Venice, Italy has topped my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Perhaps this stemmed from my vivid daydreams of navigating a paddled boat along the winding canals and colorful, water-nibbled buildings. Or, more likely, my obsession with a childhood computer game: Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice. If you know, you know.

Venice is circumventing pigeons in Piazza San Marco and exploring the elaborate palaces packed with medieval art. It is licking melting cafe gelato on the banks of the canal as boats lazily float past in the twilight. It is getting hopelessly lost 30 feet from your hostel because even Google Maps loses its way in the twisty, cobbled streets (true story!).

There are countless wonders tucked away in the city – and perhaps the best route forward is to allow yourself to get lost. However, if you’re looking for a few sparks of inspiration, I’ve compiled a list of 7 activities to add to your Venice bucket list.

7 things to add to your Venice, Italy bucket list

1. Stroll through the Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is the most notable piazza in Venice. It is home to the Basilica, Tower, and Doges Palace. Strolling through the Piazza is the only way to understand the massive scale of these ornate structures. You could spend a full day just hovering nearby – though be ready for some gnarly tourist prices. Oh. And also be ready to dodge a mob of pigeons. They own the square these days.

One of my traveling companions tried to pick up a pigeon as a joke and, to his great surprise, it did not even attempt to avoid being scooped off the ground (my friend felt horrible about disrupting the pigeon, and gave him a few crumbs as a peace offering). Like I said, pigeons own the place and do not care about you in the slightest. Unless, of course, you are holding bread.

2. Catch a gondola ride (or water taxi)

When you are in a city known for its canals, it is fair to say you should probably explore them. While gondola rides are a bit pricey, few things compare to serpentining through narrow canals tucked in the most intimate parts of the city.

Check out my guide to riding a gondola in Venice, Italy for more information!

If a gondola is not for you, I recommend catching water taxis (Vaporetti), as they’ll still give gorgeous views of the city from the water at a much cheaper price point.

3. Head to the top of the Campanile di San Marco

Located in Piazza San Marco, the Campanile is a large bell tower that offers some of the best panoramic views of the city. For just 10 Euros, you can climb to the top. Make sure you get there early, or the lines can get a bit long. I stumbled upon this landmark accidentally right as the line was starting to form. Complete stroke of luck.

If you want a panoramic view without boxing out other tourists, I recommend checking out San Giorgio Maggiore, a historic church. Here you can climb to the top for a much less crowded view of the city.

4. Learn the craft of Murano glass

Apart from being well known for its unique canal transportation system, Venice, Italy is also known as being the home to Murano glass – elaborately decorated, hand crafted, colorful glass sculptures and jewelry. Thanks to its convenient position along the Mediterranean Sea, Venice established itself as a strong trader in the luxury arts as far back as the 15th century. Today, these techniques are still very much practiced in and around Venice.

Head to the island of Murano and visit the Museo del Vetro, which gives a detailed history of the craft. You can also sign up for glassmaking classes all throughout Venice, which is a powerful addition to any trip.

5. Visit the Doge’s Palace and walk across the Bridge of Sighs

I know what you’re probably thinking. And the answer is no. Not the meme Doge.

In Venice, the Doge is the equivalent of ‘the Duke’, or the chief magistrate of Venice. The Doge’s Palace was home to Venetian noblemen since 810 A.D. (though several of the original structures were destroyed in fires). Today, the Doge’s Palace operates as a museum where you can tour the grand chambers, architecture, and art.

One of the most notable aspects of the Doge’s Palace are the courtroom and senate chambers. Senatorial and judicial hearings would occur directly in the palace, and those summoned by magistrates would await their fate in the chambers. The Doge’s Palace is sinisterly connected to the prison, just on the other side of a canal. The two were connected by Il Ponte de i Sospori, or the Bridge of Sighs. Legend has it that the bridge got its name as convicted prisoners got one last breath and view of Venice on this bridge as they crossed from the courtrooms to the prison on the other side. Today, you can cross over this bridge which offers a hauntingly beautiful view of the city.

BONUS: for all of my Shakespeare buffs, the Doge’s Palace was the inspiration for the courtroom scenes in The Merchant of Venice. For anyone with an interest in history, this is a MUST for your Venice, Italy bucket list.

6. Have dinner on the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is considered the main canal in Venice. There is no doubt why restaurant real estate is a hot commodity in this area. How cool is it to savor pasta while watching gondolas and boats float lazily along? Because it is a popular tourist destination, and because it can be extremely hot during the middle of the day, I recommend heading to the Grand Canal for a late dinner along the waterfront.

I would recommend choosing a spot a little ways up or downstream from the Rialto Bridge, another famous landmark that often draws large crowds. Though, while you’re waiting for your reservation, I DO suggest taking a stroll over the historic bridge! The Rialto Bridge houses a bustling market, and is well worth a visit.

7. Buy a new book at the Liberia Aqua Alta

Here is a recommendation for all of my fellow bookworms out there. Liberia Aqua Alta is home to an immaculate vintage book collection, as well as a collection of local stray cats. This store is a dream for anyone who loves to pursue for hours at a time.

What makes this store unique, you ask? Well, due to Venice’s constant flooding and high water levels of canals, it is not uncommon for the store to have a few inches of water on the floor. That is why the entire book collection is housed in bathtubs, high shelves, and even a full-sized, retired gondola in the main room. The owner sloshes around in rain boots to pull recommendations and requests off the shelves. It is truly an experience unlike any other.

BONUS! Get lost meandering the cobbled streets

So here’s the rub. Google Maps? Doesn’t really work in Venice. The streets are so close together, and create such an elaborate labyrinth, that the satellites just can’t compute. No joke, I was 400 feet from my hostel, and it took me nearly 40 minutes to find the door. But that’s part of the adventure. There are so many hidden gems tucked deep in every nook and cranny of the city. You’ll be amazed what you can find if you just simply explore!

I recommend leaving some space on your Venice bucket list for all of the secret spots you are bound to stumble upon during your time there!

Traveling to Venice, Italy

How I did it: Travel by Train

I was traveling from Rome to Venice for a solo weekend trip. Because of the relatively close distance, I decided to travel via train. I took ItaliaRail, which picked me up from Rome’s Termini station and dropped me off in Venice’s Santa Lucia station, the city’s central station. The entire trip took three scenic hours of whipping through the Tuscany countryside. 

Cost: A roundtrip ticket on ItaliaRail cost around $100USD.

The best way to travel to Venice, from anywhere in Europe, is to take a train to the Santa Lucia station.

Booking Accommodation In Venice, Italy

Where I stayed

Truth be told, when I was searching for accommodation, my only keywords in AirBnB were “CHEAP” and “PLEASE”. And I ended up finding a lovely, quaint, shared dorm. Sharing a room with strangers might not be everyone’s cup of tea – but I tend to find it a great way to meet people, and almost always feel more safe in the presence of others when solo traveling. In fact, it was with these fellow guests that I enjoyed a gondola ride with!

The kitchen was decorated fully with chalk art, and the entire accommodation was filled with art and trinkets from all over the world. Plus, there was a dedicated library and reading space in the main room. 

Other Accommodations

• Budget – Your best bet for finding budget accommodation in Venice is by sifting through AirBnB and VRBO listings. I find these listings to be more centrally located with better views than cheaper hotel options – all for roughly the same price point.
• Mid-Range – Hotel Paganelli might just be one of the best ‘bang for your bucks’ Venice has to offer. Coming in at a little over $200USD per night, this hotel offers panoramic views of the San Marco Basin, and is just a 5-minute walk to Piazza San Marco.
• Luxury – The Gritti Palace, overlooking the Grand Canal, has one of the best views of Venice. The interior and art of the building still reflects the 15th century in which it was built. No wonder high ranking businessmen, film executives, and global politicians choose this accommodation. But it ain’t cheap! The rooms will run in the range of $1,500USD or more per night. Oooof. BONUS: The Gritti Palace is affiliated with Marriott. If you have status, you can use your points.

That’s all, folks

Hopefully this travel guide helps kickstart your Venice, Italy bucket list!

It is truly such a beautiful town, with surprises around every corner. And remember: some of the best hidden travel gems appear when you least expect it! So keep your mind and eyes open, and you’ll surely have a time to remember.

Have any questions about your upcoming trip? Drop a comment below!