All 76 Favorite Spots
Complete List
Explore our complete, curated selection of Venice’s top spots — crafted from firsthand experience, trusted guides, and user reviews.
Arsenale

This historic shipyard fueled Venice’s naval power for centuries and now offers an unforgettable adventure for boys of all ages — though everyone will be captivated by the site’s rich history and the giant sculpture of six pairs of hands.
Explore ArsenaleBasilica dei Frari

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.
Explore Basilica dei FrariBasilica di San Marco

The Church of Gold stirs overwhelming emotions with its dazzling golden mosaics, rich history, and aura of power — a deeply memorable tribute to both divine glory and Venice’s might.
Explore Basilica di San MarcoBridge of Sighs

Enclosed bridge named for the sighs of convicts crossing it en route to the palace prison.
The Bridge of Sighs is simply one of the world's most famous bridges.
Explore Bridge of SighsBurano

Fishermen’s island known for its quaint, colorful houses and traditional lace-making.
A cheerful contrast to Venice, especially on sunny days, when the vibrant colors truly come to life.
Explore BuranoCa' Pesaro

Two distinct and captivating art museums, housed within a colossal canalside palace and accessible with a single ticket.
Even if modern art isn't to your taste and another grand palace feels like too much, the artifacts in the Oriental Museum are fascinating, with the collection considered one of the most important in Europe.
Explore Ca' PesaroCa' Rezzonico

Museum showcasing the extravagance of 18th-century Venetian life, set within a grand palace.
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.
Explore Ca' RezzonicoCa' d'Oro

Exquisite Gothic palace housing a curated art collection.
Step inside one of Venice’s most elegant palazzos, where direct, front-row views of Canal Grande are perfectly framed by graceful Gothic arches.
Explore Ca' d'OroCampanile di San Marco

Basilica bell tower overlooking the square, tallest structure in Venice.
Enjoy spectacular aerial vistas over Venice and, on clear days, even the Alps, with effortless access by elevator.
Explore Campanile di San MarcoCampo San Giacomo

A rare green corner of Venice — this irregular campo, wrapped around its namesake church, is shadier and leafier than most.
Explore Campo San GiacomoCampo Santa Margherita

The city's liveliest square, buzzing with local energy and offering a great starting place for a night out.
Explore Campo Santa MargheritaCampo Santa Maria Formosa

Recharge at one of the inviting cafés on this charming square, framed by elegant historic buildings and their signature Venetian Gothic windows.
Explore Campo Santa Maria FormosaCanal Grande

Majestic waterway, lined with a dazzling array of palaces.
Only here, in this unique setting, can you admire some of the world’s most exquisite palaces and architecture while simultaneously gliding past a vibrant array of boats.
Explore Canal GrandeCasa di Carlo Goldoni

Theatre museum in the former house of the renowned Venetian playwright.
Explore the history of Venetian theatre and admire the unique puppet theater, along with its displayed marionettes.
Explore Casa di Carlo GoldoniChiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church)

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.
Explore Chiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church)Chiesa di San Paolo

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.
Explore Chiesa di San PaoloChiesa di 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.
Explore Chiesa di San RoccoDa Vinci Interactive Museum

Get hands-on with Leonardo’s mechanical inventions and be inspired by his genius at this interactive museum, which also features high-res digital reproductions of his masterpieces.
Explore Da Vinci Interactive MuseumFondaco 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 😔
Explore Fondaco dei TedeschiFondazione Querini Stampalia

Renaissance palace showcasing the family's historical art collection alongside contemporary works.
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.
Explore Fondazione Querini StampaliaGallerie dell'Accademia

Art museum documenting the evolution of Venetian art from the 13th to the 18th centuries.
Immerse yourself in one of Italy's finest art collections, featuring breathtaking canvases brimming with color, light and splendor.
Explore Gallerie dell'AccademiaGhetto Ebraico

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.
Explore Ghetto EbraicoGiardini della Biennale

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.
Explore Giardini della BiennaleLibreria Acqua Alta

Quirky 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.
Explore Libreria Acqua AltaLido

Venice’s charming seaside resort, known for its wide, sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city with proper beach time and peaceful seaside relaxation.
Explore LidoMadonna dell'Orto

Gothic church adorned with 10 impressive paintings by Tintoretto, who is also buried within.
This graceful church, containing two of Tintoretto's best works, is a must-see when exploring Cannaregio.
Explore Madonna dell'OrtoMurano

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.
Explore MuranoMuseo Correr

Prominent museum showcasing treasured artworks and Venice's history.
Included in the ticket to Palazzo Ducale, exploring the opulent interiors and rich collection is not to be missed.
Explore Museo CorrerMuseo del Vetro

Museum delving into the history of glassmaking, featuring glass items from ancient times to the present day.
You get to appreciate the artistry and decorative applications of this captivating material in the world’s largest historical collection of Murano glass.
Explore Museo del VetroMuseo della Musica

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.
Explore Museo della MusicaNatural History Museum

Natural history museum featuring artifacts from Venetian expeditions.
Ideal for families with middle to older children, fostering a genuine sense of exploration among curious visitors.
Explore Natural History MuseumNaval History Museum

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.
Explore Naval History MuseumPalazzo Contarini del Bovolo

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.
Explore Palazzo Contarini del BovoloPalazzo Ducale

Behind the elegant facade of this ornate palace, once home to Venice’s political leader, majestic chambers coexist with a darker side creating a fascinating duality.
Explore Palazzo DucalePalazzo Fortuny

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.
Explore Palazzo FortunyPalazzo Grassi

Contemporary art museum in a classical 17-th century palace.
Explore the lives and works of today’s top artists inside Venice’s last grand palazzo, where avant-garde contemporary art meets classical decor in a unique blend of past and present creativity.
Explore Palazzo GrassiPalazzo Grimani

Unusual Renaissance palace with theatrical frescoed halls adorned with intricate grotesques.
Get a sense of how the ultra-rich Venetians adorned their palazzos with out-of-the-ordinary decorations.
Explore Palazzo GrimaniPalazzo Mocenigo

Museum that transports you into the everyday world of Venetian nobility during the Republic’s golden age.
Be instantly transported to a bygone era with richly detailed decor, lavish historic garments and an interactive fragrance exhibition.
Explore Palazzo MocenigoParco 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.
Explore Parco delle RimembranzePeggy Guggenheim Collection

Modern art collection in an 18th-century unfinished palace.
Ideal for modern art enthusiasts and those seeking a respite from traditional Venetian art.
Explore Peggy Guggenheim CollectionPiazza San Marco

There’s a reason most one-day visitors head straight here: Venice’s grand central square — the city’s social, religious, and political heart — is nothing short of spectacular.
Explore Piazza San MarcoPonte dei Pugni

Bridge famed for its historic tradition of organized fistfights between rival gangs.
Step into the stone footprints and picture the tension in the air, the roar of the crowd, and the chaos about to unfold. Fortunately, today the only battle is resisting another gelato.
Explore Ponte dei PugniPunta della Dogana

Contemporary art museum in a former customs building, right beside a prime vantage point.
Along with thought-provoking exhibitions in a beautifully modernized historic building, you’ll get to enjoy some of the finest views of the Venetian waterfront.
Explore Punta della DoganaRialto Bridge

The first bridge over the Grand Canal, now one of Venice's most iconic landmarks.
Explore Rialto BridgeRialto Market

Historic market with lively stalls providing 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.
Explore Rialto MarketRio dei Vetrai

Indulge in glass souvenir shopping directly from the hands of the glassmakers in the artisan glass workshops lining this charming canal in Murano.
Explore Rio dei VetraiRiva degli Schiavoni

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.
Explore Riva degli SchiavoniRiva del Vin

Sunny quayside south of Rialto with prime views of the bridge.
Take in some of the best views of Rialto Bridge — whether dangling your feet above Canal Grande or relaxing at one of the many terrace restaurants.
Explore Riva del VinSan Barnaba

Find yourself involuntarily searching for Indiana Jones in front of the church’s iconic facade — then step inside to get hands on with Leonardo’s ingenious creations.
Explore San BarnabaSan Giacomo dall'Orio

As you enter this beautiful Romanesque church, glance to the right: a painted miracle scene seems innocent — until you look closer.
Explore San Giacomo dall'OrioSan Giacomo di Rialto

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.
Explore San Giacomo di RialtoSan Giorgio Maggiore

Island church offering stunning panoramic views of Venice from its bell tower.
Explore San Giorgio MaggioreSan Moise

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.
Explore San MoiseSan Nicolo 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.
Explore San Nicolo dei MendicoliSan Pantalon

Behind the unassuming facade lies a breathtaking ceiling, alive with a vibrant celestial scene and a mesmerizing sense of depth.
Explore San PantalonSan Salvador

This monumental Baroque church houses the relics of Venice’s original patron saint, beautifully restored art, and at least two hidden gems.
Explore San SalvadorSan Sebastiano

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.
Explore San SebastianoSan Vidal

End your day of sightseeing with a moving classical concert in a sacred setting — where the atmosphere and acoustics elevate the experience.
Explore San VidalSan Zaccaria

Among the many treasures and curiosities of this Gothic-Renaissance church, none linger longer in the memory than its eerie, partially flooded crypt.
Explore San ZaccariaSanta Maria Formosa

With a name that raises eyebrows, this church invites you to admire two contrasting facades and a remarkable marble-framed polyptych inside.
Explore Santa Maria FormosaSanta Maria dei Carmini

Step inside to experience an unusually slender nave, richly adorned with 24 large friezes that vividly bring Carmelite stories to life.
Explore Santa Maria dei CarminiSanta Maria dei Miracoli

Often called a 'Renaissance jewelry box' for its exquisite polychrome marble panels, supposedly crafted from leftover marbles from St. Mark's Basilica.
Explore Santa Maria dei MiracoliSanta Maria del Giglio

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.
Explore Santa Maria del GiglioSanta Maria della Salute

Baroque votive church with a unique octagonal design.
Dominating the southern entrance of the Canal Grande, the church's silhouette has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Why not experience its dramatic Baroque up close?
Explore Santa Maria della SaluteSanti Giovanni e Paolo

The largest church in Venice, serving as the final resting place for 25 Doges.
It's ok to feel small inside this Gothic giant. The upside is that there's so much to explore in what feels like an endless space. Admire masterpieces by Bellini, Lorenzetti, Lombardo and Veronese.
Explore Santi Giovanni e PaoloSanti Maria e Donato

Old church with magnificent Byzantine mosaics and a dragon myth.
You'll be welcomed by an elegant exterior and then mesmerized by the mosaics inside. Kids will ask countless questions about the fabled dragon.
Explore Santi Maria e DonatoScuola 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.
Explore Scuola dei CarminiScuola di San Marco

Medical museum housed in a grand confraternity building dedicated to the patron saint of Venice.
In addition to experiencing the grand interior, you'll be impressed by the evolution of medicine since ancient times.
Explore Scuola di San MarcoScuola di San Rocco

The wealthiest of the seven confraternity buildings will impress with its breathtaking grand interiors, showcasing some of the most dramatic artworks in Venice — matched only by those of the Doge's Palace.
Explore Scuola di San RoccoSquero di San Trovaso

One of the last few boatyards building traditional wooden gondolas.
Witness skilled artisans crafting and repairing gondolas by hand, a centuries-old craft that's quintessentially Venetian.
Explore Squero di San TrovasoTorcello

Small island considered the symbol of Venice's birth, where the lagoon’s oldest church still stands.
Venice’s quiet soul, steeped in history, embraced by nature.
Explore TorcelloTorre dell'Orologio

Renaissance clock tower topped with two giant statues that hammer out the hours.
Going inside is essential to fully appreciate this 500-year-old iconic building and technological masterpiece.
Explore Torre dell'OrologioTrain 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.
Explore Train StationVenice Jazz Club

Intimate jazz club featuring live music from the VJC quartet plus a full bar.
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.
Explore Venice Jazz ClubVenice Vintage Toys

Small exibition with a massive collection of vintage dolls.
A delightfully nostalgic collection that evokes happy memories in adults and scores points with kids.
Explore Venice Vintage ToysZattere

Sun-bathed waterfront on the south of Dorsoduro.
The promenade is such a soothing spot, perfect for enjoying the local atmosphere. Watch the sunset while sipping an aperitivo and prepare for the evening.
Explore ZattereConsider getting a city pass
In addition to saving on entry fees, the biggest advantage of the official city pass is skipping the lines and streamlining your admission to most of Venice's top attractions.
You simply show the pass and walk right in.
Keep exploring Venice your way
Browse the collections and choose what suits your vibe or interests best.