Start your day in Piazza San Marco, where the golden domes of St. Mark’s Basilica glint in the morning light. Step inside to see mosaics dating back to the 11th century, then climb the Campanile for panoramic views across the lagoon. Just next door, explore the ornate halls of the Doge’s Palace, where Venice’s rulers once governed the republic, and walk across the Bridge of Sighs, linking the palace to its historic prison cells.

 Beyond the main sights, Venice reveals itself through detail. Visit Scuola Grande di San Rocco, where Tintoretto’s dramatic paintings fill entire ceilings. Wander the quiet galleries of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Dorsoduro for modern art in a peaceful canal-side setting. Explore Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, where works by Titian and Bellini rest among silent tombs and carved chapels.

 Venetian food is rich in local tradition. Try sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour marinated sardines), baccalà mantecato (creamed cod spread on grilled bread), or bigoli in salsa—a thick spaghetti noodle with anchovy and onion. Visit the Rialto Market in the early morning to see fresh fish and vibrant produce from nearby islands. Enjoy cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and a glass of ombra (local wine) in a traditional bàcaro near Campo Santa Margherita in the evening. All’Arco is a popular spot near the Rialto Bridge.

 Leave time to explore Venice’s islands. In Murano, glassblowers shape molten glass into delicate forms, a tradition passed down for centuries. In Burano, rows of colorful houses line quiet canals, and local lace-makers stitch by hand. On Torcello, ancient stone ruins and a peaceful basilica recall the city’s earliest days.

 Venice is full of quiet corners—ivy-covered bridges, sunlit cloisters, weathered churches—each offering space to pause and absorb the city’s rhythm. No visit is complete without a gondola ride at dusk or a private boat tour through lesser-known canals, where silence and water tell their story.

 Venice is just as magical for families. Children will love riding the vaporetto (water bus) along the Grand Canal or counting the lions carved into buildings around the city. Take a mask-making workshop in a traditional Carnival studio or climb the spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo for a unique view over the rooftops. Visit the Naval History Museum in Venice to see historic ships, including a full-sized ceremonial gondola once used by the Doges, detailed maritime maps, model warships, and artifacts that trace Venice’s powerful naval past.