Best Things to Do in Venice

St. Mark’s Basilica is located in St. Mark’s Square and has long been one of the symbols of Venice. The city’s most famous landmark, it was built to guard Saint Mark’s relics which were stolen in Alexandria, Egypt. Dating to the 11th century, it’s considered one of the world’s best examples of Byzantine architecture, with Venetian and gothic features blending in over the centuries. The last structural changes were completed some 500 years later. It features luminous mosaics, more than 500 marble columns and gold reliquaries which Venetian crusaders brought after the fall of Constantinople. The mosaics provide highlights of the stories behind the basilica as well as depict religious scenes. Inside, it’s a treasure trove of art, including the magnificent silver and gold Pala d’Ora which includes 2,000 gemstones. There are multiple parts to the cathedral complex, with their own varying hours, including the bell tower which can be climbed for an awe-inspiring view. 

The oldest bridge of the four that span the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge was first built as a pontoon bridge in 1173. The stone bridge you see today is around 400 years old, managing to stand on its 12,000 wooden pilings all this time. The bold design created by Antonio da Ponte features a single central arch over the water allowing vessels to pass. Today it’s the most famous bridge in all of Italy, carrying an endless stream of locals and tourists while vaporetto water buses and endless gondolas pass beneath. Both sides of the bridge are jam-packed with stalls and shops where one can purchase souvenirs and various crafted items, including Murano glass. Three parallel sets of stairs lead up to the bridge on both sides, connecting San Polo, the oldest area of Venice and the home of the Rialto Market, to San Marco, the site of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace.

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is referred to as “I Frari” by the locals. A Venetian-gothic church, it dates back to the 14th century, built to replace a Franciscan church on the site that was too small. It took over a century to build and is considered to be the city’s most important church. Located in the San Polo district, it has an elegant yet simple appearance with stained glass windows, but it’s best known for the vast art collection inside. It includes Venice’s only rood screen, beautifully carved in Istrian stone, along with impressive sculptures, including Sansovino’s and Donatello’s versions of St. John the Baptist. You can see both the Madonna di Ca’ Pesaro and Assumption of the Virgin by Titian who is buried here along with works by Vivarini, Barolomeo, Bellini and more. A 30-minute audio guide is available for purchase at the entrance. 

Saint Mark’s Square is the main public square in Venice and home to many of its most iconic landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the clock tower, and the Bridge of Sights. It’s been the heart of Venice since the early 9th century although what you see today dates to the 12th century, including the arcades, loggia and symmetrical arches. This is one of the busiest places in the city, always filled with tourists, offering the perfect spot for people-watching as it has been for centuries. Napoleon even called the square the “drawing room of Europe.” There’s no better way to enjoy it than sitting down at one of the historic cafes, Caffe Quadri and Caffe Florian, which have both been here since the 18th century, overflowing with old-world charm. Caffe Florian was opened to satisfy Venetian’s increasing appetite for coffee in 1720, while Café Quadri is the epitome of Belle Epoque.

Most often referred to as “La Salute,” Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is a beautiful white stone basilica that dates to the 17th century. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Health, commissioned by the Venetian Senate to celebrate the Virgin Mary’s deliverance of Venetian citizens from the plague as well as to host the annual Festa della Salute, or Feast of Health. Designed by architect Baldassare Longhena, it’s considered to be his greatest work with the octagonal, domed building created to look like a crown. Much of the artwork inside is focused on the plague, with the ceilings and walls featuring several works by Titian, most notably his famous The Descent of the Holy Spirit, painted in 1546. There are also pieces by Tintoretto, Josse de Corte and Pietro Liberi. The elaborate baroque-style altar and intricate mosaic flooring add to the beauty of the exquisite setting.

While there is plenty to do right in Venice, it’s worth taking a day trip to Cittadella, the only one in Europe with fully intact, restored medieval walls. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic walk around the entire city from nearly 50 feet above, for a unique walk through history. It stretches for about a mile along the medieval parapet and comes complete with defensive towers that reach as high as nearly 99 feet. There’s also a moat surrounding the city which was founded in the 13th century as a military outpost while warring with the neighboring communes of Vicenzo and Treviso. By entering the North Gate, you’ll come to the Captain’s House which now services as the tourist office and includes a small museum focused on medieval life and weaponry. There are multiple historic landmarks, including the 13th-century prison and torture chamber, Torre di Malta that was mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

A former monastic church located just off the waterfront southeast of St. Mark’s Square in the Campo San Zaccaria, the Church of Saint Zechariah was originally commissioned in the 9th century to house the remains of its namesake saint who was the father of John the Baptist. It also includes the bodies of eight doges in the crypt which has vaulted ceilings with columns. A permanent flood of canal water creates a mirror effect that causes the tombs to stand like small islands while the columns appear taller than they actually are. The unique architecture you see today was designed by architect Mauro Codussi, who said called its appearance almost like a “pearl casket.” The first structure also had a convent of Benedictine nuns but an early 12th-century fire destroyed it along with the church. Most come to view the art collection with nearly every wall covered in paintings and frescoes.

Squero San Trovaso is one of just a few boatyards devoted to building gondolas that is still in operation today. The famous vessels are all built by hand using traditional tools and methods, with each one customized to fit the gondolier who owns it. This gondola boatyard dates to the 17th century as one of the oldest in the world that still remains. Workshops are run by generations of artisans who specialize in different aspects of maintenance, repair, and building with only around 10 gondolas built each year. It’s possible to watch the artisans at work from the Fondamenta Nana which sits across the Rio de San Trovaso. The gondoliers don’t mind but don’t invite yourself in. Instead, take one of the 30-minute guided tours that are now available to get a closer look and learn all about the building process by emailing [email protected].