Venice doesn't ease you in gently. You step off the water taxi, turn a corner, and suddenly you're standing in front of a canal-lined street with no cars, no noise, just water lapping against ancient stone. If you're researching things to do in Venice for an upcoming trip, you're in the right place. This guide covers the iconic, the cultural, the delicious, and the genuinely unexpected — everything you need to plan a first visit you'll actually remember.
1. Arrive by Water Taxi from the Airport
Your Venice experience should start the moment you land. Skip the bus and book a Venice Marco Polo Airport Water Taxi Transfer instead. Gliding into the city across the lagoon, with the skyline emerging from the mist, is one of those moments that genuinely takes your breath away. It sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Take a Gondola Ride Through the Canals
Yes, it's touristy. Do it anyway. A Classic 30-Minute Gondola Ride takes you through narrow backwater canals that most visitors never see on foot. Your gondolier will navigate passages so tight you could almost touch both walls at once. Go in the late afternoon when the light turns golden and the crowds thin out a little.
3. Explore St. Mark's Basilica (Without the Queue)
St. Mark's Basilica is extraordinary. The mosaics alone are worth the trip. But the lines can be brutal, especially in summer, so do yourself a favour and book St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour with Skip-The-Line Access. A guide will point out details you'd walk straight past on your own, including the bronze horses above the entrance and the Byzantine gold ceilings that took centuries to complete.
4. Visit the Doge's Palace
Right next to St. Mark's is the Doge's Palace, and it's one of the most impressive buildings in all of Europe. Book the Doge's Palace Skip-The-Line Tour to skip the queues and get the full story behind Venice's powerful ruling class. Don't miss the Bridge of Sighs, the enclosed bridge where prisoners caught their last glimpse of the lagoon before being taken to the cells below.
5. Cruise the Grand Canal by Boat
The Grand Canal is Venice's main artery, and seeing it from the water is completely different from walking alongside it. A Venice Grand Canal Boat Tour gives you an hour on the water with commentary about the palaces, churches, and centuries of history lining both banks. It's a great way to get your bearings on your first day and figure out which neighbourhoods you want to explore on foot.
6. Get Lost in the Dorsoduro Neighbourhood
Once you've done the big landmarks, wander south to Dorsoduro. This is where students, artists, and locals actually spend their time. The streets are quieter, the bars are cheaper, and the Zattere waterfront promenade has some of the best views of the Giudecca canal you'll find anywhere. Grab a coffee, sit on the steps, and just watch the city go by. No agenda required.
7. Eat Cicchetti Like a Local
Forget sit-down tourist restaurants for at least one meal. Cicchetti are Venice's answer to tapas — small bites served at bacari (traditional wine bars) throughout the city. You'll find crostini topped with salt cod, fried artichokes, meatballs, and tiny sandwiches called tramezzini. Order a glass of Spritz or local white wine, stand at the bar, and eat your way through the menu. It's cheap, delicious, and completely authentic.
8. Try a Venetian Cooking Class
If you want to go deeper into the food culture, an Authentic Cooking Class with a Venetian Local is genuinely one of the best things you can do. Chef Lorenzo takes you through traditional recipes using local ingredients, and you sit down to eat everything you've made at the end. You'll go home knowing how to make dishes you'd otherwise only find in a restaurant.
9. See the Rialto Market in the Morning
The Rialto Bridge gets all the attention, but the real action is the market on the far side. Show up before 10am and you'll find fishmongers selling the morning's catch straight from the lagoon, fruit and vegetable stalls piled high with produce, and locals doing their actual weekly shopping. It's loud, colourful, and completely at odds with the polished tourist experience a few streets away. This is everyday Venice, and it's worth seeing.
10. Attend a Classical Concert at a Historic Church
Venice has a deep musical history, and an evening concert is one of the most atmospheric ways to experience it. The Venice Classical Concert by Interpreti Veneziani takes place inside a beautifully preserved church and features works by Vivaldi, who was born and spent much of his life in this city. Dress up a little, arrive early to grab a good seat, and let the music do the rest.
11. Day Trip to the Prosecco Hills
If you have a spare day, get out of the city and head to the Veneto countryside. The Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice takes you through the UNESCO-listed Prosecco hills, where you'll visit vineyards, taste wines straight from the source, and see a side of the region most visitors completely overlook. It's a welcome contrast to the city, and the scenery is genuinely stunning.
A Few Quick Tips Before You Go
Book your key attractions in advance. Queues at St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace can stretch for over an hour in peak season, and skip-the-line tickets are absolutely worth the small extra cost. Wear comfortable shoes — the streets are uneven cobblestone and you will walk more than you expect. And if you can visit in the shoulder season (April to early June, or September to October), you'll have a noticeably better time than in the height of summer.
Venice rewards slow travel. The more you wander without a plan, the more you'll find. Start with this list, then let the city take you wherever it wants.