Venice, the floating city, is a magical destination that everyone has to visit once in their life. After exploring this unique city for a few days myself, I’ve put together the perfect 3-day Venice itinerary, packed with iconic landmarks, photo spots, colorful islands and those dreamy canal views you’ve probably been saving on Pinterest.
Day 1: Iconic spots in Venice - Piazzas and Palaces
The first day of this Venice itinerary is all about visiting the iconic spots that make this city so magical, from grand piazzas and stunning architecture to picturesque canals and postcard-worthy views.
Morning: Piazza San Marco
We'd recommend starting your first day in Venice in Piazza San Marco, but arrive early before the crowds arrive! The square is beautiful at sunrise and the soft light is perfect for photos. We visited in August and sunrise was at 6-7 AM, which was a quiet and peaceful time to visit.
St. Mark’s Basilica
Start with a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most photogenic buildings in Venice. You can admire the architecture from the outside, but the inside is equally impressive with its gold mosaics and marble details.
We didn't book ahead at the time and there were long queues to enter, so we'd definitely recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket or guided tour in advance (you'll need to cover your shoulders & knees)!
Doge’s Palace
Next, make your way to the impressive Doge’s Palace, known for its breathtaking Venetian Gothic architecture. Make sure to walk through the archways, it is an incredible photo spot!
Inside, you can wander through grand rooms decorated with lavish artwork and cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. It’s another spot where it's worth booking a group tour or skip-the-line ticket, especially during busy seasons.
St. Mark’s Bell Tower
To finish off the tour of the San Marco Piazza, you can take an elevator to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile for views of Venice’s rooftops and canals. If you’re visiting during peak season, pre-booking your time slot will save you from long waits.
Although we didn’t make it up to this bell tower’s viewing platform, we did visit another bell tower viewpoint and we’ll share all the details with you later in this itinerary!
Bridge of Sighs
From St. Mark’s, walk just a few steps to the famous Bridge of Sighs. Legend has it that prisoners would take one last look at Venice from here and sigh, but today, it’s just one of the most photographed bridges in the city.
Afternoon:
If you're looking for some lunch, we'd recommend We Love Italy, a little pasta takeaway where you choose your type of pasta and your type of sauce!
Libreria Acqua Alta
In the afternoon, head to Libreria Acqua Alta, one of the quirkiest and most photogenic bookstores in the world. You'll find books stacked in gondolas, bathtubs and against charming brick walls.
Plus, there’s a hidden staircase made of old books and a backdoor to the canal with a gondola to take photos!
Chloe Butcher
Rialto Bridge
Next, head over to the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s oldest and most famous bridges. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s worth it! The views over the Grand Canal from here are absolutely iconic.
T Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop
Before you cross the bridge, you have the option to pop into T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a luxury department store with a free rooftop terrace.
We didn’t know about this rooftop when we visited, but it’s often described as one of the best viewpoints in Venice, and the best part is it's free! You need to book a time slot in advance online though.
Evening: Sunset on the Grand Canal
As the sun sets we'd recommend taking a walk along the Grand Canal and taking in the beautiful views. The warm light reflecting off the palazzos is pure magic and it’s such a peaceful way to end your first day.
For dinner on our first day, we grabbed a delicious pizza from a local pizza takeaway and enjoyed it at our airbnb! There are plenty of restaurants in this area if you prefer to dine out, just beware of tourist traps by the Grand Canal (expensive restaurants with low quality food).
Day 2: Colorful Burano & the Jewish Ghetto
Day 2 in Venice is all about venturing beyond the main sights and soaking up the vibrant colors and quieter corners of the city.
Morning: Day Trip to Burano
Start your second day with a trip to Burano, a colorful and quaint island just a 40 minute ferry ride away. If you want to capture photos and enjoy the island without crowds, hop on the earliest ferry (the Vaporetto from Fondamente Nove is the easiest option) to get a headstart.
Burano is famous for its rainbow-colored houses reflected in calm canals, its picturesque streets and quaint bridges. We wandered around for hours capturing photos of the pastel houses and beautiful streets.
If you want to make the most of your day without worrying about ferry schedules, consider booking a small-group boat tour that covers Burano, Murano and Torcello all in one go.
Afternoon: Explore the Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio
After returning to Venice, head into the Cannaregio district to explore the historic Jewish Ghetto, the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world.
This area is incredibly peaceful and feels worlds away from the busier parts of Venice.You’ll find quiet squares, picturesque canals and some epic photo spots.
Just a short walk from the ghetto, you’ll come to Fondamenta della Misericordia, a canal-side promenade lined with small bars, restaurants and gelato shops. It’s the perfect place to sit with a drink, watch gondolas drift by and enjoy the more local side of Venice.
Evening: Dinner in Cannaregio or Dorsoduro
For dinner, you can either stay in Cannaregio, where you’ll find plenty of authentic restaurants serving Venetian classics or head over to the Dorsoduro district.
This is also a great night to try a local food tour if you’d like to sample different cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and learn about the history and culture along the way!
Day 3: Iconic Bridges and Basilicas
The final day in Venice is all about discovering epic viewpoints, stunning architecture and soaking up more of the city’s beautiful sights.
Morning: San Giorgio Maggiore Church
Start the day with a short Vaporetto ride over to San Giorgio Maggiore, the quiet island just across from St. Mark’s Square. The church itself is a masterpiece, but the real highlight is the bell tower, with panoramic views over Venice’s rooftops, canals and lagoon.
It’s a better view and far less crowded than the San Marco bell tower, so we'd highly recommend this one! You'll have to buy tickets at the bell tower ticket office for around 8 euros.
Late Morning: Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
After returning to the main island, head to Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, one of Venice’s hidden gems. This spiral staircase is tucked away in a quiet courtyard and leads to a peaceful rooftop terrace with beautiful views over the city’s terracotta rooftops.
Make sure to book a ticket in advance, we made this mistake and couldn't go up to the rooftop terrace as it was sold out! It costs around 9 euros.
Afternoon: Accademia Bridge & Dorsoduro Wandering
Take a 10 minute walk to Accademia Bridge, one of the most picturesque bridges in Venice. This was our favourite bridge, it was much quieter than Rialto Bridge but it has equally stunning views of the Grand Canal.
Afterward, spend time wandering through Dorsoduro, a charming neighborhood filled with quiet canals, small piazzas and local cafés. There's plenty of beautiful photo spots in the hidden corners of this area.
This would also be a great time to do a Gondola Ride through Venice, so you could see the beautiful canals and bridges from the water. Make sure to book in advance so you know what price to expect!
Sunset: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
As the sun begins to set, head toward the beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. The large, intricate building and its blue doors are incredible and a beautiful photo spot.
Sitting right on the edge of the Grand Canal, this is a magical spot to watch the sunset; the best spot is from the steps of the basilica, looking back towards St. Mark's Square.
Evening: Final Dinner in Dorsoduro (or a Cooking Class Experience!)
End your final night with dinner in Dorsoduro, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving delicious Italian food.
Optional: If you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience, swap dinner for an Italian cooking class, where you'll learn how to prepare traditional dishes with a local chef and enjoy your meal in a relaxed setting.
Is 3 days in Venice enough time?
Yes! Three days in Venice is the perfect amount of time to see the must-visit sights, explore hidden gems and even take a day trip to Burano. You’ll have enough time to experience St. Mark’s Basilica, the Grand Canal and charming neighborhoods like Dorsoduro, without feeling too rushed.
Where to stay for 3 days in Venice?
We stayed in a airbnb in San Marco, which is great for sightseeing as it's close to lots of attractions. Dorsoduro and Cannaregio are also great neighbourhoods that may be a bit quieter and more budget-friendly. Some great options are:
- Gritti Palace (San Marco) – A 5-star hotel set in a historic 16th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal.
- Ca’ Pisani Hotel (Dorsoduro) – A stylish Art Deco boutique hotel in a quieter, artsy neighborhood.
- Al Canal Regio (Cannaregio) – A charming, affordable guesthouse just 750m from Rialto Bridge.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for attractions in this itinerary?
While you don't need to book tickets in advance for any of the attractions mentioned in this itinerary, its definitely recommended as the queues on the day can be extremely long and certain activities may get booked up.
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