Are you planning a trip to Italy and wondering how to spend 3 days in Venice?

So, you’re planning on spending 3 days in Venice and looking for the top things to do in Venice and how best to spend your time? Well, look no further. This post will include everything that you need to know for 3 magical days in Venice.

Venice is one of the most popular spots in Italy, and it is for this reason. Venice is pure magic. As beautiful as it is in pictures, it’s nothing compared to when you see it in person. It is often referred to as the “City of Canals,” and when you visit, it’s easy to see why.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, then I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support, as this is how I keep my content free <3

I have visited Venice twice and fell in love with it both times. Sure, it’s busy, but it’s also absolutely beautiful and unique. You can spend days exploring the winding canals, sampling the cuisine and admiring the iconic Italian architecture and waterways.

It’s the perfect place to spend a long weekend, exploring Venice’s world-famous landmarks, such as St. Mark’s Square with its remarkable basilica, as well as the ornate Doge’s Palace. However, unlike most cities that are centred around a square, Venice is a little different. The best and most iconic thing about visiting Venice is just getting lost in its tiny streets.

In this post, I’ll explain all of the best things to do whilst in Venice, plus, everything you need to know to plan a visit, as well as outline the perfect 3-day Venice itinerary. Let’s dive in!

In a hurry? Here is our quick guide to visiting Venice, Italy!

How to get here: Fly into Marco Polo Airport, Venice’s main airport
What language is spoken? Italian (although English is also widely spoken)
What currency is used? The Euro
Where to stay: MEININGER Venezia Mestre is a great budget option, if you’re looking for a more luxurious spot, then the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is gorgeous
When to visit: Peak summer can get extremely crowded. April-May or September-October are perfect. Warm, but less busy.
What are the top things to see? Visit St. Mark’s Square, explore the canals and go on a Jazz cruise.

How to spend 3 days in Venice: The ultimate 3 day trip itinerary

Here’s a quick look at what this 3-day Venice itinerary will cover!

Day 1:
– Visit St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
– Visit Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
-Watch the sunset at Fondamenta degli Incurabili
Day 2:
– Enjoy breakfast on the Rialto Bridge
– Stroll to the beautiful Santa Maria della Salute
– Visit Teatro La Fenice, the Venice Opera House
– Enjoy a glass of Prosecco at Caffè Florian
– End the day with a sunset Jazz cruise
Day 3:
– Visit Libreria Acqua Alta
– Explore the historic Jewish Ghetto
– Visit a Bàcari for €1 wine

Everything you need to know for a 3 days in Venice plus, a day-by-day itinerary

Here is a handy Venice map to help you locate each spot:

Before we dive into the 3-day Venice itinerary, I’ll cover any frequently asked questions about visiting Venice so that you’re fully prepared for your trip!

How many days in Venice?

You could easily spend a week relaxing in Venice, exploring the canals and the nearby islands. However, 2 or 3 full days are plenty to get a sense of the city and visit its highlights. If you have 3 days in Venice, then you can enjoy the city at a slower pace, visit some museums and take longer lunches and more frequent cicchetti breaks. So, if you’re wondering how many days to spend in Venice, then 3 days in Venice is the ideal amount.

When is the best time to go to Venice?

The best time to visit Venice is during Spring, April and May or early Autumn, in September and October, when the city is warm and dry but not too hot. If you’re looking for sunshine and don’t mind crowds, then opt to visit in July or August, just be prepared for it to be very busy and for you to be very hot!

How to get to Venice?

If you’re travelling from the UK, then the easiest way to reach Venice is to fly into Venice’s main airport, Marco Polo Airport. It is only 8km (5 miles) north of Venice. From the airport, you can get to Venice from the airport by Public Bus. Bus #5 or the ATVO Blue bus will take you to Piazzale Roma. Or, if you’re feeling like arriving in style, then you can travel from Venice Marco Polo International Airport to your hotel by hopping on a water taxi.

If you’re visiting Venice from anywhere else in Italy (we recommend pairing a weekend in Venice with a weekend in Rome!) or Europe, then the best way to do so is via train. Trains are the easiest way to travel around Italy – they are inexpensive, fast, and have plenty of departure options.

If you are staying on the island of Venice, then the train will take you to Venezia Santa Lucia train station. If you are staying across the water, then you can get off the train at Venezia Mestre.

Where to stay for 3 days in Venice

There are a lot of options for places to stay in Venice either on Venice Island or near Venezia Mestre. There are pros and cons to both if you opt to stay in Venice then you’ll be staying on the beautiful canals but, the prices will be a lot higher or you will be left with a small, rundown room for a fairly high price.

Or you can opt to stay near Venezia Mestre, there are a lot of options for hotels here. All are very modern with a much lower price, the only downside is you’ll have to ride the train into Venice every morning and evening. The train takes around 20 minutes and costs around £1.50 each way so it’s really not a huge inconvenience and the option that we went for.

We stayed at MEININGER Venezia Mestre. The rooms were clean, spacious and modern and were approximately a 5-minute walk from the train and bus station, making it very easy to get into the centre of Venice, to our next destination and to and from the airport.

The best way to travel around Venice

The best way to get around Venice and to make sure that you don’t miss anything is by foot!

The city on the Lagoon is relatively small making it really easy to walk. The canals and the twisting and turning streets are the best part of Venice. If you choose to travel from one area to another any other way then you’ll miss this. There are no cars or bikes in the city, and even if there were, there are no streets to drive them on.

If you don’t fancy walking everywhere, then there is the option of public transport.

As expected, it’s neither buses nor a subway but, instead, boats. They are called Vaporetto and can get you all around town. Vaporettos are not cheap, though. A single ticket costs €12.00 (valid for 70 minutes), so if you intend to use them a lot, buying a day pass can be a much better value. 24 hours from validation costs €30.00, 48 hours from validation €40.00, and 72 hours from validation €50,00. Perfect if you’re spending 3 days in Venice. If you’re visiting during peak periods, just be prepared for the boats to be busy!

Top Tips for 3 Days in Venice:

– Venice can get crowded, so consider purchasing skip-the-line tickets for major attractions in advance.
– Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking a lot on cobblestone streets and bridges.
– Be respectful of local customs and remember that Venice is a city built on water, so water taxis and vaporetto’s are the primary modes of transportation.
– You can drink tap water in Venice.
– The Accademia Gallery and other attractions might have specific opening days and times, so plan ahead.
– Island hopping using vaporetto’s offers a different perspective of Venice and its surrounding islands.
– Take some time to enjoy the tranquil moments by the canals and squares, and soak in the unique atmosphere of each island.

Day 1: 3 Days In Venice

Morning: Visit St. Mark’s Square, Palazzo Ducale and St. Mark’s Basilica

Food is a huge part of travelling (at least for us anyway), so start your day by enjoying breakfast at a Local Café. Indulge in a cappuccino and a freshly baked croissant as you soak in the morning atmosphere.

After you are caffeinated and full, head to St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) before it gets too busy! Marvel at the stunning architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile. Don’t forget to snap some photos of the iconic pigeons and the grandeur of the square.

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) stands adjacent to St. Mark’s Basilica. A beautiful Gothic structure facing the Venetian lagoon. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs and imagine the stories it could tell if it could talk as you enjoy the views of the canals.

Afternoon: Explore the charming streets, canals, and take a gondola ride

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a traditional Venetian trattoria. Savour local specialities like risotto, Cicchetti (small tapas-style dishes), or a plate of fresh pasta. (We told you that food is a big part of our travels).

One of our favourite things we did whilst visiting Venice was to get lost in the charming streets and alleys of Venice. It’s a great way to start your time in Venice and get a feel for the city. Wander away from the main tourist areas to discover hidden gems, quaint squares, and local artisan shops.

After this, if your budget allows it experience the quintessential Venetian activity by taking a gondola ride through the picturesque canals. While it’s a touristy experience, it offers a unique perspective of the city’s architecture and ambience and is a must-see in Venice. Just be prepared that a 30-minute tourist gondola ride in Venice may cost you a whopping €80 during the day and €100 in the evening. If you are on a tighter budget but still want to experience a Gondola ride then you can opt to ride a traghetto instead. A traghetto is an Italian “ferry”. It is a gondola ferry service that carries people across the Grand Canal. It’s used as a means of transportation, especially for the locals but, as a tourist you can ride one for as little as €2. Meaning you can enjoy the quintessential gondola ride just without the hefty price tag.

The journeys usually only last 1 or 2 minutes and they seat around 10 people (compared to a gondola which seats around 5-6) but, if you are on a budget then this is a great way to still have the experience and snap a cute photo.

How to ride a traghetto

The traghetti crosses the canal at 7 different points between the railroad station and St. Mark’s Basin. When walking along the canals you’ll notice various traghetto stations along the Grand Canal, where you can ride as many traghettos as you want.

Evening: Watch the sunset

At the end of your first day in Venice, you can either relax back in your accommodation or head out for dinner. We, naturally, recommend the latter. There are so many restaurants to choose from in Venice fitting every budget. If you’re looking for a budget option then we recommend heading into the lanes and away from the main tourist areas.

Later that evening, make your way to Fondamenta degli Incurabili, a picturesque spot along the Grand Canal. Enjoy the beautiful sunset views over the water and capture the golden hues reflecting off the historic buildings accompanied by a crisp glass of Italian white wine.

Day 2 – 3 Days in Venice: Explore the Rialto Bridge, visit Teatro La Fenice (the Venice Opera House) and Caffè Florian ending with a sunset Jazz cruise.

Morning: Explore Rialto Bridge and Santa Maria della Salute.

After enjoying breakfast at a different local café, start your day by visiting the iconic Rialto Bridge, before it gets too busy. The Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest and most famous bridges in Venice. Explore the Rialto Market nearby, known for its vibrant stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, and local goods. It’s a great spot to wander across and soak up the atmosphere, or if you’re looking to escape the crowds, then head to the side of the Rialto Bridge and enjoy a more peaceful spot, away from the crowds.

Next, take a stroll to the beautiful Santa Maria della Salute. This domed basilica offers fantastic views of the city and the Grand Canal from its steps. You can also explore the interior and appreciate its stunning Baroque architecture.

Afternoon: Visit Teatro La Fenice, the Venice Opera House and Caffè Florian

After lunch visit Teatro La Fenice, the Venice Opera House. Tickets cost €12 per person and this includes an audio guide. It takes around 1-2 hours to look around and is beautiful. The opera house is magnificent and has an incredibly interesting history. It’s also a great spot to avoid the crowds and cool down from the heat outside.

After this, if the opera house has got you in the mood to feel like royalty then head to Caffè Florian. The cafe is the oldest coffee house in continuous operation in Italy. It was established in 1720 and is one of the oldest in the world. The oldest is Café Procope founded in Paris in 1686.

It’s definitely more of a treat option than ‘budget-friendly’. But, in our eyes is well worth it. We ordered a glass of Prosecco each (actually one of their cheapest drinks on the menu) along with a chocolate fondant for Chris. This came to €42. But, the glasses of prosecco did come with water, olives and crisps.

Evening: Go on a sunset Jazz cruise

On your second evening I highly recommend going on a sunset Jazz cruise. It was my favourite thing that we did in Venice, and such a lovely, relaxing way to spend the evening.

You’ll spend 1.5 hrs/ 90 minutes soaking up the atmosphere of Venice at dusk with a sunset Jazz cruise complete with a glass of bubbly, and Cicchetti (Venice tapas – as Chris and I are both vegetarians we had hummus and different spreads on toasts).

During our catamaran cruise, the sky decided to put on an extreme lightning show, which only added to the already incredible atmosphere. However, it did mean that we couldn’t travel as far afield as the boat usually does, but we still cruised around the Grand Canal, listened to the incredible Jazz performance and enjoyed the gorgeous views of the sun setting over Venice (and then of the very impressive lightning)

The evening costs £70/ 93 USD. It’s a really lovely way to experience Venice from a totally different viewpoint, so if you enjoy gorgeous views and Jazz music, I really recommend it. It gets booked up quickly so I recommend booking your tickets in advance.

If you fancy an evening of drinks, Cicchetti, live music and sunset views, then you can book your jazz cruise here.

Day 3: Visit the Instagram-famous Libreria Acqua Alta, the Jewish ‘Ghetto’ or go on a boat trip to Burano and a Bàcari

Morning: Visit Libreria Acqua Alta

After another delicious breakfast at a local café, head to Libreria Acqua Alta. Experience a quirky bookstore like no other. The bookshop opens at 9 am, so to try and avoid the crowds, aim to get here then

This eclectic shop is known for its books stored in gondolas, bathtubs, and even a full-size boat. It’s a treasure trove for book and photography enthusiasts. If you want to snap a photo of the iconic pile of books, then make sure you’ve got your pose and camera at the ready. It gets VERY busy.

To ensure that the line (yes, that’s right, you have to queue to take your photo) keeps moving, they have someone telling you to move on. So, unless you are an incredible photographer at getting the shot the first time or just very lucky to be prepared to maybe not get the exact photo that you had in mind.

Afternoon: Visit the Jewish ‘Ghetto’ or go on a boat trip to Burano

For the final afternoon of your 3 days in Venice, there are two options that we would recommend:

The first is to explore the historic Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in the world. Visit the Jewish Museum to learn about the history and culture of Venice’s Jewish community. Take a stroll through the charming streets and discover the unique atmosphere of this area.

The second is to visit Burano, a colourful island in the Northern Venetian Lagoon. This bright little island is renowned for its vibrant houses and lace-making tradition. Spend your afternoon strolling along the canals, exploring the lace shops, and taking plenty of colourful photos.

You can opt to go on a tour here, cruising around the islands surrounding Venice on a boat trip, exploring the gorgeous colourful houses of Burano and Murano and seeing glass being blown. It’s a wonderful way to spend your last afternoon in Venice.

You can book your Venice Islands: Murano Glass & Burano Colours Guided Visit here.

Final Evening of 3 days in Venice: Enjoy a local dinner and visit a Bàcari

Seek out a cosy local restaurant in a less touristy area for your final dinner and, if you haven’t already, sample some authentic Venetian flavours. We stumbled upon a great little one down a side street where I enjoyed an incredible Minestrone and a strawberry and mascarpone dessert. It looked like a little living room, but it had some of the best food that we’ve had during our entire trip. So, here’s your sign to not judge a book by its cover!

After dinner, spend your final evening in Venice bar hopping like a local, sampling all of the bàcari.

Bàcari are small, local bars hidden all over Venice, serving cheap cicchetti (the local Venice tapas), ranging from about €1 to €4 and just as cheap wine. Many serve a small glass for €1! We visited Barreto Da Lele and the atmosphere was great, tons of people all sat around by the canal, a busker playing the guitar, and everyone having a great, cheap time. It was super chilled (we were sitting on the ground – you can’t get more chilled than that!) but such a lovely evening.

Onward travel after 3 days in Venice

Europe is extremely accessible by train, bus and flight. Either head to the main train station, Venezia Mestre, which also happens to be the location for the bus station and hop on a bus to any of the main cities in Italy or Europe. Venice can be paired perfectly with a trip to Florence, Cinque Terre, The Dolomites or Milan.

Alternatively, you can book a bus to take you to your next destination. BusBud is a great company to book buses around Europe on. Venice airport is also nearby and usually has some really budget-friendly flight options if a flight is more your thing or if you’re looking to travel a bit further afield.

Do you still have a question about spending 3 days in Venice or our 3-day Venice itinerary? Let us know over on Instagram, we’ll be happy to answer any questions!

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, then you might also enjoy reading:

– The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the 5 Cinque Terre Towns
– Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites
– How to Spend 1 Day in Florence: PERFECT Florence Itinerary! (+Map)
– TOP 9 Things to See & Do in Milan In One Day (Itinerary + Map)
– 11 Top Things To Do In Limone Sul Garda, Lake Garda (+ Map)
– Limone Sul Garda, Italy: Everything You Need To Know To Plan A Visit