All 86 Venice Attractions
Full Index
Explore our complete selection of Venice's best attractions, selected through our firsthand experience and careful research.
01 |Accademia Bridge
Wooden bridge across the Grand Canal, connecting Dorsoduro and San Marco where Venice begins to open into the lagoon.
It's a fascinating structure that offers the most emblematic view of the Grand Canal, familiar from the covers of countless guidebooks.
02 |Accademia Galleries
Art museum tracing the evolution of Venetian painting from the 13th to the 18th centuries, home to some of the city's most important masterpieces.
Immerse yourself in one of Italy's finest art collections, featuring breathtaking canvases brimming with color, light and splendor.
03 |Biennale Gardens
Venice's earliest public gardens, now the principal venue of the Biennale art exhibition.
Napoleon's creation of the park marked Venice's first public green space, now a peaceful retreat offering sweeping lagoon views and serving as the heart of the Biennale art exhibition.
04 |Bridge of Sighs
Enclosed bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the prisons, named for the sighs of convicts crossing it on their way to their cells.
Most visitors see it from Ponte della Paglia, but you can also walk through the bridge itself, along its two narrow passageways.
Looking out through the tiny barred stone windows offers the same bittersweet final view of Venice that prisoners saw as they crossed to the palace prison. It is said that this final glimpse of the city prompted the sighs that gave the bridge its name.
There are two ways to see the bridge from a different angle, away from the usual crowds.
05 |Burano
Fishermen's island famous for its neon-bright houses and the intricate art of handmade lace.
Nothing can prepare your eyes for this explosion of color, where every canal is lined with brightly painted houses and the quiet tradition of handmade lace still lingers in the salt air.
06 |Ca' Pesaro
Two contrasting art collections inside a grand canalside palace, accessible with a single ticket.
From modern art to one of Europe's most important Oriental collections, Ca' Pesaro offers enough depth to justify a visit beyond its grand canalside palace setting.
07 |Ca' Rezzonico
Magnificent palace museum revealing the art, luxury, and daily life of Venice's aristocratic golden age.
Step back in time to Venice's Age of Decadence with a visit to this opulent residence, one of the few open to the public.
08 |Ca' d'Oro
One of Venice's finest Gothic palaces, home to the Franchetti art collection and offering Grand Canal views from its upper loggia.
Step inside one of Venice's most elegant palazzos, where direct, front-row views of the Grand Canal are perfectly framed by graceful Gothic arches.
09 |Campo San Giacomo
Local square with more greenery than most Venetian campi, offering a rare sense of space and an authentic glimpse of everyday Venetian life.
A rare green corner of Venice - this irregular campo, wrapped around its namesake church, is shadier and leafier than most.
10 |Campo Santa Margherita
The city's liveliest square, buzzing with local energy and offering a great starting place for a night out.
11 |Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Laid-back square lined with inviting cafés and framed by elegant historic buildings.
Recharge at one of the inviting cafés on this charming square, framed by elegant historic buildings and their signature Venetian Gothic windows.
12 |Carlo Goldoni's House
Museum dedicated to Venetian theatre, set in the former home of the renowned playwright Carlo Goldoni.
Explore the history of Venetian theatre and admire the unique puppet theater, along with its displayed marionettes.
13 |Clock Tower
Renaissance clock tower crowned by two bronze giants who have struck its monumental bell to mark the hours for centuries.
The real marvel lies inside: a 500-year-old technological masterpiece of intricate gears and ingenious engineering, still fascinating to see today.
Climb higher and you'll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views over St. Mark's Square and Venice.
14 |Creature di Gomma
Small exhibition featuring a large collection of vintage toys and dolls from pop culture history.
This delightfully nostalgic collection of more than 6,000 toys sparks happy memories in adults and wins instant points with kids.
15 |Da Vinci Interactive Museum
Hands-on museum where Leonardo da Vinci's inventions come to life through working machines, interactive exhibits and high-resolution reproductions of his art.
A fun and fascinating way to get closer to the mind of one of history's greatest thinkers, especially if you'd rather explore than simply look at exhibits.
16 |Doge's Palace
Grand palace of power, ceremony, and justice, the political heart of Venice for centuries. Behind its ornate facade are vast painted halls, intricate chambers of government, and even prisons connected by the Bridge of Sighs.
It's one of the rare places where you can experience both the elegance and the severity of Venetian power in a single visit.
You move from majestic halls filled with art into the quiet weight of the old prisons.
It is this contrast of beauty, power, and justice in one place that makes the Doge's Palace visit unforgettable.
There are also several ways to experience the palace, from a standard visit to guided tours such as the Secret Itineraries tour, which takes you into rooms otherwise closed to the public, including the torture and Inquisition chambers.
17 |Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Former luxury shopping mall in a historical building, offering sweeping views from its rooftop terrace.
As of late April 2025, both the mall and its terrace are CLOSED, with no clear updates on if or when they'll reopen 😔
18 |Fondazione Querini Stampalia
Renaissance palace showcasing the Querini Stampalia family's historic art collection alongside contemporary works and design.
Explore beautiful interiors and an art collection where ancient and modern intertwine, culminating in a journey to the 1700s with vivid scenes of Venetian private and public life.
19 |Fortuny Museum
Gothic palace and former home of Mariano Fortuny, now a museum celebrating his eclectic work in art, fashion, and design.
In the warm and inviting ambiance of Mariano Fortuny's former residence, the array of art is beyond words.
With each display suggesting that the artistic work is still unfolding, you'll feel as though the artist could step into the room at any given moment, ready to continue his creative journey.
20 |Frari Basilica
Imposing Gothic church housing art treasures and monumental mausoleums.
Escape the claustrophobia of crowds and narrow alleys into this expansive spiritual open space filled with art treasures and monumental mausoleums.
21 |Glass Cathedral
Former church turned event space, known for its masterful live glassblowing demonstrations showcasing Murano's traditional craft.
Once a monastery, later a factory, and now an events space, the vast nave blends historic architecture with Murano glass artistry, inviting visitors to enjoy unhurried live glassblowing demonstrations that bring centuries of craft to life.
22 |Glass Museum
Museum exploring the history of glassmaking, featuring works from ancient times to contemporary Murano craftsmanship.
You get to appreciate the artistry and decorative applications of this captivating material in the world's largest historical collection of Murano glass.
23 |Grand Canal
Venice's main waterway winds through the heart of the city, lined with grand palaces, churches, and historic facades that reflect centuries of wealth and power.
One of the few places in the world where magnificent palaces and historic architecture rise directly from the water, allowing you to glide through the heart of the city amid a vibrant mix of gondolas and boats.
24 |Jewish Ghetto
Historic Jewish neighborhood from which the term 'ghetto' originated.
The term “ghetto” originated right here, in the area where Jews were compelled to live in the 16th century.
Even today, echoes of this incredible past are still palpable.
25 |Lace Museum
Museum offering an intimate look at Burano's most famous craft: traditional lacemaking.
Step inside the original 19th-century Lace School to explore a delicate world of handmade lace, where hundreds of historic works reveal the beauty born of the painstaking work behind this disappearing art.
26 |Le Stanze del Vetro
Dedicated gallery showcasing the artistic possibilities of glass through rotating exhibitions of contemporary glass creations.
With free entry, a premium setting and constantly changing exhibitions, Le Stanze del Vetro is an easy stop for anyone curious about what artists can do with glass.
27 |Libreria Acqua Alta
Charming bookshop complete with resident cats and its own gondola.
Step into a one-of-a-kind book lover's paradise, where books rest in gondolas and charming resident cats keep watch.
28 |Madonna dell'Orto
Gothic church adorned with major works by Tintoretto, who is also buried within.
This graceful church, with its one-of-a-kind facade, preserves two of Tintoretto's greatest works and marks his final resting place.
29 |Mazzorbo
Laid-back island famous for its rare Dorona golden grapes and furry residents.
Cross the wooden bridge from Burano into a green sanctuary, where walks through local vineyards and encounters with friendly, furry inhabitants offer a serene and peaceful alternative to the crowds.
30 |Murano
Island famous for centuries of Venetian glass craftsmanship and artisan tradition.
Just a short water bus ride from Venice, immerse yourself in all things glass: its production, history, artistry, and indulge in souvenir shopping right at the source.
31 |Museo Correr
Prominent museum in an opulent setting, showcasing Venice's treasured artworks and rich history.
Included with your Doge's Palace ticket, the museum takes you through the elegant rooms of the grand buildings flanking St. Mark's Square while revealing how Venice grew into one of Europe's most fascinating cities.
There's plenty to discover inside, from Antonio Canova's exquisite marble sculptures to the monumental halls of the Biblioteca Marciana, one of Italy's oldest public libraries.
32 |Music Museum
Museum dedicated to the art of Italian violin making, housed in a centuries-old deconsecrated church.
Few places in the world feature a church as the setting for a music museum, while also offering free entry.
33 |Natural History Museum
Museum of natural history exploring millions of years of life through fossils, rare specimens, and discoveries from Venetian expeditions.
An excellent choice for families with older children and anyone curious about nature, science, or the history of exploration.
34 |Naval History Museum
Museum of Venice's seafaring history, housed in the former Granary of the Serenissima Republic.
Set sail through history in this fascinating five-floor museum packed with naval exhibits, model fleets, weaponry, and uniforms - plus a full ships pavilion in the legendary Arsenal.
35 |Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Palace distinguished by its striking external spiral staircase, leading to rewarding rooftop views.
Get dizzy climbing this snail-shaped (bovolo) staircase, built with defiance in the 1400s to showcase the wealth of one of Italy's oldest noble families.
36 |Palazzo Grassi
Contemporary art museum inside a grand 17th-century Venetian palace, blending modern exhibitions with historic architecture.
Step inside Venice's last great palazzo to experience contemporary art in a striking dialogue with historic Venetian interiors.
37 |Palazzo Grimani
Unusual palace with theatrical frescoed halls, intricate grotesque decorations, and rooms beyond imagination.
Get a sense of how the ultra-rich Venetians adorned their palazzos with out-of-the-ordinary decorations.
38 |Palazzo Mocenigo
Museum that transports visitors into the everyday world of Venetian nobility during the Republic's golden age.
Immerse yourself in a bygone era through richly detailed décor, lavish historic garments, and an interactive fragrance exhibition.
39 |Parco delle Rimembranze
Tranquil park with shaded pine trees, a playground and stunning views over the San Marco basin.
Escape the city's narrow streets and crowds to open, green expanses and witness one of the best sunsets.
40 |Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Modern art collection assembled by Peggy Guggenheim, displayed in her former home on the Grand Canal.
Ideal for modern art enthusiasts and those seeking a respite from traditional Venetian art.
41 |Ponte dei Pugni
Bridge with a surprisingly violent past, where rival factions once settled their differences in organized fistfights.
Step into the stone footprints and imagine the champions facing off, the crowd roaring around them and the fight about to begin.
Fortunately, these days the only battle is resisting another gelato.
42 |Punta della Dogana
Contemporary art museum in a former customs house, set at the tip of Venice where the Grand Canal meets the open lagoon.
Enjoy rotating contemporary art exhibitions inside a beautifully restored historic customs house, along with some of the finest views over the Venetian lagoon.
43 |Rialto Bridge
Oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal, where the bustle of Venetian commerce through the centuries lives on in the constant flow of people and boats today.
Few places let you feel Venice in motion quite like the Rialto.
Boats weave through the Grand Canal, below, while locals and visitors stream across the bridge. This lively scene feels like a natural continuation of the bridge's centuries-old role at the heart of Venetian life.
And, while crossing it is part of the experience, it's just as rewarding to seek out different angles of the bridge, with Venice unfolding around it.
Some of its most memorable views are found nearby, in places you might otherwise walk right past.
44 |Rialto Market
Historic food market filled with lively stalls, offering a glimpse into authentic Venetian life.
A feast for the senses: delight in vibrant colors, immerse yourself in an array of intoxicating smells, and listen to the lively banter of stallholders speaking in Venetian dialect.
45 |Rio dei Vetrai
Scenic canal where Murano's master glassmakers showcase their craft and visitors shop for glassware.
Indulge in glass souvenir shopping directly from the hands of the glassmakers in the artisan glass workshops lining this scenic canal in Murano.
46 |Riva degli Schiavoni
Monumental waterfront along the San Marco Basin, framed by historic buildings and lagoon views.
Walk Venice's monumental waterfront along the San Marco basin for unrivaled, postcard-perfect views of the city's most iconic landmarks set against the glittering expanse of water.
47 |Riva del Vin
Sunny quayside south of the Rialto Bridge with prime views of both the bridge and the Grand Canal.
Take in some of the best views of the Rialto Bridge - whether dangling your feet above the Grand Canal or relaxing at one of the many terrace restaurants.
48 |San Barnaba
Former Catholic church turned exhibition space, where you can get hands-on with ingenious machines recreated from Leonardo da Vinci's designs.
Find yourself looking around for Indiana Jones in front of San Barnaba's unmistakable facade.
Then step inside and get hands-on with Leonardo's ingenious creations.
49 |San Giacomo dall'Orio
Romanesque church containing a curious depiction of a miracle performed by the Virgin.
As you enter this beautiful Romanesque church, glance to the right: a painted miracle scene seems innocent - until you look closer.
50 |San Giacomo di Rialto
Quaint Gothic church with a large, unusual 15th-century clock on its facade, once the epicenter of Venice's financial life.
Possibly the oldest church in Venice, this charming Gothic gem - with its rare portico and large clockface - once drew bankers and money changers who did business right beneath its arches.
51 |San Giorgio Maggiore
Island church with a bright, vast interior, offering sweeping views over Venice from its bell tower.
Reach the waterfront in front of the church with just one vaporetto stop from St. Mark's Square. As soon as you arrive, you're met with sweeping views across the San Marco Basin, with the familiar sights of St. Mark's Square visible across the water.
Want to see even farther? A short elevator ride takes you up the bell tower, where you'll be rewarded with jaw-dropping panoramic views across Venice.
And once you're back at ground level, the church's bright, spacious interior invites you to linger a little longer and discover Tintoretto's dramatic works.
Don't rush back just yet: take some time to wander around the island, where there's more to discover beyond the church.
52 |San Moisè
Roman Catholic church with an exuberant Baroque facade and an equally impressive altarpiece.
Just a short detour from St. Mark's Square, this church is well worth a visit for its dramatic altarpiece and over-the-top Baroque facade.
53 |San Nicolò dei Mendicoli
Veneto-Byzantine church with a history of aiding the less fortunate.
It's a beautiful and tranquil church, nestled away from the crowds in a characterful part of Dorsoduro.
54 |San Pantalon
Church concealing a vast ceiling painting that spans the heavens above, creating an extraordinary illusion of depth.
Behind the unassuming facade lies a breathtaking ceiling, alive with a vibrant celestial scene and a mesmerizing sense of depth.
55 |San Polo
Gothic church housing a series of evocative Crucifixion scenes painted in an unconventional style.
After a peaceful break in the nearby square, curiosity may lead you inside to experience this unique take on a biblical scene.
56 |San Rocco
Confraternity church housing the remains of the protector against the plague.
The beautiful art inside is a good warm-up before your visit to the adjacent Scuola Grande.
57 |San Salvador
Renaissance church near Rialto, home to important artworks, two overlooked treasures, and a long-standing connection to Venice's first patron saint.
This monumental Baroque church houses the relics of Venice's original patron saint, beautifully restored art, and at least two hidden gems.
58 |San Sebastiano
Votive plague church adorned with vibrant paintings by Veronese, who is also buried here.
This was the three-decade 'workplace' of one of Venice's greatest painters.
His dramatic works, combined with the church's serene atmosphere, create a captivating sense of peaceful harmony.
59 |San Vidal
Baroque music venue in a long deconsecrated church, home to concerts by Interpreti Veneziani.
End your day of sightseeing with a moving classical concert in a sacred setting - where the atmosphere and acoustics elevate the experience.
60 |San Zaccaria
Gothic-Renaissance church concealing an eerie, partially flooded crypt beneath its structure.
Among the many treasures and curiosities of this Gothic-Renaissance church, none linger longer in the memory than its partially flooded crypt, where the water forms a perfect mirror, reflecting ancient columns and tombs in a haunting subterranean pool.
61 |Santa Maria Assunta
Ancient cathedral adorned with remarkable mosaics and surrounded by lush greenery.
Nothing in the unassuming brick exterior hints at the vibrant mosaics inside Torcello's ancient cathedral.
62 |Santa Maria Formosa
Catholic church with a curios name, nestled in a charming square lined with cafés and shops.
With a name that raises eyebrows, this church invites you to admire two contrasting facades and a remarkable marble-framed polyptych inside.
63 |Santa Maria dei Carmini
Carmelite church with an interior that creates the impression of striking length.
Step inside to experience an unusually slender nave, richly adorned with 24 large friezes that vividly bring Carmelite stories to life.
64 |Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Marble church housing the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.
Often called a 'Renaissance jewelry box' for its exquisite polychrome marble panels, supposedly crafted from leftover marbles from St. Mark's Basilica.
65 |Santa Maria del Giglio
Roman Catholic church with a remarkable Baroque Venetian facade featuring detailed relief maps.
Beyond the Baroque splendor of the facade and its unique relief maps of Rome and other cities, step inside the treasury to uncover an unexpected painting from a distant land and style.
66 |Santa Maria della Salute
Striking Baroque votive church with a distinctive octagonal design and panoramic views over the entrance to the Grand Canal from its dome.
La Salute is a combination of experiences.
On one side, there's a vast church with a distinctive interior and an impressive collection of art.
On the other, the views from the dome are truly breathtaking.
And then there's the location, right at the mouth of the Grand Canal.
67 |Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Venice's largest church, known locally as San Zanipolo, is a vast Gothic masterpiece filled with the grand tombs of the Doges who shaped the Republic's history.
It's hard not to feel small inside this art-filled Gothic giant.
Fortunately, its vastness means there's always something new to discover.
68 |Santi Maria e Donato
Ancient church adorned with magnificent Byzantine mosaics and a dragon legend.
You'll be welcomed by an elegant exterior and then mesmerized by the mosaics inside.
Kids will ask countless questions about the fabled dragon.
69 |Scuola Grande San Giovanni
Beautifully preserved confraternity building known for its richly decorated Chapter Hall, precious fragments of the True Cross, and atmospheric candlelight concerts.
The Scuola is a wonderful place to slow down and take in some of Venice's most impressive historic interiors, with a breathtaking Chapter Hall at its heart.
Its grandeur stands comfortably alongside that of the city's better-known Scuole.
Add the adjoining church, and there's more to discover here than you might expect.
70 |Scuola Grande dei Carmini
Archconfraternity building featuring lavish, luminous, art-filled interiors.
A hidden gem of a scuola that, with a bit of luck, you could have all to yourself while visiting.
71 |Scuola Grande di San Marco
Museum of ancient medicine housed in a former confraternity building dedicated to the patron saint of Venice.
Boasting one of Venice's most impressive marble facades, this former confraternity building now serves as the entrance to the city hospital - and fittingly houses a medical museum in its remarkable upper Chapter Hall.
72 |Scuola Grande di San Rocco
The most opulent of Venice's confraternity buildings, transformed by Tintoretto into a breathtaking showcase of dramatic paintings.
As the wealthiest and most prestigious of Venice's historic confraternities, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco impresses with grand interiors filled with extraordinary Renaissance art that rival the splendor of the Doge's Palace.
But what makes a visit truly special is seeing more than 50 dramatic paintings by Tintoretto in the very setting for which he created them.
He devoted 23 years to this monumental undertaking, culminating in the breathtaking 'Crucifixion'.
The entire cycle remains in its original home, where its scale and drama can still be experienced today.
73 |Scuola Grande di San Teodoro
Seat of Venice's oldest confraternity, now hosting opera and classical music performances.
Once the seat of Venice's oldest confraternity, this historic scuola grande now hosts opera and classical concerts, where performers appear in full 18th-century attire.
74 |Squero di San Trovaso
One of the last traditional boatyards in Venice, where wooden gondolas are still built and repaired.
At this historic boatyard, artisans continue the centuries-old tradition of crafting and repairing gondolas entirely by hand.
75 |St Mark's Campanile
Venice's most iconic bell tower and the tallest structure in the city, offering sweeping views over St. Mark's Square and the lagoon.
A quick elevator ride takes you high above Venice, with sweeping views across the city. On exceptionally clear days, you can even spot the distant Alps.
Extended opening hours also make it possible to see Venice illuminated after dark from above - a truly magical and unique experience.
76 |St. Mark's Basilica
Grandiose cathedral whose interiors are covered in an astonishing expanse of golden mosaics.
As soon as you enter, you can't help but look up: the mosaics high above you seem to open onto a celestial realm, where golden light, vivid colors, and biblical scenes unfold across the vast domed ceilings.
The sheer scale and beauty of it all can leave you genuinely awestruck.
St. Mark's Basilica becomes even more extraordinary when the crowds are gone and the basilica falls completely silent on an exclusive evening tour.
77 |St. Mark's Square
Grand square and gathering place, the social, religious and political center of Venice.
There's a reason most first-time visitors head straight here: with monumental architecture on every side and cafés spilling onto the square, it offers the quintessential Venetian scene.
But this is only the starting point. The landmarks and museums in St. Mark's Square can easily fill hours, while the square itself takes on a completely different atmosphere at sunrise, sunset, and after dark.
There's also a quieter side to the square that most visitors don't get to experience, and that's exactly when the magic happens.
78 |Teatro La Fenice
Grand opera house, faithfully rebuilt after fire and restored to match its original 19th-century design.
This historic, richly decorated opera house was reborn twice after fires burned it to the ground - just as its name (The Phoenix) foretold.
79 |Torcello
A largely reclaimed by nature island considered one of the earliest settlements of the Venetian lagoon and a symbol of Venice's beginnings.
One of the lagoon's earliest settlements, now largely reclaimed by nature, yet still home to one of the oldest churches with remarkable Byzantine mosaics.
80 |Torcello Bell Tower
Thousand-year-old bell tower offering sweeping views over the wild Venetian lagoon.
Instead of Venice's familiar rooftops, this bell tower offers a sweeping panorama of wild, beautiful nature - a glimpse of the landscape long before Venice was born.
81 |Venetian Arsenal
Historic shipyard that powered Venice's naval supremacy and played a key role in the Republic's maritime dominance.
Having fueled Venice's naval power for centuries, this historic shipyard now offers hands-on exploration for everyone: enter a Cold War submarine, get close to the giant sculpture of six pairs of hands atop a dock, and discover the stories behind the city's maritime legacy.
82 |Venice Jazz Club
Intimate jazz club featuring nightly live performances by the VJC quartet.
After a day of exploring Venice's historical charm, indulging in contemporary live music at this effortlessly cool club is the perfect way to return to the present moment.
83 |Venice Lido
Venice's charming seaside resort, known for its wide sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city with some proper beach time and peaceful seaside relaxation at Venice's coastal resort.
84 |Venice Train Station
Your gateway for rail travel in and out of Venice.
While not a tourist attraction per se, it's the main access point for trips in and out of Venice.
85 |Vivaldi Church
Waterfront church built next to where Vivaldi once lived and worked, now hosting atmospheric classical concerts.
Located beside the very site where the famed Venetian composer once lived and worked, this waterfront church is best experienced during an evening concert, when an uplifting performance of The Four Seasons fills the church space.
86 |Zattere
Laid-back waterfront promenade on the southern edge of Dorsoduro, offering open views across the Giudecca Canal.
The second-widest waterfront promenade in Venice is a soothing spot, perfect for soaking up the local atmosphere, watching the sunset with an aperitivo in hand, and easing into the evening.
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