What to Do with 2 days in Venice: A Complete Itinerary
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Planning on going to Venice, but not sure how much time you’ll need? We got you. This itinerary gives you first hand experience of how to see all the best things in Venice over two days.
Venice, the only place where it is acceptable to tell someone to “take the bridge” … because there’s literally no other way to get around. Full of endless canals and buildings that look like they’re defying gravity, it’s truly captivating. Sometimes known as the “dirty city”, Venice can get a bad reputation, but it is absolutely worth a visit during your first trip to Italy.
Why 2 days in Venice?
Compared to other cities (or regions) in Italy, Venice is a much smaller ground to cover. Venice is technically an island- or a collection of 118 islands built in the Venetian Lagoon.
While you can add on more days here and explore the surrounding Venetian islands like Burano, Murano, and Lido, we didn’t feel it was worth sacrificing the time in other areas.
To be completely honest, you could probably see all of the sights of Venice in one day. However, most people are seeing Venice as part of a larger Italy/Euro trip, so we recommend 2 days to account for travel time.
Getting here:
You can fly directly into Venice via Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). From the airport, the easiest way to get into Venice city center is by taking the ferry.
The ferry leaves directly from VCE and takes you to one of the various ports in Venice, depending on which line you take. Tickets can be booked in advance here.
Alternatively, you can also take a taxi into Venice city center, however it tends to be very expensive. There is also a bus route, but to be honest, we aren’t big fans of navigating buses with all our luggage.
Best time to visit Venice?
As always, April/May & September/October are regarded as top choices for their lack of crowds.
Summer months like June-August will have the warmest weather.
If you’re interested in visiting during carnival, you will likely be planning your trip in February.
Is Venice safe?
As with most Italian cities, Venice is safe. Most crime in the area is related to pick-pocketing and scams. As always, here are our rules for safety regarding pick-pocketing:
- Leave all flashy things out of sight (in fact, if you don’t need it, don’t even bring it).
- Never leave your bags unattended.
- Pay attention to your surroundings.
- Bring antitheft bags or backpacks
- If someone “bumps” into you, it’s usually not an accident. Take note.
Getting around Venice
Because of its smaller size, Venice is very walkable. That being said, it is essentially a giant maze (think cornfield in the fall).
We definitely recommend downloading Google Maps prior to getting there, but be aware that even google maps will get you lost sometimes. It’s all part of the experience.
For further distances (or if you just don’t feel like walking), you can opt to use the Ferry or private transfers.
Ferry Info:
As we mentioned above, Venice is incredibly walkable, but you may want to use the ACTV ferry system, especially if you are going to the other islands. You can buy a single way ACTV ticket good for 75 minutes of use or ACTV buy day passes which can be purchased online here.
Google maps is your best friend for navigating ferry ports. Each port has multiple ferries going to various locations, so we recommend using google maps to figure out which ACTV ferry to take.
Where to stay in Venice
For a luxury stay, look no further than this stunning hotel
For an excellent mid-range option, we recommend staying here.
For a budget option, this would be a fantastic choice.
Day 1
Since you’re likely going to have a day of travel today getting into Venice, we are recommending a less full itinerary. No rushing around today.
Afternoon:
If you’re feeling ready to stretch your legs, head over to the Basilica Santa Maria Della Salute. This beautiful Baroque-style church stands out among the Venice skyline.
You can get there by walking or by taking the ferry. Entry to the Basilica is free, but if you want to visit the Sacristy which has a display of art, there is a 4 euro entry fee.
Remember, to respect the modesty policy and wear something that covers both shoulders and knees.
If you say you’re going to Venice and don’t want a gondola ride, we simply don’t believe you. 1000% touristy, definitely over-priced, but also a must-do. It feels like an Italy rite-of-passage and it’s truly a unique way to see Venice.
You can either pre-book your gondola ride or hire a gondolier at one of the various stations on the island. We be booked ours here.
Be aware that they will still operate rain or shine (unlucky for us, we got rain). They only operate from 9am-7pm at the normal fare and then rates increase, so we do recommend going before 7pm as it is already relatively expensive.
Evening: Ponte Di Rialto
The real Rialto bridge, not the Vegas one. Walking across this bridge in the evening is definitely recommended. The glow of the lights along the canal bay is absolutely breath-taking.
There are plenty of places to stop for trinkets and treats. While this iconic bridge tends to be quite crowded during the day, crowds lessen at the evening rolls in.
Day 2
Morning:
Start your morning with a tour of Doges palace. Doges Palace is known for its Venetian Gothic architecture. It has served various roles for the venetian government such as residence of the Doge (the Venetian Republic leader) and even housed a jail. Now Doges Palace serves as a beautiful museum and one of the top things to do in Venice.
On your tour, you will have the opportunity to walk across the bridge of Sighs. This iconic bridge was the named because it was the last sight of the beautiful Venetian façade that prisoners would see prior to being incarcerated, causing them to sigh. Make sure to see it from the outside too for a unique perspective.
Here is a fantastic tour which combines our afternoon recommendation, Saint Marks Basilica:
Afternoon:
This afternoon you will visit Saint Marks Basilica. For some reason, this Basilica reminds me of a fancy merry-go-round and I find it incredibly beautiful (for the record, Zach and I are not typically lovers of visiting endless churches, so that says something).
Because this is a church, remember modesty is important, so dress accordingly (covering knees & shoulders).
Tickets are 3 euros for basic entry and an additional 10 euros to climb the bell tower. We HIGHLY recommend climbing the bell tower– the views are absolutely incredible and this is probably the best view of Venice from above (in our opinion).
Evening:
After you’ve finished exploring Saint Marcs, you will be right in the Piazza San Marco. Grab a bite to eat, walk through the piazza where music and dancing often happens, and enjoy those Venetian vibes.
Alternative recommendations
If you have extra time, we would definitely recommend exploring some of the Venetian islands. Here are some options to get you there
Final thoughts
Is Venice worth visiting on your trip to Italy? Absolutely. Embrace the grittiness and you be captivated by the sound of gondoliers singling and spending hours wondering through the canals. Full of unique charm and history, this area is a different change of pace from other large cities in Italy, giving it a “must-visit” recommendation from us.
