Venice itineraries

Grand Canal to San Marco

Off the train, onto the water, then the Rialto market, the basilica, the Doge's Palace and a gondola before the light goes. For a first visit with a single day.

A night in Dorsoduro

Base yourself in quiet Dorsoduro, where the museums and wine bars are, take the waterfront slowly on day one and cross to San Marco on day two. Evenings mean a spritz by the gondola yard.

Two nights, islands included

Stay in Cannaregio by the station: the Ghetto and back-canal lanes, a day out on Murano and Burano, then San Marco and the Rialto on the last morning. Three days split between tourist routes and local ones.

Festivals & seasons

• 1 — Venice Carnival
• 3 — Spring: the good season begins
• 4 — Day-tripper access fee
• 5 — Festa della Sensa
• 5 — Vogalonga
• 5 — Venice Biennale
• 7 — Festa del Redentore
• 7 — High summer: hot and crowded
• 9 — Venice Film Festival
• 9 — Regata Storica
• 11 — Festa della Salute
• 11 — Acqua alta season

Souvenirs

• Murano glass
• Burano lace
• Essi and bussolai biscuits
• Carnival mask
• Marbled paper and hand-bound notebooks
• Rialto market spices and dried porcini
• Freshly roasted coffee
• Select aperitivo and spritz makings