Best Things to Do in Venice: Marvel Along the Canals

Planning a trip to Venice, the floating masterpiece of Northern Italy? Get ready for gondola rides along the Grand Canal, hidden mosaics tucked between centuries-old palaces, and iconic bridges that glow at sunset, just a taste of the unforgettable things to do in Venice. Beyond San Marco’s dazzling square and the artistry of Murano and Burano, the city tempts with seafood feasts, cicchetti bars, and canalside cafés perfect for lingering. And if wine is part of your journey, extend your adventure with a visit to a nearby Veneto winery, where you can taste regional vintages that pair beautifully with the flavors of the lagoon.

What are the best things to do in Venice?

Explore Piazza San Marco

No trip to Venice is complete without stopping at Piazza San Marco, the city’s beating heart and one of the essential things to do in Venice. Here, the Campanile rises high above the square, while St. Mark’s Basilica glitters with golden mosaics that leave you in awe. Pull up a chair at the legendary Caffè Florian, sip a cappuccino, and watch the square slowly come alive, the perfect moment to enjoy Venice before the crowds flood in.

Admire art and architecture at Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace is Venice at its most dramatic, a symbol of the power once held by the Doge during the Republic era and a must on your list of things to do in Venice. Step inside to marvel at ceilings heavy with gold, sweeping staircases, and paintings that capture centuries of intrigue and splendor. Then follow the path across the Bridge of Sighs, where whispers of history echo in its shadowy stone passageway.

Wander through St Mark’s Basilica

One of Venice’s most iconic landmarks, the Basilica of St. Mark dazzles with golden mosaics, domes, and a blend of Byzantine detail you won’t find anywhere else in Italy. Step inside to feel its grandeur, then climb to the balcony for sweeping views across Piazza San Marco and the lagoon beyond, the kind of panorama that makes every photo feel like a masterpiece.

Drift along the Grand Canal by Gondola Ride

Taking a gondola down the Grand Canal isn’t just transport, it’s Venice showing off. Hop in near the Rialto Bridge, lean back, and watch palaces and hidden courtyards drift by like a living movie set. Go at sunset if you can, the water glows, the lights shimmer, and suddenly Venice feels like it belongs only to you.

Walk to the iconic Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is Venice showing off at its best. Step onto its wide stone arch and you’re walking the same path merchants and nobles crossed 400 years ago. Peek into the little shops built right into the bridge, then lean over the balustrade for a front-row view of gondolas sliding by and vaporettos zigzagging through the Grand Canal. It’s crowded, sure, but that’s part of the charm, grab the railing, take in the view, and let yourself feel like you’re in the center of Venice’s living postcard.

Explore the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of Modern Art

Tucked inside an unfinished palazzo on the Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection offers Venice with a modern twist. Instead of gilded mosaics, you’ll find Pollock’s wild splashes, Ernst’s surreal visions, and works from some of the 20th century’s boldest artists. Step out onto the canalside terrace and it feels less like a museum visit and more like hanging out in Peggy’s stylish Venetian home, one of the coolest things to do in Venice.

Sail to San Giorgio Maggiore

Hop on a vaporetto across from Piazza San Marco and you’ll land on the quiet island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Its gleaming white church by Palladio is stunning, but the real treasure is the view from the bell tower. Ride the elevator up and you’ll see Venice laid out like a painting, domes, canals, and islands stretching into the horizon. With far fewer crowds than San Marco’s Campanile, this hidden gem feels like your own private lookout over the city.

Stroll the streets of Cannaregio

For a glimpse of Venice beyond the postcards, wander into Cannaregio. This laid-back district is home to the historic Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in the world, and its canals are quieter, its streets less crowded. Stop at a trattoria for cicchetti and a spritz, or simply stroll and let the rhythm of local life replace the tourist rush. It’s Venice with more breathing room, and it might just become your favorite corner of the city.

Enjoy the view from the Campanile Bell Tower

Climbing the Campanile in Piazza San Marco is one of the classic things to do in Venice, and for good reason. From the top of this iconic bell tower, the lagoon opens up beneath you, rooftops glowing in the sun, gondolas tracing the canals, and the colorful islands of Murano and Burano shimmering in the distance. It’s a simple ride up, but the view gives you Venice in all its grandeur.

See Venice from the water in a Vaporetto

If a private gondola isn’t in your budget, hop on a vaporetto, Venice’s public water bus, and cruise the Grand Canal like a local. For just a few euros, you’ll glide past palaces, under bridges, and through the city’s busiest waterway with the same views that cost travelers a fortune. It’s one of the smartest (and most fun) ways to see Venice from the water.

What are the best things to do around Venice?

Head to Treviso

Often called “Venice without the crowds,” Treviso is just 40 minutes away by train and feels like a secret waiting to be discovered. With canals winding through arcaded streets and squares lined with trattorias, it’s the kind of place where you can slow down and savor the moment. Come here for tiramisu at its birthplace, explore nearby Treviso wineries known for their sparkling Prosecco, and enjoy waterways that echo Venice but with a relaxed, local vibe. For many travelers, the chance to visit Treviso Italy is the perfect way to round out a Venetian trip authentic, delicious, and refreshingly crowd-free.

Taste history on the Venetian lagoon

Imagine discovering a vineyard tucked between canals, that’s the magic here. This experience takes you to an island vineyard in Venice where the native Dorona di Venezia grape has been revived and restored in salty lagoon soils. You’ll walk through rows of vines, learn how winemaking once thrived in the Venetian islands, and taste crisp, sea-inflected wines right where they’re grown.

Visit the colorful island of Burano

Burano feels like Venice turned up to full color. Just a 45-minute vaporetto ride from San Marco, this fishing village is famous for its lace-making tradition and houses painted in every shade of the rainbow. Stroll along its canals and you’ll find yourself reaching for your camera at every corner, it’s that photogenic. When you’re done wandering, grab a table by the water and order fresh seafood straight from the lagoon. Bright, laid-back, and often overlooked, Burano is the perfect escape from Venice’s grandeur.

Good to know before visiting Venice