3 Days in Venice: Best Itinerary + Guide (2025)

Is 3 days long enough in Venice?

If you’ve booked your trip but you’re worried that 3 days in Venice might not be long enough, I want to reassure you that you’ll absolutely have a great time with just a few days! 

The centre of Venice is pretty small so you’ll be able to fit a lot into your visit – especially if you’re armed with an itinerary and a plan for what you want to see and do.

A visit that’s longer than 3 days might be better if you want to go at a more relaxed pace. But, with this 3-day Venice itinerary, I want to show you that you’re able to squeeze a lot into a shorter trip! 

How to get to Venice

There are a few ways to get to Venice. The main airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) – from there, you can hop on a bus to Piazzale Roma which is at the entrance to the city.

If you don’t want to fly, trains are also a brilliant option in Italy. Venice’s train station is called Venezia Santa Lucia. From there, it’s easy to walk to the main sites or catch a water taxi or water bus (known as a vaporetto) into the centre.

>> To check + book trains in Europe, I recommend using Trainline which shows rail routes across Europe <<

How to get around Venice

Venice’s central area is entirely car-free, so the only ways to get around are by walking or by taking a boat. Whenever I visit anywhere new I love walking everywhere – so that’s my recommendation for Venice, too.

By walking in Venice, you’ll be able to absorb all the sights but also discover hidden spots and get lost in the maze of streets. It’s easily the best way to experience the city!

However, if you need to give your legs a break, you can also hop on a vaporetto water bus in Venice. If you plan on doing several journeys, it’s worth buying a 3-day pass which is €45. Otherwise, you can pay per journey – it’s €9.50 for a single fare.

Day One: 3-day Venice itinerary

I’ve seen a lot of Venice itineraries that are jam-packed so I’ve tried to keep this one slightly more relaxed. Obviously, if you like being busy and on your feet all day, you might be able to fit more into each day so I’ve listed some other attractions further down in the post that you could add in.

1) St Mark’s Square / St Mark’s Basilica / St Mark’s Campanile

Whether you’re arriving in Venice today or you’ve stayed overnight, you’ll want to start your day early. I recommend being in the centre of Venice by 9am so you can maximise your time and make the most of your day. 

If you’ve stayed the night before, this means you can have a more relaxed morning. If you’re not having breakfast at your hotel, there are some great places (like Brunch Cafè and Pasticceria Tonolo) where you could grab breakfast and a coffee before beginning your day. 

From there, I recommend heading to Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) which is Venice’s main square. St Mark’s Square is where you’ll find many of Venice’s main attractions so it’s a good place to start your trip. It’s also best to get here early because it’s one of the places that gets busy as the day progresses.

After exploring some of the square or getting an iconic photo of the Bridge of Sighs from Ponte della Paglia, the first place you’ll want to visit is St Mark’s Basilica. This beautiful cathedral is a must-visit landmark in Venice and is well worth seeing.

The basilica opens at 9:30am every day except Sunday, which is why I recommend getting to St Mark’s Square early. The most affordable way to visit is to grab a €3 ticket at the door. However, the lines to get in can get pretty long, so if you’re short on time, you’ll want to book skip-the-line tickets online ahead of your visit.

Most people only need around an hour for the basilica, and after that, you’ll want to head up St Mark’s Campanile. This bell tower offers incredible views of Venice! As with the basilica, you can book tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting in line.

2) Doge’s Palace

Once you’ve taken in the views from St Mark’s Campanile and explored St Mark’s Basilica, you’ll want to go to Doge’s Palace.

Doge’s Palace is a historic place that served as the residence of the Doge, the leader of the Venetian Republic, and is now a museum.

Visiting Doge’s Palace is a great way to immerse yourself in Venice’s history and culture, and to admire some incredible architecture. It’s also where you can walk across the Bridge of Sighs, which is an iconic Venice experience!

You’ll need around two hours to explore Doge’s Palace at your own pace, but if you prefer more context and insight, you could join a guided tour like this one.

Since this is one of the city’s top attractions, tickets can sell out and lines can get pretty long. To avoid waiting around, I recommend buying skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour online in advance so you don’t waste time.

3) Lunch + gelato

After you’ve finished at Doge’s Palace, it’s time for some lunch! I was only in Venice for one day the last time I visited, so we had a quick lunch at Dal Moro’s, which is a fresh pasta takeaway. However, as you have a little longer, you might prefer to dine in somewhere. 

You’ll find in Venice that there are a lot of tourist traps which means there are restaurants that serve low-quality food at super high prices. But it doesn’t mean there are no good places at all to eat!

Generally, the best places to eat are further away from the San Marco / St Mark’s Square area. Neighbourhoods like Dorsoduro or Cannaregio are good places to find more authentic restaurants. 

In terms of things to eat, Venice is known for cicchetti, which is like tapas, and is usually paired with a glass of wine or a Spritz. Cicchetti is served in bars across the city and is ideal for a cheap, light lunch. Seafood is also popular in Venice, as is risotto if you fancy more of a meal.

You definitely have to get gelato in Venice, too. Last time we visited we went to Gelatoteca Suso and it was so good!

>> I’ve listed extra restaurant / bar recommendations at the end of this post if you need more ideas. (Jump to them here) <<

4) Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop

After lunch, it’s time to head to Fondaco dei Tedeschi, which is right by the Rialto Bridge. This historical building now houses a luxury department store and its rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over the Grand Canal.

It’s free to access the Fondaco Rooftop Terrace but you need to reserve a ticket online because numbers are limited. Each ticket gives you a 15-minute slot which is enough time for taking some photos and soaking up the views. 

Just be aware that tickets get booked up, so if it’s something you want to do, make sure you reserve your spot as soon as possible!

5) Walking tour

Venice is an incredible place for exploring on foot. So after a quick trip to the Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop, I recommend taking the time to explore the streets. 

I could easily lose track of time exploring Venice this way. There are so many pretty sites with canals, bridges and quaint little alleyways. If you’re like me, you’ll probably find yourself stopping at every bridge to admire the views or browsing the boutiques and souvenir stores. 

I recommend switching off the GPS and ditching the map at this point – it’s the best way to see Venice! It’s impossible to get truly lost in this city so it’s a fun way to get your bearings and discover some hidden spots.

6) Venetian aperitivo + dinner

After you’ve finished exploring, it’s time for aperitivo and some dinner. Dinner is typically eaten later in Italy (from around 8pm), so it’s nice to go for aperitivo beforehand at a wine bar like Osteria al Squero, Osteria Ai Pugni or Bacareto da Lele. 

Afterwards, it’s time for dinner (you can jump to my restaurant recommendations here). This is your time to relax, soak up the evening atmosphere and enjoy some amazing food and drink!

Day Two: 3-day Venice itinerary

1) Rialto Bridge + Market 

Because you only have a few days in Venice, I recommend another early start for your second day. After breakfast, the first stop will be the Rialto Bridge. 

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest and most famous of Venice’s bridges and is a brilliant place for photos over the Grand Canal. The bridge also has a central portico with little shops selling things like souvenirs and jewellery.

You’ll have seen the bridge already if you went to the Fondaco Rooftop Terrace on day one. BUT, today you’ll be there early to avoid a lot of the crowds and get a more authentic feel.

Even though the shops along the bridge might not open until a little later, I recommend getting here around 8am if you want more space to enjoy it. Unless you’re there on a Sunday, this is also around the time that the Rialto Market sets up for the day.

This produce market is close to the bridge and is lovely to experience – especially in the morning when you can mix with the locals. You’ll find all kinds of fruit and vegetables as well as a fresh fish market.

2) Gondola ride

After you’ve visited the Rialto Bridge, I suggest having a gondola ride next. In my opinion, this is an essential part of any trip to Venice!

Admittedly, gondola rides can seem overrated, but I really enjoyed the experience. It’s a great way to see the city from a different perspective and take in places that you can’t get to on foot.

Gondola rides have a set price in Venice. Before 7pm, the cost is €90 per boat for a 30-minute ride, though it’s a good idea to confirm both the price and the duration before getting in.

You’ll also find gondolas at various spots across the city, and since routes vary, you might want to consider which areas you’d like to see before choosing one.

You don’t need to pre-book a gondola either, but if you prefer to have a set time, it’s a good option.

3) Peggy Guggenheim Collection / Gallerie dell’Accademia via Ponte dell’Accademia

I’m guessing if you’re in Venice, you’re interested in culture, so after you’ve experienced the city from the water, it’s time for a museum visit. 

There’s a great choice of art galleries in Venice but two of the most popular are Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Gallerie dell’Accademia which are both in the Dorsoduro district. 

Gallerie dell’Accademia showcases pre-19th century Venetian art, while Peggy Guggenheim is for modern art with famous works by artists like Picasso and Dalí. They’re pretty close together so you could visit both but one will probably call to you more. 

I also suggest stopping en route at Ponte dell’Accademia (Accademia Bridge). It’s right by Gallerie dell’Accademia and overlooks the Grand Canal – it offers some of the most iconic canal photos in Venice.

4) Lunch in Dorsoduro

When you’ve finished taking in everything at the art museums, it’s time for lunch. You’ll already be in one of the best parts of Venice for food, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a great place to eat.

Like on day one’s itinerary, you could stop at a simple osteria or a bar for cicchetti and a drink, or you could go for something a little more formal. Some well-rated places to check out in Dorsoduro include 60/40, Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti and Osteria al Squero. 

5) Teatro La Fenice 

After lunch, on your way to the Cannaregio neighbourhood for the next part of this itinerary, you might want to pop into Teatro La Fenice. This opera house is considered one of the most beautiful in the world so it’s worth checking out!

Unless there’s an afternoon performance on, it’s usually open for visits from 9:30am to 6pm and you can book tickets in advance or get a guided tour. It’s also possible to see evening performances at Teatro La Fenice but you’ll want to check the calendar and consider booking tickets in advance.

6) Cannaregio neighbourhood

Next, you’ll head across Venice to the Venetian Ghetto in the Cannaregio neighbourhood. This part of Venice isn’t as visited as places like San Marco so it’s a great way to get a more local feel. 

The Jewish Quarter is an interesting place to visit – it’s where Venice’s Jewish population were forced to live between the 16th and 18th centuries. It’s a fascinating and vibrant place to find out more about culture and Venetian history.

Throughout the streets of Venice’s Jewish Quarter, you’ll find several synagogues, kosher restaurants and bakeries as well as art galleries.

If you love soaking up the culture, it might be a nice idea to do a walking tour here so you can learn more from a guide. There are plenty of walking tours around Cannaregio and Ghetto Vecchio that you can book in advance.

Elsewhere in the district of Cannaregio, some top things to do include stopping at sites like Ponte Chiodo, Palazzo Labia, Church of Madonna dell’Orto and the Ca d’Oro Museum.

7) Food tour

In Italy (where the food is sooo good), a food tour is a fun way to spend your evening. I’ve found lots of well-rated food tours in Venice, including this one which looks great. 

A food tour like this is a unique way to spend your evening in Venice (and a good option if you’re indecisive and don’t know where to eat)! Plus, you get to explore more of the city with a local guide so you’ll find places you might otherwise miss.

This tour is around 3 hours and starts at various times throughout the day but 5:45pm would be the best fit with this itinerary.

If you don’t fancy the idea of a food tour, obviously you can switch this part out. Depending on timings, it also might not be possible if you’ve decided to see a performance at Teatro La Fenice this evening.

8) Teatro La Fenice (Optional)

I wanted to include a performance at Teatro La Fenice as an evening option. You’ll have to check the schedule to see what’s on and whether it fits with your dates, but it can be a lovely way to dress up and spend a fun evening. 

You can check out the calendar on the official site here. If you want to guarantee tickets, you can book online in advance, but you can also buy tickets at the theatre as well as at Venezia Unica ticket offices around the city. 

Day Three: 3-day Venice itinerary

1) Venetian island hopping – Murano, Burano + Torcello 

On day three, you’ll head to Venice’s outer islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. I loved visiting these islands when I first went to Venice. Burano in particular was my favourite with its colourful, rainbow houses.

To get to these islands, you can jump on vaporetto line 12 which goes from Fondamente Nove (F.te Nove) in Cannaregio to Burano via Murano. You can then get line 9 from Burano to Torcello. The Citymapper app works in Venice so if you think you’ll struggle with public transport, download it before you go!

Otherwise, if you don’t want to figure out the journeys to the islands by yourself, you can get a guided tour. This private boat tour takes in the best bits in around 3 hours and is a good way to take out the travel hassle!

Whether you’ve gone for a guided tour or an independent trip, you’ll usually want to start in Murano as this island is the closest. It’s also one of the most popular so it can be nice to get there early to avoid the tourist rush.

Murano is known for its glassmaking, so you’ll want to visit a glass factory and see a glass-blowing demonstration. You’ll also want to visit the beautiful Church of Santa Maria e San Donato.

After Murano, you’ll head to Burano. This is a tiny island so you’ll only need an hour or so. Mostly, you’ll want to explore the prettiest streets, but you can also learn about Burano lace and stop for gelato or Bussola Buranello cookies.

I also recommend heading to Torcello from Burano – it’s only a 10-minute boat between the two. Torcello is also small but it has a different feel. You’ll want to see the Devil’s Bridge as well as the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.

2) Lunch

If you arrived at the islands early, you’ll probably be back in central Venice around lunch time. Obviously, if you’ve spent more time on the islands, you might want to get lunch before heading back. Just be aware that Torcello doesn’t have as many restaurants or cafes. 

3) Venetian Arsenal + Biennale Gardens (Option 1)

Next up, you’ve got a couple of choices – you could either visit the Venetian Arsenal and Biennale Gardens or go to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. It could be possible to do both if you’re not leaving Venice until the following morning. But, if you’re leaving the city early this afternoon or evening you might not be able to do both. 

The Venetian Arsenal, or Arsenale di Venezia, is an interesting place to explore if you’re interested in Venice’s maritime history. It’s located in the Castello district and was one of the largest shipyards in Europe during the height of the Venetian Republic. 

Today, the Arsenal is partly accessible to the public and is also home to the Naval History Museum. On alternating years from around May to November, it’s also a part of the city that hosts the Venice Biennale international art festival. It’s a great place to experience a mix of art and history.

Depending on your dates, you could also visit the Biennale Gardens (Giardini della Biennale), which hosts Venice Biennale. The gardens feature 30 national pavilions which showcase art and architecture.

4) San Giorgio Maggiore (Option 2)

If visiting the Venetian Arsenal doesn’t sound like your thing, or if the Venice Biennale isn’t on, you might prefer to head to San Giorgio Maggiore. 

San Giorgio Maggiore is a small island just across from Piazza San Marco – it’s the one you can see with the bell tower. To get there, you can hop on a vaporetto from San Marco San Zaccaria. 

There’s not a lot to do on the island, but it’s known for its beautiful 16th church, which was designed by Andrea Palladio and contains paintings by Tintoretto. Its bell tower also offers the most breathtaking views over Venice.

Besides visiting the church and enjoying the views, San Giorgio Maggiore is also home to the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, which is a cultural centre located in the former monastery. 

It often hosts exhibitions, concerts and events, and you can also visit the complex with a guided tour. You’ll be able to see the monastery cloisters and other beautiful spots.

5) Dinner or onward travel

How you spend the rest of your evening will depend on when you’re leaving the city. If you’ve got another night booked in Venice, you can take the time to enjoy aperitivo and a meal this evening.

If not, you’ll want to give yourself enough time to leave the centre and get back to either Piazzale Roma or Venezia Santa Lucia for your onward travel. 

Other things to do in Venice in 3 days

If you fancy more things to see and do, I’ve listed some other top Venice attractions that you could consider:

🇮🇹 Want more authentic experiences? Read this guide to the best non- touristy things to do in Venice

Venice 3-day itinerary map

Where to stay for 3 days in Venice

⭐️ Want more hotel inspiration? Check out these Venice hotels with canal views

Best time to visit Venice

You can explore Venice throughout the year, but the most popular time to visit is typically from May to October. Obviously, this means it’s a busier time. However, my last trip was in August and it wasn’t as chaotic as I’d expected!

If you’re planning a winter trip instead, just be aware that Venice can flood – especially between October and January. 

3-day itinerary for Venice: FAQs 

Save for later!

Share this post: