A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Your First Visit to Venice

Stepping into Venice feels like walking into a living postcard, where centuries of history and artistry are woven into every corner. If you’re planning your first visit, here’s a relaxed and balanced 3-day itinerary to help you soak in the city’s charm.

Day 1: Get Acquainted with the Magic of Venice

Start your journey in Piazza San Marco, Venice’s beating heart. Marvel at the intricate details of St. Mark’s Basilica and the towering Campanile. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb the bell tower for sweeping views of the lagoon and the city’s patchwork of rooftops.

From here, wander over to the Doge’s Palace. Take your time exploring its grand halls and the notorious Bridge of Sighs, where you can imagine the bittersweet history of prisoners catching their last glimpse of Venice.

For lunch, pick a quiet spot away from the crowds. Venice is filled with tiny bacari (wine bars) offering cichetti, small plates that make for a light and local meal.

In the afternoon, lose yourself in Venice’s labyrinth of alleys and canals. Let the city guide you—sometimes the best finds come from spontaneous detours. For sunset, head to Rialto Bridge. Its golden-hour glow is unforgettable.

Day 2: Islands and Traditions

Dedicate your second day to exploring Venice’s surrounding islands. Start early with a vaporetto (water bus) ride to Murano, famous for its glassmaking traditions. Visit a workshop to see artisans at work, and don’t miss the Glass Museum if you’re curious about this centuries-old craft.

Next, head to Burano, a photographer’s dream with its brightly painted houses lining narrow canals. It’s also the home of traditional lace-making. Grab a seafood lunch here—risotto di gò, a creamy fish risotto, is a local specialty.

If time allows, take a short detour to Torcello, one of the oldest settlements in the lagoon. It’s quiet and serene, with a charming basilica and the legendary Devil’s Bridge.

Return to Venice in the evening and stroll along the Zattere promenade. It’s less crowded than other areas, perfect for a relaxed dinner overlooking the water.

Day 3: Arts and Hidden Gems

Your last day is all about art and discovery. Start at the Gallerie dell’Accademia, a treasure trove of Venetian masterpieces. Nearby, cross the Accademia Bridge for a striking view of the Grand Canal.

For a dose of contemporary art, visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, housed in a palazzo with a stunning garden. Afterward, explore the Dorsoduro district, known for its bohemian vibe, quaint squares, and artisan shops.

In the afternoon, venture to Cannaregio, a quieter district with a rich history. Walk along the Fondamenta della Misericordia, dotted with canalside bars and restaurants. Don’t miss the Jewish Ghetto, a moving and significant part of Venice’s story.

Wrap up your visit with a gondola ride at dusk. It might feel a bit cliché, but floating through Venice’s quieter canals is an experience like no other.

Final Thoughts

Venice is a city best enjoyed at your own pace. Resist the urge to rush through a checklist of sights. Instead, embrace the unexpected: a hidden courtyard, the echo of footsteps on cobblestones, or a local shopkeeper happy to share a story. Whether this is your first visit or your tenth, Venice always has more to reveal.

Ready to fall in love with La Serenissima? ✨

20 Great Things to do in Venice 7/20 – Music

Experience (well-played) Vivaldi in Venice

For many, experiencing Vivaldi in Venice is an absolute must. But more discerning music-lovers might feel somewhat Baroqued out by the predictable programmes performed by local groups, whose technical ability rarely goes beyond the so-so to fairly good range. Exceptions are the Venice Baroque Orchestra, a global success, and the orchestra of La Fenice, one of the best in the country. As well as its opera and ballet seasons, La Fenice has at least two concert seasons a year. The Teatro Malibran shares the Fenice’s programmes and also has its own chamber music season, with performances by the Società Veneziana dei Concerti.

Mestre’s Teatro Toniolo also has a symphony and chamber music season. Most other musical events take place in Venice’s churches or scuole. St Mark’s basilica holds a smattering of ceremonial concerts throughout the year, with the patriarch deciding who is to attend. But lovers of sacred music should catch one of two regular Sunday appointments: the sung Mass at St Mark’s (10.30am) and the Gregorian chant on the island of San Giorgio (11am).

20 Things to do in Venice 11/20 – Take a tour of the Grand Canal

Take a tour of the Grand Canal

A wonderful way to take in the Grand Canal is on board a vaporetto (a rounded 230-passenger boat). I have talked before about them here and here .The canal may no longer be teeming with merchandise-laden cargo boats, but it is still the main thoroughfare of Venice, and only a little imagination is needed to understand its historical importance. The three and a half kilometre (two-mile) trip from the railway station to San Marco provides a superb introduction to the city, telling you more about the way Venice works – and has always worked – than any historical tome.

Every family of note had to have a palazzo here, and this was not just for reasons of social snobbery. The palazzi are undeniably splendid but they were first and foremost solid commercial enterprises, and their designs are as practical as they are eye-catching.

Vaporetto tickets can be purchased at most stops, at tabacchi (tobacconists, identified by a white T on a black or blue background) and at Hellovenezia offices On board, you can only buy single tickets. The fare for a shuttle journey (ie one stop across the Grand Canal, the hop across to the Giudecca, or from Sant’Elena to the Lido) is €2.

Venice Carnival 2012

I know we are not even at Christmas but I just realised yesterday, that Carnival is getting closer and closer. For 2012 will be between the 4th of February and 21st February 2012. The main events will start from the 11th of February. Few tips on what to do are hereEven Federico mentioned Carnival yesterday during a very nice book presentation so here we are to talk about Carnival. I know there are many versions about the origins of Carnival, the one that I like best is the following.

The oldest document pertaining to the use of masks in Venice dates back to 2nd May 1268. In the document it is written that it was forbidden for masqueraders to practice the game of the "eggs". From the early 14th century onwards, new laws started to be promulgated, with the aim of stopping the relentless moral decline of the Venetian people of the day. This restrictive carnival legislation started with a decree on 22nd February 1339 prohibiting masqueraders from going around the city at night. A decree that helps us understand just how libertine the Venetians of the day were, is that of the 24th January 1458 which forbade men from entering convents dressed as women to commit "multas inhonestates"! In a similar vein, the decree of 3rd February 1603 is interesting in that it attempted to restore morality in the convents.

Masqueraders were banned from entering the nuns’ parlous – it had been the convention to sit in the parlous and talk to the nuns. Frequently, decrees were promulgated prohibiting masqueraders from carrying arms or any instrument which could cause harm, or other decrees which forbade masqueraders from entering churches. This obligation was extended to the townsfolk who were not allowed to enter churches wearing "indecent attire". 1608 was an important year, the 13th August to be precise, when a decree from the council of 10 was issued declaring that the wearing of the mask throughout the year posed a serious threat to the Republic. To avoid the terrible consequences of this immoral behavior, every citizen, nobleman and foreigner alike, was obliged to only wear a mask during the days of carnival and at official banquets.

The penalties inflicted for breaking this law were heavy – for a man this meant two years in jail, 18 months’ service to the Republic galley-rowing (with ankles fettered) and not only that, a 500 lire fine to the Council of 10. As for women, they were whipped from St Mark’s all the way to Rialto, then held to public ridicule between the two columns in St Mark’s. They were banned from entering the territory of the Venetian Republic for 4 years and had to pay the 500 lire fine to the Council of 10. 50 years after the decree of 1608, the Council of 10 published a proclamation on the 15th January reaffirming the ban on wearing masks and bearing arms.

It was further prohibited to enter holy places wearing a mask and it was expressly forbidden to wear religious clothes with a mask. In the same decree the use of drums was banned before midday, and even dancing of any description was prohibited outside of the carnival period. Seeing that many Venetian nobles used to go gambling wearing a mask to avoid their creditors, in 1703, masks were banned all year round from casinos.

Two different decrees (1699 and 1718) saw the prohibition of wearing a mask during Lent and other religious festivals which took place during carnival. In 1776, an act introduced to protect the by now forgotten "family honor", forbade all women from going to the theatre without a mask and cloak. After the fall of the Republic, the Austrian government forbade the use of masks for both private parties and elite parties (e.g., la Cavalchina della Fenice) . The Italo-Austrian government was more open but now it was the Venetians who were being diffident. Venice was no longer the city of carnival, but just a little imperial province without personal liberty. During the second Austrian government it was once again permitted to wear masks.

Nowadays is one of the main events in Venice and thousands of people come to Venice.