What to see in Venice - the (beautiful) city of canals

When I visited Venice I learnt about a city of immense beauty and historical significance. The capital of the Veneto region is distinctive for the way it was built on the water. Venice is built on more than 100 small islands, connected by bridges and separated by canals. 

In the past, Venice had already been an important trading post, since long before Marco Polo's adventures it was linked to the Silk Road, the Mongol Empire, Persia and the Caucasus. Its strategic position on the shores of the Adriatic Sea allowed the city to become a trading centre.

Venice is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. The resident population is around 260,000, but every year between 26 and 30 million visitors pass through. It's one of the places on the planet where the weight of mass tourism is most felt. However, there are ways around this and I'll talk about them in this article.

Of the things to see in Venice, there are landmarks such as the Basilica of St Mark and the Grand Canal or Bridge of Sighs. However, there is more to discover in this city. The best thing is to let yourself get lost, walking without a clear purpose and surprising yourself.

You hardly need an itinerary for Venice, as everything is so close you can just walk through the charming alleys and passageways. However, you do need to know what to see in Venice and where to stay. Any reason is good for a weekend or getaway in Venice. Like Amsterdam, Venice is the city of canals.

Places to see in Venice

St Mark's Square

St Mark's Square is the most famous square you'll visit in Venice. Located on the Grand Canal, opposite the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, this square is of great importance in the city. This square is the perfect place to start your discovery of Venice and get to know some of the sights.

Several important buildings are located in St Mark's Square, such as the St Mark's Campanile, the St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace (or Ducal Palace) and the Torre dell'Orologio (St Mark's Clock Tower). The piazza is very beautiful and, at certain times of the year, it even gets flooded. This is the meeting point for drinking coffee, chatting or working.

Rialto Bridge

There are four major bridges that cross the Grand Canal, but the Rialto Bridge is undoubtedly the most iconic. The bridge, originally built of wood, connects the neighbourhoods of San Marco and San Polo. The original structure collapsed hundreds of years ago and in its place was erected the ornate stone bridge which, as well as serving as a pedestrian thoroughfare for thousands of people, supports several shops.

On the other side of the Rialto Bridge are artisan shops, mask-making workshops and a bustling food market, where Venetians and chefs buy fresh produce.

St Mark's Basilica

St Mark's Basilica is one of the must-see places in Venice. It is a sublime work of architecture that has stood the test of time since it was built in 1092. The church remains one of the most important religious buildings in northern Italy.

Located in St Mark's Square, the basilica has fantastic details, such as frescoes on the vaulted ceiling, as well as sculptures and other works of art. The magnificent gold altarpiece, the Pala d'Oro - which includes 2,000 jewels and precious stones - is considered one of the great works of art from the Byzantine period.

There is a small museum in the building and from the terrace there are good views of the square below.

Gallerie dell'Accademia (Venice Academy of Fine Arts)

Located opposite the Ponte dell'Accademia on the Grand Canal, this is a museum that houses a large collection of art by artists such as Bellini, Canaletto and Titian. Renaissance art is, of course, represented here. 

Relevant works include Tintoretto's Resurrection of Christ, Titian's Virgin and Child and Veronese's Battle of Lepanto. But the best known is Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. A large part of the collection was gathered from monasteries and churches that were closed down. In fact, the building where the gallery is housed was a convent until the 18th century.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is a small structure over the River Palace (Rio di Palazzo), which connects the Prigioni Nuove building to the Doge's Palace. The bridge was part of the old prison complex of the Doge's Palace and its name is related to the route taken by the condemned. 

After being sentenced, men and women had to cross the bridge to be transferred to the New Prison. These were the last moments of freedom before incarceration and, reportedly, they could be heard sighing at their certain fate behind bars.

Even though it's not an imposing work, the bridge is now very popular. And when you visit Venice and St Mark's Square, I'm sure you'll photograph it.

Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace is one of the most famous buildings in Venice, along with St Mark's Basilica and the Campanile. The palace's ornate façade is impressive, with several arcades and a series of diamond-shaped patterns, while inside, the spaces are decorated with original furniture and works of art.

The Doge's Palace was built, it is estimated, around the 10th or 11th century and was transformed into one of Venice's most important museums in 1923. The building used to house a torture chamber, for example. The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

If you buy this pass you have access to the Doge, the Correr Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Marciana Library and other attractions. I recommend buying it online to avoid the queues to access Venice's main museums and churches (the price is the same on site or online).

Strolling along the canals

The Grand Canal was the chosen spot in the past for those who wanted to flaunt their influence in Venice. Venetian Gothic and Renaissance façades stand out along the water. One of the best ways to explore the city is on a gondola. The prices aren't cheap (which is also why I didn't take the ride), but it's always an experience. 

In addition to the gondolas, the Vaporetto is another - and the main - means of transport in the city. And there's no more efficient way to see Venice from the water than on these boats. It's also on this system that you can reach several of Venice's islands. 

Because all Venetian life depends on the water, we can still see private water taxis, small motorboats, police boats, rubbish collection boats and ambulance boats. You'll find boats of all kinds travelling up and down the canals.

St Mark's Bell Tower

St Mark's Bell Tower is the tallest structure in Venice - almost 100 metres high. It was originally used as a watchtower, but the original building collapsed over 100 years ago and what we see now is a reconstruction. Galileo himself is said to have used the tower as an observatory to study the stars. 

Made of red brick, it's not particularly attractive, but it is imposing, in St Mark's Square. If you climb to the top of the building (where there is a golden statue of the Angel Gabriel) you can get one of the best views of Venice, the canals and the Santa Maria Della Salute. It is said that, weather permitting, you can see the Dolomites mountain range.

Lido

As a city surrounded by sea, Venice also has a beach. It's not a top destination, but it's a great place to unwind if the streets and canals of the Italian city are too crowded. 

Lido di Venezia, the island closest to Venice, has a long stretch of sand and was once a European beach resort. The public beaches are at the northern end of the island, near the church of San Nicolo.

Lido is an attraction for other reasons too, as it is where the International Film Festival and Venice Biennale.

From Venice, it's very easy to get to the island of Lido. Simply buy a transport card and take the vaporetto.

Gastronomy

Venetian cuisine is known throughout Italy, especially for the high quality of the ingredients that come from the sea, but also for the influence of spices.

Baccalà mantecato - one of the most typical fish dishes - is based on dried and salted cod mixed with garlic, parsley, potatoes and cream to form a delicious creamy paste. Other specialities include Sarde in Saor (sardines) or Fegato alla Venetiana (liver).

Many of these dishes are accompanied by polenta, but polenta itself is a dish that can be made in many different ways. If you want to eat pizza and ice cream in Venice, there's no shortage of options. The Veneto region is also known for its good white wine. I can tell you that I ate very well when I visited Venice.

Burano

I enjoyed exploring Venice, but going to Burano was a very pleasant surprise. As I was in Venice in winter, there was hardly anyone on the streets and the fog that appeared in the morning gave this island extra significance.

Burano is one of the smaller islands that can be found around the Venetian Lagoon. 

It's a small fishing village where the buildings in various vibrant colours - pink, blue, yellow, green - are very attractive and picturesque. 

To get to Burano, you have to take a boat, which takes between 30 and 40 minutes. Another island worth exploring is Murano, well known for its handmade glass pieces.

If you want to explore Burano and Murano even further, take a look at these free tours.

Other places to visit in Venice

• San Rocco High School
• Libreria Acqua Alta
• San Giorgio Maggiore
• St Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
• Rezzonico Palace
• Scala Contarini Del Bovolo
• Santa Maria dei Miracoli (Church of Our Lady of Miracles)
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection
• La Fenice Theatre
• Ca' d'Oro
• Jewish Ghetto
• Torcello

Map of places to visit in Venice

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