Top 10 Things to Do in Venice
Venice feels like a city frozen in time — no cars, no straight lines, and no easy directions. I explored it entirely on foot, getting lost daily and eventually trading Google Maps for a physical paper map just to keep my sanity. While I didn’t do everything on the “classic Venice” list, what I did experience felt authentic, slow, and unforgettable. These are the things that shaped my time in Venice — both what I did and what I’m already planning to return for.
1. Wander Venice on Foot (and Get Lost on Purpose) ✨ Did This
Venice is made for wandering, not navigating. The narrow alleys, sudden canals, and dead ends are part of the experience, and some of my favorite moments came from being completely lost. After Google Maps failed me more than once, I switched to a physical paper map — and it worked surprisingly better.
💡 JD’s Tip: Don’t fight getting lost in Venice — embrace it. You’ll always find a bridge… eventually.
No cars, no straight lines, no rush — just wandering Venice one bridge at a time.
2. Visit St. Mark’s Square 🌟 Did This
St. Mark’s Square is grand, busy, and undeniably iconic. Between the architecture, live music, and constant movement, it feels like Venice at full volume. It’s touristy, but it’s also one of those places that lives up to the hype.
💡 JD’s Tip: Walk through early in the morning or late in the evening to see a calmer side of the square.
St. Mark’s Square — busy, iconic, and impossible to skip in Venice.
3. Explore Doge’s Palace 🌟 Did This (Outisde)
Even from the outside, Doge’s Palace is impossible to miss. Its pink-and-white façade stands out against the water and gives a glimpse into how powerful Venice once was. While I didn’t go inside, simply standing in front of it still felt like stepping into centuries of history.
💡 JD’s Tip: Take your time walking around the exterior — the details are just as impressive without a ticket.
Didn’t go inside, but the exterior of Doge’s Palace was impressive enough.
4. Walk Across (and Photograph) Venice’s Bridges 🌟 Did This
With hundreds of bridges connecting the city, walking in Venice feels like crossing viewpoints every few minutes. Each bridge offers a slightly different angle of the canals, boats, and daily life below. It’s one of the simplest but most memorable ways to experience the city.
💡 JD’s Tip: Bridges are easier to navigate by than street names — use them as landmarks.
Every bridge in Venice feels like a checkpoint on the way somewhere unexpected.
5. See the Bridge of Sighs 🌟Did This
The Bridge of Sighs is smaller than you might expect, but its history makes it powerful. Once used by prisoners walking from the courtroom to their cells, it’s one of Venice’s most symbolic landmarks. Even seeing it from the outside feels like stepping into a history book.
💡 JD’s Tip: The best views are from nearby side bridges — not directly underneath it.
The Bridge of Sighs — small, historic, and heavy with stories from Venice’s past.
6. Visit the Rialto Bridge 🌟 Did This
The Rialto Bridge is Venice’s most famous crossing, and even under restoration, it still dominates the Grand Canal. I couldn’t walk across it at the time, but seeing it up close was still impressive. It’s one of those landmarks you recognize instantly.
💡 JD’s Tip: Restoration happens often in Venice — seeing it “imperfect” is part of the city’s reality.
Not picture-perfect, but still one of Venice’s most famous landmarks.
7. Eat Your Way Through Venice 🌟 Did This
While I skipped gelato, I didn’t skip eating. Simple Italian meals, quick bites, and sitting down whenever my feet needed a break became part of my daily routine. Venice may be touristy, but good food is never far away.
💡 JD’s Tip: Walk a few streets away from major landmarks for better prices and quieter meals.
Started with a drink, stayed for the atmosphere.
8. Ride a Vaporetto Along the Grand Canal ❌ Missed This
Venice’s water buses double as public transport and sightseeing tours. Riding one down the Grand Canal is an affordable way to see palaces from the water — something I wish I had planned time for.
💡 JD’s Tip: Line 1 is known for being the most scenic route.
Seeing Venice from the water is something I’m saving for next time.
9. Take a Gondola Ride ❌ Missed This
As a solo traveler, I couldn’t justify the cost of a gondola ride. It’s iconic, romantic, and very Venice — but definitely something I’d plan differently next time.
💡 JD’s Tip: Look into shared gondolas or shorter rides to save money.
No gondola ride, just gondola watching.
10. Slow Down and Watch Venice at Sunset 🌟 Did This
As the sun goes down, Venice shifts. The crowds thin, the canals glow, and the city feels quieter and more local. Some of my favorite moments were simply sitting near the water and watching the city slow down.
💡 JD’s Tip: Skip the big viewpoints and find a quiet canal for the best atmosphere.
Venice always feels different as the sun goes down.
Final Thoughts
Venice isn’t about doing everything — it’s about how you experience it. Even without gondolas, vaporetto rides, or gelato, the city left a lasting impression on me. It’s a place that rewards walking, wandering, and accepting a little chaos. And honestly, the things I missed are exactly why I’ll be back.
Venice rewards wandering, slowing down, and a little chaos.
