Top 10 Best Things to do in Venice

By Peter K Burian – Wikimedia

Top 10 Best Things to do in Venice

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is made up of more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea.

There are no roads here, just canals so the islands are connected by bridges.

The Grand Canal, the gem of the city, is lined with renaissance and gothic chateaus. Several other attractions tell a beautiful tale of the city.

Some of these attractions are the central square, Piazza San Marco, that houses St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile bell tower. I’ll talk about them in detail later.

Venice is the largest city in Veneto and has a population of about 250,000 people. It is also one of the most visited destinations in Italy.

So, as you plan your trip to Venice, here are the top 10 best things to do.

1. Mark’s Basilica

By Zairon – Wikimedia

This church is the most famous building in Venice. It serves as an important religious building in Northern Italy as well as being one of the remaining examples of Italian Byzantine architecture.

St. Mark’s Basilica is a beautiful piece of architecture that has stood the test of time since its establishment in the 11^th century.

The details of the church are intricate from the baroque sculptures and artwork on the front facade to the beautifully painted murals and Byzantine works of art on the inside of the domed ceiling.

This Basilica is found in the Piazza San Marco and you can get here through the Grand Canal. It was built in honour of St. Mark the evangelist.

Get to admire the four bronze horses at the entrance while also checking out St. Mark’s statue.

2. Row through the Grand Canal

By Didier Descouens – Wikimedia

This canal is considered to be the main street of Venice. It is 2-miles-long and one of the city’s most popular and photographed attractions.

The canal passes through the city of Venice and has a large S bend shape in the centre.

There are gondoliers by the canal that you can hire and row along the canal, alternatively, you can jump into a Vaporetto for a similar experience.

The Vaporetto makes six stops in the neighbourhoods along the canal. For a better experience at the canal, consider the evening rides when the crowd is less.

Admire the old buildings by the bank’s canal that date back to the 13th century.

3. Cross Ponte di Rialto

This is one of the bridges that hang above the imposing Grand Canal. It is undeniably the most famous and iconic.

The bridge connects San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice. This is an important bridge that is used by pedestrians and is very popular with tourists.

It was originally a wooden bridge that was used for hundreds of years until 1524 when it collapsed. Soon after, this stone bridge was built.

The details of this ornate bridge are simply beautiful. There are several shops on the bridge that sell different souvenirs and jewellery.

It was built by Antonio da Ponte using Istrian stone and remains to be an engineering marvel.

4. The Bridge of Sighs

By Peter K Burian – Wikimedia

This bridge is close to the Doge’s Palace on the eastern border, it’s in the city centre near Piazza San Marco. The bridge is one of Venice’s famous architectural structure.

It got its name as being part of the prison complex of Doge’s Palace. Prisoners would cross it to go to prison after receiving their sentence.

The bridge was the last thing the prisoners saw before they were incarcerated. As they crossed the bridge, they would sigh as they got closer to their looming fate.

As you cross the bridge, admire the architecture and the gondolas that pass underneath.

5. St.  Mark’s Square

Next thing to do is head over to St. Piazza San Marco, it is considered by many to be the heart of Venice.

This is the largest square in the city and is commonly referred to as Piazza by the locals.

Several historical sites are lining the square including the famous St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace.

You will also find several restaurants where you can get a snack, drink or a meal as you people watch. There are vendors selling souvenirs at the square.

6. Jewish Ghetto

By Didier Descouens – Wikimedia

This is said to be one of the first ghettos in the world, it came about in 1516 when the Jews in Venice were forced to move to a small northwestern area on the island.

The Jews were only allowed to leave this neighbourhood during the day and remain locked up at night under strict security.

Today, this place has several restaurants, bakeries and shops selling kosher products, there’s a Jewish museum together with several synagogues.

7. Take the Rialto Food & Wine Tour

Head over to Rialto Bridge for the food market where you will find Italian produce and homemade pasta.

This tour will take you through the market where you will get to sample fresh cow cheese, polenta chunks, marinated seafood, and many other local cuisines.

The final stop will be at Campo san Giovanni e Paolo for some great desserts. Venetian cuisine is known around Italy, because of the high quality of seafood that is served in the area.

8.  Climb the Campanile

By Orlando Paride – Wikimedia

The bell tower in Venice gives the best bird’s-eye view of the city. This bell tower was built in 912 and remains to be the tallest and oldest building in the city.

It collapsed in 1902 and the reconstruction work ensured that the original design was not lost. From the tower, one can see the Dolomites mountain range in the distance on clear days.

Being the tallest structure in Venice, the campanile stands at a colossal 98.6m high.

It is made of a simple red-brick design featuring a myriad of arches and stonework, while the top has a golden statue of the Angel Gabriel.

9. Visit Lido Island

This is a popular destination that is accessible by most Vaporetto boat lines, it is 30 minutes away from Piazza San Marco.

The island has a beautiful and peaceful beach which has been featured in several films. Once on the Island, take a tour of Hotel Riviera.

This hotel was home to renown writers Ernest Hemingway and Lord Byron. Another famous writer that stayed here was Thomas Mann known for his 1912 novel, Death in Venice.

If you happen to be on the island in September, you’d get to see famous movie stars during the Venice Film Festival.

The Island is a perfect escape from the busy touristy Venice. It provides a laid back and relaxing environment.

10. Correr Civic Museum

Your trip to Venice will not be complete without a visit to the Correr Civic Museum, also known as the Museo Correr.

It is a large museum that has art and artefacts exhibitions detailing the history of Venice. The museum is close to Doge’s Palace.

It is a quiet place with a lot to see, there’s also a café on site.

Another museum worth visiting while in Venice is the Gallerie dell’Accademia. This museum has three different buildings that display the most important paintings.

This gallery was meant to also serve as a school.