Wondering how long to spend in Venice on your trip to Italy? If you are planning to visit Venice but aren’t sure how much time you need in the city, this post will cover my recommendations for how many days to spend in Venice, and how to plan your Venice itinerary to perfection. I have to say though, don’t underestimate Venice. To truly appreciate this magnificent city beyond the tourist sites you need to take your time. So let’s see how many days in Venice are enough for you!
Know Before You Go to Venice
Before travelling to Venice, check if you have to pay the Venice Access Fee, which applies to day trippers to Venice on certain dates starting in spring 2024. This official page has more information.
Overnight guests do not have to pay the fee, as they already have Tourist Tax included in their accommodation. If you need accommodation in Venice make sure you book in advance as hotels can sell out.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE CHEAP HOTELS IN VENICE:
$$ Hotel Antiche Figure – opposite the station, friendly staff and great service.
$ Albergo Marin – great value for its location next to Grand Canal close to the railway station.
$ Ostello S. Fosca in the centre of Venice or Anda Venice a fantastic hostel in Mestre
⭐ TOP 3 VENICE ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket – the most popular activity in Venice
2. Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary – great for solo travellers
3. Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing – the top day trip from Venice
🚌 Pre-book your transfer from Marco Polo Airport to Venice by bus or water taxi
How to Plan Your Venice Itinerary
Venice is unique. There is no other place like it on earth, so if you are likely to only visit Venice once, you want to make it count! Of course, your decision on how long to spend in Venice may be influenced by various factors, from how much money you want to spend to how many holiday days you have, and what other destinations you have on your Italy itinerary.
There are so many amazing things to do in Venice it can be difficult to narrow it down to one or two days, so try to spend a little more time in Venice if you can. One thing that I found is that no matter how much time in Venice you have, it is never enough!
However, no matter how much time you have in Venice, the key is to think about what you enjoy doing. Do you like museums? Art? Food? Beautiful views? Getting off the beaten track? There is something for everyone in Venice, so choose what you like to do, without worrying about simply ticking items off your bucket list.
You could take a guided tour to see some of the highlights of Venice, then explore on your own – or skip the tour and select exactly what you want to do.
If you want to take a gondola ride, feel free – but don’t feel pressured to spend that amount of money – there are ways to enjoy Venice on a budget without breaking the bank!
These are some of the top activities in Venice that you might want to include in your itinerary, whether you spend a day in Venice or a week:
- Reserved entry into the Doge’s Palace
- Shared Gondola Ride of the Grand Canal with Commentary
- Private Gondola Ride along Canal Grande
- Murano, Burano & Torcello Day Trip
- Make Your Own Mask Workshop
Or you can browse more tours and activities in Venice here.
How to Enjoy Venice Responsibly
I adore Venice, and would not tell people not to go there, but the city is under threat from over-tourism, and the infrastructure does struggle in peak season.
When planning a trip to Venice Italy, try to travel in the shoulder or off-season if you can, avoiding peak summer months of July and August, and remember that weekdays are also quieter than weekends as Venice is a popular weekend city break for visitors from Europe.
Take time to explore the city beyond the top attractions, and remember to follow the rules to #EnjoyRespectVenezia. This video has some more tips for how to visit Venice responsibly (if the video doesn’t display properly please try disabling your ad blocker), and check out my full article about responsible tourism in Venice:
How Many Days to Spend in Venice?
While some people may tell you that one day in Venice is enough, I assure you that it is not. But just how many days in Venice are enough for you to explore the city? Well, that also depends on whether you would like to visit some of the other islands in the Venice Lagoon, explore the Veneto Region and really get to know La Serenissima in all her glory.
I’d say you need a minimum of two days in Venice to see the best of the city, but instead of rushing through Venice on a whistle-stop tour, you could easily spend four or five days in Venice, and more if you use the city as a hub to visit more of the region.
Is One Day in Venice Enough?
I understand that there are lots of beautiful places to visit in Italy, or you may not have long to visit Venice, but please try to spend at least 2 days in Venice. If you only have a day in Venice, you will rush around, following the crowds and doing all of the same things that everyone who only has one day in Venice does.
I feel so strongly about this that I wrote a whole article on why attempting to visit Venice in a day is simply not enough, especially if you take a day trip to Venice from a city like Rome or Milan; you will spend far too long travelling and miss out on valuable time in Venice.
However, if you do only have one day to spare, then check out my suggested Venice day itinerary or consider starting with a walking tour to get your bearings and learn about the history of Venice.
One Day in Venice Itinerary
With just a day in Venice, try to cover the essentials but also take time to enjoy the city if you can. In my opinion, it really isn’t enough time to make the most of the city by any means, but it will give you a taste.
Start the day as early as you can, and take the water bus Vaporetto 1 along the Grand Canal to see some of Venice from the water. It will take you from the train and bus station along the canal, under the Rialto Bridge, and all the way to St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) on the other side of the island.
You could also get off at the Rialto stop, which is just past the bridge of the same name, and walk to St Mark’s Square which is a bit quicker than the Vaporetto as the Grand Canal curves around the city and on foot you can cut through the streets.
In Piazza San Marco you will find the stunning St Mark’s Basilica and the famous Doge’s Palace. You could skip the Doge’s Palace (although it is probably the most popular thing to do in Venice, for me that is a couple of hours you could spend exploring the city) but don’t miss the Bridge of Sighs near St Mark’s Square. If you arrive early enough to beat the huge queues, St Mark’s Basilica is free to enter, and you can see the magnificent golden mosaics on the ceiling.
Head to Rialto Market for lunch, either buying something from the stalls or to the nearby restaurants for Cicchetti (delicious snacks a bit like Spanish tapas). After lunch, head up to the top of the shopping centre T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, where you need to pre-book timeslots to go up to the roof terrace and enjoy a lovely view for free.
From there, walk to the Ponte dell Accademia for one of the best views in Venice of the Grand Canal and the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute. If you have time, I highly recommend walking by the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo on the way, one of the hidden gems in Venice.
From the Ponte dell’Academia it’s a short walk to the Osteria Al Squero for an aperitivo, with views of one of the only remaining gondola makers across the canal. After that, it’s probably time to head back to the station, so you can walk through the narrow streets of the Dorsoduro district back to the train station.
On your way back, if it is before 6pm you can pop into Ca’Macana mask shop for a glimpse of the designs and incredible craftsmanship of a master mask maker.
If you’re staying in Venice for dinner, book a table at one of the restaurants in Venice to enjoy a delicious meal before you leave. Osteria al Cicheto is a good choice close to the train station, or try Bacaro Vintido’. If you have a train to catch, make sure you leave enough time to enjoy a leisurely dinner – food isn’t rushed here!
Is 2 Days Enough in Venice?
For me, two days is the absolute minimum time anyone should spend in Venice. Two days in Venice are just about long enough for you to visit the top things to do in Venice and explore some of the quieter areas of the city like Cannaregio.
If you’re wondering what to visit in Venice in 2 days, as well as the basic must-sees I mentioned in our 1 day Venice itinerary, you could also do a fun activity like taking a food tour or a rowing lesson, as well as wander around the streets away from the crowds at Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square.
For me, the beauty of Venice is in the wandering, so avoid the main thoroughfares and get lost in the narrow alleyways. Trying to rush around Venice is not enjoyable for anyone, so relax, get a gelato or a spritz and sit for a while in a piazza and watch the world go by.
Venice Itinerary Day 2
With two days to explore Venice, follow the day itinerary on your first day, and then on the second day it is time to get to know a little more about the city. A food tour is a great way to try some of the local food and explore, by way of the delicious food in Venice! I took a food tour with Urban Adventures that I booked through GetYourGuide which was fabulous.
The tour started at 11.30 am and we had plenty of food for a big lunch, spread over 2 or 3 hours, with plenty of wine! We began in the Cannaregio district on the northern side of the city, so on your way there, take some time to explore the old Jewish neighbourhood, including the first ghetto.
If you want to take a gondola ride in Venice, I’d suggest looking up Chiara Curto, the only woman who is currently working as a gondolier – although technically her boat is not a gondola, it is a sandolo, so she is actually a sandolista, not a gondolier – but the experience is just the same!
She is based next to the Jewish Ghetto so you could arrange a ride in the morning before the food tour – her email is mascareta77@gmail.com if you’d like to contact her to arrange a tour.
After the tour, you could check out some of the extraordinary museums in Venice and the beautiful churches, such as the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim collection and the Santa Maria della Salute church on the south side of the island.
How Many Days in Venice: Is 3 Days Too Long in Venice?
No, three days is not too long in Venice! Now we are starting to really get to know the city. With three days in Venice, you’ll have time to see the main sites of the city, wander around the pretty streets spotting gondolas everywhere, and take a tour or two as well as a day trip to some of the other islands.
My favourite islands to combine on a day trip are Murano, Burano and Torcello. If you are trying to see Venice in 2 days you could do this on your second day, but I’d recommend spending 3 days in Venice so you can spend a whole day on the other islands without sacrificing your time in Venice itself.
Venice Itinerary Day 3
The islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello combine to make a fabulous day trip from Venice proper. Watch a glass-blowing demonstration on Murano, admire the colourful fishermen’s houses and lace-making artistry on Burano, and visit peaceful Torcello to learn more about the history of Venice at the museum and climb the bell tower for views of the lagoon.
If you visit all three islands that will easily fill up a full day, and bear in mind that getting from the centre of Venice to the colourful island of Burano can take well over an hour, so plan your time accordingly. For beach lovers, Lido could be another option for your third day in Venice, with its miles of sandy beaches.
You can take the vaporetto water buses to the various islands (keep an eye on the timetable for moving between islands and coming back Venice, or you could join a tour which takes care of all the transport and timings for you. Read more about getting to Murano and Burano on your own, or check out the tour options below:
4 Days in Venice Itinerary
Is 4 days in Venice too much? Considering how much there is to do in the Veneto region, 4 days is actually a really good amount of time to spend in Venice. I’d recommend at least two days in the city itself, one day visiting the islands around Venice and a day to visit one of the nearby cities in the Veneto Region on a day trip to Padua, Verona, Treviso or anywhere else you fancy.
Verona is a beautiful city, made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, and the impressive Arena which still hosts live Opera. If you want to watch the Opera you’ll need to spend the night in Verona, but you can still take a tour of the arena if you only have time for a day trip.
Although Verona is the most famous city close to Venice, don’t underestimate Padua, which is home to the world’s first botanical garden and the exquisite Scrovegni Chapel, lined with 14th-century frescoes. It is a lovely little city to explore, and well worth a day of your time.
Any of these places are well connected by train services from and back to Venice.
5 Days in Venice
For me, no amount of time in Venice will be too much. On my first visit to Venice, I spent nine days here, and although I was tired by the end of it all I still felt like there was more to see.
Spend your extra day in Venice exploring the beach island of Lido. Hire a bike to explore or spend your time on the beach and eating delicious gelato. On the way back, pay a visit to the Church at San Giorgio Maggiore, and climb up the bell tower for my favourite view in Venice.
Continue on to Giudecca Island, walk along the waterfront and head to the fancy Skyline Rooftop bar for sunset and an aperitivo. It is not cheap, but it’s worth it!
Alternatively, you could explore the mainland town of Mestre (the interactive M9 museum is a fascinating insight into Italian history and culture) or take a prosecco wine tour in the Veneto Region if you wanted another day trip from Venice.
A Week in Venice Itinerary
If you have more than 5 days in Venice, up to a week in Venice or even more than that, you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the real ambience of Venice and learn much more about the culture of Venice.
In the rest of my Venice itinerary, I haven’t included a visit to La Fenice theatre, a glass jewellery making workshop or even painting your own carnival mask – all of which you might like to do earlier on in your visit. It is hard to choose exactly what to do in Venice when you have a short amount of time, so focus on what you enjoy doing and take it from there.
You could spend more time wandering the streets and exploring the different neighbourhoods in Venice – discovering more of Venice’s hidden gems that most visitors don’t have time to see. There are pleasant parks where the breeze coming off the lagoon will relieve you on hot days, or take part in one of my favourite activities – sitting on a bench and watching the world go by!
So How Many Days in Venice Are Enough?
What do you think, how many days do you need in Venice? You may as well ask how long is a piece of string! It really depends on how much time you have on your Italy trip and how many days in Venice are enough for everything you would like to do.
Whatever your answer is, I hope I persuaded you to allocate more time to this beautiful city, and not rush around cramming everything into one day. Venice is one of my favourite cities on earth, so once you’ve planned your trip, let me know how many days you’ll have in your Venice itinerary!
How to Get to Venice from the Airport
There are several options for getting from Marco Polo Airport on the mainland to the island of Venice. If you only have a short trip to Venice then speed is of the essence, so you might consider taking a water taxi from the airport to the city. Alternatively, if you are on a budget or have more time in Venice then a bus transfer is the cheapest way to travel.
A Private Water Taxi
Water taxis are the quickest and easiest (but most expensive) way to get to your accommodation if you are staying on the island of Venice. You can catch a water taxi from outside the airport or pre-book one to be waiting for you when you land. >>>Pre-book a Water Taxi here
If you don’t want to shell out €100+ for your own private water taxi, a shared water taxi transfer is much cheaper, especially if you are travelling alone or as a couple. Check the information carefully for extra costs such as fees for extra baggage or night-time pick-up. >>>Pre-book a shared water taxi transfer
Bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice
For a fraction of the price of a water taxi, you can arrive in Venice by bus from the airport. It is cheap, but you’ll need to find your own way to your accommodation from the bus station. Buses run regularly to Mestre on the mainland and to Venice island. Buy your ticket on the bus, from the tourist information desk at the airport, or pre-book your bus ticket here.
Travel to Venice by Train
If you’re taking a day trip to Venice you may well arrive by train. If you only have one day free for Venice then it could be an ideal day trip destination from Verona and Bologna by train, or even further afield if you have an early start and get a high-speed train to Venice.
In that case, make sure you get off at Venice Santa Lucia (not Mestre), and see the canals of Venice a few moments after stepping off the train. I use Omio to find cheap train tickets in Europe and beyond.
How to Get Around Venice
If you don’t have much time in Venice, I highly recommend getting a 24-hour transport ticket which includes unlimited journeys on the Vaporetto water buses. You can then move freely around the city (and take day trips to the other islands if you have time).
The longer you spend in Venice, the cheaper the tickets become. A single trip costs €7.50, whereas a 24-hour ticket costs €20, a 48-hour ticket is €30, a 72-hour ticket is €40 and a 7-day travel ticket is €60, so figure out which ticket is best for you.
You can also walk around Venice quite easily, although if you are on your feet all day you certainly feel it by the end of the day! Bicycles aren’t allowed onto the island, so waterbuses or on foot are the best modes of transport to use.
There are water-taxis all around Venice but they are very expensive, so stick to public transport in Venice wherever you can!
Where to Stay in Venice
Where to Stay in Venice
Hotels in Venice
Although staying somewhere close to the train station isn’t as convenient for St Mark’s Square, you won’t have to worry about moving heavy cases around the streets of Venice.
Hotel Antiche Figure, for example, is just opposite the station and gets great reviews for the friendly staff, good location and great service.
Albergo Marin is a good choice to get a mix of value and location, next to Grand Canal and 10 minutes walk from the railway station.
B&B Ca’ Bonvicini is a lovely bed and breakfast hotel just 7 minutes walk from Rialto Bridge if you would rather be more ‘in the middle’ of the action. It gets great reviews for the traditional Venetian decor and friendly staff.
Hostels in Venice
I stayed at the fabulous Wombat’s City Hostel Venice Mestre, which is now sadly closed due to the pandemic. It may reopen in future, but it’s not looking good at the moment. However, there are other hostels in Venice if you are visiting Venice on a budget, take a look at these options:
- Anda Venice: a trendy hostel a short train ride from Venice in Mestre with excellent reviews
- Ostello S. Fosca in the centre of Venice
- Combo Venezia, set in the grounds of a 12th Century convent.
You can also take a look at all of the hostels in Venice on Hostelworld.
Apartments in Venice
There are lots of options for Airbnb in Venice, but given how many locals have had to leave their homes, I would advise against getting a whole apartment for yourself. A private room in a local’s apartment will help them to pay the rent, and help you to really feel like a local in Venice, as well as saving you money.
This room in Venice with a terrace, for example, is a short walk from the train station and walking distance from the main sights in Venice. Alternatively, try Homestay.com which has some options for private rooms in apartments in Venice, Mestre and surrounding areas.
If you do want a whole apartment, you can rent full homes on Vrbo like this lovely historic apartment that is close to the centre of Venice, or this apartment which has its own garden! Booking.com also has a large selection of vacation rentals available too, browse available apartments here.
Want More Venice Posts?
Check out these blog posts to learn more about the best things to do in Venice and more Venice travel tips, or click here to read all of my Italy posts.Like this post? Pin it to read later:
Ah yes, unfortunately, a victim of the pandemic. I hope it is only temporary but we shall see!
Thanks for this nice and interesting article. I will book my ticket to Venice soon. Just want to mention that it seems the Wombat hostel in Venice is not running anymore. All the best!
Hi Chris, thanks so much for your comment. I totally agree, there is always something interesting to find if you explore! So glad you enjoyed Venice both times, it is a very special city 🙂
Very helpful post – thanks for sharing! I’ve visited Venice twice and both times were 3-4 days. I thought it was a decent amount of time without being “too much.” We found plenty to do and see and if all else failed, we simply tied are laces tight and wandered until we uncovered something of interest. We really enjoyed the Jewish Ghetto, so I second your comment to make time to explore around that area!
Cheers.