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activities

Things to do

Activities & Experiences

After so much sightseeing, you might feel like doing something a bit different, yet still quintessentially Venetian.

Get inspired by these 9 ideas for fun things to do:


1Make a carnival mask

Unleash your creativity by crafting, decorating and painting your own carnival mask.

Take home your unique creation and return to Venice during carnival time to show it off!


2Kayak in the canals

How extraordinary would it be to navigate the canals in your own self-propelled vessel?


3Take a gondola ride

A gondola ride captures timeless romance and can be a delightful experience.

Price haggling is still common, although Venice has fixed tariffs for gondola rides starting at €90 for 30min (as of 2024).

Avoid this hassle by pre-booking your gondola ride online.

You will get a better price if you're willing to share the gondola with other travelers.


4Water Bus hop-on hop-off

With a water bus pass, you can explore Venice and its surroundings cost-effectively, avoiding the hassle of constantly buying individual 75' tickets.

Picture yourself enjoying grand views from the water of the entire Canal Grande (line #1) and then taking in the breathtaking aerial vistas from the belltower of San Giorgio Maggiore (reachable with line #2).

Afterwards, head to the northern entrance of the Arsenale with line #4.1 and even travel further to Murano.

All in the same day, for only €25.


5Island hopping

There are over 100 islands in the lagoon, but the most famous ones are Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

Boat tours take you to all three islands in just a few hours, which is a great idea if you have limited time.

Murano has been the heart of Venice’s renowned glass-making industry since 1291.

Burano is distinguished by its brightly painted houses and is renowned for its traditional lace artisans.

Torcello is considered the founding island from which Venice was populated.


6Sample local food

While there are countless restaurants to try, the overwhelming choice can be daunting.

Consider taking a food tour led by a local to discover the best Venetian delicacies, with highlights such as the famous cicchetti.

Such tours often include fascinating storytelling, adding an extra layer to your culinary adventure.


7Hear ghost stories

As night falls, embark on a thrilling walking tour to uncover dark legends and hear chilling ghost stories.

Even if you're a skeptic, a ghost tour promises a spine-tingling experience.


8Take in a musical performance

Listen to an uplifting rendition of Vivaldi's beloved 'Four Seasons', performed not in a concert hall, but in the intimate settings of the churches of San Vidal or Chiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church) (also known as the Vivaldi Church).

Or step back into Venice's golden era with baroque classics and operatic arias, featuring performers in traditional Venetian costumes.

Experience Italian opera like never before as you move from room to room with the performers, soaking up the drama of epics like 'La Traviata' and 'Rigoletto' in the intimate and historically elegant setting of a 15th-century palace on the Canal Grande.