24-Hour Venice Italy Itinerary
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The entire city of Venice is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a bucket list destination and one of the most amazing places in the World to visit.
One Day Venice Itinerary: (Jump To)
How To Get Around Venice
The city of Venice is entirely on an island. The island is virtually car-free, so taxis, ride-share services, and buses are not available for easy transport around the island. When in Venice, you take a boat. The boats function similarly to buses, with stops all along the Grand Canal, the S-shaped river canal that dissects the city.
A single trip on the boat is expensive at nearly €10. All-day and multi-day passes start at €25. If you’re trying to visit on a budget, the city is easily navigated on foot. If money is no object you can call a taxi boat to take you anywhere you need to go.
How To Get From Marco Polo Airport To Venice
The number 5 bus is your best option, with multiple trips to and from the airport to a drop-off bus depot near the main train station in Venice.
Since there are no cars in Venice, a taxi from the airport will drop you in about the same spot as the number five bus, so there is no real benefit to paying more for the taxi.
Where To Stay in Venice
It is a great idea to find a hotel or Airbnb near the train station. This will minimize the distance you will have to travel with your luggage. We saw plenty of people awkwardly loading suitcases on crowded transit boats and trying to lug the bags over stair-covered canal bridges. (There are typically porters who will carry your heavy bags over the bridge for a fee).
Things To See in Venice
The beauty of Venice is that you can see it all in a short amount of time primarily on foot. The island is packed full of cute shops down quaint alleys. Spend as much time as you can wandering around the city on foot with no destination in mind.
Grand Canal Cruise
Start your time in Venice with a trip down the Grand Canal. The canal is the main artery of the city. The best way to see it is to take the public boat from the train station to St. Mark’s Square.
Tickets are available in the kiosks and ticket stands across from the train station. When boarding try to get to the front of the boat and take a seat to enjoy the view. You’ll pass under arched bridges, see your first of many gondolas, and get a front-row seat to beautiful historic buildings that seem to be losing their battle with the sea.
Look for the Number 2 boat and settle in for a thirty-minute ride.
St. Mark's Square
You’ll land in St. Mark’s Square. This is the Venice from the postcards.
First up, join the line to tour the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica. The church is known for its beautiful mosaics. It’s free to enter the church but there will be a long line waiting to get inside. As you wait look up and admire the unique domed architecture.
If you can, buy timed-entry tickets to St. Mark’s Campanile in advance online. You’ll pay an extra €2, but you will avoid waiting in another long line. The bell tower is the tallest structure in Venice. An elevator takes you to the top where you will get a 360-degree view of the city. For a startling treat, try to be up there at the top of the hour when the bells ring.
The final stop in the square is a tour of the Doge’s Palace. The 14th-century palace is one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Take some time to walk around the rest of St Mark’s Square. There are shops and restaurants lining the square. The live music from the restaurants fills the air (also pigeons). Take a look at the Torre dell’Orologio, a 500-year-old astronomical clock.
Across the square look up at the pair of tall columns. At the top of one, you’ll find the symbol of the city, a lion. On the other a man slaying a crocodile.
Behind the palace, you’ll find the Bridge of Sighs. This has become a favorite stop for travelers.
The bridge connects the palace with the former prison. The legend is that prisoners on their way to prison would on the bridge after being convicted, take one last look at the beauty of Venice and sigh...
Shopping in Venice
Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping in the area around the square. Go out with no destination in mind. You’ll be met with cute leather shops, hand-blown glass shops, clothing, Venetian masks, and your normal tourist bric-a-brac.
Eventually, make your way to Rialto Bridge. The bridge is the most famous in the city. It is double-wide with shops on the bridge. There are some great photo opportunities from atop.
Take a Gondola Ride in Venice
Venice is best known for the shallow-bottomed boats helmed by a (hopefully) handsome man in a hat and scarf. The whole thing is pretty much a tourist cliche at this point, but you should do it anyway. The best time to go is at dusk when the city starts to twinkle in the evening lights.
You can easily negotiate your ride near the bridge with any of the gondola captains. They’re required to be licensed by the city, so you don’t need to worry about getting scammed. Be sure to work out the price before you board. Expect to pay €50-100 for the ride (higher in the evenings).
What To Eat in Venice
The food of Venice is heavily in the seafood category. Sadly, half of the Now Go See It duo is allergic to seafood, so we opted for dinner at Al Timon. This restaurant is a little bit off from the Tourist areas, so expect a more local experience. They’re known for their large boards of meat, fries, and vegetables. One board is plenty for multiple people. They also have pasta, seafood, and a full wine/beer menu.
Things to See in Venice, Italy:
St. Mark's Square
St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Campanile (tower)
Torre dell’Orologio
Rialto Bridge
Grand Canal Cruise
