The Perfect 3-Days in Venice Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Updated May 2024

This is your ultimate guide to help you plan an epic 3 Days in Venice Italy.

If you are planning your first trip to Venice, then this 3-Day Venice itinerary is perfect for you!

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world and with 3 days in the city, you'll have just enough time to get better acquainted with the main sights, wander down many narrow Venetian streets, and navigate the canals on a gondola ride.

This guide will help you to plan the most incredible 3 days in Venice, from the main things to do to the essentials including how to get from Venice airport to Venice, how to get around Venice, where to eat and where to stay in Venice.

I visited Venice in 2017 and one thing I distinctively remember is just how busy the city can get especially in the peak tourist season.

So, if you take away one thing from this article, let it be this... try and get up really early and explore the city then, before the mass of tourists descend. You'll really get to see Venice at its best early in the morning; peaceful and almost tranquil.

This post is all about a comprehensive Venice 3-Day Itinerary.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Venice?

The best time to visit Venice is late Spring (May-June) or early Autumn (September-October).

During these months, the average temperatures can vary between 18-26°C, which are comfortable temperatures for doing a bit of sightseeing around the city. There are also less tourists and accommodation tends to be cheaper during this time too.

Winter is also a good time to visit as Venice is at its quietest. Although, this season is noticeably colder than the other seasons and the days are shorter.

The peak tourist season for Venice is in the summer. This doesn't mean that it's necessarily a bad time to visit, but it will be swarmed with tourists and much dearer.

I visited Venice during summer and was surprised to find how quiet the city was early in the morning, between 7-10am. This made it the perfect time to do a bit of sightseeing.

This was a stark contrast to what we experienced at midday in Venice! We found it was so busy, particularly St Mark's square. There was also so much rubbish left behind by visitors, which was a shame to see. So, we used this time to go and visit the other islands and escape the hustle and bustle.

If you take your time to plan your trip to account for the busyness, then you can also make summer a good time to visit Venice.

How To Get From Venice Airport To Venice

The closest airport to Venice is Venice Marco Polo (VCE). There are multiple ways that you can get from Venice Marco Polo to the city including by bus, water bus, taxi or water taxi.

In a rush? Book five of the best options online:

• Bus Transfer From Venice Airport To Venice | book here
• Shared Water Bus Transfer From Venice Airport to Venice | book here
• Taxi Transfer From Venice Airport To Venice | book here
• Shared Water Taxi Transfer From Venice Airport To Venice | book here
• Private Water Taxi Transfer From Venice Airport To Venice | book here

Other airports which are nearby are Venice Treviso (TSF), about 45-minutes from Venice, and Trieste (TRS) and Verona (VRN), both of which are about an hour and a half from Venice.

Bus | The Cheapest Option

To get to Venice by bus from Marco Polo Airport, you can take either the ATVO Express Bus or the ACTV Local Bus Line 5. Both of which are located directly in front of the airport terminal.

The ATVO Express Bus provides a direct connection to Piazzale Roma, the gateway to the city's historic centre. The ATVO only takes 20-25 minutes and it runs until the arrival of the last evening flight.

The ACTV Local Bus Line 5 is a public transport service, which also runs to Piazzale Roma. This bus takes slightly longer than the ATVO, approximately 30 minutes. This is due to it making multiple stops along the way.

Both buses depart every 30 minutes, starting from 4am for the ACTV or 6am for the ATVO from the airport to Piazzale Roma.

Ticket prices for both buses are €8 one-way and €15 for a return. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival in the airport at the automatic ticket machines or at the ticket office.

It might be more convenient for you to book your tickets in advance for the ATVO, which you can do so here.

Water Bus (a.k.a Vaporetto) | The Relaxing Option

The water buses are a large shuttle service, popular with tourists. There are three lines that the water bus takes from the Marco Polo airport to Venice; the Red, Blue and Orange lines. The company that runs these lines is Alilaguna.

All three lines depart every 30 minutes and leave directly from the airport dock to Venice. They make only limited stops at a number of piers in the city, so you might need to change boat or walk to your accommodation.

The red line goes to Lido, and then to San Marco, via the Islands of Murano and La Certosa. The orange line goes to San Marco, via the Cannaregio Canal, then down the Grand Canal of Venice.

The blue line goes to the Venice maritime station Cruise Terminal, via the island of Murano first, then the North of Venice, and then to Lido, Arsenal, San Marco, Zattere and Molino Stucky (Hilton Hotel) on the Giudecca Island.

The Alilaguna water buses cost €15 one-way or €27 for a round-trip ticket. If you buy your tickets in advance here, then the prices are a bit cheaper and it will also guarantee your ticket during the high season.

It is worth noting, the water buses do take at least 90 minutes. However, if it happens to stop close to your accommodation, then it might be the perfect option as it will save you some time walking from the Piazzale Roma, where the land bus will leave you.

Taxi | The Quickest Option

Taxis are available at the entrance of the Marco Polo airport. A taxi from the airport to the Piazzale Roma only takes about 15-20 minutes and will cost about €40 plus fees for luggage. Make sure to confirm the price before you get in!

From Piazzale Roma, you'll need to either walk or take a water taxi to your accommodation.

Water Taxi | The Expensive Option

A water taxi is a motorboat that will take you to the historic centre of Venice and the larger surrounding islands. It is the most stylish and exciting way to reach Venice, albeit the most expensive.

There is a dock at the airport for water taxis, and you can opt to get either a shared water taxi or a private water taxi. A water taxi journey will take about 30 minutes.

A shared water taxi will cost about €35 per person, you can book this in advance here.

Whereas a private water taxi is considerably most expensive, about €120 plus additional charges based on the number of people and travel distance. You can book a private water taxi in advance here.

How To Get Around Venice

There are no cars allowed in the historic centre of Venice. So, if you've brought your car to Venice, then you'll need to park it in one of the many car parks surrounding the Piazzale Roma.

If you took a bus or taxi from the airport, then you'll also likely be dropped off in the Piazzale Roma. From here, you have only two options to get around Venice, either by water or on foot. 

• By Walking

Since the historic centre of Venice is compact, it is easily walkable. Walking is also the cheapest option to navigate around Venice.

One of the best things to do in Venice is to get lost in the city by going wondering down the narrow streets and seeing where you end up. Sounds ominous but you really can stumble upon some beautiful places!

• By Water Bus (a.k.a Vaporetto)

It's quite common in Venice to get a water bus to navigate down the canals and between islands. The main line is service 1, which departs from the Piazzale Roma, travels along the Grand Canal and ends up in Lido. This service departs every 10 minutes.

A single ticket for the water bus costs €7.50, and is valid for an hour and 15 minutes. Whereas a 1-day travel card costs €20 and a 7-day travel card costs €60. You can buy tickets from the vendor machines located at the water bus stops, or from the ticket offices scattered throughout the city.

• By Water Taxi

If convenience and comfort are what you are looking for, then the water taxi is the best way to get around, but it also comes with a high price tag. You can expect to pay €70+ for most water taxi rides within the city centre.

However, it means that you won't have to wait on the water bus schedule and you can instead jump on a water taxi and head to wherever you want, when you want to go. Relax on the spacious leather seats, with open-air seating in the stern as you travel around the city in luxury.

• By Traghetto

Traghetto is a type of gondola service which shuttles people across the Grand Canal. It is a much cheaper option to the typical tourist gondola ride.

Traghetto rides only cost €2 and the service typically runs from 9am to 6pm. It is a very affordable way to get from one part of the city to the other, and also, experience a miniature gondola ride in the process.

Venice doesn't allow the use of Skateboards, Roller Skates or Bikes and you can be issued a big fine if you use any of these methods for transport.

Venice 3-Day Itinerary Overview

Day One - Get Better Acquainted With The City

Intentionally get lost in the streets of Venice

One of the best things to do in Venice is to simply walk around the streets. It's easy to get lost but thats the beauty of Venice, there is always something unexpected around every corner.

The streets will be quieter away from the main tourist spots and you get to really experience the layout of this city by simply wondering. Cafes and restaurants off the beaten track will be cheaper too.

Walk Across The Rialto Bridge And The Grand Canal

The oldest of the four bridges over the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge was first built in 1178.

However, following several collapses, it was reconstructed in the 16th century into the Rialto Bridge you see today. It was built to provide access to Rialto, which was primarily the financial and commercial centre of Venice.

The bridge contains numerous shops and offers amazing views over the Grand Canal. Up until 1854, it was the only place where you could cross the canal on foot.

The Rialto Bridge is so famous around the world that it was even Shakespeare included in his 'Merchants of Venice' play.

Grab A Snack At The Rialto Market

Get a glimpse into the lives of the locals as they do their grocery shopping (and socialising) at the Rialto Market.

The market is located only a stones throw away from the Rialto Bridge and showcases the traditional food of Venice, including fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables.

It's the perfect place to pick up a budget-friendly snack or something more substantial for lunch or even dinner, if you've got cooking facilities in your accommodation.

The market is open every day from 7.30am-1pm, except on a Sunday when it is closed.

You can also go on a guided food and wine tour of the Rialto Market.

Wander Around The Beautiful Libreria Acqua Alta

Hidden along Venice's side streets behind an unassuming facade is the charming Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop. A book lovers paradise!

Here, you'll find books piled high on shelves, in bathtubs and in decommissioned gondolas to protect them from any floods the city might experience.

Shop here between 9am-7.15pm everyday for vintage art, local city guides, postcards, magnets and more. Make sure you look out for the two cats that guard the books!

Appreciate The Scale Of St Mark's Square

St Mark's Square (a.k.a Piazza San Marco) is the place you want to be. This square is the heart of Venice and is considered one of the finest squares in the world. Even Napoleon famously referred to it as the "drawing room of Europe".

Four of Venice's major tourist attractions are found in St Mark's Square including the St Mark's Basilica, St Mark's Campanile, St Mark's Clocktower and Doge's Palace.

Be prepared for St Mark's Square to get very busy about midday, try to get there earlier before the crowds descend.

If you visit Venice in Autumn or Winter, the square can sometimes be flooded.

Explore The Inside Of St Mark's Basilica

St Mark's Basilica is the cathedral church of the Patriarchate of Venice, located on St Mark's Square. It's one of the most famous landmarks in Venice.

The basilica was built in the 9th century AD as a place to house the body of St Mark the Evangelist, one of the four apostles.

His body was stolen from Egypt by merchants from Venice. They managed to sneak it past the guards, but were nearly killed in a storm at sea.

During the storm, an apparition of St Mark appeared and apparently saved them from a shipwreck. The entire story is pictured on the 13th-century mosaic above the left door as you enter the basilica. Keep an eye out for it, when you visit!

The church is open everyday from 9.30am-5.15pm and it costs €3 to enter. You can also buy skip-the-line tickets, which I would highly recommend as the queues for the basilica get very long!

Buy your tickets for St Mark's Basilica in advance here.

To enter the church, you need to check your bag in at the luggage storage and cover your shoulders and knees.

Climb the St Mark's Campanile

St Mark's Campanile is the bell tower of the St Mark's basilica. Standing at 98.6 metres tall, the bell tower dominates the Venice skyline and offers incredible panoramic views over the city.

In 1902, St Mark's Campanile collapsed; luckily no one was hurt and the basilica wasn't damaged. It was rebuilt in 1912 into the bell tower you see today.

A ticket to St Mark's Campanile will cost around €10 and you can take an elevator right to the top. It's open from 9.30am-9.15pm, so it's the perfect place to watch the sunset.

Admire The St Mark's Clock Tower

When facing the St Mark's Basilica, the St Mark's Clock Tower is situated to the left of it. The clock is an incredible piece of 15th century engineering.

It not only displays the time but also, the phase of the moon and the dominant sign of the Zodiac. Rumour has it, that the clock was considered so beautiful, that the clockmakers who made it were subsequently blinded so they could not make another to rival its beauty. Bit extreme in my opinion!

You can book a one-hour guided tour to see the clock in action. A ticket will cost you €14.

Hear About The Dodgy Dealings At The Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace was built in the early 14th century in a Venetian Gothic style. It is even just worth seeing the architecture of the exterior of the building as it is absolutely beautiful!

The Doge's Palace was once the home of the ruler of Venice (the Doge) and the seat of the Venetian government. Inside the palace, you'll find one of the biggest rooms in Europe, the Great Council Chamber.

To visit the Doge's Palace, it will cost you €25/30 depending on how far in advance that you've book your ticket. You can book your ticket in advance here.

Through the spring and summer season, the palace is open from 9am-7pm.

The Doge's Palace also connects to the bridge of spies, and contains secret passageways, interrogation rooms and torture rooms.

The palace contains a multitude of dark secrets and you can learn all about them on their 'secret itineraries' tour. They also run a Hidden Doge's Treasure tour.

Both tours cost €32 and are accompanied by specialised guides. It's worth noting that these tours only runs at certain times of the day and take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Your ticket to Doge's Palace also gives you access to Museo Correr.

Learn About The History Of The Bridge Of Sighs

A rather dark history surrounds the Bridge of Sighs. It was built in the 1600s as part of the Doge's Palace prison complex. Convicts had to cross the bridge from the Doge's interrogation rooms to the new prison once they had received their sentence.

Its name derives from the audible sighs let out by the prisoners as they caught one last glimpse of beautiful Venice before walking towards their fate. Thankfully, today its architecture is the main reason people marvel at it.

For Magnificent Views Visit The Campanile At The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is found on an island bearing the same name. It is one of the most photographed basilicas in Venice. The church has three floors showcasing various paintings by Tintoretto.

To reach the island, you'll need to get the line 2 vaporetto, which departures from both the Piazzale Roma and San Marco San Zaccaria.

The church is free to visit and is open every day from 9am-7pm. You can also climb to the top of the campanile, which costs €6. The views from here are incredible and so worth it! On a clear day, you can see over to the main island and even as far as to the Dolomite mountains.

You can book an epic tour of the Grand Canal, San Giorgio Maggiore island and climb the bell tower.

Go On A Gondola Ride Down The Grand Canal

If you are only planning on being in Venice once, I would suggest you go on a gondola ride through the city. Not going on a gondola in Venice is equivalent to not going up the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Don't get me wrong, I understand a gondola ride in Venice is really expensive and yes, it's a bit of a novelty but it does offer a different perspective on the city and you get to appreciate the network of canals through the city.

You can expect to pay €90 for a private 30-minute tour. The more of you on the gondola, it will obviously cut down your price per person. We had 5 of us, so it worked out as €16, which is a much more palatable price. Except to pay slightly more for a sunset tour or night time tour.

Book your private gondola ride along the Grand Canal here.

Watch A Show At The Teatro La Fenice

The Teatro La Fenice is a well-renowned and prestigious opera house in Venice. The opera house was first opened in the 18th century, but has been rebuilt and restored multiple times over the years.

Make sure to check the opera house timetable to see if there is a show on during your visit to Venice. It really is the perfect place to witness a world-class opera performance within an incredibly beautiful setting.

If you aren't able to get tickets to a show, you can take a tour of the building with an audio guide for €12 here.

Day Two - Explore The City's Museums And Churches

Gaze Upon The Beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (a.k.a Salute) is a Roman Catholic Church sitting at the entrance of the Grand Canal.

The name translated means 'Saint Mary of Health' and derives from the fact that the basilica was built to celebrate the end of the plague in Venice, which killed a third of the city's population.

The church is a unique octagonal shape with a spectacular dome. Inside it houses 12 works by Titian.

It costs nothing to visit the basilica, but there are fees for entering the dome, sacristy or the art gallery. The basilica is open every day from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5.30pm.

Admire Some Of The Best Art In The World At The Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection was the former home of American art collector, Peggy Guggenheim, and is a must-see whilst in Venice.

The museum now showcases some of the best art of the 20th century, most of which was collected by Peggy herself. Here, you'll stumble upon masterpieces by Picasso, Dalí, Pollock, and many more famous artists.

The museum is open from 10am-6pm daily (except on Tuesdays, when it is closed). A ticket costs €16 and a visit takes about 2-3 hours.

Book a private tour of the Peggy Guggenheim museum with specialised guide here.

Visit The Gallerie dell’Accademia

The Gallerie dell'Accademia is a prestigious art gallery, showcasing Venetian paintings and works, dating back to the 14th-18th centuries. Artists include Tintoretto, Bellini, Carpaccio, Veronese and many more.

A ticket for the museum costs €15, and the museum is open from 8.15am-2pm on Monday, and from 8.15am-7.15pm every other day of the week. It typically takes 1-2 hours to visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia.

Whilst you are in the area, you should walk over the Ponte dell'Accademia, one of the four bridges which span the Grand Canal.

Book a private tour to the Accademia Gallery and Dorsoduro here.

Step Back Into 18th Century Venice At Ca' Rezzonico

Situated on the Grand Canal, the Ca' Rezzonico is a palatial building dating back to the 17th-century. The palace was commissioned by the Bon family, one of Venice's most noble and well-renowned families, and designed by the best architects of the time.

Now Ca' Rezzonico houses a collection of paintings, sculptures and furniture from the 18th-century, giving an insight into the style of that era. The museum also houses a gondola and a small old pharmacy.

An adult ticket costs €10 and it takes between 2-3 hours to tour the building. It is open from 10am-6pm on Wednesday through to Monday (8pm on Saturdays), and closed on Tuesdays.

Marvel At The Outstanding Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Built in the 15th century, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco building was formally used by a Venetian religious guild.

Nowadays, it is a museum which you can visit to admire the beautiful architecture and Tintoretto's renaissance paintings which cover the ceilings and walls.

The museum consists of only two main rooms and some smaller rooms, so a visit typically takes less than 30 minutes.

Tickets are €10 and you can also get an audio guide for an additional €3, which helps give you an insight into the history of the guild. The museum is open from 9.30am-5.30pm, Monday through Saturday (4pm on a Monday) and 2pm-5.30pm on a Sunday.

Occasionally, the museum hosts the most atmospheric classical or choral concerts, check their website to see if there is an upcoming show during your visit.

Gaze Upon Titian's Masterpieces At The Basilica Di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica Di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (a.k.a Frari) is one of the largest churches in Venice. The church was built in the 15th century, and its campanile, which is the second tallest in the city, was built in the 14th century.

You might find the exterior to be a bit plain, however the interior of the church is well worth a visit.

Inside the church, you will find the tomb of Titian, one of Venice's greatest painters, and also, the Italian sculptor, Canova is buried here. It also houses some of Titian's best art works.

It is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday (5.30pm on Saturday) and Sunday from 1pm-5.30pm. To enter the church costs €5.

Explore The Cannaregio District

Cannaregio is one of Venice's six districts and the perfect place to escape the crowds.

A lively neighbourhood which gives you a real authentic insight in the daily lives of many Venetians. There's a lot to see and do here as well as many great places to stop off for food and a buzzing nightlife.

Wander through the streets of Cannaregio, and take time to visit the Jewish Museum of Venice and the Jewish Ghetto, which consists of interconnected islands containing five historic synagogues.

Book a Jewish Ghetto and Synagogue walking tour here.

Day Three - Go Island Hopping

Learn About Glass-Making In Murano

The island of Murano is located just 1.5km away from the historic centre of Venice. The island is famous for its glass making. In fact the glass made on Murano was so popular back in the day that the glassmakers weren't allowed to leave the island and were treated like royalty.

If you want to learn more about the Murano glass and how it's made, you should visit the Murano Glass museum. A ticket to the museum will cost you €10.

To get to Murano from Venice, you can take a water bus or water taxi. You can get the water bus from Fondamenta Nove, and take lines 4.1, 4.2, 12 and 13. It will only take about 8-10 minutes to reach Murano.

Book a private tour of Murano and Burano here.

Let The Colourful Houses In Burano Brighten Your Day

The Island of Burano is located 7km from the historic centre of Venice and it is known for its lace-making as well as its colourful houses.

Murano and Burano are both ideal options to escape to during midday when the historic centre of Venice gets really crowded.

To get to Burano, take the water bus line 12 from Fondamenta Nove. It will take about 45-minutes to reach Burano.

Book a private tour of Murano and Burano here.

Visit The Scarcely Populated Island Of Torcello

The Island of Torcello only has a permanent residential population of only 15 people, but it is still worth visiting, especially if you want to escape the crowds.

The island has two main attractions to visit: the Museum of Torcello and the Church Of Santa Maria di Assunta, which was founded in the 7th Century.

To get to Torcello, take the water bus line 12 from Fondamenta Nove to Burano and then, switch to line 9 to Torcello. It will take about 1-hour in total to reach Torcello, including the stop-off in Burano.

Visit all three islands, Murano, Burano and Torcello, on this tour.

Where To Eat In Venice?

5 Top-Rated Cafes In Venice

• Torrefazione Cannaregio (£) - This beautiful artesian coffee shop serves up delicious coffees, using beans sourced from all over the world. There's also a selection of cakes and focaccias, as well as afternoon tea.
• Pasticceria Rizzardini (£) - The oldest pastry shop in all of Venice. This tiny shop has been in operation since 1942. It is the perfect place to grab yourself a coffee and a delicious pastry, everything from croissants to donuts.
• Brunch Cafe (££) - A lovely cafe located near the Rialto Bridge, serving American brunch options including fluffy pancakes.
• Hard Rock Cafe (£££) - A global food chain with more than 185 restaurants worldwide. The Hard Rock Cafe in Venice overlooks the gondolas and primarily focuses on lunch and dinner options, with occasional live music.
• Caffè Florian (££££) - An iconic Venetian cafe dating back to the 18th century. It is very pricey but with incredible architecture, views over the famous St. Mark's square and exceptional service, it is worth a visit even if it's just for a coffee.

5 Top-Rated Restaurants In Venice

• Dal Moro's (£) - The perfect place for a budget-friendly lunch on the go! Here you can find fresh pasta, a selection of made-to-order pasta sauces and extra toppings to choose from.
• Pizza al Volo (£) - An unassuming pizzeria located on a small square near the centre. It's open from 10am-2am, so you can grab a slice of pizza on the go for lunch, dinner or for a late night snack.
• Bacaro Quebrado (££) - A typical Venetian tavern with outdoor seating, serving small plates and pasta dishes.
• Rio Novo (£££) - Located by the canal, this lovely restaurant has an array of seafood, pasta and pizza dishes.
• Ristorante Riviera (££££) - A fine-dining restaurant with incredible views over the canal, exceptional service and fresh food.

Where To Stay In Venice?

All the options below were chosen with peak season in mind and two people sharing.

Budget (£0-£100 per night)

Mid (£100-£200 per night)

High-end (£200+ per night)

This post is all about a 3-Day Venice Itinerary.

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Kirsty x‌

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