My Favourite Things to Do in Venice (Beyond the Tourist Spots)

February 19, 2026

Most People Only See 30% of Venice… Here’s the Rest

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Venice is one of those places people love to hate on… and honestly, I get why. My first visit was in peak season, and it was busy, chaotic, and at times overwhelming. Being in those tight streets with crowds on a hot day can get a bit much after a few hours.

The city, however, is undeniably beautiful, so I always knew I’d go back and try again.

I returned in winter, stayed a couple of nights, and everything changed.

This second trip completely shifted how I feel about Venice. It was quieter, moodier, wrapped in fog and winter light, and felt far more local once we stepped away from the main sights. Staying overnight made a huge difference too. Early mornings and evenings felt calm and almost magical, especially compared to the middle of the day when cruise passengers and day-trippers arrive.

If you’ve ever heard people say Venice is overrated, I genuinely think they either:

Visited at the wrong time, or
Never left the main tourist trail

This guide covers the best things to do in Venice, mixing iconic sights with quieter experiences, food, neighbourhoods, and day trips, plus practical tips from my own visit to help you enjoy the city properly.

⏰ Short on time?

Hotels with canal views in Venice

($$) Hotel Antiche Figure
($$$) Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
($$$) Aman Venice

Get these Skip-The-Line tickets
St. Mark’s Basilica
Doge’s Palace
Cicchetti food tours

Get around with
Vaporetto (water bus) ticket

Must do activity
Grand Canal Gondola Ride

Day trip you can’t miss
Murano, Burano & Torcello Boat Tour & Guide

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St Mark’s Basilica & Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice and, yes, it’s busy. But it’s also one of the most impressive squares in Europe. I spent time here just wandering, taking in the architecture, and watching the light change across the square.

I only admired St Mark’s Basilica from the outside on this trip, but if it’s your first time, I’d absolutely recommend going inside if you have the time. The mosaics, the Pala d’Oro, and the terrace views over the square are meant to be incredible.

👉 If you’re short on time, I’d recommend booking skip-the-line tickets in advance, especially outside winter, to avoid long queues

You can also climb the Campanile di San Marco for panoramic views across Venice. It’s one of the best viewpoints in the city and surprisingly easy thanks to the elevator.

Churches & Spiritual Sites

Venice has an incredible number of historic churches. If you plan to visit several, the Chorus Pass can save money.

Some of the most impressive include:

Santa Maria della Salute – dramatic Baroque architecture on the Grand Canal
Santa Maria dei Miracoli – a marble-clad gem
Madonna dell’Orto – connected to Tintoretto
San Giorgio Maggiore – beautiful views and calm atmosphere

Doge’s Palace & the Bridge of Sighs

The Doge’s Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in Venice and well worth visiting. Walking through the ornate halls and learning about Venice’s political history gives you a much better understanding of how powerful the city once was.

The visit also includes crossing the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to the old prison.

👉 I’d recommend booking a skip-the-line or guided ticket here, especially if you want access to the secret itineraries and prison cells

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

I didn’t make it here this time, but if you enjoy modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the best museums in Venice. It features works by Picasso, Dalí, and Kandinsky, all housed in a beautiful palazzo along the Grand Canal.

👉 Pre-booking tickets is recommended here, especially outside winter

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of Venice’s most recognisable sights. It’s always busy, but it’s still worth seeing for the views over the Grand Canal.

We stayed a little outside the main tourist area at Casanova Fourrooms, which meant we crossed this bridge a few times during our stay. I didn’t mind it at all, seeing it at different times of day made it feel completely different each time.

Rialto Market & Food Tours

Food tours that combine Rialto Market visits with tastings are popular for a reason. You get insight into local dishes like sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato, and Venetian seafood without having to guess where to go.

Gondola Ride (Worth It Once)

I did a gondola ride on my first trip to Venice and skipped it this time. It’s expensive and touristy, but I still think it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Prices are city-regulated, so you won’t get ripped off, but it’s still a splurge. If it’s your first visit and it fits your budget, I’d do it once and then rely on the vaporetto for the rest of your stay.

Vaporetto Ride on the Grand Canal

One of my favourite things to do in Venice is simply hopping on the vaporetto (water bus). It’s practical, affordable, and gives you a front-row seat to Venice’s palaces.

Line 1 runs the full length of the Grand Canal and feels like a slow sightseeing cruise. If you’re deciding between a gondola ride and saving money, this is the best alternative.

👉 A multi-day vaporetto pass is well worth it if you’re staying overnight and moving around the city a lot

Hotels with canal views in Venice

($$) Hotel Antiche Figure
($$$) Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
($$$) Aman Venice

San Giorgio Maggiore Viewpoint

For one of the best views in Venice, take the vaporetto over to San Giorgio Maggiore. You can head up the bell tower for sweeping views over the lagoon and back toward Piazza San Marco.

It’s far less crowded than the main bell tower and feels like a bit of a hidden gem.

Teatro La Fenice

Even if you’re not attending a performance, touring Teatro La Fenice is worth it. The opera house has been rebuilt multiple times after fires and remains one of the most elegant buildings in Venice.

Cicchetti & Bacari (Venetian Tapas)

If you do one food-related thing in Venice, make it cicchetti. These small bar snacks are served in local wine bars called bacari, usually paired with a spritz or a small glass of wine.

We paid around €4 for a spritz, hopped between bars, and kept things casual. Cannaregio is a great area for this and feels much more local than the touristy centre.

👉 A guided cicchetti or food tour is a great option if it’s your first time and you want help finding authentic spots

Gallerie dell’Accademia

If you want to understand Venetian art properly, this museum is a must. It showcases masterpieces from the 14th to 18th centuries and sits right near the Accademia Bridge, another great photo spot.

Mask-Making Workshops

Venetian masks are iconic, and joining a mask-making workshop is a great way to connect with local craftsmanship. These are especially popular in winter and around Carnival season.

Cannaregio & the Jewish Ghetto

Cannaregio is one of the best neighbourhoods to explore if you want a more local vibe. It’s also home to the Jewish Ghetto, the first of its kind in the world, established in 1516.
This area feels slower, more residential, and far less touristy.

Dorsoduro & Castello

Dorsoduro has a relaxed, student-friendly feel with great canal views, while Castello offers quiet streets, churches, and green spaces. Both are ideal if you want to escape the crowds.