Having trouble deciding which of the many Venice attractions to visit? Do you need assistance planning your brief visit to this amazing city? To you, this area. The following is how I advise everyone to spend 2 days in Venice:
- Day 1: Beyond the Piazza San Marco
Place of origin: Piazza San Marco
St. Mark’s Square, also known as Piazza San Marco, is where most tourists congregate in Venice.
Many of Venice’s top attractions, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and St. Mark’s Campanile, are located in the city’s most prominent public square.
In other words, it’s the ideal starting point for your journey!
Come early to take advantage of this sizable square before the major throng show up. Grab an overpriced coffee from one of the many traditional Italian cafes in the area, take the obligatory selfies, and enjoy chasing the pigeons.
After that, visit St. Mark’s Basilica.
You won’t have to wait in queue for hours to enter St Mark’s Basilica if you get to Piazza San Marco early.
This infamous church, with its Byzantine grandeur, is a sight to behold—even from the outside! It’s a must-do Venice activity, if there ever was one. Although you must pay a small fee to enter and explore the museum, it is free to enter.
The Doge’s Palace is the next stop.
Direct your attention to the Doge’s Palace after visiting St. Mark’s Basilica if you’re craving more opulent structures, historical significance, and spectacular Gothic architecture.
This was once the seat of administration and the residence of the Doge (or “Duke”), a location of enormous significance in the history of Venice.
Booking a tour of the Palace has several advantages, one of which is getting to cross the renowned Bridge of Sighs.
Older Venetian prisoners would have seen the outside world for the last time when they were led across this enclosed stone walkway to their death. The walkway’s centre contained a small window. As you may expect, this caused a sigh.
Fourth Stop Optional: St. Mark’s Campanile
Okay, so the enormously gorgeous St. Mark’s Campanile is located right adjacent to the Doge’s Palace. Another famous structure in Piazza San Marco, this enormous, square, brick-built bell tower historically served as a beacon to direct ships into the lagoon safely.
Today, it offers visitors an incredible Venetian vantage point with breathtaking panoramic views of the region.
But whether or not you decide to add it to your 2-day Venice itinerary is entirely up to you! Although you’ll have to wait in queue and pay, the views will be worthwhile.
Similarly, the 323 steps to the top may be exhausting after a full morning of sightseeing (and there’s still more to come!).
The Waterfront and Beyond, either the fourth or fifth stop
The final activity I suggest for day one is a leisurely stroll along the breathtaking shoreline that is located next to Piazza San Marco.
It is essential to experience it because it is a bustling centre of Venetian life (at least as far as tourism is concerned) and a trip back in time.
Stop by one of the many pub restaurants for a drink and some food, watch the boats zoom by, marvel at the Gothic buildings across the lake and take in the atmosphere at this absolutely amazing location.
Try heading “inland” from the waterfront for a stroll among the cobblestone streets. wander off there. Retrace your steps to leave.
After having dinner, make your way leisurely back to your lodging.
- The Grand Canal and Other Islands on Day 2
Port of Rialto is the first stop.
Are you prepared for another exciting day in Venice? Start off this one by making a direct foray to the Grand Canal. Your location? Known as Ponte di Rialto in Italian, this bridge is famous. Once more, getting a head start is highly recommended!
This distinctive stone building, which spans the Grand Canal and is the oldest and most well-known bridge in the city, includes stores on both sides and was previously the only means to cross the canal (without using a boat or getting wet).
Getting there early will give you some breathing room as you walk up and down its steps because it attracts a lot of people these days. You might also go to the nearby Rialto Market, which is another bustling event with a variety of atmospheres, if you’d like.
Oh, and if you’re going to ride a gondola, right about now might be the finest time to do it. Even though they are expensive ($80 for 30 minutes), many would argue that visiting Venice wouldn’t be complete without taking one of these rides!
One of the additional Venice Islands is the next stop!
Many tourists to Venice are unaware of how much more there is to this enchanted city than just Piazza San Marco. Indeed, there are many distinct islands to explore in the Venice Lagoon. Even better, they are much less touristy.
When you’re ready to move on from the Grand Canal, these islands would be a fantastic next destination on your Venice itinerary because they are colourful, picturesque, and possibly more authentic than the main drag.
It could be difficult to decide which one to go to, but Murano or Burano are both excellent choices. You should be able to tour any of them in a half-day due to their proximity to the main portion of Venice (Murano being the closer of the two).
Choose Burano if a modest, peaceful, and colourful fishing village with delectable seafood seems more your style. Murano might be a great choice if you want a little more energy and a few extra tourist attractions.