3 Days In Venice: The PERFECT Itinerary (2024)
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 to visit in Italy and for extremely good reason. Venice is pure magic. As beautiful as it is in pictures, it’s nothing compared to when you see it in person.
Venice, often referred to as the “City of Canals,” exudes a timeless allure that captivates travellers from all around the world. Nestled amidst the tranquil waters of the Venetian Lagoon, this gorgeous Italian city is renowned for its intricate network of canals, charming bridges, and grand architecture. A labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets and bustling piazzas offers a glimpse into Venice’s rich history and vibrant culture.
The iconic gondola rides, where skilled gondoliers navigate through the waterways, make it obvious why it’s called the city of love. 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 the following post, we’ll explain all of the best things to do while spending 3 days in Venice. This is a great amount of time to spend in the little city of Venice, so let’s get started!
Have you still got 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!
How many days in Venice?
You could easily spend a week relaxing in Venice, exploring the canals and exploring 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.
Getting 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 trusting and turning streets are the best part of Venice and 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 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 vaporettos 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 vaporettos 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
Day 1: Morning
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.
Day 1: Afternoon
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.
Day 1: Evening
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
Day 2: Morning
After enjoying breakfast at a different local cafe start your day by visiting the iconic Rialto Bridge, before it gets too busy. 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 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.
Day 2: Afternoon
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.
Day 2: Evening
After your afternoon full of treats it’s only right that you end it in the same way. Soak up the atmosphere of Venice at dusk with a sunset Jazz cruise complete with 2 drinks and Cicchetti. The evening lasts 1.5 hours and costs £70. During our boat trip, 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. Hopefully, you have more luck if you go on it!
You can book your jazz cruise here.
Day 3 in Venice
Day 3: Morning
After another delicious breakfast at a local cafe 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 on 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.
Day 3: Afternoon
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.
Day 3: Final Evening of 3 days Venice
Seek out a cosy local restaurant in a less touristy area for your final dinner. Enjoy a relaxed meal with authentic Venetian flavours. We stumbled upon a great little one down a side street where I enjoyed an incredible Minestrone soup and a strawberry and mascarpone dessert.
Spend your final evening in Venice bar hopping like a local sampling all of the bà cari. Bà cari are small, local bars hidden all over Venice, serving cheap cicchetti, 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.
Finally, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s enchanting streets and squares, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights. Absorb the romantic ambience as you bid farewell to this captivating city.
The perfect way to end 3 days in Venice.
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. Alternatively, you can book a bus to take you to your next destination. Flixbus is a great company to travel around Europe using. 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.
![How to get to Lake Garda from Verona [By Train, Bus or Car]](https://livingourmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/The-mountains-behind-Limone-sul-Garda.jpg)