Things to do in Venice for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Venice
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From the perspective of a local, this walking tour explores Venice's past and present. You will see all the main attractions that the city has to offer. It starts with a visit to the Riva degli Schiavoni embankment. Here you will discover the story behind the creation of Venice. You will also learn why the water is so dangerous for the city and why locals flee from it. Passing by the famous Bridge of Singhs, you will learn why it's not so romantic as you think. On that pass, you will find information on cruel Venetian prisons and the only person who escaped them. You will first walk to the sea gates and after that you will be taken to the heart of Venice, Piazza San Marco. This is going to be the most intense part of the tour. Here you will be able to see all the major attractions and get all the information you need about Venice's history. Additionally, you will find a spot where you can hide from the crowds of tourists. The tour will end with an opportunity for you to stroll around the Rialto Market- There you can experience the most authentic Venetian food. Get ready for your journey!
The Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Square are among the most important symbols of Venice. These are at the heart of this self-guided audio tour that will take you on a journey through the city’s history. Embark on a captivating journey through Venice, a city that seamlessly blends its rich history with breathtaking beauty. Your adventure begins in the iconic St. Mark's Square, the pulsating heart of Venice, where the architectural splendor of St. Mark's Basilica and the lively ambiance of the square envelop you in the city’s vibrant spirit. From there, proceed to the majestic Doge's Palace, an enduring symbol of Venice's illustrious past and its Renaissance grandeur. Step inside to explore the sumptuous halls, each adorned with artistic masterpieces that narrate tales of power, intrigue, and artistry. Continue your tour by immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Venetian history and architecture, adding layers to the narrative of "La Serenissima." This tour not only highlights the historical landmarks but also invites you to uncover the lesser-known tales woven into the very fabric of the city. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica but is provided by an independent creator. Please keep in mind that the tour doesn't include a visit to the St. Mark's Basilica.
When you visit Venice, you can't miss Fortuny Palace, with its centuries worth of history. When you pass through the front door, you immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of Venice. Its unique facade is characterised by seven openings, while its interior has wooden lintels and marble pillars. Its architectural beauty is what attracted the designer Mariano Fortuny, who decided to restore the palace and give it back its lost beauty. Amongst the designer's creations, you can admire the winter garden and painting studio located on the first noble floor. The space features art of female figures, allegorical images, satyrs and exotic animals, parrots, and monkeys enveloped in floral and vegetable motifs, garlands and grotesques. Make sure to admire the Fortuny family's antiques collection and spectacular examples of textile production during your visit.
Duck out of the thronging crowds at St. Mark's Square, and enjoy a little holiday in the mind of a genius, with a ticket to Negozio Olivetti. Designed by celebrated Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, this boutique museum is the perfect counterpoint to Venice's Gothic and Moorish architecture - and its bustling crowds! Epitomizing Scarpa's innovative use of space, the understated elegance of Negozio Olivetti offers a bite-size slice of calming modern design, without a single pigeon in sight!
Put your city plans aside and head to the rolling Euganean Hills for a taste of early 16th-century, aristocratic Italian life. The Villa dei Vescovi (Bishops' Villa) was intended as a place for nobleman Alvise Cornaro's intellectual friends to gather and discuss the importance of art and nature. As you do! Explore the fancy rooms and spot the homages to the great outdoors in the frescoes on the walls. The views across the vineyards outside are magical. Why not bring a picnic?
The Museum of Natural History Venice, with its two rich exhibition floors, will do nothing but surprise you! On the ground floor you'll find the Cetacean Gallery – with the skeleton of a baleen whale and a young sperm whale – and the Tegnùe Aquarium, which reconstructs a particular underwater rocky environment of the Upper Adriatic Sea. On the upper floor, the museum is divided into three parts: the first is dedicated to fossils, the second recounts the evolution of collecting nature and the birth of scientific museology, and the third illustrates the variety of living forms and the complexity of adaptations and specialisations. Prepare to be amazed by our natural world at the Museum of Natural History Venice.
Discover the interiors of the enchanting La Fenice Theatre in Venice with this skip-the-line entrance ticket! Whether you're a lover of opera or simply want to immerse yourself in the beauty of one of Italy's most celebrated theaters, this opera house is sure to leave you captivated and inspired. This ticket offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at La Fenice, taking you to areas typically overlooked by the public, such as the Royal Box and the Apollo Rooms boasting some magnificent details of the Baroque interiors. You'll be able to explore the stunning architecture and ornate interiors of La Fenice securing the heritage of the incredible performances that have taken place within its walls. Photos and artifacts will tell you the story of the theatre's founding, its tumultuous past, and its triumphant rebirth after devastating fires. Experience the magic of one of the most renowned opera houses and admire the artistry of this iconic venue. WeGoTrip is an authorized reseller of Venezia Unica services.
Once the home of Venetian nobles, two world-class museums occupy the space inside this opulent ex-palace. Explore a huge collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings, as well as Expressionist and Surrealist art in The International Gallery of Modern Art. In the Oriental Art Museum, ogle the many treasures from Prince Enrico di Borbone's jaunt across Asia from 1887–89. Marvel at beautiful antique Islamic ceramics, an exquisite carved Chinese chess set from the 18th century, and more.
With this combo ticket you'll get skip-the-line access to two of Venice's most interesting museums! Explore the art of Venetian lace-making from the 16th to the 20th centuries at the Lace Museum, then check out the largest collection of Murano glass in history at the Glass Museum.
Get lost in the various rooms of the Scuola Grande dei Carmini, founded on 1598 as a laical confraternity. History unravels beneath your feet as you explore numerous, priceless works of art, including the famous ceiling. It's worth a bit of neck strain to feast your eyes on the paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo above your head! The artist worked tirelessly in 1739 and 1749 to create the famous nine canvases, depicting scenes of spiritual virtue. The interior rooms of the Scuola have fully preserved the original antique furnishings.
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About Venice
The best tours to do in Venice with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Venice for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Venice
Alina Carini2022When I’m in Venice, I always start early in Cannaregio, when the canals are still quiet and locals are out buying bread. For me, the most rewarding attractions in Venice are not just the big sights but the small moments: climbing San Giorgio Maggiore’s bell tower for the cleanest lagoon view, then walking Dorsoduro until I reach Squero di San Trovaso to watch gondolas being repaired. If friends ask me what to see in Venice, I tell them to cross to Torcello in the late afternoon, when it feels almost abandoned. I also like small food-focused tours in Venice, especially around Rialto, where cicchetti bars are busiest just before dinner.
On a first trip to Venice, I recommend getting up early and walking from Rialto to St. Mark’s before 8 a.m., when Venice still feels like itself. One of my favorite things to do in Venice is to slip into Castello after the square, where laundry hangs over narrow canals and you hear more Venetian than camera shutters. For classic attractions in Venice, I’d choose the Doge’s Palace, then balance it with a vaporetto ride to San Giorgio Maggiore for the view. When friends ask me what to see in Venice, I also suggest the Rialto market at lunchtime and, later, bacari in Cannaregio instead of standard tours in Venice.
When I visit Venice for shopping, I split my time by neighborhood. For handmade masks and small ateliers, I go to San Polo and the lanes just off Campo San Tomà, where Venice still feels intimate. If you plan to visit Venice for textiles, stationery, or beautifully curated home goods, I recommend Dorsoduro around Campo Santa Margherita and Calle Lunga San Barnaba. Locals know Cannaregio is better for everyday artisan food shops than flashy windows; I often stop there for biscuits, wine, and kitchen items. In any travel guide Venice usually points to Mercerie, but for me the real things to do in Venice include wandering one canal back from the main streets, where the most interesting shops hide.
In my travel guide Venice always depends on how you want to feel at night. When I visit Venice for a first stay, I usually suggest Cannaregio: you can walk to the station, eat well near Fondamenta della Misericordia, and still slip into quieter lanes after dinner. If you want museums and elegant evenings, I prefer Dorsoduro, especially around Campo Santa Margherita or the Zattere. Locals know San Marco is beautiful but tiring once day-trippers fill it. For me, the best things to do in Venice start early, so I like staying somewhere that lets me reach Rialto or St. Mark’s before breakfast crowds. If you visit Venice for atmosphere, Castello is another excellent choice.
When I’m showing friends Venice, I rarely keep them only around San Marco. For me, the most memorable attractions in Venice are spread across neighborhoods with very different moods. I love Cannaregio for its evening life along Fondamenta della Misericordia, Castello for quiet residential lanes behind Arsenale, and Dorsoduro for art, long waterfront walks, and the view from Punta della Dogana. If someone asks me what to see in Venice, I always add San Polo in the morning, when the Rialto market is still full of fishmongers shouting. I’m not big on standard tours in Venice, but wandering these areas on foot gives the best sense of how Venice actually lives.
When I’m in Venice with children, I usually head to the Natural History Museum in Santa Croce, then let the day unfold along the Grand Canal. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Venice because kids get space to move, and the dinosaur skeletons and lagoon exhibits actually keep them engaged. Afterward, I take the vaporetto to Burano, which for me is one of the most cheerful attractions in Venice for families: bright houses, no cars, and plenty of room to wander. If parents ask me what to see in Venice, I also suggest quiet campi in Castello instead of standard tours in Venice, where children can run a little without the usual crowds.
When I visit Venice, I eat the way locals do: standing at a bacaro with a glass of ombra and a few cicchetti. Venice is especially known for baccalà mantecato on bread, sarde in saor with its sweet-sour onion flavor, and little fried moeche when they’re in season. In my travel guide Venice always includes risotto di gò, a lagoon fish risotto visitors often miss, and fegato alla veneziana if you want something more traditional. One of the best things to do in Venice is go near Rialto before lunch, when bars fill with workers ordering small bites. If you visit Venice in winter, don’t skip fritole during Carnival season.
In my travel guide Venice, I usually tell people to stay at least two full days, but three is much better. Venice changes completely between early morning, midday, and late evening, and you only notice that if you sleep there. When I visit Venice, I like having one day for the classic walks around Rialto, San Marco, and Dorsoduro, then another for slower hours in Cannaregio or Castello, where daily life is easier to feel. A third day lets you add Burano, Torcello, or just long meals and aimless wandering. For me, the best things to do in Venice happen before breakfast and after dinner, when Venice finally exhales.