quieter ride pick up a gondola on a side canal. If you want to avoid the crowds, do not board a gondola close to Piazza San Marco or the Rialto Bridge.

Is it worth taking a Gondola ride in Venice?

Even though it’s expensive, it’s absolutely worth taking a gondola ride in Venice. Taking a gondola ride is one of the best things to do in Venice! Make sure to agree on the price and the length of time your gondola ride will be before disembarking. Some of the gondoliers will sing, but this will cost more.

Day 3: Day Trip to Burano, Murano, or both!

This half-day tour will take you to both Burano and Murano. The tour also gives you glassblowing and lacemaking demonstrations, which Venice is famous for. If you’re looking for a more private guided tour, this option is similar to the previous tour but is via private boat.

See a show at Teatro La Fenice

After enjoying a wonderful day trip to Burano or Murano, see a show in the evening at the beautiful Teatro La Fenice. This theatre is simply stunning, but if you’re not interested in seeing a show you can enjoy a guided tour!

Best Things to Do in Venice

In addition to everything mentioned above, here are some additional best things to do in Venice if you have time or want to plan a Venice itinerary for 4 days.

Venice’s beautiful bridges: A comprehensive list of Venice’s beautiful bridges include Ponte della Paglia, Ponte dell’Accademia, Ponte S. Moise, Ponte de Piscina, Ponte de la Verona, Ponte dei Pignoli, Ponte dei Pugni, Ponte di Rialto, Ponte Santa Maria Nova, and Ponte Chiodo.

Teatro La Fenice Opera House: If you want to attend an opera house or see one of the most beautiful theatres in Italy, add the Teatro La Fenice to your 3 days in Venice Italy itinerary. If you don’t have time to see a show you can also take a guided tour.

Biennale Gardens: These gardens are located on the far eastern edge of Venice. This area is perfect for a stroll, or if you have a love for famous architecture you can find sculptures and pavilions created by a variety of well-known architects.

Campo Santo Stefano: This colorful square is close to Venice’s art museum and the popular Accademia Bridge or Ponte dell’Accademia. This bridge connects San Marco to Dorsoduro which is Venice’s university district.

How many days in Venice is the perfect amount of time?

The perfect amount of time to spend in Venice is 3-4 days. I don’t want to say there’s nothing to do in this beautiful city, but you only need 3 days to see the highlights. Many of Venice’s neighborhoods look similar, and you’ll find similar types of food at each restaurant. You only need a day to see all the beautiful historical sites, as they are all within proximity of each other.

Venice Itinerary 4 Days

Is 3 days in Venice too much?

3 days is not too much time to spend in Venice and the perfect amount of time to see this beautiful city in my experience.

Best Restaurants in Venice

Caffe Florian: This cafe in the heart of St. Mark’s Square is the most beautiful cafes in Venice. It opened in the same location in 1720 where it still stands today!

I Tre Mercanti: If you’re looking for the best tiramisu in Venice you’ll find it here. Their tiramisu is made fresh daily and comes in different flavors if you’re interested.

La Piazza near Tre Mercaniti: This is one of the most popular restaurants in Venice because it’s one of the best restaurants in Venice! I believe they do take reservations, but also walk-ins. We waited almost an hour for our group of four to be seated, but were served a glass of wine while we waited. This restaurant has over 15,000 with a 4.7 rating on Google, so you know it’s good!

Osteria Fanal del Codega (canal dining): This is another highly rated restaurant with romantic views of the canal. They’re known for their traditional Venetian dishes with a modern twist.

Gelatoteca Suso: This is home to the most famous gelato in Venice and the most instagrammable.

Antico Forno: Even though this spot’s only been around twenty years, their thick, chewy crust and pizza selections are to die for!

Osteria Alla Staffa: This is one of the more authentic Venetian restaurants away from the crowds in a cozy space.

We loved this next spot!

Ostaria dai Zemei: We found the most delicious cicchetti at Ostaria dai Zemei. This authentic Venetian spot only offers outdoor seating and no menus. Much of the cicchetti they serve is similar to the rest you’ll find in Venice. This neighborhood feels so authentic and has the most quaint passages and alleys.

Ristorante ai Barbacani (canal dining): This is Venice’s Instagram-famous restaurant with a small, two-person table that sits in a flower-filled doorway along the canal. Even though it looks beautiful on Instagram, the food isn’t great and requires a deposit of €100 euro per person. This deposit is non-refundable but can be used towards your meal.

Dal Moro’s: This takeaway spot allows you to build your own with fresh pasta, fresh sauce, and an optional topping of your choosing.

Ristorante Al Giardinetto da Severino: If you want to dine in a 1400s chapel with a vine-covered courtyard this is your spot.

La Zucca: If you’re staying in the neighborhood or San Polo or Cannaregio this would be a good option for you. This restaurant is so quaint and offers lots of vegetarian dishes.