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Venice in 3 days
Venice has no cars and no long distances, but it does have crowds: almost all tourism is concentrated between St Mark's and the Rialto. This guide combines the essentials with quieter districts and islands, and helps you organise bookings, transport and the access fee.
3 days · Italy ·
How many days will you spend in Venice?
Choose the length of your trip and the itinerary adapts.
With 3 days you can see the main sights and also discover a few less obvious corners. If you're planning a trip and have 3 days to explore Venice, I've put together this itinerary so you can make the most of your time, see the most important places and add a few Civitatis activities that are well worth it. The idea is to combine self-guided walks with guided visits, so you get to know the city without rushing from one place to another the whole trip.
- Day 1
St Mark's Square, Basilica and Doge's Palace
Start in the monumental heart of the city first thing, before the tour groups and cruise passengers arrive. Book the basilica and the Doge's Palace in advance.
- 9:00
St Mark's Square: arrive early: at this hour the arcades are almost empty. It is the lowest point in the city and the first to flood with acqua alta.
- 9:30
St Mark's Basilica: book a timed ticket: without one the queue is long. Inside there are thousands of square metres of gold-ground mosaics and the Pala d'Oro, an altarpiece of gold and enamel. Shoulders and knees must be covered and large bags are not allowed.
- 11:00
St Mark's Campanile: take the lift up the almost 99-metre bell tower for views of the rooftops, the lagoon and the islands. On clear days you can see the Alps.
- 12:00
Doge's Palace: walk up the Giants' Staircase and through the Hall of the Great Council, with Tintoretto's enormous Paradise, and cross the Bridge of Sighs from the inside to the former prisons.
- 14:00
Lunch near St Mark's: walk two or three streets away from the square, where prices drop. Try cicchetti, Venetian small bites, in a bacaro, with an ombra, a small glass of wine.
- 16:30
Bridge of Sighs: the best outside view is from the Ponte della Paglia, next to the Doge's Palace. According to legend, prisoners sighed as they glimpsed Venice for the last time through its windows.
- 18:00
Riva degli Schiavoni: a waterfront walk with views of the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. If you have energy left, a vaporetto crosses over, and its bell tower gives a much less crowded view of St Mark's.
- 9:00
- Day 2
Grand Canal, Rialto and Gondola Ride
Today Venice is seen from the water and from the markets. It is a day to take it slowly and eat well around the Rialto and San Polo, away from St Mark's.
- 9:00
Rialto Market: the fruit and vegetable stalls open in the morning, and the fish market usually closes on Sundays and Mondays. It is the best time to watch Venetians doing their shopping.
- 10:30
Rialto Bridge: built in stone in 1591, for centuries it was the only pedestrian bridge across the Grand Canal. First thing in the morning it is much easier to take photos without a crowd.
- 11:30
San Polo District: the smallest of Venice's sestieri, with narrow streets and bacari. Step into the church of the Frari, home to Titian's Assumption, or into a shop selling handmade masks.
- 13:30
Lunch in San Polo: choose a bacaro with locals standing at the bar and order several cicchetti: baccalà mantecato (creamed salt cod on bread), sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour marinated sardines) or polpette.
- 15:00
Vaporetto Ride Along the Grand Canal: line 1, which calls at almost every stop, travels the Grand Canal in about 45 minutes. Sit outside, at the bow or stern, for the best views of the palaces.
- 17:00
Gondola Ride: the official fare is fixed for around 30 minutes for up to six people, and a little higher at night. Agree the duration and price before boarding. To save money, the traghetto crosses the Grand Canal in a shared gondola.
- 19:30
Cannaregio: a residential district with plenty of local life. This is the Ghetto, the first in the world, created in 1516. For dinner, stroll along the Fondamenta della Misericordia and its surroundings, full of bacari and bars.
- 9:00
- Day 3
Murano, Burano and Torcello
A day by boat on the lagoon. In 2026 the islands were not subject to the access fee. The vaporetto from Fondamente Nove takes about 40–45 minutes to Burano, so set off early.
- 9:00
Departure for the Islands: take the vaporetto at Fondamente Nove, in the north of Venice. Check the lines and the timetables between islands before setting off, and consider a one-day pass if you will make several trips.
- 9:45
Murano: the island has been famous for glass since the 13th century, when the furnaces were moved here because of the fire risk. Visit the Glass Museum and stroll along its canals.
- 11:30
Murano Glass Workshop: watch a glassblowing demonstration: many workshops offer one. If you plan to buy, look for the Vetro Artistico Murano mark, which guarantees the piece was made on the island.
- 12:30
Burano: its brightly coloured houses are famous; according to tradition, fishermen painted them so they could recognise their own through the fog. The island is also known for its handmade lace.
- 14:00
Lunch in Burano: try risotto di go, made with a fish from the lagoon, or fresh fish, and the local biscuits called bussolà.
- 15:30
Torcello: it was one of the first settlements in the lagoon and is almost uninhabited today. The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in the 7th century, preserves Byzantine mosaics, including a great Last Judgement.
- 17:30
Return to Venice: head back by vaporetto and spend the evening resting or strolling along the canals, which empty of day-trippers at the end of the day.
- 9:00
- Day 4
Dorsoduro, Art and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The most artistic and peaceful side of Venice. Dorsoduro brings together museums, a student atmosphere and waterfront walks, ideal for finishing the trip without hurry. Check the museums' closing days, as they vary.
- 9:30
Gallerie dell'Accademia: the best collection of Venetian painting: Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. Allow about two hours and book if you go in high season.
- 11:30
Peggy Guggenheim Collection: a modern art collection housed in the palazzo where the collector lived. There are works by Picasso, Pollock, Dalí and Kandinsky. Check its weekly closing day, which is usually Tuesday.
- 13:30
Campo Santa Margherita: a square with a student atmosphere, with bars and restaurants that are cheaper than around St Mark's. A good place for something simple to eat.
- 15:30
Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute: it was built as an offering after the plague of 1630. Every 21 November the Festa della Salute is held, with a pontoon bridge across the Grand Canal.
- 17:00
Punta della Dogana: the former maritime customs house, now a contemporary art museum. Even if you do not go in, the point, with the statue of Fortune on a globe, offers one of the loveliest views in Venice.
- 18:30
Zattere: a walk beside the Giudecca Canal, perfect for sunset. Have an artisan gelato and sit by the water watching the boats go by.
- 9:30
My recommendation
If I had to choose just three Civitatis activities for this trip, I'd book:
- Guided tour of St Mark's Basilica (Opens in a new tab)
- Gondola ride (Opens in a new tab)
- Day trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello (Opens in a new tab)
They are experiences that complement exploring on your own really well.
Can you add one more day?
I'd spend it on this: Dorsoduro, Art and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. It's well worth it.
Other Civitatis activities you can add to your trip
If you have more time or want to swap a visit, these are other interesting things to do in Venice:
| Activity | Approximate duration |
|---|---|
| Day trip to the Dolomites (Opens in a new tab) | 12 h |
Activities, times, languages and prices may vary depending on the date. See all options on Civitatis Venice
A few tips for planning your trip to Venice
- Book tickets in advance for St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and any museums you want to visit, especially in high season.
- Check the access-fee calendar before travelling. If you arrive outside the hours when it applies (8:30am to 4pm in 2026) you do not pay, but you lose most of the day.
- Visit St Mark's Square first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the busiest hours.
- Comfortable shoes are essential: you will walk along many cobbled streets, cross bridges and climb stairs.
- Compare single tickets and vaporetto passes before going to Murano, Burano and Torcello. A multi-day pass often pays off.
- If you want a gondola ride, check the official fare and agree the price and duration before boarding.
- To eat well, walk a few streets away from St Mark's and the Rialto. Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and San Polo have better options and more reasonable prices.
- If you travel between autumn and winter, check the acqua alta forecast: the raised walkways are temporary and it is worth bringing boots.
- Leave some free time to wander through narrow streets, cross bridges and discover small canals. Part of Venice's charm lies in exploring without a fixed destination.
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