Top 18 Things to do in Venice 2022

Looking for unique things to do in one of the planet’s most unique cities? Look no further. We tapped into our archives and put together this list, updated for 2022 of the best things to do in Venice!

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Pro Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Venice, bookmark this page in your browser. This way you can easily circle back and find it when you’re ready to set things in stone. Otherwise, check out our dedicated page on Venice and our tours and activities in Venice.

Top 18 Things to do in Venice in 2022

Venice is an incredible city that honestly doesn’t even feel real as you walk through it. The city began with a few Ancient Romans fleeing to the small island to evade barbarian tribes who were ransacking the Italian peninsula. In Roman fashion, they built up the island cluster and for hundreds of year were one of the most prosperous trading communities in all of the world.

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18. Eat Tons of Cicchetti on a Food Tour

For a starter, Cicchetti are typical Venetian, small plates or finger foods accompanied by a glass of wine or Spritz. They are a combination of bread, vegetables, and usually some sort of seafood which makes sense since Venice is an island.

You can get these little dishes almost anywhere but all cicchetti are not equal! Venice can be a bit touristy so knowing where to go is extremely important. We designed a food tour in Cannaregio as we believe it is the most authentic neighborhood in Venice for great eats. You can also check out our guide to eating in Cannaregio.

17. See the Most Beautiful Bookstore on Earth

The name translates to the Library of High Water and they’ve been internet famous for years. This little bookstore attracts visitors like St Mark’s Square due to a creative way to protect themselves from flooding. Basically, all their books are situated far above ground level, which is pretty normal, but all inside waterproof containers.

If you are thinking “container store” think again. They went more Venetian and have a full-sized gondola with books inside you can choose from. They pack their store with interesting reads and titles from all over the world. Out back, picture above, you’ll find a staircase made out of books that allows you to see into the canal behind the store.

Despite the quirkiness, they have cool vintage books and is probably the most beautiful bookstore on Earth as they say. I’ve purchased old Italian children’s books for my kids here as well as postcards and other fun stuff.

Address: Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa 5176b

Hours: 9 am – 7:45 pm daily

16. Walk Across the Rialto Bridge

The Rialto bridge is a decorative bridge crossing the Grand Canal in Venice. It is easily the most recognizable bridge in Venice and one of the oldest.

The original bridge was a floating pontoon bridge built in 1181. In 1255 they replaced it with a wooden bridge that surprisingly lasted quite a while considering it was a wooden bridge in a humid area. It partially burnt down in 1310 but eventually collapsed due to weight in 1444 and again in 1524. The idea of building it out of stone came up in the 16th century and many great artists were considered including Michelangelo.

In the end, they chose a local Antonio da Ponte to build the bridge. Construction began in 1588 and finished in 1591 with what you see today. Antonio’s last name translates to “of the bridge” in English which is a bit ironic. I have researched it and can’t figure out if he changed his name to this later in life or if it was his birthname. Either way Pretty fitting!

The bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges on Earth and definitely something that cannot be missed while in Venice. Its free to visit and walk across. If you want to get a little more in-depth, we offer a guided tour that explores the area, Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Basilica. It is a great tour to get you warmed up to Venice!

Popular Venice Tours

15. Walk Up the Giants Staircase

Doge’s Palace was the original home and political center for the Duke of Venice. It is located just off St. Mark’s Square and is larger than life. The two-tier gothic collonades wrap around the building inside and out giving it an impressive look and feel. Once inside, there is a massive courtyard containing the famed Giant’s Staircase.

Mars and Neptune stand tall at the top left and right of the staircase framing it and setting the mood for all that climb the stairs. You have to understand that the Doge’s Palace was also a prison where many people were imprisoned and tortured before being sentenced to death including famed party-boy Casanova. The architecture is built to show the power and economic prowess of the Kingdom of Venice! You can learn more on a Doge’s Palace tour with our passionate and knowledgeable guides!

14. Drinks in Campo Santa Margherita (Dorsoduro)

Campo Santa Margherita is the largest square in the Dorsoduro district of Venice. It is a long square with many bars and restaurants throughout. A great place to have an evening drink or plate of pasta. It is a great square to visit and the largest open-space in Dorsoduro which is one of my favorite neighborhoods of Venice.

Why? Dorsoduro has more of a local feel and that really comes out at night. You’ll likely smell your college days wafting through the air as students take part in “decompressing” after a long day of studies ?. I definitely recommend dinner in Dorsoduro!

Address: Campo Santa Margherita

13. A coffee at Florian Caffe

This is the most famous ( and oldest) caffé in Venice. You might have heard about the 20€ cup of coffee when sitting in St. Mark’s square? I think we are selling the place a bit short if that is all we think of when we hear Caffé Florian. First of all, you are in Venice, and secondly, if you only do it once, is it that big of a deal?

If you choose to have a coffee or other drink when you come here you have to understand that you don’t only have an amazing view in the most amazing square in the world, but you are also living in the history of the last 300 years.

The Caffé was founded back in 1720 by Floriano Francesconi and is widely regarded as the oldest Caffé not only in Italy, but in all of Europe. Afterwards, the name of the establishment changed to honor the owner himself.

Most people choose to sit outside to people watch, but there are also multiple rooms inside which have a history of their own. If you choose to sit inside, ask the waiter to tell you the history of that particular room. You will be amazed how interconnected this caffe is with worldly events.

So sit back and splurge this once on a coffee or an aperitivo and enjoy life the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

12. Visit the Island of Burano

There are four things you need to know about Burano. Lace, risotto de gò, a leaning bell tower, and really colorful houses. The island is very photogenic and full of culture. I highly recommend stopping by when in Venice if you are there for multiple days.

You can get there by vaporetto, Venice’s floating transport, or by joining one of our tours. I recommend the tour because it makes planning so much easier and helps support local guides. It also goes to Murano island to see the glass factories which is pretty cool. Check out our Murano & Burano Day Trip from Venice.

11. Pinault Collection: Punta Della Dogana

François Pinault is a French Billionaire and an example for any ambitious entrepreneur. He grew up in a rural setting and started a timber trading business out of a job for his father cutting down trees. Now he is one of the leading art collectors in the world.

The Pinault Collection has not one but two museums in Venice. They also restored a famous theatre named Teatrino which had been closed since the early 80’s. In this article, we’re recommending to visit the Pinault Collection in Punta della Dogana for one very important reason; the location is really cool!

If you speak Italian you know punta della dogana translates roughly to “customs checkpoint”. You may see the word dogana in an airport when you exit baggage claim. The structure is built interestingly enough on the very tip of the Dorsoduro neighborhood which helps form the opening of the Grand Canal. It is an epic location for a museum that offers amazing views.

If you are not a fan of modern art I still recommend you visit this space as it may change your opinion. The entire structure is a work of art restored by Tadao Ando. If you are not sure who that is, you will want to know after you visit.

Address: Dorsoduro, 2

Admission Cost: 18€

10. Pop Over to Isola San Giorgio

The key to a great trip to Venice is getting off the main island at least once during your trip. Venice is great, don’t get me wrong, but many of the treasures are off the beaten path which means you’ll need to hope on a vaporetto.

The main draw is the church of San Giorgio Maggiore. It has beautiful architecture and an amazing cloister with a garden maze. Very cool.

One of the main highlights is San Giorgio Café which has amazing dockside waterfront seating. It is a cool view of Venice and the San Giorgio Marina. You can see St. Mark’s Square which makes it really picturesque but this island is surprisingly empty as most tourists don’t know about it. Luckily you’re not most tourists anymore!

Directions: Take vaporetto (ferry) # 2 from San Marco-San Zaccaria E ferry station. It is one stop to San Giorgio ferry station and the best open space off the main cluster of Venice.

Address: Map Location

9. Eat Granseola alla Veneziana

If you go to Venice and order your usual “Spaghetti with Meatballs” or “Chicken Parm”, neither of which exist in Italy, you are making a big mistake. Even pizza in Venice is a no-no since it originated some 600 miles south in Naples. I hear people tell me all the time that the food sucks in Venice and it hurts me inside.

The food in Venice is most definitely unique to the rest of Italy but “suck” it does not. You simply have to eat seafood and if you don’t like seafood than Venice doesn’t like you.

Graneseola alla Veneziana is a dish that is based around the spider crab. The name Granseola comes from the Venetian words Granso ( crab) and Seola (onion). Its dimensions are quite big and many believe the taste to be on par with lobster.

The actual preparation of this dish is extremely simple. Ready? You boil the crab meat with lemon, salt, and pepper. Once ready you put the meat on the plate and add a bit of olive oil and that’s it!

Where to get it: Trattoria alla Madonna

8. Shop and Check Out the Views at Fondaco dei Tedeschi

What is better than a shopping mall with rooftop views in an ornate 800 year old building?

Modern Use

The modern structure is a shopping mall with lots and lots of luxury goods as well as really beautiful dining. The crowning jewel, pun intended, is its rooftop terrace view which you must book in advance. Don’t worry, the rooftop is free but they do limit visitors to avoid a crowded experience.

Address: Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi

Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily

7. Eat Cookies @ Nino & Friends

I love me a good cookie! Nino & Friends is without a doubt my favorite producer of sweets in the world.

People come here for their chocolate but their store feels like Disneyland and their cookies are delicious. They are not Venetians originally – the group is from Naples and has stores all over Italy. My wife and kids go nuts for their cappuccino cookies. I highly recommend stopping by their Venice location.

Address: Salizada S. Lio 5576

Hours: 9 am – 10 pm daily

6. Walk Through St Mark’s Square

St Mark’s Square is named after the Basilica of St. Mark. The Basilica is obviously named after the Apostle, Mark, who’s relics are contained inside. What you see today looked nothing like you would have seen in the 9th century when the area began to take form. This is definitely one of the top things to see in Venice.

As you walk through, imagine you are walking through an orchard full of lush growing fruit trees. This is because at one point there was an orchard growing fruit occupying part of the space as well as a small canal running through it. Imagine a much more rural setting than the photo above. That said, they erected the Campanile or bell tower in the 10th century in some form, but we’ll get to that below.

If you want to learn more about the square check out our guided tour of Venice which includes St. Mark’s Basilica & Square. We also have his online guide to St. Mark’s Square including what to see.

Popular Venice Tours

5. Go to the Opera!

Teatre La Fenice is one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world with one of the most troubled histories you could imagine. All of the below information was provided by the opera house directly.

It was first built in the late 18th century but burnt down in 1771. They rebuilt It but apparently partly on the land of the Venier family who did not appreciate the theatre. The owners had to sell it and then built a new opera house that they named Le Fenice which means the Pheonix. The name obviously points to the story of the phoenix rising from its ashes. The theatre would definitely put that name to the test.

They completed it In 1792 and opened with the symphony I Giochi d’ Agrigento by Giovanni Paisiello which brought fame to the house. In 1836 the opera house burnt down for the second time. After two fires and one law-suit, they decided to rebuild the house for the third time. They opened it for the third time in 1837 and described it as even more beautiful than before.

Famous composer Verdi did sort of a “residence” there for some time between 1844 and 1857 composing 5 operas. Many famous composers would follow including Rienzi, Richard Wagner, Stravinskij, and music by the famed Pavarotti.

It is easily one of the most ornate opera houses on Earth and a treat to visit. You can view their lineup for a fancy night out: Le Fenice Opera Schedule.

Address: Campo S. Fantin 1965

4. Go to Lido Beach

When you think Venice you normally don’t think beautiful Italian beaches but it is an island and there are beaches if you can get to them.

The municipality of Venice extends past the main cluster of islands to include many other “satellite” islands like Murano, Burano, Giudecca, and the barrier island of Lido. Lido happens to have some great beaches as well. Clear water, nice sand, and lots of restaurants & beach clubs in pure Italian fashion.

Directions: If you want to get there you can take Vaporetto #1 from St. Mark’s Square (Vallaresso) and get off at Lido (S.M.E). From there you walk across the island (10 mins) to the beaches. There are many beach-clubs and even free beaches.

Address: Map Location

3. Drink a Shadow (Ombra) @ Osteria al Portego

If you go into a bacaro ( local bar in Venice) and ask for an Ombra you will have firmly established yourself as a local. In popular culture, the bell tower’s shadow, Ombra in Italian, is the term they use to describe a glass of wine in Venice.

This is because the fisherman would come back from fishing in mid-day and have a glass of wine in St. Mark’s Square. To hide from the sun, they’d stand in the ever-moving shadow of the bell tower cast across the piazza. When you ask for an Ombra you have to say Bianca ( white) or Rossa ( red). At this point, the bartender will bring you a glass of house wine.

Where to get it: Osteria al Portego

2. Visit Murano Glass Factories

I don’t know if I have ever had a conversation about Venice without someone bringing up Murano and glass blowing. That is because glass blowing has been a defining part of Venice’s identity now and forever. Glass blowers were forced to move to Murano due to concerns about their furnaces burning so hot in the main city of Venice. It sounds like a “demotion” of sorts, but these people were treated like royalty. You can witness the evolution of glass at the Murano Glass Museum.

Unfortunately, the island is an island and not walkable from Venice. That said, it is easy enough to reach Murano Island by Vaporetto which is Venice’s floating mass transit service. You are then able to make a reservation at a glass factor but we offer high-quality options for you to visit Murano without much planning or effort on your part. Our day trip not only visits Murano but also Burano island. Check out our Murano & Burano Day Trip from Venice.

Address: Fondamenta Marco Giustinian, 8

Admission Cost: 12€

Popular Venice Tours

1. Take a Tour of Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace was first built in Venice in the 9th century for the Duke of Venice but little to nothing remains of that structure today.

A majority of what you see today is still very old, built up between the 13th and 15th centuries as Venice rose up in wealth. Venice became wealthy largely due to their trade routes with India and China. Venetians brought back goods like spices and silk that became luxury goods throughout Europe and mainly distributed through Venice.

The palace is incredible but the “behind the scenes” stories are really what makes it a compelling place to visit. The “Dukes” of Venice were terrible and somehow dodged the bad rap. Joining a local guide is absolutely the way to go and we offer Doge’s Palace private or small group tours.

Today, the main attractions in Doge’s Palace are as follows:

• Giants Staircase
• Great Council Chamber
• Bridge of Sighs
• Chamber of Torment
• Doge’s Apartment
• Prisons
• Armory
• Museo Dell’Opera
• Golden Staircase

You can also visit our page dedicated to the Doge’s Palace with even more in-depth information on the attraction.

Address: Piazza S. Marco, 1

Admission Cost: 25€ | 14€ for ages 6-25 with student care, and +65