Venice in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary
Contents
In short: day 1, St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal by vaporetto; day 2, the Rialto, Dorsoduro and its museums; day 3, the islands of Murano and Burano, then Cannaregio in the evening. Get up early: Venice is magical before the day-trippers arrive.
Before you go: what to book
- The Doge’s Palace: book online, as queues can be long in high season.
- St Mark’s Basilica: entry is possible without booking, but a booked slot avoids the queue.
- The access fee: check it for your dates; if you stay overnight in Venice, remember to register.
Always check opening days and times on the official websites: they can change.
Day 1: St Mark’s and the Grand Canal
Morning: St Mark’s Square. Arrive early in St Mark’s Square, before the crowds. Visit the basilica, with its domes and golden mosaics, then climb the campanile for the view over the lagoon.
Midday: the Doge’s Palace. Explore the Doge’s Palace, former seat of power of the Venetian Republic, and cross under the Bridge of Sighs to the old prisons.
Afternoon: the lanes of San Marco. Get lost in the lanes and little bridges between St Mark’s and the Rialto: the best way to discover the city.
Evening: the Grand Canal by vaporetto. Take vaporetto line 1, which slowly travels the whole Grand Canal past the palaces, at sunset.
Day 2: the Rialto and Dorsoduro
Morning: the Rialto market. Start with the Rialto market, lively in the morning, then cross the Rialto Bridge.
Midday: Dorsoduro. Head to Dorsoduro, the district of museums and students: the Accademia galleries or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, depending on your taste.
Afternoon: the Salute and the Zattere. Visit the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, at the mouth of the Grand Canal, then stroll along the sunny Zattere quays facing the Giudecca.
Evening: a spritz and cicchetti. In the evening, do as Venetians do: a spritz and cicchetti, small bites, in a local bacaro.
Day 3: Murano, Burano and Cannaregio
Morning: Murano. Take the vaporetto to Murano, the glassblowers’ island: workshops and the Glass Museum.
Midday: Burano. Continue to Burano and its brightly coloured houses, the island of lace; have lunch there.
Afternoon: back across the lagoon. Return in the late afternoon and enjoy the crossing of the lagoon.
Evening: Cannaregio and the Ghetto. Finish in quieter Cannaregio, with the Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe, and the lively Misericordia quays.
A fourth day? Day trips
- Torcello, the oldest island in the lagoon, and its mosaic-filled basilica.
- The Lido, for the beach.
- Verona or Padua, by train.
Our tips to make the most of 3 days
- Start early: St Mark’s and the Rialto are much nicer before 10 am.
- Travel light: you carry your bags over bridges and steps.
- Get a vaporetto pass if you plan several boat trips.
- In winter, acqua alta (high water) can flood some areas: follow the alerts.
- Respect local rules: no swimming in the canals and no picnics on monument steps.
Where to stay for these 3 days
San Marco or Cannaregio are ideal for this itinerary, Dorsoduro for a quieter feel. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Venice. To go further, see Things to do in Venice.
Frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough to visit Venice?
Three days cover the essentials: St Mark's, the Grand Canal, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio and the islands of Murano and Burano. Add a day for Torcello, the Lido or Verona.
Do you have to pay to enter Venice?
On certain days, day-trippers must pay an access fee; if you stay overnight in Venice, you are exempt but must register. Check the dates on the official website.
How do you get around Venice?
On foot and by vaporetto (water bus). A multi-day pass is handy if you plan to take the boat often.