Things to do in 

Venice

A city draped in countless canals, iconic gondolas, and architectural wonders, Venice will mesmerize you at every corner. The city's heartbeat is not just in its Piazza San Marco or majestic Doge's palace; it's in its smaller islands with colorful houses, local crafts, and corners whispering stories of centuries past. Exploring the things to do in Venice offers more than sightseeing; it’s about immersing oneself in a slow and rhythmic journey. From seasonal festivals to culinary revelations, Venice invites you to step off the trodden path and experience its vibrant essence and deep-rooted legacy.

Explore Venice off the beaten path

Ease away from the main routes and try alternative things to do, following quiet workshops, small halls, and calm waters where everyday life still sets the rhythm.

Cultural experiences: Row Venice gives you a late-afternoon lesson in a batelina through Cannaregio’s calm canals, just oar and water. Earlier in the day, book a visit to Squero di San Trovaso to watch gondolas repaired the old way.

Small museums and galleries: At Palazzo Mocenigo, nose through the perfume rooms and see how Venetian scents were blended. Casa di Carlo Goldoni is a compact stop with creaky stairs and theatre sketches that pull you into his world. The Scuola Dalmata di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni holds luminous Carpaccios in a peaceful hall that rewards slow looking.

Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Ride the elevator up the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore in the late afternoon for a wide, clean view over the basin. For something quieter, the campanile of San Pietro di Castello is almost empty and frames the Arsenale and lagoon near sunset.

Shop for local products & souvenirs: At Legatoria Piazzesi near Campo Santo Stefano, choose marbled papers and tiny notebooks made by hand. Pop into Gianni Basso Stampatore for letterpress cards with your initials set while you wait. For flavors to pack, Drogheria Mascari near Rialto sells spice blends, grappa, and candied cedar peel locals actually buy.

Popular neighbourhoods

Experience the soul of Venice by navigating through its diverse and striking neighbourhoods. Each is teeming with unique sights, sounds, and sensations waiting to engage you.

San Marco: Immerse yourself in the city's historic heart, home to iconic landmarks like St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.

Dorsoduro: Explore this vibrant artists' district, admired for its bohemian charm, noteworthy galleries, and world-class museums such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Cannaregio: Traverse Venice's largest neighbourhood, with its tranquil canals, vibrant markets, and the historic Jewish Ghetto.

San Polo: Visit this oldest part of Venice, home to ancient churches, local craftsmen’s workshops, and the bustling Rialto Market.

Castello: Discover Venice's largest and most residential district, where the scent of freshly baked bread mingles with the salty sea air.

Things to do in Venice by season

Spring: Slip into quiet sestieri as morning light glints off narrow canals and wisteria spills over brick walls. Time a visit for the Vogalonga, when hundreds of rowers glide past palazzi in a peaceful, paddle-powered procession.

Summer: Ferry to the Lido for a swim and breezy lunches, then join the evening passeggiata as canals cool. July peaks with Festa del Redentore, when fireworks bloom over the lagoon and boats gather for picnics on the water.

Fall: Watch the Regata Storica parade and races sweep down the Grand Canal, all oars flashing beneath historic façades. Softer light flatters photographers, while occasional acqua alta brings raised walkways and a different rhythm to the day.

Winter: See Carnival transform squares with masks, music, and costumed promenades, then warm up with cicchetti in snug bacari. Around Epiphany, spot the playful Regata delle Befane as rowers in witchy garb dash along the Grand Canal.

Venice’s year is punctuated by open-air traditions: Carnevale’s weeks of pageantry, the mid-July Redentore fireworks reflected in the lagoon, the September Regata Storica, and the community-spirited Vogalonga that celebrates rowing culture over motorboats.