Bucket list trip:
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Venice to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
Editor note – Nicky has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Venice destination guide.
Start this art-packed day with a stand-up coffee at historic Cafe Florian, then explore St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and the great, glittering Basilica of St. Mark. Grab a sandwich at Cafe Quadri before crossing the Grand Canal to visit the Accademia gallery.
After a rest, head to buzzy Campo Santa Margherita for a spritz before an al fresco dinner at Oniga in Campo San Barnaba.
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Experience
Dating from 1720, world-famous Florian’s is a jewel-box of a café, all mirrors, stuccoes and frescoes. Join the locals perched at the bar rather than pay way over the odds for a table seat where a simple espresso is likely to set you back €10.
Good for age: 18+
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Bucket List Experience
Experience
A glittering monument to the Golden Age of Venice – ducal, divine and downright decadent. From Casanova’s rooftop escapade to the twisty tale behind Tintoretto’s enormous Paradise paintings, these walls have seen Venetian history at its most decadent and devious.
Adult price: 25
Good for age: 18+
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Bucket List Experience
Experience
Surely the most exquisite, beguiling and opulent place of worship in Italy, St Mark’s cathedral was built to satisfy the wildest dreams of the Doges and is rich in glittering Byzantine mosaics, Gothic carvings and sumptuous treasures.
Good for age: 18+
Catch the vaporetto to Murano, the glass-blowers island. Visit Berenga studio to watch the experts at work and explore the dozens of little glass shops flanking the main canal. Head for Osteria Acquastanca for a light lunch.
Finish the day in romantic style with a sunset gondola glide along Venice’s quiet backwaters before a Bellini at Harry’s Bar and dinner at elegant Il Covo.
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Bucket List Experience
Experience
Watch in fascination as authentic artisans blow, snip, twist and tug at fiery blobs of liquid to transform them into exquisite glassy artworks – as they have done for centuries.
Good for age: 8+
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Bucket List Experience
Experience
Venice is set in a lagoon surrounded by water and 39 islands. Murano and Burano are the best known, but there are others that are worth exploring, especially if you fancy getting away from it all, and each offers a very different atmosphere.
Good for age: 18+
Start your day in the huge Frari church and then slip into the nearby Scuola di San Rocco to admire the Tintorettos before a canalside lunch at La Zucca (booking essential).
Sign up for a mask-making class at Ca’ Macana, and end the day with a vaporetto ride along the length of the Grand Canal and hop off at the Ca’ D’Oro stop for a traditional Venetian dinner at Osteria La Vedova.
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Experience
Of all Venice’s many churches, the huge, Franciscan barn-like Frari (1338-1469) is one of the most art-packed. It boasts the second-highest bell tower in the city and a severe exterior, but once inside, the quality of the art is extraordinary.
Adult price: 2
Good for age: 18+
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Experience
Although Carnevale falls in February/March, you can learn to make your own Venetian Carnival masks year-round at one of several workshops in the city. Experienced artisans teach the art of papier-maché mask making and decorating in traditional Venetian style. Great for kids and adults alike.
Adult price: 42
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 1 hour
When: Monday-Saturday
Freq: daily