Thank you for visiting Destination Dorworth. Here we are going to share our very detailed and helpful 2-3 day itinerary for the beautiful Venice, Italy.
This is a very longggg blog post. So if you’d prefer the more organized and concise itinerary in a PDF, sign up thru the pop-up to receive it for free. The charts show up better on computers and PDF (not mobile).
2-3 day itinerary for venice italy
Learn more about Venice from our blogging friends
* Learn about 12 other unmissable places to visit in Italy here.
* Only 1 day in Venice? Here’s a one day guide.
*See The Best 42 Masks & Costumes from the Original Carnaval here from PS This Rocks.
ITALY COUNTRY FACTS
Capital: Rome
Language: Italian
Time Zone: Central European Time (GMT+1)
Weather by season: Jan-Mar high 30-40s, Apr-Jun high 50-70s, Jul-Sep high 70-80s, Oct-Dec high 30-50s
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate for the USD: 1.19 USD = 1 Euro (updated Sept 2017)
International telephone dialing country code: Calls from USA to Italy use 011-39-number | Calls from Italy to USA use 001-number | Emergency number: 113
Food they’re known for: Pasta and fresh fish
Drinks they’re known for: Wine (of course) and Bellini’s started in Venice
Tipping Expectations: You must ask for the check when you’re ready | Tip 5-10%
Popular Shopping Goods: Italian leather, purses, and lace
Common Shop Hours: 9am-1pm and 3pm-7pm
Taxi Information: You will want to walk around Venice mostly, but if you need to go far distances go to a water taxi stand and wait in line for one
Hotel/Accommodation Recommendations for Venice
Here are the top five accommodations in Venice that are in a convenient location to all the action, have a romantic ambiance, and are good enough for our fine readers. They are listed below from most expensive to more budget friendly. Take a quick glance at them, book one, and download our Organized Travel PDF so you can write the booking details in your “Organize the Essentials List”.
Name
Avg Cost per Night
Stars
Address, City (Neighborhood)
Check In Time
Checkout Time
Booking Link
Aqua Palace
$328
4
Calle de la Malvasia, 5492/a (city center)
2pm
12pm
JW Marriott Venice
$302
5
Isola delle Rose (Rose Island)
3pm
12pm
Hotel Excelsior
$271
5
Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi, 41 (Lido island)
2pm
12pm
Hotel Al Duca Di Venezia
$196
3
Santa Croce, 1739 (city center)
2pm
12pm
Hotel Nuovo Teson
$174
3
Calle Pescaria 3980/3981 (city center)
2pm
11am
Some of these hotels are on their own islands however the hotels have their own free water taxi’s to take you to the city center so it’s no additional cost.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, an apartment rental is the way to go. Using Airbnb you can rent an apartment anywhere in the city. You typically don’t get the amenities of a concierge, breakfast, gym, pool, etc so you can get your stay for less than half the price of a hotel. You’ll want to book far in advance to get a good place with good reviews. Get $40 off your first booking here: BOOK AN AIRBNB
Destination Dorworth is a participant in affiliate links for Booking.com and Airbnb. These links are of no extra cost to you, and simply go towards the costs of keeping this site running! Thanks in advance for your support.
Transportation Recommendations for Venice
Here are the sources we recommend you use to book transportation within the city. In Venice we recommend you water taxi from the airport to city center. Then walk most places around the city. Rental car not recommended.
Type (rental car, taxi, train)
Company
Avg Cost
Website
Rental Car
Rentalcars.com
~36-45E/day varies by location
Car Taxi
Radio Taxi Venezia
~40-45E from airport to city center
Train
Trenitalia
~6E/hr to visit another city
Water Taxi Shuttle
Alilaguna
15E from airport to city center
Booking Recommendations
In the itinerary charts below, you’ll notice we mention “book now” or “book later”. If it says “book now” you truly must book tickets now, months in advance, as it’s a popular thing to do that sells out at peak times. If we say “book later” you could book it just before leaving or you could even just show up to the location and buy tickets that same day…
By the way, are you considering visiting Venice in December? If not, you should because it is less crowded and more affordable.
Trip Overview
2-3 DAY TRIP
DAY 1 East of the Grand Canal
DAY 2 West of the Grand Canal
(DAY 3 optional) Visit nearby islands: Rose Island, Murano Island, and/or Burano Island
PS- If you only have one day in Venice, checkout our friend Greta’s one day in Venice post for ideas!
Trip Details
DAY 1 AT A GLANCE
Today’s Goal to Crush: Be able to say you took a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Venice, Italy.
Today is all about immersing yourself in this watery, wonderland of Venice. Dip your toes into the culture here as you see some history, taste some traditions, and float down one of the most famous canals in the world: the Grand Canal of Venice.
Start by booking your admission to the most famous church here: St Mark’s Basilica. Be sure to wear a shirt with sleeves and cover up before you walk into this magical, golden basilica. Imagine being there when it was being built. The church was originally built in 828 but burned down. The current church was rebuilt in 1063 and it shows off Italian and Byzantine (12-13th century) architecture. When you’re done taking it all in, walk around the Piazza San Marco and San Marco neighborhood to do some shopping. The Campanile is also nearby if you want to go up the tower for views of the city.
Next up is the Palazzo Ducale or Doge’s Palace which was the home of Venice’s elected leaders. It too was burned down several times and now it stands as a museum. It’s pink and white marble designs and Venetian Gothic style make it one of a kind.
The Ca d’Oro is another glorious, gothic structure in Venice. It started as a home to several different owners and eventually became a public museum. The most beautiful part is the facade facing the Grand Canal with it’s lovely arches and external decorations. It might be a place to just look at from the outside, unless you have extra time and love museums.
At some point today when the weather is nice, you must check this thing to do off your bucket list: a gondola ride! You can find stands all along the Grand Canal to wait in line for one. Most rides are by the half hour which is plenty of time to soak up some sun and adventure through the winding canals of Venice. You’re lucky if the gondolier sings to you. Instead, focus on the sites, the architecture, and kiss whoever you’re with. What a romantic first day in Venice!
DAY 1 DETAILS
Destination
Hours
Address
Price
Website
Basilica di San Marco (St Mark’s)
930am-5pm (check the schedule; hours vary by season)
San Marco, 328
2E
[BOOK NOW]
Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square w/shops)
Hours vary by shop
St Mark’s Square
Free
–
Campanile (bell tower)
945am-7pm
San Marco, 328
8E
[BOOK NOW]
Palazzo Ducale (Palace)
830am-7pm (open until 11pm weekends)
San Marco, 1
20E
[BOOK NOW]
Gondola Ride
sunrise-sunset
–
~80E/half hour ride by yourselves
–
Ca d’oro (golden house)
Mon 815am-2pm; Tue-Sat 815am-715pm; Sun 9am-7pm
Via Antonio Canova, 16/20
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti is 13E
BUY LATER
Oh So Tasty Food Options Nearby:
Restaurant
Hours
Type of Food
Address
Price
Website
Harry’s Bar
1030am-11pm
Bar (order the Bellini which was invented here)
Sestiere San Marco 1323
$$
Caffe Florian
10am-12am
Snacks & Coffee
Piazza San Marco, 57
$
Dal Moro’s Fresh Pasta To Go
11am-10pm
Pasta to-go
Calle de la Casseleria, 5324
$
WEBSITE
Osteria Orto dei Mori
1230-330pm and 7pm-12am
Italian
Campo de Mori, 3386
$$
make a reservation
DAY 2 AT A GLANCE
Today’s Goal to Crush: Get lost in Venice.
The more you explore Venice, the more you may realize it is impossible to get good directions and to know where you are at precisely. The streets are narrow, they are not linear, and boy are they clever. So just give in and get lost! Today is all about strolling the streets of Venice, stop in the shops that appeal to you, get gelato 5x if you wish, and enjoy yourself.
First up on the agenda is to visit the Santa Maria della Salute at the southern tip of Venice. It is an iconic church with an emblematic dome that became a symbol of the city.
Then walk west toward the Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia which has the best collection of Venetian paintings.
It may be a good time for a lunch break after that. Then head North toward the Rialto bridge and the Rialto market for some shopping.
If you have some extra time today, it may be relaxing to take advantage of some pool time if the weather allows. Some resorts in Venice have beautiful rooftop pools with views, so slip on your swimsuit and do some relaxing under the Italian sun.
DAY 2 DETAILS
Destination
Hours
Address
Price
Website
Santa Maria della salute
9am-12pm and 3pm-530pm
Campo della Salute, 1
free
Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Campo della Carita, 1050
9E
WEBSITE
Ponte de Rialto (bridge)
–
Ponte de Rialto
free
–
Mercato del Rialto (market)
9am-8pm
Vicino il Ponte di Rialto
free
–
Oh So Tasty Food Options Nearby:
Restaurant
Hours
Type of Food
Address
Price
Website
Al Parlamento Bar
730am-130am
Bar
Cannaregio, 511
$
Antico Forno
1130am-10pm
Pizza by the slice
Calle de L’ogio o de la Rugheta, 970/973
$
WEBSITE
Bacareto de Lele
Weekdays 6am-8pm; Sat 6am-2pm; Sundays
Sandwiches
Campo dei Tolentini, 183
$
–
La Zucca
1230pm-230pm and 7pm-1030pm
Italian
Sotoportego del Tintor, 1
$$
Caffe dei Frari
9am-5pm
Sandwiches/Snacks
San Polo, 2564
$
Al Prosecco
Weekdays 10am-8pm; Sat 10am-5pm
Snacks & Wine Bar
S Croce, 1503
$$
Impronta Cafe
7am-12am
Italian
Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3815
$$
OPTIONAL DAY 3 AT A GLANCE
Today’s Goal to Crush: Visit a nearby island and its beauty.
Today you have four options for island hopping. You could visit Rose Island (home to JW Marriott), Murano Island (known for its glass), Lido (beaches), and/or Burano Island (known for its lace). All are very close by. You have time to visit at least two. Choose based on whether you want to shop, dine, or relax!
– Rose Island: Rose Island is property of JW Marriott. The island is about 20min water taxi ride away from Piazza San Marco in the center of Venice. Once you arrive there, you can explore the property. JW Marriott has their resort there for residents only. However all the restaurants, gardens, and kids pool are open to the public. If you want you could walk the property and the trails. We recommend you consider going here for a fancy, Michelin star dinner. The Dopolavoro restaurant is operated by Chef Giancarlo Perbellini. It is truly a five star experience and our favorite meal in all of Italy.
-Murano Island: This small island North of Venice is known for its glass work if you want to do some shopping for pretty glass.
-Lido Island: To the south of Venice is this long barrier island with lots and lots of beaches.
-Burano Island: Here the houses are painted in lots of fun colors and it’s a fishing town. Everyone comes here to shop for lace. They also have a Museo del Merletto (Museum of Lace) to learn about the types of laces.
DAY 3 DETAILS
To visit the 4 islands, you can catch a water taxi on your own there. Or you can consider one of the pre-booked tour options below for Murano or Burano.
Tour Destination
Hours
Meet Up
Price
Website
Murano & Burano
4 hours
St Mark’s Square
$24.27
[BOOK NOW}
Murano & Burano
5 hours
Central Venice
$42.47
[BOOK NOW]
Murano Glass Factory
2 hours
San Bartolomeo
$36.40
[BOOK NOW]
Oh So Tasty Food Options Nearby:
Restaurant
Hours
Type of Food
Address
Price
Website
Dopolavoro
Weekdays 7pm-10pm; Weekends 1230pm-2pm and 7pm-10pm
Italian/Mediterranean
Rose Island
$$$$
make a reservation
We hope our Venice itinerary was helpful!
