Posted By
Planmytour Team
October 09, 2025
The capital of Veneto region in northern Italy and built on more than 100 small, scenic islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is a dreamy escape for first-timers seeking an all-out European city break. There are scores of things to do in Venice thanks to its rich history, jaw-dropping architecture, and wide network of canals sans a road system. Invariably, booking cheap all-inclusive holidays to Venice from UK can be the smartest thing you do this year, opening doors to an adventurous holiday unlike any other.
However, planning your tour of Venice well and securing a great flight-plus-holiday package is paramount, as it can eliminate travel planning and stress. Also, note that several Venice tourist attractions can be booked ahead of time, such as renowned museums, walking tours, and cultural events or festivals.
Therefore, it's imperative to know what attractions you wish to explore during your visit to Venice, and pre-book everything possible so that you don't miss out on anything. The following guide can help you do just that!
From Gothic palaces to bustling piazzas (squares), traditional houses, and ancient churches, there's much to see in Venice. Knowing where to begin can be confusing for a first-time visitor. Browse the ensuing Venice travel guide to learn about the top unmissable attractions in this picturesque Italian city. It can also help you determine the best time to visit Venice, depending on the type of holiday you wish to enjoy.
Indisputably the top of all Venice attractions, the striking Rialto Bridge, or Ponte di Rialto in Italian, is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the breathtaking Grand Canal in Venice. Built originally as a pontoon bridge in the 1170s, the bridge has been rebuilt several times since then and is among the most photographed sites in Italy. It connects the districts of San Polo and San Marco and boasts several great photo spots, including the banks on either side of it that allow panoramic shots of the canal and the bridge itself.
Besides visiting the famous bridge, you can book special tours nearby, like the ones that focus on the Mercati di Rialto and allow you to experience the local ambience while learning about fresh produce and other goods. There are many wine tastings, history walks, and food tours as well centered on the Rialto area.
Gondola rides are the most enjoyable ways of Venice sightseeing, offering a unique, more intimate way to see the city's exquisite architecture. Boasting a historic, tourist-focused experience, gondola rides are where a gondolier (expert boatman) navigates a flat-bottomed traditional boat through Venice's canals, allowing a close look at impeccable sights. While they are an ancient form of transport in Venice, most active gondolas now serve tourists and can be found at gondola stations or near the bridges throughout the city.
Typically, a 30-minute gondola ride during the day can cost around €80 for up to five people, while the same costs approximately €110 after 07:00 PM, owing to the increasing allure of the city's beauty bathed in the colours of the sunset. Note that you can skip lines by reserving gondola rides online, and a shared ride will be cheaper than a private one. Also, the rates mentioned here are only estimates, and may change as per season and tourism prices.
While booking the best hotels in Venice with an all inclusive stay is great to handle meal planning during your holiday, the most fantastic way to experience the local cuisine is to join a Venetian cooking class. It offers a hands-on experience of authentic Venetian cuisine, wherein you'll learn to prepare popular local specialties like pasta, tiramisu, gnocchi, or even a gourmet multi-course meal, all under the guidance of a professional chef.
Venetian cooking classes are generally small-group affairs held in clean, private kitchens, allowing each participant to enjoy personal attention. Some classes are offered by top restaurants and organised right in their kitchens. Many classes also include visits to the market to grab fresh produce, and culminate in a shared dining experience with you relishing your own creation with fellow students. Most meals are accompanied by popular local wines.
With origins dating back to the 14th century, the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is an absolute must see in Venice, especially for history buffs. Constructed in authentic Venetian Gothic style, the iconic landmark was once the residence of the Doge of Venice (the elected authority of the former Republic of Venice), and also housed a jail and government offices. The grandiosity of the palace was intentional, built specifically to display the tremendous wealth and authority of Venice.
Invariably, the architectural beauty and superiority of the palace is incomparable, featuring grand halls embellished with masterpieces by legendary artists, an impressive armory, the magnificent marble staircase - Scalad Giganto, and the enclosed Bridge of Sighs connecting the palace to the old prison cells. To avoid long queues and guarantee entry, you can pre-book a tour of the palace by visiting its official website and reserving as many tickets as you need.
A quick day trip to the popular islands of Murano and Burano can be richly rewarding when you invest in cheap all-inclusive holidays to Italy for a trip to Venice. Consider visiting Murano first, as it is closer to Venice and offers famed attractions like the Glass Museum, alongside live glass-blowing demonstrations. You can also admire the ancient Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato and the Murano Lighthouse, or walk along Fondamenta dei Vetrai to discover art galleries and glass shops.
Burano is great for traditional pastel-coloured houses, offering a glimpse into Venice's vibrant residential scene. It's also a renowned centre for traditional lace-making. Ideally, it's best to spend more time in Murano and spare a few hours for Burano, leaving sufficient time for a full day trip. The Leaning Bell Tower of San Martino, Tre Ponti Bridge, and Piazza Galuppi are other major highlights.
The commonest and most cost-effective way to travel to these islands is via the vaporetto (water bus). You can purchase a 24-hour vaporette pass rather than buying a single ticket, making the journey cheaper, unhurried, and more enjoyable. You can book vaporetto passes on the official ACTV website (Venice's public transport), and also find details about the timings and routes for your trip.
The breathtaking St. Mark's Basilica, or Basilica di San Marco, in Venice is a stunning cathedral loved for its Byzantine architecture and located in the heart of St. Mark's Square. With historical significance as a Doge's chapel, the ancient basilica is now among the top pilgrimage sites in the world, claimed to be housing the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist, purportedly brought to Venice from Alexandria by merchants.
Why book a night tour? Exploring St. Mark's Basilica at night allows you the chance to see its gilded gold mosaics bathed in special light, highlighting the intricacies of Byzantine art. After-hours access also ensures tranquillity and a lack of crowds, besides access to unique areas like the crypt housing the remains of St. Mark. You may also be able to enjoy a closer look at the Pala d'Oro, a breathtaking altarpiece made of gold and precious stones.
Visiting the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) is among the most unique things to do in Venice, particularly because of its fascinating history. The world-famous bridge crosses the Rio di Palazzo Canal and connects the Doge’s Palace to the new prison, and was built to securely transport prisoners between the buildings. The enclosed, double-corridor Baroque-style bridge is made of white Istrian stone (metamorphosed limestone), with windows featuring stone bars to prevent prisoners from escaping.
The name Bridge of Sights has an interesting story to it. It's attributed to acclaimed poet Lord Byron, who popularised the legend that prisoners would sigh in despair or grief as they took one last look at Venice while passing over the bridge on their way to being imprisoned or executed. You can view the bridge from the Ponte della Paglia (a nearby bridge), or visit the structure as part of your tour of the Doge's Palace.
The vaporetto is a public water bus or a "water taxi" that takes you on a tour of the most beautiful places to visit in Venice with multiple stops. Snaking along Venice's main waterway, it's the most scenic way to see iconic sites like the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Rialto Bridge. Tourists can also visit nearby islands like Murano and Burano on a vaporetto. The best seats are at the front or back of the boat, offering uninterrupted views.
Line 1 is the best, most scenic route, offering a comprehensive tour by stopping at every station along the Grand Canal. It can take you from Piazzale Roma to St. Mark's Square. Line 2 is a faster option with fewer stops, ideal for those seeking quicker tours to reach major destinations like Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma.
Where to buy the tickets: You can get vaporetto tickets at Venezia Unica counters, on the official AVM/ACTV website, ticket machines, or via authorised retailers. Options include multi-trip passes, and time-limited tickets valid for 75 minutes, 24 hours, or a couple days. You must validate the ticket by scanning it at the electronic point at the dock.
Food tours are the perfect ways to discover hidden gems in Venice, Italy, with prominent ones focusing on beloved specialties like cicchetti (small snacks), risottos, fresh seafood, Venetian wines, and Spritz (a bitter aperitif). Many tours include a visit to the lively Rialto Market and tastings at “bacari” (local bars), introducing travellers to authentic flavours of Venetian cuisine alongside insights into its maritime and trading history.
Many food tours in Venice feature family-run eateries, promising an authentic gastronomical adventure distant from common tourist traps. Remember, the food culture and cuisine in Venice is much different to that of other regions in Italy. In fact, dining in Venice is an unhurried, relaxed experience, so learn as much as you can while on a tour. Don't forget to savour each dish, and ensure to sample popular desserts like classic Venetian cakes and Baicoli biscuits.
While you can download apps and embark on self-guided tours, it's recommended to pre-book and join a professional tour for a well-rounded experience with an expert guide to accompany you. Pick from a wide range of Venice walking tours to see the city's majestic sites up close and collect the most amazing travel photos! It helps to secure walking tours with smaller groups, so you'll have a better chance of asking questions, stop a bit longer at attractions, and enjoy more personal attention.
Classic walking tours offer a detailed overview of Venice's main attractions, including popular monuments and squares. Themed tours shine the spotlight on particular aspects of the city, like food, wine, history, and culture. A lot of popular tours combine walking with gondola rides or a private boat excursion, enabling a different perspective. It's advisable to book such tours for a full Venice experience.
Specialised tours include deep dives into specific topics, like the history of Murano glassmaking, secret itineraries of the Doge's Palace, and off-the-beaten neighbourhoods and areas. Secret garden tours will bring you to hidden courtyards and lesser-known gardens, with the guide providing their historical details.
If you're wondering what to do in Venice for art, there's nothing better than a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a premier modern art museum showcasing priceless 20th-century American and European art, including works by Kandinsky, Picasso, and Pollock. It is the private collection of Peggy Guggenheim, a renowned American heiress and art collector who played a pivotal role in introducing modern European and American art to Italy and the world.
Located within the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni - Peggy Guggenheim's former residence, the museum boasts a collection of iconic masterpieces like Salvador Dali's Birth of Liquid Desires, Picasso's On the Beach, René Magritte's The Voice of Space, and Andy Warhol's FLOWERS. It also has a Nasher Sculpture Garden, teeming with beautiful sculptures and overlooking the Grand Canal.
Ticket Information: You can book tickets to the museum via third-party vendors, directly at the museum's ticket counter, or purchase them in advance on the official Peggy Guggenheim Museum website. You can also book art-focused guided tours in various languages (subject to guide availability) by emailing the museum, as detailed on the website. Private guided tours may be allowed, but you will need prior permission.
Plan your Venice trip today with these unforgettable experiences! Enjoy a fabulous first visit and be back in no time for brand new adventures. To begin, follow the proven and practical tips listed below to make the most of your trip and enjoy the best things to do in Venice.
Book attractions and tours in advance. Pre-booking activities can help secure your spot/entry and beat long lines and crowds, especially during the peak season.
Wander aimlessly to discover hidden gems. These include traditional family-run eateries, secret gardens, and lesser-known canals with picturesque photo-ops.
Explore Venice nightlife. Key aspects of Venetian nightlife include cosy bacari (wine bars), Aperitivo culture, softly-lit Jazz clubs, and late-night dining in bustling squares like the Campo Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro District.
Book Venice holiday packages with reliable agencies like PlanMyTour. We offer affordable flight and hotel packages with all inclusive options, low deposits, ATOL protection, flexible payment plans, and year-round availability.
Pack light and wear comfortable footwear. You'll be walking A LOT in Venice, including carrying your luggage on and off boats, and embarking on walking tours.
Carry a refillable water bottle. Ensure your bottle can filter the water you carry, locating public fountains to stay hydrated throughout the day and reduce wastage.
Learn about local customs. There are rules regarding conduct and attire when visiting churches and other religious sites, with potential fines for disrespectful behaviour.
Practice a few basic Italian phrases. Saying "Ciao" (informal hello or goodbye), "Grazie" (thank you), and “Per favore” (please) will make the locals appreciate your interest in their language and culture.
Use street signs or a traditional map to navigate. GPS may not be reliable owing to Venice's complex water-based layout, so avoid depending on it too much.
