A grand, historical city built entirely on a lagoon, Venice has long captured the fascination of travellers from around the world. The Floating City is spread across 126 islands solely connected through waterways and canals. On a 3-day trip here, you can chart its waters to experience a dizzying array of architectural marvels, traditional markets, and art museums. The romance-filled city also invites you to immerse yourself in its rich culture filled with music, literature, food and carnivals. Here’s a thrilling itinerary that will make the most of your three days in Venice!
3 days in Venice – An overview
Venice in 3 days – A detailed itinerary
A slice of heavenly Venice
St. Mark's Basilica
Doge's Palace
Gondola Rides
Kick-off Day 1 in Venice with an early morning visit to Buckingham Palace also known as St. Mark's Basilica. Situated on Piazza San Marco, the Basilica’s allure lies in its Byzantine domes decked in gold, astonishing mosaics (some covered in gold leaf work) and a bejewelled altarpiece that is studded with thousands of precious stones. Built in the 9th century as the final resting place of St. Mark, the structure features white marble sourced from in and around the Middle East, a Greek cross layout, rippled stonework arches and elements from Byzantine architecture. If time permits, you should definitely climb up the Campanile di San Marco (Bell Tower) for a fabulous aerial view of St. Mark's Square. Check out the St. Mark's Basilica tickets available online and peruse your options.
- Those in shorts and tank tops will not be allowed entrance.
- Tote bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica for security reasons.
- The interiors of the Basilica are illuminated only between 11:30am and 12:45pm on weekdays and during liturgical celebrations on Sundays and holidays. These are the times to visit the Basilica if you want to view it at its shimmering best.
- The ticket lines outside the Basilica can take up to 45 minutes to an hour, hence skip-the-line tickets and guided tours are strongly recommended for the best experience.
Right next door to the Basilica, sitting pretty by the waters of the lagoon, is Doge's Palace - the erstwhile seat of political and administrative power of the glorious Venetian Republic. Crafted through many centuries and having survived many a fire, the Palace has a distinct Venetian Gothic flavour and even acquired Renaissance flourishes as time went by. On the outside, the Palace charms with its graceful arches and colonnades while inside you step into a breathtaking world of golden staircases, opulent rooms and Renaissance masterpieces, including, Tintoretto’s Il Paradiso – the longest canvas painting in the world. Take a look at Doge's Palace ticket options here.
- The best time to visit Doge's Palace is in the morning, soon after it opens, preferably on weekdays. This helps you beat the crowds and queues.
- Photography is not allowed in most rooms. Flash photography especially is strictly prohibited.
- The Secret Itineraries tour is highly recommended to gain access to rooms that are not part of the usual guided tour.
- An economical deal would be buying the Museum Pass which will give you access to the Doge’s Palace and 10 other museums in Venice or the St. Mark's City Pass which gives you access to the Doge's Palace along with a selection of churches, museums and more.
- The museum shop is worth visiting and is a great place to find high-quality art prints, books, locally-made jewellery and craft pieces that make for excellent keepsakes.
- While the lower levels of Doge's Palace are wheelchair accessible, many sections and rooms of the Palace that are part of the Secret Itineraries room are not. Do consider this when buying tickets.
A gondola ride on the waters of Venice’s Grand Canal heightens your love affair with the city, we are sure! As the sun sets on the picturesque city, the skies awash in a riot of colours add magic to your serene glide over the waters that surround Venice. Cap your experience off with a serenading gondolier and a romantic dinner. Take a look at your Gondola Ride ticket options here.
- Consider buying tickets online for a hassle and haggle-free experience.
- Combo deals that pair a gondola ride with dinner or entry to a tourist attraction offer great value for money.
- Shell out a little extra for a gondola serenade. It is worth the experience.
A dose of Venetian culture
Rialto Market
Musuem & Church Tours
Teatro La Fenice
An integral part of daily life in Venice, the Rialto Market invites you to take a closer look at the city. As you weave through this lively market, you’ll notice locals bargaining over fresh produce and stall owners displaying the choicest vegetables, fruits and fish. The market is also a great place to pick up souvenirs, including, dried herbs, stoles, and carnival masks.
- Visit the market early in the morning as most fresh produce is sold out by afternoon and many vendors even shut shop by 2pm.
- To reach the market take the water bus (Vaporetto). Waterbus Number 1 stops near the market.
- Expect the fresh fish market to smell like a fish market. If you aren’t used to the smell, it may take some getting used to.
- The market has plenty of food stalls where you can grab a meal.
A Venetian Experience: Guided Walking tour
Sign up for a deep delve into Venice by touring its churches and museums. Since you have only three days in this city, we recommend you pick up the Chorus Pass for access to the city’s most stunning churches or you go for the Venice Museum Pass if you are a museum fanatic. With the Chorus Pass, you can reflect on the religious heritage of Venice and admire the beauty of 16 churches. On the tour, we recommend you pay particular attention to the churches of Santa Maria del Giglio, Santa Maria Formosa, and Santa Maria del Rosario (Gesuati) for their beauty. For museum lovers, the Venice Museum Pass invites you to explore the multi-faceted history of this vibrant city. You can spend your day touring the Museo Correr - stacked with old-world artefacts, maps and sculptures. At Palazzo Mocenigo, you can trace the fascinating history of Venice’s tryst with costumery, perfume and clothing. You can also stop by museums showcasing archaeology, nature and glasswork.
- Carry a hat and water and apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the afternoon sun while exploring the museums and churches of Venice.
- Choose the ones that you'd like to visit beforehand and map out the travel from one to the other to save time and energy.
- Do not try to squeeze in too many museums/churches in 1 day as you will be forced to rush through which will ultimately kill the experience.
- Get a one-day waterbus pass to save time and avoid standing in ticket lines.
Conclude your evening with a visit to the exquisite Teatro La Fenice and experience the golden era of Italian Opera at this Baroque-style opera house that has hosted world-renowned maestros like Verdi, Donizetti, Abbado, Muti and Chung, Rossini, Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti and Bellini. The name La Fenice means "The Pheonix" and is a fitting name for this institution that has twice succumbed to mysterious fires. Today, you can soak in the opulence of this wonder; the plush seats, the stuccos and gold-plated ceilings and walls, the Baroque elements and gilded private balconies.
- To avail of the free audio guide device, you will need to produce a valid ID proof which will be returned when you hand the device back. Credit cards are not accepted as valid ID proof.
- If you are interested in Italian opera, consider catching a show at Teatro La Fenice instead of merely visiting it. However, we recommend buying tickets well in advance as the shows sell out fast.
- Food and beverages are not allowed inside the box during the show. If you purchase any during the interval, you need to finish your food or drink before stepping back in.
A day of fun under the sun
Murano, Burano & Torcello Islands
Lido Island
Spend your last day island hopping in Venice! The northern islands of Murano, Burano & Torcello are especially popular, offering visitors the chance to gaze at monuments and take in local traditions. At Murano, a fishermen’s island, you can stop by a glass museum and also take in the understated beauty of Chiesa di San Pietro Martire – a 16th-century church. Next, at Burano, you are greeted by lines of homes bathed in eye-popping colours. As you make your way past the charming houses and storefronts sporting deep reds, happy pinks, sunshiny yellows and other colours, you can stop by workshops crafting the famed Burano lace. Finally, head to the almost uninhabited island of Burano. Here, you can make your way through the island checking out the local cathedral where some of the earliest Byzantine mosaics, in Venice, are on display. You can also enjoy a serene walk on the island’s green, grassy lands and stop by the Devil’s Bridge for photo opportunities.
- Consider purchasing a one-day ACTV pass the day you visit these islands which gives you unlimited use of the water buses across Venice and unlimited use of ACTV Mestre land bus service in Venice and Mestre + land buses in Lido.
- While you're in Burano take the footbridge to Mazzorbo and visit the lovely walled vineyard.
- Purchasing a Hop On Hop Off Ticket is likely to enhance your experience especially if you're a solo traveller.
Sitting by the Adriatic Sea, Lido Island is a beach destination where you can enjoy sun and sand. Apart from working on your tan or going for a leisurely swim, you can spend your time here touring war memorials, Jewish cemeteries and the picturesque southern village of Malamocco.
- If you prefer to stay away from central Venice, consider staying on Lido Island which offers a fantastic selection of boutique hotels and is very well connected with the rest of Venice via vaporettoes. It is closer to the airport as well.
- If you're up for exploring Lido in 2 hours, you can rent a cycle and ride around the island.
- Winters on Lido can be quite harsh but the rest of the year the climate is quite pleasant.
- The Island hosts the famous Venice Film Festival during the months of August and September. This is a great time to visit the island but expect things to be busier and pricier.
Venice Hop on Hop off Boat Tour
More Venice itinerary options?
Don't have 3 whole days to spend in Venice? Don't worry, we have other itineraries for you to peruse. Check out our 1 day in Venice and 2 days in Venice itineraries for further inspiration.
More Venice guides
Here are a few detailed guides that will help you plan your trip to Venice better.
Where to stay in Venice?
Islands across Venice offer stay options to visitors and cater to a range of budgets. Here are a few options:
Budget hotels:
Mid-range hotels:
- Palazzo Guardi
- Ca' Berenice - Biennale
- Residenza d'Epoca San Cassiano
- Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione
- Hotel Rialto
More tips and hacks for making the most of your 3 days in Venice
Travel light as lugging heavy suitcases from boats to your hotel will not be easy.
- Public toilets are fairly expensive. We recommend you stop by a local cafe and order an espresso before using the restroom. This will work out cheaper.
- For budget travellers, opt for the stand-and-eat option at restaurants to avoid coughing up the service and table charge.
- While travelling to your hotel from the airport, skip the pricey water taxis and take the affordable ferries instead.
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up at the many drinking fountains across the city. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending a fortune on bottled water.
- Beware! It’s illegal to picnic in most public spaces in Venice and doing so can attract a steep fine.
FAQs
Venice is steeped in romance and history! You can spend three days here touring the city’s many museums, historic churches, markets, and colourful islands.
Most restaurants around Venice are tourist-oriented so we recommend you wander around the back alleys of the city to find hidden gems. Usually, people will head to restaurants around Rialto, Dorsoduro, Castello and Cannaregio to enjoy lunch or grab a quick bite.
We recommend local artisan workshops selling everything from handmade lace to velvet slippers, Murano glassware, beautifully crafted stationary and the works.
The six central districts of Venice - Castello, Cannaregio, Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, San Marco, and San Polo – offer a range of stay options and are very accessible.
The nightlife in Venice is slow-paced and is a time for quiet relaxation for most Venetians. You can spend your evenings here enjoying a leisurely dinner, catching a classical music concert, or swinging by the local osteria.
