Itineraries for Your Trip to Venice
2 Days in Venice for First Timers
I have visited Venice at least a dozen times since my first vaporetto (water bus) trip down the Grand Canal from the train station to St. Mark’s Square decades ago. The Floating City continues to astonish me with its ornate palaces, emerald canals, and maze of winding alleys and tiny squares, which come together in one of Italy’s most postcard-perfect destinations.
Its singular beauty and near-miraculous setting attract millions of visitors yearly, and navigating through the swarms that fill Venice from spring through fall can be tricky. You want to cover the famous sights but not waste time in long lines and slow-moving crowds. Here are my tips for how to experience the best of Venice in just two days.
If you only have time for one thing, make it St. Mark’s Square after sunset when the crowds of day-tippers have vanished.
If you visit in the winter flooding season from November to February, pack waterproof footwear in your suitcase.
Cross blockbusters like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and Rialto Bridge off your list first thing in the morning to beat the crowds. Get between these sights with a guided walking tour that leads you through the quieter back streets far from the throngs, plus save hours with fast-track entrance to the most popular attractions.
As the major sights fill with visitors, escape the scrum by climbing to a sky-high perch and gliding along a canal to enjoy the views in peace. Take the public vaporetto or a private water taxi across the Grand Canal to San Giorgio Maggiore, where the bell tower offers a 360°-panorama over Venice and the Venetian Lagoon. Then, settle into a gondola and explore the city along its network of canals with a private or group tour.
Enjoy the authentic side of Venice as the city begins to empty of daytrippers with a food tour in one of the city’s five outlying districts (sestieri), including Castello, Cannaregio, San Polo, Santa Croce, and Dorsoduro. Discover how Venetians dine with an insider guide on a cicchetti crawl that stops at traditional bacaro wine bars for tapas-like appetizers and Veneto wine.
Set off this morning for Burano, where you can join your guide for a stroll past the candy-colored townhouses and learn about this island’s history of lace production for royalty and celebrities. Afterward, relax over a hearty Venetian lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero.
Continue your exploration of the Venice Islands on Murano, the lagoon island known for its glass-blowing workshops for centuries. This island fills with visitors in the morning, so avoid the crowds with a guided tour in the afternoon and marvel as master artisans craft everything from tableware to chandeliers before your eyes.
Venice has a rich musical history and is home to La Fenice, one of Italy’s most famous opera houses. End your time in the city by catching a musical performance at this storied theater or other venues across the city. Enjoy live concerts of Vivaldi and other Baroque composers by professional musicians in period dress in historic palaces and churches.
