Venice

Save

32 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.

Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓

8 places on the map

Free things to do

1
Iconic stone bridge arching over the Grand Canal
- Tip: Watch your bag
2 tips
- Go at sunrise for empty photos
- Shops on the bridge are pricey
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
2
Enclosed limestone bridge linking palace and prison
3 tips
- Best viewed from Ponte della Paglia
- Expect crowds at midday
- Seen from inside on the Doge's Palace tour
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
3
Venices main waterway lined with palaces
3 tips
- Vaporetto line 1 is the cheap scenic ride
- Sit at the front outside for views
- Traghetto gondola crossings cost about 2 euros
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
4
Historic fish and produce market
3 tips
- Fish market closed Sundays and Mondays
- Go before 10am
- Try cicchetti at nearby bacari
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
5
Baroque domed church guarding the Grand Canal entrance
3 tips
- Free entry to the main church
- Cross the pontoon bridge during the November festival
- Great photo spot from Accademia bridge
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
6
Quirky bookshop with a staircase of books
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Weekdays
2 tips
- Meet the shop cats
- Canal-side back steps are the photo
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
7
Island of brightly painted fishermens houses and lace
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Take vaporetto 12 from Fondamente Nove
- Try bussola biscuits
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
8
Restored royal gardens beside St Mark's Square.
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place

Take this map with you

Save Free things to do to Google Maps

Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.

Before you go: Venice tips

Transportation

Get an ACTV pass: Multi-day vaporetto passes pay off fast if you ride the water buses more than a couple of times a day; validate before every boarding.
Ride a traghetto: These shared gondola ferries cross the Grand Canal at several points for a fraction of a private gondola ride. Locals stand up for the short trip.
Walk most places: Venice is compact and car-free, so walking is often quicker than waiting for a vaporetto. Pack light, as you will carry bags over many bridges.

Security

Watch for pickpockets: Crowded spots like the Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Square and packed vaporetti are prime territory. Keep bags zipped and in front of you.
Know the fines: Sitting on monuments, swimming in canals, feeding pigeons and picnicking in St Mark's Square can all bring hefty fines from local police.
Check the bill: Restaurants near major sights may add cover and service charges or push pricey specials. Read the menu and receipt carefully before paying.

Saving

Drink coffee at the bar: Standing at the counter costs far less than table service, especially around St Mark's Square where seated prices soar.
Fill your bottle: Public fountains around the city pour clean, cold drinking water, so you rarely need to buy bottled water.
Stay on the mainland: Hotels in Mestre are usually cheaper, and frequent trains and buses reach Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia station in minutes.

Weather/Clothing

Pack for acqua alta: Autumn and winter high tides can flood low areas like St Mark's. Bring waterproof boots or buy plastic overshoes locally.
Expect humid summers: July and August are hot, sticky and buggy, so bring breathable clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Cover up for churches: St Mark's Basilica and other churches require covered shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf or shawl in warm months.

Cultural

Try cicchetti: Hop between bacari, Venice's wine bars, for small bites like baccala mantecato with a glass of local wine or a spritz.
Keep right on bridges: Narrow calli and bridges are commuter routes for residents. Do not stop mid-bridge for photos; step aside instead.
Respect residents: Venice has a shrinking local population. Keep voices down at night in residential areas like Castello and Cannaregio.

Local Hacks

Check the access fee: On peak days, day-trippers must pay an access fee to enter the old city. Check the official calendar before your visit.
Explore early: Visit St Mark's Square and the Rialto at dawn before the crowds; the light is beautiful and the city feels completely different.
Get lost on purpose: Wander into Dorsoduro, Cannaregio or Castello to escape the crowds and find quieter canals, local bars and real neighbourhood life.

1-day itineraries in Venice

Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.

Day 1 of 2

St Marks Basilica and around

🕘 9:30–17:00📍 5 stops

1Libreria Acqua Alta
2St Marks Basilica
3Doge's Palace
4St Marks Campanile
5Rialto Bridge

See the day →

Day 2 of 2

Gallerie dell'Accademia and around