Whether it’s your first visit or a return to Venice, this daily itinerary list can help you plan. Choose what fits your interests and energy level.
First time in Venice:
Tip: Flying into Venice? Avoid booking paid tours or tickets on your first two days—just in case of delays.
Tip: Ending your trip in Venice? Build in time to slow down and unwind. Sometimes, one more rich slice of cake—or one more activity—can be too much. Leaving space to relax makes your final days more memorable.
Arrival Day1 Night Stay
Settling In
- Arrival and check-in, followed by a brief orientation with tips and Q&A.
- Stretch your legs by walking around Piazza San Marco and nearby campo for a Venetian spritz and ease into Venetian time.
Day 1 2 Nights Stay
Exploring Santa Croce, San Polo, and the best view
- Rialto Fish Market (only Tue-Sat mornings)
- Wander through campos, artisan workshops, neighborhood eateries
- Frari Church 1-2 HR and Scuola di San Rocco 1 HR
- Ca' Rezzonico 1 HR
- San Giorgio Maggiore island: Best Views at the bell tower (elevator only), and the glass museum Stanza del Vetro (free entry)
Day 2 3 Nights Stay
Exploring Sestiere San Marco
- Fortuny Museum 1.5-2 HR
- La Fenice Theatre audio guide visit 45 MIN
- Scala Contarini del Bovolo
- St. Mark’s Basilica and Museum 1.5-2 HR
Tip: At 11:30 all the lights are turned on, if time not available, less crowded in the afternoon - Doge’s Palace 2-3 HR
Tip: Less crowded in the afternoon
Day 3 Special Rate4 Nights Stay
Visit the major islands
- Murano: glassblowing demo and workshops. Glass Museum
- Burano: colorful houses, Lace Museum
- Torcello: quiet walk amid ancient mosaics (optional)
Day 4 Special Rate5 Nights Stay
Exploring Sestiere Dorsoduro
- Traghetto ferry across the Grand Canal
- Punta della Dogana 1 HR
Tip: (Contemporary Art) - Santa Maria della Salute the octagonal church .5 HR
- Wander the charming streets, peak into the gondola maker’s shop, or art gallery
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection 1-2 HR
(Modern Art) - Gallery of Accademia 2-3 HR
(Medieval, Renaisance, Baroque)
Day 5 Special Rate6 Nights Stay
Exploring Sestiere Cannaregio
- Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
- Ca' d'Oro: ancient marbles mosaic, and terrace views of the Grand Canal 1 HR
- Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia
- Canal side shops and eateries
- Chiesa della Madona dell'Orto
- Venetian Jewish Ghetto: Museum, Synagogues, Bookshop 2-3 HR
- Traditional rowing class/experience or bacaro tour 1.5-2.5 HR
Day 6 Special Rate7 Nights Stay
Exploring Sestiere Castello
- Fondazione Querini Stampalia 1 HR
- Palazzo Grimani 1 HR
- Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo 1 HR and Scuola Grande di San Marco 1 HR
- Wander through daily Venetian life, laundry lined canals, neighborhood kids playing in the campo, peak into the mosaic makers shop
- Basilica of San Pietro di Castello
- People watch at the tree-lined park of Sant'Elena
Departure Day
Checking Out and Farewell
- Store your bags for as long as you need
- Final souvenir‑hunting: artisanal masks, Murano beads, Venetian paper
- "Arrivederci" (to see each other again) to your favorite people and spots
Is there still more to do? Always:
- Exploring Sestiere Giudecca
- Evening music at a local bar, jazz club, Vivaldi concert, Music Conservatory, Symphony or Opera
- Gondola ride, Catamaran tour, rowing lessons
- Take a class: cooking, Venetian masks, photography, mosaics, and more...
- Day trip to Padova, or Treviso, or Chioggia
- More ideas what to do and see in Venice
Returning to Venice:
Tip: Flying into Venice? Avoid booking paid tours or tickets on your first two days—just in case of delays.
Arrival Day1 Night Stay
Settling In
- Arrival and check-in, followed by a brief orientation with tips and Q&A.
- Welcome back to Venezia—she’s missed you. Feel the city welcome you home.
Day 12 Nights Stay
Go back to your favorite spots
- Visiting the same favorite location at different times of day or year tells two different stories.
- Get a fresh perspective and catch something you hadn't noticed before
Day 23 Nights Stay
What you missed last time
- Explore something you didn't have time for on your previous trip
- Go at your own pace rather than chasing a checklist of monuments
Day 3Special Rate4 Nights Stay
Explore the sestieri and build personal connections
- Pick up basic Venetian phrases, make friends at the neighborhood bacaro, and feel like “more than just a tourist”
- Discover the subtleties of the sestieri and explore their far corners
Day 4Special Rate5 Nights Stay
Explore an island you haven't visited
- Didn't have time before or were rushed to visit Murano, or Burano, or Torcello?
- Discover quiet spots such as Sant'Erasmo, San Lazzaro degli Armeni (Reserve in advance), Malamocco, Palestrina, San Francesco del Deserto (Reserve in advance), or Lazzaretto Nuovo (Reserve in advance)
Day 5Special Rate6 Nights Stay
Explore artisan workshops (gondola, forcola, leather, glass, mosaic, paper, gold, velvet, metals)
- Reserve in advance a special visit to a workshop or laboratory of an individual artisan, or prominent companies such as the ancient looms at Luigi Bevilacqua or the Orsoni color library
Day 6Special Rate7 Nights Stay
Revisit your favorites
- A final day to revisit your favorites or simply unwind before departure
- Final souvenir‑hunting: artisanal masks, Murano beads, Venetian paper, bacala mantecato, Burano cookies, chocolates
- Grand Canal vaporetto ride or long walk along the water at sunset or dust
Departure Day
Checking Out and Farewell
- Store your bags for as long as you need
- "Arrivederci" (to see each other again) to your favorite people and spots
There is still more to do:
- Evening music at a local bar, jazz club, Vivaldi concert, Music Conservatory, Symphony or Opera
- Gondola ride, Catamaran tour, rowing lessons
- Take a class: cooking, Venetian masks, photography, mosaics, and more...
- Day trip to Padova, or Treviso, or Chioggia
- More ideas what to do and see in Venice
Have suggestions to add?
What are your favorite things to do in Venice that we missed on this list?
More time = less stress + deeper memories
You’ll see more, feel more, and leave with no regrets. Enjoy a special rate when you book for 4 nights or more.
