Best things to do in Venice
Find out more about those top places in Venice
Venice is one of Italy’s famous cities, situated on a group of 118 small islands in north-eastern Italy - it is the capital of the Veneto region. Sometimes referred to as the “City of Bridges” – it is not your typical city, it has no roads but rather movement around the city is by canals and its numerous bridges which links the city together.
Like most Italian cities Venice is a top tourist destination with its fascinating palaces, top art galleries and welcoming locals.
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Basilica di San Marco
The emphatic cathedral is the most famous structure in Venice, also known as the St. Mark’s Basilica it represents the prestige of the Venetians. Built in 1092, it was designed by various Italian architects - the St. Mark’s Basilica interior and exterior can be said to be one that exudes opulence, with its mixture of Italian and Byzantine style. The cathedral is well-known for its several domes and 8000 square meters mosaics decorations.
All-Inclusive Tour: Doge Palace, St Mark's Basilica & Square
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Palazzo Ducale
The Palazzo Ducale remains one of Venice's most important landmarks. Built in 1340 using Venetian Gothic architectural style, the palace was once the residence of the Doge of Venice, the leader of the Former Venetian Republic. Officially now a museum, it remains one of the best places in the city to explore - it features the Museo dell’Opera and the old Doge’s Apartments which are now used for art exhibitions. But the highlights of the Palace are the Sacla d’Oro (Golden Staircase) a 24-carat gilt stucco-work and the Sala delle Quattro Porte (Hall of four Doors).
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Gallerie dell’Accademia
If you are looking for the best of Venetian art, then a trip to the Gallerie dell’Accademia is a must. Situated on the south bank of the Grand Canal, the former convent turned gallery houses most of the Venetian artworks from before the 19th century. It has works from famous artists such as Lazzarro Bastiani, Giulio Carpioni among many others. However, its crown jewel is the masterpiece “Drawing of Vitruvian Man” by Leonardo da Vinci.
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Canal Grande
Venice is majorly known as a city that has no roads but one of several canals, the most popular of them all is the Canal Grande. The S-shaped canal is 2.8 km long and runs from the lagoon close to the Santa Lucia railway Station into the basin at San Marco. A tour on the Canal Grande is one of the best ways to see the city – passing through its famous bridges and seeing the city’s best architectural works in one full sweep using the city’s vaporetto (water bus).
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Campanile di San Marco
Located in the Piazza San Marco, the bell tower is the tallest structure in Venice, towering at a height of 98.6 meters. The building has been reconstructed several times after suffering from a series of natural and man made disasters, its most recent reconstruction was in 1912 after its collapse of 1902. Crowned by the golden Statue of the Angel Gabriel, the building is one of the Venice symbols - it offers visitors a chance to take an elevator to its highest floor for a panoramic view of the city.
