Venice attractions

Mocenigo Palace (Palazzo Mocenigo) once served as the palatial residence of the rich and influential Mocenigo family. Between the 15th and the 18th centuries, seven members of the family became Doges, leaders of the Venetian Republic. After the palace was bequeathed to the city, its elegant rooms were converted into a museum showcasing aristocratic fashions and textiles, and, more recently, perfumes.

Built in the 11th century for Doge Vitale Falier, the Church of San Vidal (Chiesa di San Vidal) is now less about religion and more about culture. Visitors can attend evening classical concerts performed by the Interpreti Veneziani ensemble, while admiring the church’s historic artwork. There are several pieces by the Venetian Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio, including his esteemed St. Vitale on Horseback and Saints.

Villa Foscari, also known as La Malcontenta, is a waterfront mansion by acclaimed Venetian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Built in the 1550s on a pristine green space along the Brenta Riviera, this temple-like villa is an architectural jewel. You can tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site to admire its perfectly symmetrical design, floor-to-ceiling frescoes, and sweeping gardens with views of the waterway.

Discover a 700-year history of artistic glassmaking at the Museo del Vetro (Museum of Glass), located on the island of Murano, just north of Venice. Master craftsmen still create exquisite pieces of glass art on the island today, and the museum, housed in a 15th-century palace, showcases the world’s largest collection of Venetian glass.

The star landmark on the sparsely populated island of Torcello, the 7th-century Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the oldest structures in the Venetian Lagoon. It’s best known for renovations added in later centuries, including glittering Byzantine mosaics depicting the Last Judgment, intricate polychrome marble flooring, and a richly colored iconostasis. That’s not all; the landmark bell tower offers lovely views over the lagoon and Venice in the distance.

In the 16th century, the island of Burano was renowned for its lace-making; the royal courts of Europe grew enamoured with it, and sought it out for everything from collars to tablecloths. Lace industries in the Republic of Venice flourished. Centuries later, few locals are as skilled in the delicate craft, but Burano is still synonymous with lace-making, and the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) is the best place to see its most prized pieces.

Established in the 17th century, the Casinò di Venezia is considered to be the oldest active gambling venue in the world. Here, you’ll find a range of slot machines and classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker, but the real draw is the setting; the casino is housed at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, an opulent Renaissance palace overlooking the Grand Canal.

Located in Venice’s laid-back Castello district, the Querini Stampalia Foundation (Fondazione Querini Stampalia) blends the splendor of an 18th-century aristocratic home with wide-ranging artworks, from Rococo paintings to cutting-edge modern and contemporary art installations. This makes it one of the city’s more eclectic offerings. Popular with modern design enthusiasts, the museum boasts a minimalist, Zen-inspired garden designed by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.

An ode to Venice’s rich classical musical heritage, the small but comprehensive Music Museum (Museo della Musica) is one of the city’s little-known gems. The exhibit inside the historic San Maurizio Church explores three centuries of violin making and showcases an impressive array of Italian stringed instruments, with highlights including a 19th-century lyre and an exquisite mandolin inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista is among Venice’s historic Scuole Grandi (Great Schools, sumptuous confraternity palaces that today contain some of the city’s most important art and relics. Founded in the 13th century, the Scuola is home to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque masterpieces by Tintoretto and others.

One of the busiest cruise ports in Europe, the Venice Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere Venezia) is a popular stop for many European cruise liners. Most ships dock at the Stazione Marittima near the Piazzale Roma transport hub in the Venetian Lagoon, with passengers opting to explore charming Venice on guided tours and convenient shore excursions.

It may not top anyone’s list of must-see sights in Venice, but Piazzale Roma serves an important purpose. This is a major transportation hub and bus station, the last spot in car-free Venice where driving isn’t banned. If you come to Venice by bus, you’re likely to be dropped off here. There are also parking garages for people who arrive by car.

Nature lovers and art enthusiasts are drawn to Giardini della Biennale, a picturesque park that hosts the renowned Venice Biennale art festival. Every two years, the park transforms into a global art hub featuring about 30 pavilions, each showcasing art from a different nation. When the festival isn’t underway, visitors will find a tranquil garden ideal for walks amidst lush greenery and scenic canal views plus the pavilions, each designed by esteemed architects.

In a city that is home to well over 100 churches, the Duomo di Murano still stands out. Located on the laid-back island of Murano (famous for its hand-blown glass), the medieval basilica is tucked among galleries, cafés, and glass-blowing factories. It’s known for its stunning pair of 12th-century mosaics, as well as rib bones said to belong to a dragon slain by a saint.

Burano’s public library is a pocket-sized oasis for readers of all ages, with five rooms holding more than 10,000 books divided into sections for kids, teens, and adults, plus daily newspapers and a Wi-Fi connection. In addition, Biblioteca Burano holds regular cultural programs and events to promote literacy and literature for Italian speakers.

Just a half-hour ferry ride from Venice, the islands of Mazzorbo feel a world away from the frenzy on the other side of the lagoon. While nearby Burano and Murano are famed for their colorful houses and craft traditions, agricultural Mazzorbo is rich in natural beauty, with vineyards, artichoke fields, and the oldest bell tower in the Venetian Lagoon.

Sitting along Burano’s main Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, the Chiesa di San Martino (or, more fully, Chiesa di San Martino Vescovo) is the island’s most important church. The current church was built between the 16th and 17th centuries over a parish church dating from 1000, and is home to a number of masterpieces, including Giambattista Tiepolo’s Crucifixion.

Ponte Chiodo is located in Venice’s delightfully off-the-beaten-track Cannaregio neighborhood, away from the crowds of St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) and the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto). While it’s one of over 400 bridges that connect the Venetian archipelago, this small stone structure has an unusual distinction: It is among the last bridges in Venice that has no hand railings or parapets, as these protection measures were added across most Venetian bridges in the 19th century.

Ponte delle Tette is one of Venice’s most famous bridges, with a translation that will make you blush—the name means “bridge of the tits” in Italian. The name comes from a colorful piece of history: Renaissance-era sex workers used to lure customers here by flashing their breasts. It’s one of over 400 bridges that cross the emerald-colored lagoon, which connect islands in the Venetian archipelago.

A showstopper of a church, Santa Maria del Giglio (known locally as Santa Maria Zobenigo) has one of the most ornate baroque facades in Venice. Inside, visitors can admire works by masters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Tintoretto, along with a richly decorated baptistery adorned with cherubs. Beautiful inside and out, it’s well worth a visit when exploring Venice’s artistic and architectural treasures.

Inspired by the life and works of Antonio Vivaldi, the San Marco Chamber Orchestra (Virtuosi di Venezia) was formed in 2002 to pay tribute to this great Italian baroque musical composer. The chamber orchestra performs Vivaldi works at Ateneo of San Basso.

A family-friendly water park located an hour outside Venice, Aquafollie has pools, waterslides, and games for kids, plus high-adrenaline attractions such as the Kamikaze slide for thrill seekers. Adults appreciate the umbrella-dotted relaxation area, and parents of the youngest guests can spend time at the nursery pool.

Caribe Bay (formerly Aqualandia) is a colorful resort-style waterpark just outside of Venice that brings the Caribbean to Italy. Perfect for families, the outdoor seasonal park offers waterslides, lazy rivers, and spacious pools, alongside a pirate ship and mini golf course. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, watching live shows, or relaxing in the sun, Caribe Bay is the perfect spot to take a break from Venice sightseeing.

Have your camera ready to capture the rainbow of colorful townhouses lining lively Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, Burano’s main square. Home to landmarks like the Chiesa di San Martino, Lace Museum, and statue of Baldassare Galuppi—the Venetian composer who was born on Burano—this piazza is the heart of the island and one of its most photographed spots.

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks, but many don’t know that above its grandeur lies a secret—an attic prison known as the Piombi. Tucked under the palace roof, this maze of corridors once held notorious inmates in near-impenetrable cells. Today, it’s accessible only on prebooked tours, offering a rare chance to glimpse a side of Venice that most visitors never experience.

It may be one of the smallest branches in Europe, but the Hard Rock Cafe in Venice still delivers big on atmosphere. Packed with music memorabilia, it features rock-and-roll interiors, an American-inspired menu, and a unique setting overlooking a gondola-filled canal. With panoramic water views and a Murano glass chandelier, this outpost blends the brand’s signature style with Venetian charm, creating a perfect mix of old and new worlds.