Best Things to Do:
- 1. Top 12 Venice Attractions Including Map
- 2. Entry Fee for Venice
- 3. Top 12 Attractions in Venice You Must See
- 4. Map of the Key Attractions in Venice
- 5. 1. St. Mark's Square
- 6. 2. St. Mark's Basilica
- 7. 3. Rialto Bridge
- 8. 4. Burano
- 9. 5. Doge's Palace
- 10. 6. Bridge of Sighs
- 11. 7. Grand Canal
- 12. 8. Carnival in Venice
- 13. 9. Gondola Ride
- 14. 10. Lido di Venezia
- 15. 11. Santa Maria della Salute
- 16. 12. Scuola Grande di San Marco
- 17. Also Visit the Attractions in Venice
Top 12 Venice Attractions Including Map
Venice stands for romance, canals, and a lot of history. The lagoon city in northern Italy offers so many sights on a city trip that everyone will find something worthwhile here. Palaces, churches, and bridges give the city its historic character. We will show you which attractions in Venice you must visit.
Take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal and stand on the impressive St. Mark's Square. A visit to Venice fulfills these wishes. However, the lagoon city and capital of Veneto boasts many more highlights. Here are the top 12 attractions in Venice, with all the information you need for a city trip. We provide you with prices, opening hours, and other valuable tips. This way, you can explore Venice very well on your own.
Entry Fee for Venice
Since April 18, 2025, day visitors in Venice must pay an entrance fee on 54 selected days between mid-April and the end of July, each day from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Entrance fee: starting from 5 euros when booked in advance
- Last-minute booking (less than 3 days in advance): 10 euros
- Payment: online via a QR code that needs to be downloaded to your phone beforehand
- Without a valid code during inspection: fines up to 300 euros
Top 12 Attractions in Venice You Must See
Map of the Key Attractions in Venice
The following map shows you the attractions in Venice at a glance:
1. St. Mark's Square
Welcome to the pulsating heart of Venice: the impressive St. Mark's Square. This central plaza is the number one tourist magnet in the lagoon city. Stretching 175 meters long and 82 meters wide, St. Mark's Square is labeled a piazza as it's the only square in the city that has been paved from the beginning. All other squares are called campi, originally unpaved spaces. St. Mark's Square is mainly a city hotspot due to the many attractions located here.
Here stand the St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile, the Doge's Palace, and the square is directly along the Grand Canal. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe; Napoleon famously called it the 'finest drawing room in Europe.' Even though St. Mark's Square is bustling with tourists and pigeons, you should not miss this impressive plaza.
Information and tips about St. Mark's Square:
- Location: in the San Marco district, directly at the Grand Canal
- Admission price: free
- Opening hours: open daily, 24 hours
- Vacation Guru Tip: If you're planning a city trip to Venice, check the water level in the city beforehand. Since St. Mark's Square is located directly by the water and is only slightly above sea level, it often experiences flooding.
2. St. Mark's Basilica
The Basilica di San Marco is one of the impressive buildings located at St. Mark's Square. It is the most important church in the city and for that reason alone deserves a spot on this list. In 832 AD, a church was already built at this site for the relics of Saint Mark; however, it fell victim to a fire, and in the 11th century, the basilica was erected in its place. It is also referred to as the Golden Basilica. Look at the magnificent interior and the domes, and you will understand where its name comes from. The church is not only a former holy site but also a monument to splendor and opulence. The mosaics, some of which are original but most are restorations, will surely make your eyes shine.
Information and tips about the basilica:
- Location: in the San Marco district
- Admission price Basilica: free
- Admission price Pala d'Oro, treasury, museum: €2
- Admission price Campanile: €15
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:35 AM - 5:00 PM
- Info: You may only enter the basilica with shoulders and legs covered.
- Vacation Guru Tip: Be sure to book a skip-the-line ticket to shorten your wait time. The basilica is always well-visited, and there are often long queues.
3. Rialto Bridge
The landmark of Venice is undoubtedly the Rialto Bridge. The massive stone bridge stretches across the Grand Canal. It is 48 meters long, 22 meters wide, and took three years to build. On one hand, it is quite large, and on the other hand, stone bridges at that time were not common; they were mainly made of wood. But to prevent the Rialto Bridge from rotting or burning, it was built from stone. It was meant to better control traffic on the Grand Canal, which is why its vertical clearance is 7.50 meters. The bridge is named after the Rialto area, a neighborhood in San Polo that was once the most important trading district in Venice.
If you want to take a typical tourist photo, definitely do it on the Rialto Bridge. However, you won't be alone at this landmark except perhaps in the early morning. By the way, if you head north along the Grand Canal, you'll reach the Mercato di Rialto, the Rialto market, which was the city's former trading center.
Information and tips about the Rialto Bridge:
- Location: on the Grand Canal in the San Polo district
- Admission price: free
- Opening hours: open daily, 24 hours
- Vacation Guru Tip: If you don't want to spend exorbitant prices for food and drinks, don't be lured by the restaurants and eateries. Prices at the Rialto Bridge are steep. It's better to head to other neighborhoods for food and drinks.
4. Burano
Although Burano is not located in Venice, it is still a beautiful excursion destination that you should visit from Venice. Burano is considered the prettiest sister of the lagoon city and is about three-quarters of an hour away by boat. We promise you, you have never seen a more colorful island! If you love bright colors, you will immediately fall in love with Burano. The houses shine in yellow, green, blue, and every other color you can imagine. Even in gray weather, the island can bring a smile to your face. In our own article about the small island, you can find all the important information about Burano and why it is the most colorful island in the world.
- Vacation Guru Tip: To explore Burano, you can book a guide who will show you all the important sights and explain them. Alternatively, you can take a Vaporetto (water bus) and discover the island on your own.
5. Doge's Palace
Another world-famous building of the lagoon city is the Doge's Palace. It is the former seat of the head of state, the Doge of Venice, and today is an impressive complex at St. Mark's Square. The Palazzo Ducale, as the Doge's Palace is known in Italian, must be on your sightseeing list.
It is not only impressive from the outside. Inside, you will be captivated by its splendor. Magnificent rooms with stuccos, golden elements, and beautiful paintings will transport you back in time. A rather oppressive atmosphere awaits you in the prison and in the corridors that connect the Doge's Palace with the former prison. Walk through the secret passages and find out how the prisoners must have felt.
Finally, the courtyard of the Doge's Palace will leave you with fantastic impressions. The current Doge's Palace dates from the 14th century. The original buildings had to be rebuilt after fires.
Information and tips about the Doge's Palace:
- Location: at St. Mark's Square in the San Marco district
- Admission price: Online ticket €25 (price includes entry to additional museums)
- Opening hours: open daily from 9 AM - 7 PM
- Vacation Guru Tip: You should definitely book your ticket in advance so that you don't waste too much time in the queue.
6. Bridge of Sighs
If you have a ticket for the Doge's Palace, you gain automatic access to the Bridge of Sighs. It connects the Doge's Palace with the new prison and stretches eleven meters over the Rio di Palazzo. The construction of the bridge started in 1600 and took two to three years. It is rumored that the bridge received its name because prisoners sighed as they cast one last glance at freedom while crossing.
The eight-meter wide bridge has two passages. This way, it was ensured that already sentenced individuals and those still awaiting trial did not meet.
Information and tips about the Bridge of Sighs:
- Location: at St. Mark's Square in the San Marco district, over the Rio di Palazzo
- Viewing from the outside: free
- Viewing from the inside: Online ticket €25 for the Doge's Palace (price includes entry to additional museums)
- Opening hours of the Doge's Palace: open daily from 9 AM - 7 PM
- Vacation Guru Tip: If you want to take a great photo of the Bridge of Sighs, you must head to the Ponte della Paglia. But be careful, this bridge can get very crowded!
7. Grand Canal
The main artery of the lagoon city of Venice is the Grand Canal. The main waterway winds its way completely through the city center and divides it into two parts. The Grand Canal is the northernmost arm of the Brenta River, measuring a total of four kilometers in length but only up to five meters deep. At its widest point, the largest canal in Venice is 70 meters wide and at its narrowest point, it is 30 meters wide. Numerous other smaller canals flow into it.
The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with beautiful palaces and imposing churches. It is also spanned by four bridges, of which the Rialto Bridge is the oldest. If you want a view of the water, you should come here.
A must in Venice is a boat ride on the Grand Canal. For this, you should take the Vaporetto, a water bus, Line 1. It starts at St. Mark's Square and ends at Santa Lucia train station. The ride across the whole Grand Canal takes about 30 minutes, and the Vaporetto stops at every station along this route.
Information and tips about the Grand Canal:
- Boat tour: from St. Mark's Square to Santa Lucia train station
- Vaporetto Line 1
- Travel time: approx. 30 minutes
- ACTV Ticket price: Single ticket (valid for 75 min) €9.50, Day ticket €25, 2-Day ticket €35, 3-Day ticket €45, 7-Day ticket €65
8. Carnival in Venice
A grand festival and a magnet for tourists from all over the world is the Carnival in Venice. In the past, it was a traditional city festival that resembled an impressive masquerade ball. Customs such as egg throwing, a rather rude custom towards women, have been added. Today, other customs primarily aimed at entertaining tourists have developed, and the former masquerade ball has transformed into an impressive fashion show.
The Venetian Carnival begins with the Angel's Flight, in which an artist descends from the 99-meter high Campanile onto the marketplace. Parades, shows, and costume competitions take place spread over the ten days. While strolling through the alleys, you can not only admire the beautiful costumes but also taste various specialties. If you want to read more about the Carnival in Venice, you can do so in our travel magazine.
- Carnival in Venice 2026: February 7 - 17, 2025
9. Gondola Ride
In Venice, gondola rides are the epitome of romance. A ride on a gondola is a must for lovers or for anyone wanting to explore Venice from the water side. But be careful: To enjoy the romantic experience, you should pay attention to one thing. You can take a gondola ride alone or share one with other tourists. A gondola typically accommodates six people.
If you want to listen to romantic music during your gondola ride, you can hire musicians for an extra fee. Pass under the Bridge of Sighs. Legend has it that if a couple kisses under the bridge at sunset, their love will last forever. You can book a gondola ride online before your city trip, or you can buy a ticket on-site.
If you want to avoid crowds during your gondola ride, you should probably avoid cruising on the Grand Canal and also refrain from buying a ticket at or around St. Mark's Square. It gets very crowded there during high season. Additionally, you should try negotiating with the gondoliers if you buy your ticket on location.
Information about gondola rides in Venice:
- Prices: €32-40 per person (depending on provider, route, time of day, and number of people in the gondola)
- Duration: approx. 30 minutes, longer for an extra fee
- Vacation Guru Tip: You can get the Venice City Pass. This includes not only entry to many attractions but also provides a free gondola ride.
- Note: Over time, gondola rides have lost some of their romantic appeal, as many tourists see them as overpriced, short, and mass-produced. If you are not a fan of typical tourist highlights, you likely won't enjoy a gondola ride either!
- Book your unforgettable gondola ride here
10. Lido di Venezia
If you long for a little break from the bustling Venice, we recommend Lido di Venezia. It is a narrow island located in the lagoon of Venice. Here you can lay on the beach, take a deep breath, and process your impressions from the pulsating lagoon city. In the past, there were only a few residents here; nowadays, Lido is a popular seaside resort featuring numerous luxury hotels. To explore the area, you can rent a bicycle and let your soul unwind while cycling. The international film festival, the oldest film festival in the world, takes place here every year.
Information and tips about Lido di Venezia:
- Getting there: by Vaporetto (water taxi)
- Location: only about 10 minutes away by water taxi
11. Santa Maria della Salute
A striking feature of Venice's skyline is the Baroque church Santa Maria della Salute. This baroque gem is worth a visit and tells you the story of its past.
At that time, a plague epidemic was raging in Venice, costing thousands of lives. In order to finally end the epidemic, Nicolò Contarini, the then Doge, vowed to the Madonna in 1630 to build the church of Santa Maria della Salute. Thus, he asked her to end the plague. A tender was issued for this construction, which architect Baldassare Longhena won. He worked on the church for almost his entire life, which is now considered one of Venice's landmarks.
Inside the votive church, you will find an elegant white marble floor, impressive altars, and many paintings by various artists. In the sacristy, you will find paintings by the artist Titian. The basilica is also beautiful to behold from the outside with its octagonal floor plan.
Information and tips about Santa Maria della Salute:
- Location: Dorsoduro 1, 30123 Venice/at the entrance to the Grand Canal
- Admission price to the church: free
- Admission price to the sacristy: adults €4, students and seniors €2, children under 10 years free
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 5:30 PM, Sun 9 AM - 5:30 PM
- Vacation Guru Tip: If you want to participate in a traditional celebration of Santa Maria della Salute, you should plan your Venice city trip around November 21. Every year on this date, a bridge is built across the Grand Canal over which a procession travels to the church.
12. Scuola Grande di San Marco
The Scuola Grande di San Marco is not, as the name might suggest, a school, but rather the designation of a former brotherhood. It is now regarded as the most famous brotherhood of former Venice. The former house of the brotherhood is now an attraction in Venice that you definitely must visit. Even the beautiful façade will leave you in awe. The building shines in the style of Venetian Early Renaissance.
The original building succumbed to fire, like many buildings in the lagoon city did in the past, in 1485. The construction of the new building began in 1488. Until Napoleon prohibited the brotherhoods, except for one, the Scuola Grande di San Marco resided in this building. Since 1829, it has been Venice's civil hospital.
Information and tips about the Scuola Grande di San Marco:
- Location: Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, 30122 Venice, next to the church of San Zanipolo
- Admission price: adults €8, students and visitors under 26 years €6, free for children under 12 years accompanied by adults and for people with disabilities
- Opening hours: Tue-Sat 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Also Visit the Attractions in Venice
Some of the most important attractions in Italy are located in the lagoon city of Venice. Therefore, there is no question as to why you should definitely visit the city with its many canals. St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge-all these sights carry a great part of Venice's history and want to tell it to you. Depending on which attractions and activities you want to see and do in the lagoon city, the Venice City Pass is worth it. You pay one price and have free entry to many attractions in Venice. Are you excited to discover the lagoon city in Italy on a city trip? Here you will find suitable offers!