How To Make The Most of Your Weekend In Venice

Unique and enchanting, Venice is unlike anywhere else in the world. This island city has striking architecture, a rich history, and is brimming with art, culture and delicious food.

Venice is the perfect place to explore at your own pace, and a Venice holiday is what you make of it! If you’re only around for a couple of days, here’s how to make the most of your time in Venice.

Explore on foot

Venice is unique in that no cars are on the island beyond, and instead of roads, you’ll find canals – which means your only methods of transport are by boat or by foot. A maze of hotch-potch streets await, so discarding the map to go where your instinct takes you is the best way to get a true feel for the city during your weekend in Venice! The narrow streets and ‘campi’ (squares) do get very busy during the height of the day, so if you’re an early riser, it’s worth getting up to explore first thing before the cruise ships dock.

Take a Gondola Ride

Another wonderful way to experience Venice is from the water – whether it’s travelling by the ‘vaporetto’ water bus, or taking a traditional gondola ride. A truly unique experience, the half an hour I spent being gently paddled along narrow canal passageways was a relaxing break from the bustle of the streets, and I felt like I’d truly ‘done Venice’ with this one!

People-watch in St Mark’s Square

An iconic and unmissable Venice spot, St Mark’s Square is a bustling space, filled with visitors around the clock. In the evenings, orchestral groups play outside the square’s restaurants, which you can enjoy for free. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy soaking up the atmosphere, and a great way to spend some time if you’re travelling solo in Venice.

Enjoy views from T Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop Terrace

Venice’s T Fondaco dei Tedeschi department store is well worth a visit regardless, as it’s the most extra department store I’ve ever seen, however the real hidden gem here is its roof terrace. Free to enter (although booking in advance for a 15min slot is advised), the terrace offers a view over the Grand Canal and the surrounding buildings – a great way to see Venice from a different perspective!

Marvel at Venice’s Churches

Venice has a LOT of churches, with over 100 on the main island along, so chances are you won’t necessarily visit them all in one Venice weekend – a few of the highlights include:

Saint Mark’s Basilica (free) – a shrine to Venice’s lagoon and history
Santi Giovanni e Paolo (€3.50)  – Venice’s largest church
Frari’s Basilica (€3) – one of the larger churches in Venice, built by the Franciscan Friars
San Pantalon (free) – contains the world’s biggest canvas, painted by Giovanni Antonio Fumiani
Saint Roch (€2) – featuring baroque artwork by some of the most prominent French artists of the 18th and 19th centuries.
San Simeone Piccolo (free) – the iconic green-domed church of Venice, with a crypt you can visit for €3

Explore the island of Murano

Just under ten minutes from Venice’s Fondamente Nove ferry port, Murano is a small island with a population of around 5000 people. Best known for its long history with glassworking, it’s slightly less crowded than the main island and shares a similar architectural style, with canals snaking through. You could take in a glassblowing demonstration, grab something to eat, or simply enjoy a more relaxed couple of hours before heading back over to Venice on the ferry, which costs €9.50 each way.

Climb the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo Spiral Staircase

Tucked away down some small Venice side streets, you’ll stumble upon the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. Its 28-metre external spiral staircase was one of the first of its kind, and if you pay the €8 entrance fee, you can climb the 80 steps and take in the rooftop views.

Get bookish at Liberia Acqua Alta

Book lovers shouldn’t miss the city’s most famous bookstore! Here, small rooms are filled to the rafters with books, many stored in bathtubs, waterproof bins and even a full-size gondola. Definitely worth a look around for free!

Enjoy fine dining, Venetian-style

Italians are known for their passion for good food, and there are plenty of fine dining options in Venice. Canova Restaurant in Bagloni Hotel Luna offer a Venetian tasting menu for €140, or a vegetarian tasting menu for €100, making it one of the more affordable fine dining options in the city. If you’re willing to spend for stars, Il Glam by Enrico Bartolini is a Michelin 2* restaurant, and Oro Restaurant, Quadri and Ristorante Da Fiore all boast a star each.

Graze on a plate of ciccheti

If you’re just looking for a light bite, cicchetti is a Venice tradition! Small plates served in bàcari, small bars all around Venice, cicchetti prices range from €1 to €3. Think tapas, but Venetian style! Best enjoyed with an Aperol Spritz in the sunshine, on an outside table in one of the city’s ‘campi’.