3 Day Venice Itinerary

Venice is an incredibly beautiful country, and like no other place I’ve ever visited! It is considered one of the most romantic and famous cities in the world, and therefore, is very popular. Although it can be very crowded and expensive, it’s winding streets, dreamy gondola rides and history, make the hordes of people and selfie sticks worth it.

This itinerary will attempt to pack in as much as possible in 3 days, which is exactly what I did when I visited back in 2017.

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When to visit? The best time to visit Venice is between September and November, when the temperature is a little cooler and when the streets are a little quiter.

How to get around? In Venice, there is no cars, buses, or trains. The only way around is either by boat, or foot.

Where to stay? I would recommend either Generator Venice or Doge Morosini Palace. Both are very popular, great budget hostels.

It’s forecast to rain! Things to do in Venice when it rains.

Day One

Arrive in Venice, drop off your bags and head straight out to start this 3 day adventure. Start with a free walking tour – the best budget way of seeing this beautiful place! Most Venice walking tours last around 2-3 hours. Make sure you see all of the top attractions including St. Mark’s Square and all the sights within it, as well as the Rialto Bridge on a must-do gondola ride!

Afterwards, take a long wander around Rialto market.

St. Mark’s Square

Also known as Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Square is one of the finest squares in the world and Venice’s top attraction. Within it you can visit St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), Campanile, Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower), Bridge of Sighs, and more.

Gondola Ride

Although this isn’t the cheapest thing to do in Venice, it’s definitely worth it. Expect to pay around €80 for a 40 minute ride. The more people in your gondola, the cheaper it is. If you’re wanting a private ride, I’d recommend booking in advance through trip advisor or similar, especially in the busier months.

Day Two

For day two of our three day itinerary, we’ll be heading out of the main city to explore three of the beautiful surrounding islands in Venice; Murano, Burano & Torcello. All three islands are absolutely stunning and very picturesque, so bring your camera!

Murano

Murano is a collection of 7 different islands and is famous for it’s glass making factories. Top things to do include participating in a glass making workshop, visiting the Museo del Vetro glass museum, Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato, and shopping for glass souvenirs in the numerous little stores.

Burano

Burano is a very small village with only 2,000 full-time residents and is a popular tourist destination due to its colourful fishermen’s houses and lace-making. Visit the leaning tower of Burano, shop and wander the vibrant streets and make sure to pop by the lace museum, Museo del Merletto.

Torcello

Torcello is the quietest touristy Venetian island. It is visited most for the stunning Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta and other tops sites include Ponte del Diavolo, Church of Santa Fosca and the small Torcello Museum (closed on Mondays).

Day Three

For the final day in Venice, I’d recommend either heading out on a street food tour if you’re a foodie, or exploring some ‘hidden’ spots and doing some last minute shopping, or if you’re into art (like me), head to the Dorsoduro Neighbourhood and explore the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Hidden Spots

The Teatro La Fenice (The “Phoenix Theatre”) is one of the most famous theatres in the world, and is the city’s main opera house.
Ponte de Chiodo – one of two bridges in Venice with no rails.
Libreria Acqua Alta – a very quirky bookshop.
San Francesco Della Vigna – a silence enforced stunning Roman Catholic church.
A La Vecia Papussa – a locals favourite ‘secret’ bar.
Torrefazione Cannaregio – a hipster coffee shop with an in-store roasting license.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo – a small palazzo with the tallest spiral staircase of Venice.

And here ends our three days in Venice itinerary! Filled with top touristy spots and some hidden gems, this is the perfect itinerary for a short time in Venice. Have a wonderful time!

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