Venice isn’t just about St. Mark’s and gondolas. It’s a living storybook of hidden palaces, colorful islands, secret gardens, and sparkling Prosecco hills just beyond the lagoon. Four days gives you time to see the famous sights and slip into the city’s quieter, dreamier side.
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- Planning a trip to Venice? Check out our recommendations on where to stay by neighborhood!
All Venice Itineraries
Getting There & Around Venice 🚤
- Airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) — about 20 minutes by water taxi or shuttle bus to the city center.
- Train: Venezia Santa Lucia Station — direct trains connect Venice to Florence, Milan, and Rome.
- Getting Around: Venice is a car-free maze. Get around on foot and by vaporetto (public water buses).
Pro Tip: Stay near San Marco, Rialto, or Accademia to cut down on walking time between sights.
Day 1: Venice’s Icons and Hidden Bites
☕ 8:30 am – Coffee at Caffè Girani
📍Calle de la Mandola, 3726, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Wake up Venetian-style with a strong espresso and flaky pastry at this stylish café tucked between San Marco and Accademia.
More recs: Best Restaurants Near St. Mark’s Square
🕐 9:30 am – Venice Day Tour: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Gondola Ride
📍Meeting Point: Piazza San Marco
Experience Venice’s greatest hits in half a day: glide past the crowds with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica, walk through the lavish halls of the Doge’s Palace, and cap it off with a serene gondola ride through hidden canals.
👉 Book the Venice Day Tour: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride
INTERESSANTE Fact: St. Mark’s Basilica wasn’t originally built for beauty—it was constructed to house stolen relics smuggled out of Egypt!
🍽️ 12:30 pm – Lunch at Trattoria da Fiore
📍Calle delle Botteghe, 3461, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
An intimate trattoria just off Campo Santo Stefano serving up traditional Venetian flavors with a modern touch.
🕐 2:00 pm – Free Time for Wandering and Shopping
Lose yourself in the winding lanes between San Marco and Accademia—perfect for artisan finds like Murano glass, marbled paper, and handmade masks.
🍽️ 5:30 pm – Best Venice Food Tour
📍Meeting Point: Teatro Italia, Campiello de l’Anconeta
Get ready to eat like a real Venetian. This evening food tour skips the tourist traps and brings you to authentic cicchetti bars and hidden taverns where locals gather for great wine and even better bites.
👉 Book our Venice Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio with Authentic Sit-Down Dinner
INTERESSANTE Fact: The word “ombra” (shadow) once referred to a small glass of wine drunk in the shade of St. Mark’s Campanile—where thirsty Venetians gathered to dodge the sun.
Day 2: Venice’s Artisan Heartbeat
☕ 8:30 am – Coffee at Torrefazione Cannaregio
📍Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2804, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Start your day like a true local with a cappuccino at this beloved roastery tucked into the peaceful Cannaregio district.
🕐 9:00 am – Murano Glassblowing & Burano Lace-Making Tour
📍Meeting Point: Near St. Mark’s Square
Step aboard a private boat and head out across the lagoon. Watch master artisans blow glass in Murano, then wander through the vibrant streets of Burano, home to some of the finest handmade lace in Europe.
👉 Book the Murano Glassblowing & Burano Lace-Making Tour
INTERESSANTE Fact: Burano’s famous colorful houses weren’t just for beauty—the bright colors helped fishermen spot their homes from far out at sea, even in the thickest fog.
🍽️ 12:30 pm – Lunch at Osteria Al Mascaron
📍Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, 5225, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
A rustic spot tucked away from the crowds, famous for seafood risotto, hearty pasta, and old-school Venetian charm.
👉 More recs: Best Restaurants Near Rialto Bridge
🕐 2:00 pm – Artisan Shopping and Quiet Canals
After returning to Venice, explore the tiny artisan boutiques in Castello and San Marco—handmade paper, custom leather, intricate masks, and Murano jewelry fill the narrow streets.
🍸 6:00 pm – Aperitivo at Chet Bar
📍Fondamenta della Misericordia, 2759, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
A funky, relaxed spot along Cannaregio’s canals, known for creative cocktails and laid-back energy—perfect for golden hour.
👉 More recs: Best Restaurants Near Cannaregio
🍽️ 7:30 pm – Dinner at Antica Osteria Ruga Rialto
📍Sestiere San Polo, 692, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Hidden near the Rialto, this cozy osteria serves up authentic cicchetti, grilled seafood, and regional wines in a lively atmosphere.
👉 More recs: Best Restaurants Near Rialto Bridge
Day 3: A Toast to the Prosecco Hills
☕ 7:30 am – Coffee at Farini
📍Campo San Luca, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Fuel up early with an espresso and a flaky pastry at this stylish bakery-café right between Rialto and San Marco.
🕐 8:30 am – Prosecco Hills Small Group Tour
📍Meeting Point: Piazzale Roma, Venice
Escape Venice for the day and head into the lush Prosecco region. Visit two family-owned wineries, stroll through sun-drenched vineyards, learn the secrets of the Metodo Charmat, and sip the finest DOCG Prosecco with sweeping countryside views.
👉 Book the Prosecco Hills Small Group Tour
INTERESSANTE: Fact Only wines produced in a tiny, steep-sloped area between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene can carry the prestigious “Prosecco Superiore DOCG” label.
🍽️ 12:30 pm – Light Lunch at a Winery (Included)
Savor a casual local meal featuring cheeses, cured meats, and fresh breads—paired with sparkling wines straight from the barrel.
🕐 4:00 pm – Return to Venice + Free Evening
After your Prosecco-fueled adventure, unwind with a stroll along the Zattere promenade or cozy up in a hidden wine bar near Dorsoduro.
🍸 6:30 pm – Aperitivo at La Bottiglia
📍Calle Crosera, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
A hidden gem for a relaxed spritz and gourmet cicchetti—perfect for a casual evening after your countryside escape.
👉 More recs: Best Restaurants in Dorsoduro
🍽️ 7:30 pm – Dinner at Osteria La Zucca
📍Sotoportego del Tintor, 1762, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
One of Venice’s most beloved spots for creative vegetable-forward Venetian dishes, perfect if you’re craving something fresh and inventive after days of seafood and pasta.
👉 More recs: Best Restaurants Near Santa Croce
Day 4: Drift, Discover, and Live Venice
☕ 8:30 am – Coffee at Torrefazione Marchi
📍Cannaregio, 1337, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Start your last day at this tiny old-school roastery tucked away in Cannaregio—serving some of the richest espresso in Venice.
🕐 9:30 am – Visit the Accademia Gallery or the Arsenale
Choose your vibe today:
- Accademia Gallery: Masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance art
- Arsenale: Venice’s legendary shipyard and symbol of its naval dominance
INTERESSANTE Fact: At its peak, Venice’s Arsenale could build a full-sized warship in just one day—unheard of in medieval Europe.
🕐 12:00 pm – Artisan Shopping and Wandering
Spend the late morning among Venice’s best boutique streets:
- San Samuele for handmade leather goods
- Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa for Murano glass
- Mercerie for upscale Italian fashion near San Marco
🍽️ 1:00 pm – Lunch at Ai Mercanti
📍Corte Coppo, 4346/a, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
A creative, modern bistro tucked into a quiet courtyard—serving a short, rotating menu packed with local seasonal ingredients.
🕐 3:00 pm – Drift Along the Zattere or Quiet Canals
Skip the crowds and follow the Zattere promenade along Dorsoduro or explore tiny bridges and quiet canals near San Polo and Santa Croce.
🍸 6:00 pm – Aperitivo at Osteria Bancogiro
📍Campo San Giacometto, 122, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Raise a final glass of spritz right by the Grand Canal, with the Rialto Bridge glowing in the evening light.
👉 More recs: Best Restaurants Near Rialto Bridge
🍽️. 7:30 pm – Dinner at Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele
📍Fondamenta de l’Osmarin, 4999, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
End your trip tucked away at this cozy Dorsoduro favorite, known for simple, soulful Venetian classics and a warm, neighborhood feel.
Is It Worth It to Spend 4 Days in Venice?
Absolutely. Four days gives you the rare luxury of actually living Venice instead of racing through it. You’ll see the big sights without crowds, sip wine straight from the Prosecco hills, lose yourself in labyrinthine alleyways, and discover the soul of La Serenissima hidden in quiet courtyards and artisan shops.
You’ll leave with not just memories, but a feeling—a deep one—that you touched a world unlike any other.
How Much Money Should You Budget for 4 Days in Venice?
Moderate Traveler Estimate:
- Accommodation: €150–€250 per night
- Meals: €50–€80 per day
- Tours: €350–€450 total
- Transport: €20–€30 (vaporetto passes)
👉 Plan on around €1,000–€1,400 total for a mid-range, truly memorable experience.
Luxury Upgrade:
Stay canal-side, book private tours, and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants—expect €2,500–€3,000.
✔ Final Thoughts
There are plenty of ways to adjust this itinerary. Consider adding one of the tours below or chatting with our team to find the best fit for you.
Where To Stay in Venice
Venice has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay by neighborhoods.
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