Venice
Venice
Trip.Best Popular Best Things to Do in Venice [2024]
Explore the best things to do in Venice! Uncover top activities and experiences for an unforgettable visit.
Updated Nov 2024
- 9.04.7/5508 reviewsFrom604.05
29260 review"Beautiful and intricate paintings can be found on the structure, but it was a pity that it was undergoing construction works while we visited. It's situated in the central plaza which is a lively place, and adds character to the surroundings. Especially beautiful around sunset time, where the basilica and surrounding buildings look stunning in the evening light."Venice.Venice City Center2 km from downtownChurches and CathedralsHighlights: Located in St. Mark's Square and adjacent to the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica was built in 828 and rebuilt in the 11th century due to a fire. It was originally used to house the remains of St. Mark, and was later used to collect plunders from various countries during the Eastern Expedition. Back treasure. It was once the largest church in medieval Europe and a treasure trove of rich art. Architectural style St. Mark's Basilica is dominated by Byzantine style, blending various architectural and decorative styles from Romanesque to Renaissance style. There are five Romanesque gates in the shape of diamond arches on the front, and oriental and Romanesque gates on the top. The German minaret and various marble statues, reliefs and flower-shaped patterns, huge domes and brilliant mosaics are its outstanding features. The church consists of five huge domed main halls and two cloistered vestibules, forming a giant Greek cross. The five domes are modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. The three flagpoles standing in front of the church are meaningful, representing the three islands of Cyprus, Crete and Morea owned by Venice when it was at its peak, and it is a testimony to the glorious history of the city. At the top of the center of the church is a statue of St. Mark holding the Gospel of Mark, and below it is a flying lion symbolizing St. Mark.Show Less - 8.44.7/51073 reviewsFree37823 review"St. Mark's Square is located in Venice, Italy, one of the most famous squares in the world. 1. Historical background 1. Built in the 9th century AD, it was originally just a clearing in front of St. Mark's Cathedral. 2. With the prosperity of Venice, the square has gradually expanded and decorated, becoming a political, religious and commercial center. 2. Architectural characteristics 1. The core building of St. Mark's Cathedral - the square, which combines Byzantine and Gothic architectural styles. - The facade of the church is decorated with ornate marble reliefs and mosaic mosaics that showcase biblical stories and Venice's history. - The five large domes and numerous minarets make the church look magnificent. 2. The Governor's House - next to St. Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the government of the Republic of Venice. - The building is unique in style, mainly white and pink marble, decorated with exquisite sculptures and colonnades. - There are many gorgeous rooms and halls inside, showing the art and culture of Venice. 3. Bell Tower - The landmark on the square, up to 98.6 meters. - Founded in the 12th century, it has been rebuilt and restored many times. - Visitors can take the elevator up to the bell tower and overlook the entire Venice. 4. Column - The square is surrounded by the Column, providing visitors with a place to shade and rest. - The Column is decorated with many sculptures and reliefs that showcase Venice's history and culture. Cultural significance 1. Religious center - St. Mark's Square is the religious center of Venice, and St. Mark's Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Venice. - Many important religious ceremonies and events are held here. 2. Art Treasure - The buildings and sculptures on the square are art treasures that showcase Venice's artistic achievements. - The mosaic mosaics of St. Mark's Cathedral and the murals of the Governor's House are world-famous works of art. 3. Resorts - San Marco Plaza is one of Venice's most popular tourist attractions, attracting millions of visitors every year. - Cafes and restaurants on the square are also great places for visitors to relax and taste food. Activities and Celebrations 1. Venice Carnival - Each February, it is one of the world's most famous carnivals. - St. Mark's Square is the main venue for Carnival events, where people wear fancy costumes and masks to hold parades, performances and balls in the square. 2. St. Mark's Day - An important festival in Venice, held on April 25. - People celebrate in St. Mark's Square with a grand celebration including religious ceremonies, parades and fireworks displays."Venice.Venice City Center1.9 km from downtownSquaresHighlights: St. Mark's Square is unique among European city squares, being located in the city center, but not as noisy as other squares, thanks to Venice's quiet waterway traffic. As a Venice landmark, it is favored by tourists, photographers and even pigeons. Piazza San Marco has historically been the political, religious and festival center of Venice, the seat of all important Venetian government institutions, the seat of the Archbishop since the 19th century, and the venue of choice for many Venetian festivals. More than 200 years have passed since the style layout, this trapezoidal square on the edge of the Grand Canal still has its charm. The square is about 170 meters long, 80 meters wide to the east and 55 meters wide to the west. From New Year's Day to Carnival to Christmas, the Venetians host festivals big and small in Piazza San Marco, and even on normal days, people from all over the world flock to this square. There is a circle of exquisite Renaissance-style buildings on the side of the square. St. Mark's Basilica, the Mint, and the Doge's Palace are located on the east side of the square. On the south side are the bell tower and the new and old parliament buildings. Climbing the bell tower can overlook the whole square panorama. . On the west side is the Corell Museum, and on the back is a row of boutiques selling gold jewelry, glass, clothing, home decoration, etc. The storefront is not large, but the window design is very eye-catching. Between the Doge's Palace and the Venetian Prison on the other side of the river is the Bridge of Sighs, and between the square and the Grand Canal is the small Piazza San Marco, where you can see two tall columns standing on the river bank, one of At the top is the statue of San Marco's lion ready to fly. At the top of the other column stands a statue of the holy San Theodore accompanied by a crocodile, both patrons of Venice. During the day, the square is crowded with tourists, and there are groups of tourists everywhere, and large groups of pigeons are flying around the square. If you want to feed the pigeons, you can buy biscuits to feed them. If you encounter a black person who feeds pigeons and corn, don’t take it. A small handful of rice is 10 euros. If you accept it, you can ask for money. However, white people generally only give 2-5 euros. If you see Asians in Italy, they will charge more. You can choose to stroll in the square, of course, you can also choose an outdoor cafe seat to sit and rest when you are tired. Although the restaurants and cafes in the square are very expensive, you won't mind because you can stop here for a while and let your eyeballs enjoy the feast of architectural art. The steeple church, Byzantine dome church, mosaic frescoes, marble carvings, and the elegant and elegant Doge's Palace next door are not to be missed. In addition, there are many street performers and mobile vendors in the square, selling some local souvenirs, the price ranges from 3-10 euros, you can buy some as souvenirs if you like. At the same time, the view of the square at night will not disappoint you. If you visit Piazza San Marco around 7:30 pm, you will be impressed by the sight in front of you. In each arch of the buildings around the square, there are lights emitting golden light, which illuminates the original white stone church with golden color, and the whole square is shrouded in a golden splendor. Some restaurants also have their own open-air LiveShow, and it is also a pleasure to watch a free performance here.Show Less
- 8.34.6/5171 reviewsFrom2161.84"Very good experience, the tour guide is also very responsible, the arrangement is reasonable, the overall activity is divided into three parts: do the introduction of this tourist area, then arrange the cruise, and finally the VR display, we did not participate in the VR activities, but even so I feel very happy, it is recommended"Venice.Grand Canal1.6 km from downtownBoat ToursHighlights: Venice is a very unique city, with a river as its street. Apart from buildings and squares, there is hardly any land in the city. Venice has no roads, no cars, no traffic lights, just winding waterways, boats coming and going, and more than 400 bridges of different styles. Boats are a must-have means of transportation for Venetians. The boats of various households are more characteristic of a small rowing "gondola", which is usually full of 6 people, plus 1 boatman. Gondola cruises are popular with tourists in the area. Gondolas have been a part of Venice since the 11th century AD, and their thin hulls and flat bottoms are ideal for Venice's narrow and shallow canals. The bow is tilted slightly to the left, offsetting the weight of the oars and preventing the gondola from spinning in circles. According to a law enacted in 1562, all gondolas were to be painted black to prevent people from showing off their wealth. Only on special occasions gondolas can be decorated as flower boats.Show Less
- 8.14.6/5592 reviews7155 review"The Bridge of Sighs is a bridge with unique charm and historical significance. I. Geographical location The Bridge of Sighs is located in Venice, Italy. It connects the Duke of Venice and the prison, across the Palace River. 2. Architectural features 1. Design - The Sigh Bridge is a Baroque bridge with beautiful shapes. The bridge is enclosed, covered with a dome on the upper part and white marble railings on both sides of the bridge. - Its unique enclosed structure adds a mysterious and depressing atmosphere. 2. Building materials - mainly made of white marble and limestone, durable, and baptisms still stand after years. 3. The name is often given as a sigh when death row prisoners are taken to the scene of the death, passing through the airtight bridge. Historical and Cultural Values 1. Historical Witness - The Bridge of Sighs witnesses the historical changes of Venice, including the development of politics, law and society. It is a symbol of the judicial system during the Republic of Venice. 2. Literary and artistic inspiration - The bridge of sighs has appeared in many literary works and artistic creations. It has inspired countless writers, poets and artists and has become a symbol of romance and mystery. - The bridge is more famous for its vivid depiction of the sigh bridge in his works by the British poet Byron. V. Tourism significance 1. Unique landscape - The bridge is now one of Venice's most famous tourist attractions. Visitors can take a gondola ride under the bridge to enjoy the beautiful appearance of the bridge and the surrounding scenery. 2. Romantic legend - legend that if couples kiss under the bridge of sighs, their love will be eternal. This romantic legend attracted many couples to punch in, adding to the romantic atmosphere of the sigh bridge."Venice.Venice City Center2.1 km from downtownBridgesHighlights: The Bridge of Sighs is a baroque stone bridge located on the side of the Doge's Palace and is one of the most famous bridges in Venice. This is a sealed arch bridge building, from the inside to the outside can only be seen through the small windows on the bridge. The two ends of the bridge connect the court and the prison. Death row inmates pass through this bridge before execution, and sigh here about the end of their lives, hence the name "Bridge of Sighs". The current bridge of sighs has swept away its haze and ominous atmosphere because of the movie "Love Sunset Bridge", you can also call it "Sunset Bridge". It is the bridge in the film that allows the hero and heroine who are destined to spend their lives in each other at sunset.Show Less
- 8.14.6/5266 reviewsFrom1907.527165 review"More in line with expectations. Of course, Venice itself is not particularly large, so please manage yourself. The lions of St. Mark are still beautiful, and there are also some murals, armor and other displays. The effect of listening to the interpreter is average. You still have to fight for a tour guide."Venice.Venice City Center2.1 km from downtownHistorical ArchitecturesHighlights: The Doge's Palace, built in the ninth century, was the residence of Dodge, the former Doge. The Doge's Palace was originally a Byzantine-style defensive castle, and the huge expenditure when it was established showed the power and wealth of the Republic of Venice at that time. Architectural Style The present building was mainly constructed between 1309 and 1424. In 1574, the Governor's Palace was severely damaged by a fire. Although the designers of the time submitted designs in the neoclassical style, subsequent reconstructions continued the original Gothic style. However, there are also some classicist features, such as the Bridge of Sighs, built since the 16th century, through which the Doge's Palace is connected to the prison. Today, the Doge's Palace is a museum where visitors can admire paintings of Venice depicted by Tintoretto and Veronese. The Governor's Palace, which has a ㄇ-shaped internal structure, is divided into three floors, and the two sides facing the square and the wharf are its main walls. In a geometric pattern of white and rose marble, a solid wall is placed on the third floor, with A-line lace interspersed with gothic flame-shaped minarets on the upper edge. The second floor is a Gothic pointed-vault loggia decorated with four-leaf ornaments, and the Gothic arcade on the lower floor is supported by columns to support the two arches on the second floor. This not only subtly breaks the traditional Gothic design, but also subverts the traditional architectural principles to overcome the problem of the top heavy and the bottom light. It retains the original Byzantine concept and integrates the Gothic design to become a light and slender masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. . Buy a ticket from the ticket entrance on the Slavic Embankment. There is a simple map behind the ticket, indicating the location of the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica and the adjacent Craft Museum. Many original sculptures from the Doge's Palace are displayed in the Craft Museum. After entering the exhibition hall, you first come to the atrium, which is characterized by Renaissance-style marble carvings. Here you can see the "onion head" dome of the adjoining St. Mark's Basilica, with a clock-shaped marble facade on it. The first floor of the cloister on the three sides of the courtyard is a Renaissance-style regular round arch, and the second floor is a Gothic pointed arch, which is different from the Gothic pointed arch in the facade of the Governor's Palace. On the promenade on the second floor, there are several lion mouths in the shape of a lion's head, which are used to receive anonymous reporting letters. The public only needs to put the letter into the mouth of the lion. At that time, the Venice government encouraged whistleblowers and protected whistleblowers. Three locks were specially set up in the mailbox, which must be opened by three persons with three keys. In addition, standing on the sky balcony of the promenade on the second floor, you can overlook St. Mark's Square and the lagoon. There are 8 statues from the ancient Greek period in the courtyard. There are two finely carved bronze water wells on the ground in the courtyard, which are considered to be exquisite works of Venice in the 16th century. This well can absorb water from the outside waterway to the atrium for storage. In the past, it was the best quality water in Venice. Every day, many traders came to the Doge's Palace to fetch water, and then took the well water to distant areas to sell it. Then came to the official starting point of the tour route - the golden stairs, from which you entered the interior of the Governor's Palace. At the entrance of the golden staircase arch, the Hercules on the left is Hercules slaying the snake demon, and the god Atlas on the right is carrying the earth. They are above the stone pillars on the two sides of the entrance to represent the power of Venice symbol of. The golden stairs built in the 16th century were only used by nobles and important guests to enter the palace. The stairs can be said to be resplendent, and the ceiling carvings on the top are actually made of plaster and then decorated with a layer of gold foil. Follow the golden stairs to the third floor of the Governor's Palace. Every room here is as luxurious as possible. From the ceiling to the surrounding walls, there are magnificent decorations everywhere. However, according to the regulations here, photography is not allowed above the second floor. The main halls of the Governor's Mansion include the Map Hall, the Four Entrance Halls, the Conference Hall, the Ten-person Hall, the Elder Hall and the Grand Conference Hall. The walls of the map hall are decorated with world maps, and two huge globes are kept inside. In the conference hall, there is Tintoretto's giant mural "Paradise", which is based on Dante's "The Divine Comedy". There are more than 700 figures in the painting, which is called the world's largest oil painting. After visiting the various halls, go to the armory displaying various weapons, guns, ammunition and armor, which preserves the weapons of the Crusades, the first machine gun imitated according to Da Vinci's design, and the shocking chastity belt . Then the passage becomes dark and you will come to the cell located in the basement of the Doge's Palace. The number of prison cells at that time was not enough, so a new prison was built next to the palace, which became an independent building for the purpose of imprisoning prisoners in history, and the Bridge of Sighs connecting the two places was also built.Show Less
- 7.54.7/5324 reviewsFrom1074.669309 review"This is the must-check attraction in Venice. It is the commanding height of Venice. It is 98 meters high. You can buy tickets on the spot, but you can enjoy priority admission when you buy tickets in advance. The direct elevator climbs to the top and has a small view of the mountains. It is great."Venice.Venice City Center2 km from downtownObservation DecksNighttime sightseeing
No.1 of Night Attractions in VeniceHighlights: The Bell Tower of San Marco belongs to the Basilica of San Marco. As the beacon of the city on the lagoon, the Bell Tower has long been regarded by the Venetians as an indisputable landmark of Venice, and its status in Venice is even more than the Basilica of San Marco itself. The predecessor of St. Mark's Bell Tower was a watchtower built in the 9th century, which was later converted into a bell tower. In the centuries that followed, the Campanile of San Marco was damaged several times and underwent several reconstructions and renovations. Now it has become a tourist attraction for tourists from all over the world. Standing on St. Mark's Square, you can take pictures with the clock tower. The Bell Tower of San Marco is 98.6 meters high, with a brick red exterior and a simple structure. The lower half is a huge columnar building composed of bricks, each side is 12 meters long and 50 meters high. Above is the vaulted bell tower, where five clocks were previously placed. These five clocks have unique functions. Three-thirty (MezzaTerza) announces the meeting of the Senate, noon clock (Nona) heralds the arrival of noon, the workers clock (Marangona) marks the beginning and end of the working day, and the horseshoe clock (Trottiera) calls the House of Representatives. (MaggiorConsiglio) members participate in Parliament. In the past, the bells of the bell tower would ring all over Venice, but now only the workers' bell is left here. Above the arched bell tower is a square building, the outer walls are decorated with lions and Venetian justice women.To prevent corrosion from the sun and rain, the entire statue is wrapped in a thin gilded copper sheet. In addition to admiring the appearance of the bell tower on St.Show Less - 7.44.7/5631 reviewsFree41793 review"It’s so beautiful wow amazing views boats atmosphere even in November it’s no sobusy so much better to get about"Venice.Venice City Center1.1 km from downtownWater Conservancy ProjectsNighttime sightseeingHighlights: The Grand Canal of Venice is the main waterway in Venice. It is in an inverse S shape along the natural waterway from St. Mark's Basilica to St. Chiara Church, and is connected with many small canals. Much of the city's traffic travels through these waterways. The Grand Canal is an inverted S shape, winding from the Roman Forum in the northwest to St. Mark's Square. It is about 4 kilometers long, about 6 meters deep, and 40 to 100 meters wide. It is the most important traffic artery in Venice. There are more than 100 ancient buildings on both sides of the coast. Every September, there is a traditional regatta in Venice, which is a race of gondolas and other traditional boats on the Grand Canal.Show Less
- 7.14.5/5261 reviewsFree
17937 review"You definitely have to see this unique bridge when you are in Venice. it is divided into 3 sections. the middle one has shops on the bridge (both sides) and on either side of this are steps to go up and down. You can enjoy the beautiful view of Grand Canal from here. There are water taxi’s, water buses and gondola’s going up and down the canal. Best time to go is early morning or in the evening when it is less busy. There are hawkers selling red roses so you can have a romantic moment there and capture them."Venice.Grand Canal1.6 km from downtownBridgesHighlights: Among the more than 400 bridges in Venice, in addition to the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge is very famous. Located almost in the middle of Venice's S-shaped Grand Canal, it was built in the 13th century as a wooden bridge, later a marble bridge. The Rialto Bridge is 48 meters long, 22 meters wide, and 7 meters above the water. Both ends of the bridge are supported by 12,000 wooden piles inserted into the water. The bridge body is all made of white marble. There is a beautiful pavilion in the middle of the bridge. There are many exquisite carvings on the bridge body. It can be said that the bridge itself is like a delicate work of art. The bridge attracted tourists from all over the world, and everyone rushed to take pictures on the bridge. Standing on the bridge, the medieval style lingers. The middle of the bridge is a good spot to photograph the Grand Canal. Similarly, if you take a gondola or cruise, you can also take a panoramic view of the Rialto Bridge from the boat.Show Less - 7.14.7/5272 reviewsFree
383 review"A Venetian gem that enchants visitors with its picturesque canals, brightly painted houses, and intricate lacework tradition."Venice.Burano9.3 km from downtownIslands/PeninsulasHighlights: If you visit Venice, in addition to experiencing the can't-miss gondola, you must not miss the famous color island of Burano. Burano is a fairy tale dream. There are colorful little houses everywhere, which are more and more colorful under the reflection of the blue sky. If you want to know what is worth taking away, then you must go to the island of St. Martin In the square, here you will find all kinds of lace products that are abundant on the island, from baby shoes and socks to household items, everything is dazzling. In Venice, no matter what you buy to accompany you home, you will bring back an unforgettable memory with Venice.Show Less - 6.54.5/582 reviews2035 review"The exhibition hall has two floors. It is expected that the visit time can be more than 2 hours. If you like Venice, you can visit and see 2 works of Titian, Dintoletto, Potichelli, Giorgio Ne, etc. The art museum in Venice is really beautiful and unbearable. It is a pleasure to see the Master Art Exhibition in Venice. Every time you go to the exhibition, you can go to the exhibition for an afternoon... It is highly recommended to go to the art museum!"Venice.Venice City Center1.5 km from downtownArt MuseumsHighlights: The Art Gallery of the Venice Academy of Fine Arts is a very famous art gallery in Venice. It is an art gallery affiliated to the Venice Academy of Fine Arts and has a large collection of paintings and works of art. Opened in 1817, the gallery mainly houses paintings of the Venetian school from the 14th to the 18th centuries. It mainly includes works by Giorgione, Giovanni, Bellini, etc. Da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man" is also collected here.Show Less
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