How many days do you need in Venice?

Though packed with history and art, and inviting longer stays that enable visitors to explore the wider Veneto region of Italy, being small, Venice is also well-suited to shorter breaks. That said, in short timeframes, you need to do your research and focus on top attractions and experiences that best align with your interests. With that in mind, to save yourself a whole lot of time, keep reading to discover rewarding ways to enjoy 2, 3 and 4 days in the impossibly pretty Floating City of bridges, masks and canals.

How many days do you need to see Venice?

When it comes to figuring how many days in Venice is enough for you, as a guideline, 2 days can be enough to cover the city’s main highlights. 

With an extra day, you’ll get to dig a little deeper, perhaps enjoying more foodie experiences and taking a trip to the islands of Murano and Burano.

In four days, while it’s still unlikely you’ll get to experience all the best things to do in Venice, you’ll be able to see more at a more relaxed pace, and even include a day trip to Padua or the Prosecco region.

Editor’s tip: read our guide to how to plan a trip to Italy, and browse sample Italy itineraries to get a sense of what can be covered various time-frames. 

For example, we have a suggested 7 days in Italy itinerary, 10 days in Italy itinerary and 14 days in Italy itinerary.

Alternatively, contact our local Italy experts to have them curate your perfect vacation for any duration.

2 days in Venice

With 2 days in Venice, in our view it’s best to focus on seeing classic highlights of the city — iconic attractions and experiences that might just be on your travel bucket list.

Suggested itinerary

Here’s what to include on the first day of a 2-night Venice itinerary focussed on the city’s most iconic attractions. 

Day 1

Start your exploration in the heart of Venice on Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). 

We suggest you pre-book skip-the-line tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica to marvel at its golden mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Have a head for heights? Venture to the terrace for incredible views.

Next, make your way to the Doge’s Palace — a Gothic masterpiece that showcases Venice’s political history — before walking across the iconic the Bridge of Sighs, which used to lead prisoners to their cells.

After enjoying lunch in a local eatery (Trattoria Al Gazzettino is famous for its seafood risotto and pasta), take to the Grand Canal on a vaporetto. Water Bus Line 1 is the best scenic ride in Venice.

Hop off at Rialto Bridge to explore the shops and stalls of Rialto Market before exploring Campo Santa Margherita or San Polo ahead of a day one highlight. Namely, enjoying a sunset gondola ride before heading to a rooftop bar for drinks and dinner.

Day 2

Kick off day 2 with a visit to the marvellous Peggy Guggenheim Collection — an absolute must-visit for lovers of modern art.

Next, visit the nearby Santa Maria della Salute. This stunning Baroque building is one of Venice’s most iconic churches.

Located on the Punta della Dogana, right across from St. Mark’s Square, it’s one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.

Head inside (it’s free to enter) to see ceiling Frescoes by Titian before exploring more of artsy Dorsoduro and strolling to Accademia Bridge.

Come the afternoon, walk to the Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio to explore the world’s first Jewish ghetto.

That evening, enjoy a lavish meal, and perhaps also head to Teatro La Fenice to see an opera performance or take a guided tour.

3 days in Venice

With three days in Venice, follow the above itinerary for days 1 and 2, and devote your third day to visiting the islands of Murano and Burano.

Suggested itinerary

Taking a day trip to Murano and Burano is a fabulously scenic way to soak up local culture. While Murano is famous for its glassmaking, Burano is known for its lace-making traditions and dazzlingly bright buildings.

Day 3

The best way to visit both islands is by vaporetto. To get to Murano, take Line 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove (it’s a ten-minute ride). Then, to reach Burano from Murano to Burano, ride Line 12 for 35 minutes.

Our tip is to set off for Murano early to beat the crowds, and so you can max out your time on the islands. 

On arrival in Murano, stroll Fondamenta dei Vetrai — the island’s main canal — before visiting at least one of the glass factories. For example, Vetreria Murano Arte (VMA) offers wonderful live demonstrations, and the high-end Seguso Vetri d'Arte factory is steeped in history.

You could also visit the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) and Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato before enjoying lunch by the water. Our tip is to try “Sarde in Saor” — a classic local dish of sweet and sour sardines. 

After lunch, take Vaporetto Line 12 to Burano, where you’ll be greeted by the sight of its brightly colored houses. They were originally painted this way to help fishermen find their homes in the fog.

Next, head to Museo del Merletto to learn about Burano’s 500-year lace-making tradition, and visit Merletti d'Arte Martina Vidal to see lace artisans at work.

Before leaving, be sure to also visit the Campanile di San Martino bell tower — Burano’s own “Leaning Tower” — and try the island’s Bussolà cookies. These buttery, ring-shaped treats are perfect with coffee.

4 days in Venice

With four days in Venice, you could simply spend the extra day doing a deeper dive into areas you’ve already visited on days 1-3, or you might opt to soak up the city’s magical vibe at a more leisurely pace, with lots of stops for drinks and snacks.

Alternatively, read on for additional experiences to include in your 4-day Venice itinerary. 

Suggested itinerary

Here we share a couple of ideas for easy excursions to take from Venice, with more in our feature on the best day trips from Venice.

Day 4

One option is to take a 30-minute train to Padua, where a multitude of historic wonders await, among them Scrovegni Chapel, which houses Giotto’s frescoes, and Prato della Valle, Italy’s largest square, no less.

Another idea is to book a wine-tasting tour in the Prosecco Hills. Most operators can collect you from your accommodation and whisk you away to scenic vineyards to taste fine sparkling wine, perfectly paired with local cheeses.

Then, on your last night in Venice, either take a final gondola ride or private boat tour to see the city by night, or else tuck into a fabulous farewell dinner by the canal.

Best area to stay in Venice

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Venice, bear in mind that it’s a pretty pricey city, and you’ll want to book very early to bag your preferred hotel, especially if you want a top spot near the canal in the high or shoulder seasons. 

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions of areas to consider, covering different tastes. 

San Marco: best for luxury

If you’re not on a budget, check out places to stay around Piazza San Marco.

St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, and the grand Doge's Palace will be right on your doorstep, along with plenty of high-end places to shop and eat.

Dorsoduro: best for art lovers

To be close to the Accademia Gallery and Peggy Guggenheim Collection, browse accommodation in Dorsoduro.

San Polo and Santa Croce: best for local life

Things to know before going to Venice

Ahead of planning your trip to Venice, it’s worth bearing in mind that the city is very, very busy through the summer high season. So, you’d be wise to wise up on the best time to visit Venice.

It’s also wise to book tickets to top attractions and experiences (e.g. St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and gondola rides) in advance.

Also, try to avoid eating right by the main tourist attractions. It goes without saying that you'll find more authentic, less expensive, better quality places to dine away from the most-worn tourist trails. 

Finally, before we share detail on costs, getting around Venice, and how to get to Venice in the first place, keep in mind that the city has lots of bridges and cobblestone streets, which makes wheeled luggage a challenge to manoeuvre. If you can, pack light.

Daily budget 

For a comfortable three-night mid-range stay in Venice, you’re looking at these estimated ballpark costs:

• Minimum mid-range budget: budget €700-€850 ($770-$935) to stay in budget hotels and Airbnbs, eat in casual spots, and mainly walk or use public transport.
• More comfortable mid-range budget: expect a total cost of €1,000-€1,300 ($1,100-$1,430) to stay in a good 3-4-star hotel, dine in a mix of casual and upscale places, and visit multiple attractions across your three-night stay.

To save costs in a destination that can be pretty pricey, stay outside the city in Mestre, or in Cannaregio or Giudecca. The latter districts are less expensive than San Marco but still central.

We also suggest buying vaporetto passes — much cheaper than individual tickets — and eating in traditional Venetian tapas bars, which are both delicious and budget-friendly.

Lastly, avoid the overpriced cafés in St. Mark’s Square. Instead of paying €8-€10 for average coffee, better quality brews can be had for €2-€3 in local cafés 

How to get around Venice

Dive into our full guide to getting around Venice, with a snapshot shared right below.

• Venice features a unique dual street system of canals and pavements.
• Taking a water-bus is usually the quickest way of getting between far-flung points.
• Walking often ends up being faster for shorter distances, with signage high on street corners guiding pedestrians to major landmarks.
• ACTV provides Tourist Travel Cards that are valid for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and seven days. These can be used on all ACTV services within Venice. Tickets are available from most landing stages, shops displaying the ACTV sign and tourist offices. 
• The #1 water bus is the one you’re likely to use most often. It starts at Piazzale Roma, calls at every stop on the Canal Grande (except San Samuele) and wends along the San Marco waterfront.

How to get to Venice

As a major international destination, Venice’s Marco Polo Airport — located about 13 km (8 miles) from the city center — is well served by direct and one-stop flights from the U.S. and U.K.

If you travel with a budget airline, you might land in Treviso Airport.

From the U.S.

Several airlines operate nonstop flights to Venice, especially in summer (May-September). The flight time from the East Coast is around 8-9 hours, while from the West Coast it’s 12-13 hours.

You can fly direct from New York (JFK & EWR), Atlanta, Philadelphia and Chicago.

If your local city isn’t served by a direct flight, you’ll need to make a one-stop connection via major European hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Rome.

From the UK

Flights from the U.K. to Venice are short (2-2.5 hours) and frequent, with multiple airlines operating daily non-stop flights.

You can fly direct to Venice from London (LHR, LGW, STN, LTN), Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Birmingham, and take your pick from full-service or budget airlines. 

For more context, read up on getting to Italy.

Plan your trip with Rough Guides

Let Rough Guides take the hassle out of arranging your trip. First up, make use of our feature on how to plan a trip to Italy. 

Secondly, arm yourself with The Rough Guide to Venice and the Veneto, or the Pocket Rough Guide to Venice. They’re both packed with tips that’ll help you plan your trip and make your most of your time in the city.

Or, for the ultimate way to avoid any planning hassle, contact our local Italy experts, who can curate your perfect Italy itinerary.