A Perfect Day In Venice – All You Need To Know
The magical city of Venice! A place where streets are made of water and the gondolas are your Uber! Let me take you on a journey to discover some of the most amazing experiences this city offers in this one-day itinerary in Venice guide.
How to get to the city
Depending on your location, you can arrive in Venice in three ways; by bus, train, and plane. We arrived in Venice by plane. Venice Marco Polo Airport is located just 8km from the heart of Venice. To get to Venice from the airport, you have several options:
- Water taxi (€120) – can be an excellent option for a group of 8 people
- Bus (€10 p.p.) – less waiting time compared to the water bus
- Water bus (€8 p.p.) – the most fun one
Well, we chose the most fun one – the water bus. It takes around 30 minutes to get to Venice. I would recommend this option if the weather is nice. It was a great experience; we cruised our way through the canals, enjoying beautiful views of the city.
The best time to visit Venice
It might sound cliche, but that totally depends on your preferences. I have been to Venice twice, once during Christmas break and once in March. I enjoyed the city both times. If I have to pick the best time, I would say during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, March to May, and September to November. During these months, the weather is still pleasant. I cannot say it will be less crowded, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend.
However, if you are interested in experiencing the Venice Canal, plan your visit in February. If you are interested in the Venice Biennale, the international cultural exhibition, then depending on the event, plan your visit between May and November.
Where to stay
We had the pleasure of staying at the charming and cozy Bed and Breakfast Ca del Modena. This 19th-century building is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the city in a quiet area, yet it is the perfect base to discover the city. The owner, Nicola, was incredibly welcoming and went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. We got lots of advice on the local restaurants.
Mid-budget
Antica Locanda Sturion Residenza d’Epoca
Excess Venice Boutique Hotel & Private Spa – Adults Only
B&B Cà Del Modena (our stay)
Venice Guide – One day itinerary
Disclamer: some of the links are affiliate links, meaning that, if you use them to book your hotel or purchase a product or service, I will receive a small amount of commission, however, it will not affect your cost.
In the morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at our B&B before setting off on our day in Venice. Our first stop was the beautiful Rialto Bridge, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in Venice. The Bridge spans across the Grand Canal and is lined with charming shops and cafes. It is hard to believe that this stunning bridge was originally built in the 12th century and has since been rebuilt several times due to floods and fires. It is quite joyful to watch the canal getting busier in the morning.
Then we went to see the best view in the city. It is located at the T Fondaco shopping mall. The stunning view offers panoramic views of the city and the Grand Canal. It is a perfect spot for an unforgettable photo opportunity. It is free to visit. However, you do need to book a slot in advance to secure your spot.
Guess what? We did not book it in advance. I was refreshing the website every 10 minutes, and luckily, there were some cancellations during our stay, and we could reverse the spot for two. One thing to keep in mind is that you only have 15 minutes on the terrace, so make sure to enjoy every second of it.
Our wander around the city took us to Campo Santa Maria, a historic square filled with vendors selling fresh fruits and other goods. We stopped to enjoy some clementines.
After our snack break, we headed to a unique bookstore, Librarie Acqua Alta. This charming shop is famous for its quirky and unconventional displays, which include books stacked in bathtubs and full-sized gondolas. The shop was founded in the early 2000s by Venetian artist Luigi Frizzo, who was determined to save books damaged by the frequent flooding in Venice. In an effort to protect these books, he began storing them in bathtubs, canoes, and other makeshift containers, which eventually evolved into this popular store. You can also climb a staircase made entirely of books to reach the rooftop terrace and view one of many canals. My favorite part of the store was the exit alley. This narrow passageway is lined with books and leads visitors out of the library and back into the streets of Venice.
Our next stop is the famous San Marco Square. As we approached it, we noticed it was covered in water due to the high tide. Fortunately, platforms had been added so people could still walk through the square without getting wet. Surrounding San Marco, there are many cafes and shops to explore. One of the oldest cafes in Venice, Cafe Florian, is also located here. Established in 1720, it has served coffee and pastries to locals and visitors for over 300 years. There is always a long queue in front of the cafe, and this time, we decided to skip it.
If you’re planning a visit to Venice, make sure to list the top places to see and book your tickets and timeslots in advance. We had tickets to visit St. Mark’s Campanile, which cost around €15 per person. The tower offers stunning views of the city and is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Venice. Galileo used the tower to observe the stars and planets in the early 1600s. I can’t express the chilly feeling I got standing in the exact same place after learning this fact. You can spend as much time as you want on the top to enjoy 360 views of the city.
If the weather is warm, take time to wander around the San Marco. Enjoy the city’s architecture, gondolas on the canal, and the simple beauty of the famous Bridge of Sighs. If you get tired, you can rest at Reali Garden. This stunning garden was once the private retreat of the Venetian royalty and is now open to the public.
For a quick and delicious lunch, we stopped at Aldo Pasta and ordered pasta, gnocchi, and a slice of pizza.
It was the perfect fuel for our next adventure: visiting Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. It has different opening hours; therefore, check it beforehand. We could easily get the tickets on Saturday. It costs around €8 per person.
The building dates back to the 15th century and was designed by architect Giovanni Candi. You can enjoy a fantastic view of the city’s rooftops and bell towers from the top of the staircase. It’s definitely worth the climb!
Venice is famous for its bridges, with 391 of them scattered throughout the city. Only four of those bridges cross over the Grand Canal, and one of them is the iconic Rialto Bridge. Now, we are going to cross another one: the Accademia Bridge. This Bridge connects the San Marco and Dorsoduro districts. It offers a stunning view of the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, an architectural masterpiece and one of Venice’s most recognizable landmarks.
Dorsoduro is one of the less touristy parts of Venice, but it still has plenty of things to see and do. One of the must-visit places is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which features a stunning collection of modern art. Another popular spot is Squaro di san Trovaso, a historic boatyard. It is one of the few remaining traditional boatyards in Venice where skilled artisans still hand-build and repair traditional wooden gondolas.
It was time to get ready for the evening in Venice. You can walk back to your hotel or get a water bus at Accademia station to the closest station to your hotel.
We had a dinner reservation at a small restaurant called Osteria Antico Giardinette. It is quite a hidden gem, located in a narrow street, and has authentic Italian cuisine and an intimate atmosphere. The sautéed mussels and seafood pasta we ordered were absolutely delicious. We did not stay for dessert because we were in a rush.
During our stay, one of Italy’s most famous ensembles was playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, which was particularly special as Vivaldi was born and raised in Venice. It was a unique and unforgettable experience. The concert was at San Vidal, a former church and currently an event and concert hall. Check the concert agenda before traveling to Venice. You will not regret it.
As we were wrapping up our day in Venice, there was still one last experience we had yet to enjoy – savoring chichetti with Aperol, just like the locals. We stopped at Bacaro al Ravano and ordered several chichetti and drinks to celebrate our fantastic day in Venice.
Good to know
- Make sure to download an offline map! With so many winding streets and alleys, getting turned around and losing your sense of direction is easy.
- Souvenirs were three times cheaper around San Stae (our B&B) than around the Rialto Bridge.
- Book your museum tickets way in advance.
- Search for local restaurants, and don’t eat in a place where a waiter invites people from the streets.
- Best pizza? – Birraria La Corte
