
Planning to spend one day in Venice? This itinerary offers a realistic overview of what you can see in 24 hours, making sure you experience the highlights without feeling overwhelmed.
This guide is ideal for first-time visitors, focusing on main attractions, must-see spots, and some of my favorite local restaurants. If you’ve already been to Venice, check out my guide of the best things to do to explore beyond the main sights.
I’ve also included practical tips to help you make the most of your day—from reserving tickets at popular sights to how much time to budget for each spot. A bit of planning goes a long way, especially in a city as popular as Venice.
Read on to discover the perfect way to spend a day in Venice.
Venice Planning Tips
With only a day in Venice, planning ahead is key to a smooth and enjoyable experience. Venice is one of the most visited cities in Italy (and Europe) and is crowded most of the year.
Restaurants and tickets for major attractions sell out quickly, and top hotels often book up well in advance.
Here are a few tips to help you plan your day:
- Book Your Hotel Well in Advance
We stayed at two beautiful hotels in Venice recently – Hotel Flora and Cima Rosa – but even when I tried making reservations in July for our October trip, I could only snag one or two nights at each because they were mostly booked. I recommend booking your hotel at least six months in advance, especially if you have a particular place in mind. Availability can be limited, and you don’t want to compromise on accommodations. - Reserve Restaurants Before Your Trip
Some of the top restaurants in Venice, like Al Covo and Antiche Carampane, are booked out at least one month ahead of time during peak season. Luckily, several places offer online reservations, so I suggest securing a table at least 1-2 months before your trip. If you’re unable to book online, calling 3 weeks in advance is the next best option. I found making reservations myself to be a bit tricky, so if you can, ask your hotel concierge to handle it for you – it will save you time and effort. - Pre-book Tickets for Major Sights
Venice’s top sights – Basilica San Marco, Campanile di San Marco, and the Doge’s Palace – are extremely popular, and the lines can be long. Yes, you can wait in line, but with limited time, it’s best to pre-book tickets and avoid the hassle. Without a reservation, you either need to wake up early to beat the crowds or be prepared to wait for an hour or more. In the section below, I’ll provide more details on how to reserve tickets for these sights in advance.
One Day in Venice Itinerary
Grab breakfast from a local pastry shop
What better way to start your day in Venice than with a cappuccino and a freshly made pastry at a local shop? Here are two fantastic options near the main sights:
- Pasticceria Rizzardini – Known for its irresistible tiramisu, and yes, I had tiramisu for breakfast.
- Pasticceria Marchini Time – Try the unique and delicious Pan del Doge.
You really can’t go wrong with either option.
Piazza San Marco
For centuries, Piazza San Marco has been the commercial, political, and religious center of Venice. Napoleon famously called it “the drawing room of Europe,” and it remains the heart of Venetian life today.
It’s home to the city’s main attractions – St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and St. Mark’s Campanile – making it the busiest part of the city. Plan to spend most of your morning here.
Along the square’s edges, a beautiful portico is lined with classic cafes and high-end shops. The most famous is Caffe Florian, but be prepared for steep prices – a cappuccino here can run up to €12. If you want the iconic Venice café experience, it’s worth sitting down here for a quick drink and pastry.
Otherwise, the pastry shops I mentioned earlier are just as good (if not better) and much cheaper.
Tip: skip the restaurants in the square. They are overpriced tourist traps with average food. Instead, check out my recommended restaurants in the dinner section at the end of the itinerary.
READ ALSO: 25 BEST THINGS TO DO IN VENICE, ITALY
Basilica San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)
After exploring St. Mark’s square, head to St. Mark’s Basilica. Plan to spend 1-1.5 hours here and aim to book the first time slot of the day at 9:30 AM.
Completed in 1094, this stunning basilica is influenced by Roman and Byzantine architecture and designed in the shape of a Greek cross. Inside, you’ll find gold mosaics covering the ceilings and columns – it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Take time to explore the Pala d’Oro, an exquisite Byzantine altarpiece crafted from gold, the basilica museum, and the terrace, which offers sweeping views over Piazza San Marco.
Reserve your time slot at least one month in advance. Tickets to the church, including all sights inside, cost €20 if booked online. Book your tickets online here.
Practical Info: The basilica is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM – 5:15 PM (last entry at 4:45 PM), and on Sundays and holidays from 2:00 PM – 5:15 PM (last entry at 4:45 PM). Check the official website for the most up-to-date information on opening hours and ticket prices.
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace served as both the residence of the Doge, Venice’s head of state, and as the government’s headquarters for centuries. Built in distinctive Gothic style, the palace is filled with lavish rooms, including the Chamber of the Great Council, one of Europe’s largest halls.
The palace is also home to the infamous Bridge of Sighs, which leads to the old prisons, where convicts took their final glimpse of Venice before imprisonment.
Being one of the top sights in Venice, the Doge’s palace is extremely busy and advance reservations are highly recommended. Reserve your ticket online at the official website. Tickets cost €30 if purchased within 30 days of your visit, or €25 if purchased more than 30 days before your visit.
If you have the 9:30 AM slot for St. Mark’s Basilica, try to book your Doge’s Palace visit for 11:00 or 11:15 AM. Plan on spending 1.5–2 hours here.
The Doge’s Palace is open everyday from:
- April 1 – October 31 between 9:00am – 7:00pm (last entry at 6:00 pm)
- November 1 – March 31 between 9:00am – 6:00pm (last entry at 5:00pm)
Check the official website for updated hours and prices.
TOUR OPTION: I highly recommend booking this 3-hour guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica (including the terraces) and the Doge’s Palace.
Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most photographed bridges in Venice. Built in 1600, it was built to connect the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace to the prisons. Legend has it that the bridge’s name reflects the sighs of prisoners as they took their final glimpse of Venice before being led to their cells.
During your visit to the Doge’s Palace, you’ll have the chance to walk across the bridge and explore the prisons. For a great view of the bridge itself, head to the Ponte della Paglia.
Cicchetti for Lunch
For a true Venetian experience, head to a bacaro (local wine bar) to try cicchetti—small, delicious bites that are perfect for lunch. Popular cicchetti options include polpette (meatballs), crostini (open-faced sandwiches), and fried fish. Pair them with a glass of Prosecco or local wine to complete the experience.
My favorite spots, all just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, are All’Arco, Cantina do Spade, Cantina do Mori, and Al Merca. Keep in mind, most of these bars close around 2:30 PM for lunch.
For my full list, read 8 Must-Try Spots for Cicchetti in Venice.
Rialto Bridge
The oldest bridge across the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, completed in 1591, is one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. Vendors line the inner part of the bridge, making it a good spot to browse for souvenirs or local goods like Murano glass – Giberto Venezia is a must-stop for beautiful glassware.
Tip: For the best views of the bridge, hop on a Vaporetto and try to get a spot in the front or back of the boat, or book a gondola ride that passes under the bridge. Alternatively, you can head to the dock in front of Hotel Rialto or here for good photos.
Walk around the neighborhoods
After lunch, wander through Venice’s small streets and neighborhoods. Discover the Dorsoduro district and make your way to the Ponte dell’Accademia for some of the most iconic views in the city.
If you’re in the mood for another museum, I recommend Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, or Museo Fortuny for design and textile enthusiasts. For more inspiration, check out my post on the 16 Best Museums in Venice.
You’re in Italy, so make sure to grab a gelato! A couple of my top picks are Gelateria di Natura and Suso.
READ ALSO: 16 BEST MUSEUMS IN VENICE, ITALY
Gondola Ride
In the late afternoon, around 4:00 PM, head back to St. Mark’s Square for a gondola ride. While gondoliers can be found throughout Venice, one of the easiest spots to pick one up is at Riva degli Schiavoni, near the Doge’s Palace.
As of 2024, a 30-minute gondola ride costs €90 between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, and €110 from 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
Tip: To save on costs, consider sharing a ride with another person or group. I did this on my first visit to Venice, and it worked out wonderfully.
St. Mark’s Campanile
For one of the best views in the city, take the elevator to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile. From here, you’ll enjoy amazing 360-degree panoramic views of the lagoon, Venetian rooftops, and canals.
To skip the line, purchase your tickets online in advance. Tickets are €12 per person.
The bell tower is open:
- Mid March to Mid November: 9:30 AM – 9:15 PM (last entry 8:45 PM)
- Mid November to Mid March: 9:30 AM – 7:15 PM (last entry 6:45 PM)
Check the official website for up-to-date hours and pricing.
Read more: 15 Best Day Trips from Venice
Dinner at a local restaurant
Venice has some incredible restaurants, but it also has its share of tourist traps. I’ve spent hours researching the best places to eat, determined to experience the true flavors of the city. I’m sharing a fantastic list of restaurants here—you won’t be disappointed with any of them.
Just be sure to call ahead (if online reservations aren’t available) at least two weeks in advance. Some places book up quickly, and I wouldn’t want you to miss out!
- La Zucca | Fresh dishes and great vegetarian options.
- La Bitta | A small restaurant with an equally small menu. They are known for their meat dishes but I loved the gnocchi.
- Birraria La Corte | One of the best pizza restaurants in Venice.
- Da Ivo | Red tablecloths, classic wood furniture, and wonderful Venetian cuisine. A bit pricey but highly recommend.
- Al Covo | One of the most beloved traditional restaurants in Venice. Book your table online at least a month in advance.
- Antiche Carampane | A traditional seafood restaurant with an incredible menu. book your table online at least 2 months in advance during the high season.
Read more: 25 Best Restaurants in Venice
How to Get Around Venice
Venice is a highly walkable city, and most places, including Piazza San Marco, are within a 15-20 minute walk from wherever you’re staying. However, crossing the Grand Canal can be tricky, as there are only four bridges connecting the two sides.
With just one day in Venice, you likely won’t need a transportation pass for the water bus, or vaporetto in Italian, as this itinerary keeps everything within walking distance.
That said, if you’d like the flexibility to hop on a vaporetto or take a scenic tour around the Grand Canal, here’s some helpful information:
Purchasing an ACTV pass gives you unlimited rides on the vaporetto, which is the main mode of transportation in Venice. A one-day ACTV pass costs €25 per person and is available at several locations, including Marco Polo Airport, the train station, and popular vaporetto stops like San Zaccaria, Accademia, and San Marco.
You can also reserve passes online via the Venezia Unica site. Booking online at least 30 days in advance will get you a small discount.
Alternatively, if you only plan to take the water bus once or twice, a standard ticket costs €9.50, valid for 75 minutes. You can pay with a credit card or phone using the tap-on/tap-off system.
How to Get to Venice
Plane
Venice’s Marco Polo airport is an international hub with flights to and from destinations around the world. To get to Venice from the airport, I recommend taking the direct Alilaguna shuttle. It costs €15 for a one-way ride and €27 for a round-trip ticket from the airport to Venice. There are 3 lines from the airport – red, orange, and blue. Make sure to ask your hotel or accommodation, which stop is nearest to where you are staying.
Alternatively, you can take a bus from the airport to Venice Piazzale Roma, which is near the train station. From here, you can hop on a water bus to your destination.
Finally, the quickest way to get from the airport into the city is by private water taxi. Expect to pay around €150 for this service and it takes around 30 minutes each way. You can reserve this through your hotel or you can book this shared water taxi.
Train
There are two train stations for Venice: Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia. If you’re staying on the island, be sure to book your tickets to Santa Lucia. Mestre is located on the mainland, and you’ll need to book a separate train ticket to reach Santa Lucia from there.
Once you arrive at Santa Lucia, you can either walk, take a water taxi, or hop on a vaporetto to reach your final destination.
Car
I’ve never driven to Venice, but it’s important to know that you can’t drive around the island since there are no roads. If you have a car, you’ll need to park it at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, both near the Santa Lucia train station, and then take public transportation from there.
When is the Best time to Visit Venice
Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Venice, with ideal months being March, April, May, and late September through November. The weather is pleasant, and while you may get a bit of rain in the spring, crowds are much lighter than during peak summer season.
I’ve also visited Venice in August, and it was incredibly hot and crowded. If possible, try to avoid July and August for a more comfortable experience.
Where to Stay in Venice
To limit walking, I recommend staying in one of Venice’s central neighborhoods, such as San Polo, San Marco, Dorsoduro, or Santa Croce.
We recently stayed at Hotel Flora, a charming boutique hotel in the San Polo district, and absolutely loved it. If you’re after a laid-back, authentic hotel experience, I highly recommend it. Plus, it’s only a 10-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square.
Another favorite is Cima Rosa, a boutique hotel in the local Santa Croce neighborhood, perfect for a quieter stay. For a high-end option, consider Hotel Danieli, just steps away from the Doge’s Palace, or Il Palazzo Experimental in the Dorsoduro district.
More Venice Articles
- 16 Best Museums in Venice, Italy
- 25 Best things to do in Venice, Italy
- Is Venice Worth Visiting?
- 2 Days in Venice Itinerary
- 3 Days in Venice Itinerary
- 4 Days in Venice Itinerary
- 23 Hidden Gems in Venice
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