2 Day Venice Itinerary – Best Places to Visit

Venice is one of the best places to visit in Italy, a unique and thrilling experience! Is it expensive? Well, a 2-day Venice itinerary is totally affordable and the whole trip really easy to organize if you follow our sensible travel tips.

Gondolas on the Grand Canal in Venice, one of the best places to visit in Italy — Gondolas on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

I was in Venice recently, studied all the transport options and means of accommodation, and basically roamed around this romantic city for a couple of days gathering tons of useful information!

Venice 2-Day Itinerary

Original text and photos of Venice by Kali Marco.

Day 1 in Venice

We arrive all excited on the 5pm train, weave through the day-tripper rush going home, out to the main exit. Standing there on the wide flank of steps, I stop to catch breath…because Venezia lies at my feet.

Arriving in Venice

Yes, arriving in Venice is stunning! The Grand Canal is right in front of Santa Lucia railway station, like a wide silver screen stretching away left and right, the waters surfed by a myriad of boats, the far side a luxurious backdrop of waterfront palaces.

San Simeone Piccolo Church on the Grand Canal is the first sight you see on a 2 day Venice Itinerary — San Simeone Piccolo Church on the Grand Canal, Venice

Venice is impressive in anyone’s vocabulary, an expensive and a challenging place to visit on a budget. But you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy the most beautiful city in the world. Really! A 2 night stay or a few days in Venice can be totally affordable and it’s super easy to organize your own trip here. Flexiblity is the key for enjoying an exciting 2 day Venice itinerary.

Venice is a Floating City

Inhabited since the 9th century, Venice is an ‘artificial’ floating city which has been created over the ages in the Venetian sea lagoon. Millions of hardwood posts were driven down into the seabed to shore up a network of platforms which bond 118 small islands together. Isn’t that amazing?

The poles that Venice is built on in St Mark's Basin — The poles that Venice is built on in St Mark’s Basin

Venice is linked to the Italian mainland by the Liberty Bridge (Ponte della Libertà), a 4km causeway where trains and buses bring hordes of visitors and commuters to the traffic-free historical centre each day. Late afternoon and most people are leaving the ‘centro storico’, workers going home to satellite towns such as Mestre or Marghera, along with tourists booked into wallet-friendly hotels on the outskirts of town.

The Grand Canal seen from the glass bridge, Venice — Grand Canal seen from Calatrava ‘glass’ Bridge, Venice

Juan and I are contra current, having sourced a discreet hotel hidden deep in the heart of old Venice. The Grand Canal beckons wide and majestic in the twilight hour, chandeliers glow alluringly from Palazzo front windows on the opposite bank.

Venice is the city with the most bridges in the world (well almost, there are 400 or so if you’re counting, marginally less than Hamburg or Pittsburg) but surprisingly there are few crossing the main waterfront. The phone app shows Calatrava Bridge on the right-hand side of the train station as the way to go, a porter and commonsense say take the stone arched bridge to the left (Ponte degli Scalzi).

View along canal Novo i Dorsoduro district in Venice, Italy — Canal Novo in Dorsoduro Sestieri , Venice

We eventually find ‘Locanda Gaffaro’, trundling our wheelie case over the umpteen humpback footbridges which span a labyrinth of tiny canals. GoogleMaps is clever, their route to our guesthouse doesn’t look direct but it avoids all those little ‘canali’, and is much quicker. In fact, it’s easy to walk around Venice once you get the knack.

Typical canal scene in Sestiere Dorsoduro, Venice

Once upon a time, ‘Locandas’ were small Inns where travelling merchants would rest but the expression has become fashionable and refers now mainly to boutique hotels. This is Dorsoduro ‘Sestieri’, one of six ancient districts that make up Venice. An evening meal at a waterside table is a must do, homemade pizza and pastas, and white Chianti wine in the most romantic of romantic settings, a flashback to the Middle Ages.

Planning a Trip to Northern Italy?
Bologna, Florence and Tuscany are popular places to add to your Venice Itinerary.

First Morning of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary

Breakfast is good too, juice and cafe latte, proscuitto ham and cheeses, toast and pastries, enough to fuel an intensive sightseeing day. The major sights aren’t that far as the proverbial crow or Venetian seagull flies…but humans need a roundabout route to skirt those canals. Did you know Venice has more than 150?

Dorsoduro and Campo Santa Margherita

Fruit stall in Campo Santa Margherita Square, Dorsoduro District, Venice — Fruit stall in Campo Santa Margherita Square, Sestiere Dorsoduro

It is fun strolling around Dorsoduro, a photographer’s paradise with countless old buildings to capture, ornate architecture, medieval temples, cobbled plazas and glimpses of gondoliers punting down timeless canals. Don’t expect to find the landmarks you’re looking for straight off, you’ll come across the iconic sites at some point, but meanwhile see the magic of ‘off-route’ Venice on your meanderings.

The tourist street plans are confusing as usual and wall signs mislead you enticingly under archways and past out-of-the-way craft shops.

A seafood stall in Campo Santa Margherita in Venice, Italy — Seafood stall in Campo Santa Margherita, Venice

Campo Santa Margherita is a large square surrounded by traditional houses which have been here since the 14^th century, although most of them are ‘ristorantes’ nowadays. Fat seabirds are eyeing up two market stalls selling the fish and seafood that Venice is famous for.

I check out the menus. Mid-priced restaurants with a professional service and traditional Italian food, tiny old ‘osterias’ where you stand outside with your drink to avoid paying tax, and a trendy place which announces a litre of aperol spritz and a platter of ‘fritura’ for only 10€. Ca’ Foscari University is only 5 minutes away, installed in one of the many Gothic palaces fronting the Grand Canal…

The Old Churches of Venice

A typical Venice church in Dorsoduro district is Chiesa Santa Maria Dei Carmini (1348) — Chiesa Santa Maria Dei Carmini church, Venice

Roman Catholic churches in Venice are free to enter and there are plenty around – each one is a marvel, the Renaissance architecture styles, works of art by the great Italian artists, priceless frescoes and murals, holy sculptures and engravings, all dating from the 1300’s right through to the 18th century.

Chiesa San Pantalon church in Dorsoduro (Venice) has a famous ceiling painting. — Chiesa San Pantalon church (1668), Venice

So many treasures and evocative tales are hidden behind thick ancient walls, push through the wooden doors of a parish church in Dorsoduro and you’ll see what I mean …‘Chiesa’ Santa Maria Dei Carmini (1348) whose bell tower was hit by lightening or ‘Chiesa’ San Pantalon’s tragic ceiling painting.

Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal

View of the grand canal from Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy — View from Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice

Venice is hectic, a mass tourist destination invaded by people of all nationalities who are mostly here for the day on an organized itinerary and, as they don’t get time to wander far, it’s busiest near the famous sights. Ponte di Rialto (1591) is one of these focal points, an elaborate white stone bridge which crosses the Grand Canal -the main artery that courses through Venice.

Shallow steps lead up and down from a central portico where pedestrians push past the tiny jewellery shops set into the arches on either side. ‘Il Canalasso’ courses slowly below, like a real-life movie scene which you can watch from the ornate balustrades, along with dozens of silly-smile selfie posers.

Ponte di Rialto is the most famous bridge in Venice (1591) — Ponte di Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal, Venice

This is San Polo district, and the famous Rialto fish market is a minute’s walk from here, set up under high gothic arcades beside the canal. Unbelievably, the morning ‘mercato pescheria’ together with an open-air fruit and vegetable market have taken place in this vicinity for almost 1000 years!

Get here early enough and you can watch the fishermen unloading the night’s catch from the lagoon, as their ancestors have done for centuries.

Views over the Grand canal from Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy — Views over the Grand Canal from Rialto Bridge, venice

Venice’s oldest church borders one edge of the marketplace. Historically chronicled from the 12th century, local legend describes how a carpenter originally built San Giacomo di Rialto as homage to St James in the year 421.

A large golden clock shines down from the Gothic façade, six marble columns support the cross-shaped interior where you can admire Vivaldi’s collection of antique instruments and buy tickets for classical concerts – Venetian musical events take place across the city in the authentic ambience of these ancient places of worship.

St Mark’s Square

San Marco district draws the most crowds so the 10 minute walk from Ponte Rialto Bridge across to Piazza San Marco does take longer than expected, no doubt because I’m stopping to take photos of everything around me!

St Mark’s Square is enormous, surprisingly so. Alleyways full of souvenir shops open suddenly onto a grand Piazza lined by colonnaded buildings and towers. This is one of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with the Colosseum and Vatican in Rome.

The heartbeat of Venice since the 9^th century, the town’s most famous public square is more of a ‘T’ shape really, 3 squares in one – the two marble lion statues of Piazzetta dei Leoncini guard one side of the legendary Basilica and leads straight on to the large rectangular Piazza itself.

Meanwhile, Piazzetta San Marco runs along the main frontages of St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace towards the lagoon, where 2 great historic columns crowned by the city’s Patron Saints are the focus of attention.

The Doge's Palace in St Mark's Square, Venice — The Doge’s Palace, Venice

The morning drizzle turns to light rain, and the inevitable happens… you’ve heard about the waters rising in Piazza San Marco? Welcome to ‘acqua alta’! The high tide spills over from the lagoon and washes up the storm drains to cause occasional flooding.

Waters rising in Piazza San Marco, Venice — Acqua Alta in Piazza San Marco, Venice

Boardwalk ‘passerelles’ are strategically placed across the public square for the long queues waiting to enter St Mark’s Basilica. Kiosks sell long waterproof overshoe things that reach up to your thighs to protect footwear and trousers from the ‘high water’, but the weather’s warm so I just roll my pants up and slop along through the puddles quite happily in sandals.

Gondolas and Bridge of Sighs

Gondolier standing by Venice Lagoon near St Mark's Square — Gondolier standing by Venice Lagoon, Italy

Venice is famous for its Gondolas and the main ‘servizio gondole’ stations are right here on the lagoon quay. Just like an Italian movie scene, dark slim gondoliers in blue and white, or red and white striped, long-sleeved t-shirts, wait nonchalantly for eager passengers. And it’s not madly expensive if you’re a party of four or six.

Further along the promenade ‘fondamento’ there are Vaporetto stations – these public ferry boats steer along the larger canals, skirt Venice on the sea side, and trip out to the Islands.

Gondolas on St Mark's waterfront canal in Venice, Italy — Gondolas on St Mark’s waterfront in Venice, Italy

Watching the ‘Gondolieri’ is quite fascinating, they’re unique in the world so who cares if it’s touristy…the shiny black gondolas glide slowly through the smaller canals, which water taxis and barges can’t navigate, gliding under low little bridges which are all designed distinctively.

One of the most famous, Bridge of Sighs is just beside the Doge’s Palace – the ‘Palazzo Ducale’. Once the seat of Venice Government and a fortified prison, this imposing building is now a history museum, which holds temporary art exhibitions where you can admire some of the best masterpieces in the world.

Bridge of Sighs by Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy — Bridge of Sighs by Doge’s Palace in Venice

St Mark’s Cathedral

Lunch is a quick stop for an energizing cappuccino (there’s an art to ordering coffee in Italy but that’s another story), and then it’s the ideal time to see Saint Mark’s Cathedral Basilica before the crowds return.

Bulky bags and even small backpacks must be deposited in the left luggage office which is located just off the cathedral square – the guards are strict on what you take in and the dress code is modest (no shorts, skimpy or sleeveless tops). Cameras and phones are allowed although you’re not meant to take photos inside!

Actual entrance to visit the ‘Basilica di San Marco’ is free but you pay to see the most valuable antiquities, such as the Pala d’Oro gold altarpiece or the riches in the Treasury.

Gold mosaic ceiling inside the dome of St Mark's Basilica, Venice — Gold mosaic ceiling inside the dome of St Mark’s Basilica

Built on a much earlier site, the main part of the temple dates to 1063 and comprises a Byzantine-style Greek cross nave with five dome cupolas, which was later embellished with Gothic spires and sculptural roof decoration. The remains of St Mark the Evangelist are buried here.

Replicas of St Mark's Gilt Horses on the façade of Venice Cathedral — Replicas of St Mark’s Gilt Horses on the façade of Venice Cathedral

The rain has eased off, so Juan and I purchase a ticket to go up to the rooftop. This includes a small museum where the emblematic ‘4 gilt horses of St Mark’s’ are carefully kept on display (the horse statues on the Basilica façade are relicas).

It’s worth the steep climb up stone stairs to contemplate the Cathedral hall from above and see the gold mosaic ceiling in close detail. But it’s the outside roof gallery that really fascinates me! Walking among the turrets and gables, touching the arched niches and marble statues, and most of all looking out over the grand Piazza is extraordinary.

View from St. MaView from St Mark's Cathedral to Venice Lagoon — View from St Mark’s Cathedral to Venice Lagoon

St Mark’s Square Bell Tower and Clock Tower

The Cathedral belfry tower is a separate entity and is thought to have once been a watchtower lighthouse which guided seamen from miles aound. ‘Campanile di San Marco’ stands alone and 99 m high, affording panoramic vistas across the city and lagoon. Rebuilt several times (the last after it collapsed in 1902) this is a symbol of Venice, especially the ‘Golden Archangel’ at the very top who has guided those arriving by sea though the ages.

Bell Tower in front of Venice Cathedral in St Mark's Square — Bell Tower in Piazza San Marco, Venice

Can you pronounce Torre dell’Orologio? I can’t! Venice’s famous clock tower is an unusual architectural and mechanical feat, built over the archway entrance to St Mark’s square in 1493. The astronomical timepiece has two faces, the one in front of St Mark’s is a complicated composition of revolving planets, signs of the zodiac and star constellations designed in wood, burnished copper and blue enamel.

Torre dell'Orologio clock tower on St Mark's Square in Venice, Italy — Torre dell’Orologio on St Mark’s Square, Venice

Gallerie dell’Accademia

Gallerie dell’Accademia -the world famous art museum with collections by Venetian artists painted between the 14^th and 18^th centuries- is some 10 minutes walk from St. Mark’s. Cross back over the Grand Canal on Ponte dell’Accademia into Dorsoduro district again (it’s the distinctive wooden and metal ‘love lock’ bridge).

Strangely enough, there are only four bridges across the Grand Canal although there are several places where you can hop on a ‘traghetto’, the typical rowing boats that ferry passengers back and forwards to either side.

Artist on St Mark's Basin waterfront in Venice — An artist on St Mark’s Basin watefront, Venice

Peggy Guggenheim Museum & Santa Maria della Salute

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum is 5 minutes walk from Gallerie dell Academia; housed in an authentic white stone palazzo beside the Grand Canal this eminent gallery and sculpture garden exhibits one of the most important collections of modern arts in the world.

From here it’s only another 3 or 4 minutes to Basilica de Santa Maria della Salute (1631) – this is the huge domed octagonal church which you can see clearly to the right of San Marco waterfront, standing on Punta della Dogana point in-between Venice Lagoon and the entrance to the Grand Canal.

Venice seen from St Mark's basin waterfront — Venice seen from St Mark’s Basin waterfront

Exploring the Waterways of Venice

View across Venice lagoon fromSt Mark's waterfront from St Mark's waterfront — St Mark’s waterfront, Venice

The day is a whirl of photograph taking of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, not only the iconic sights but discovering the Venetian way of life in the backstreet waterways… like the neighbourhood greengrocer canoes piled with Mediterranean fruits and veggies (it’s not a true floating market like the ones in Bangkok but curious all the same).

Boat selling fruit and vegetables on a Venice canal — Fruit and vegetable boat on Venice canals

For centuries the merchants of Venice have traded along these waters, and most buildings front a canal or two. The foundation piles are sunk down deep into solid ground. Peek over the bridges and you can see how those thick stone walls are surrounded by water, the old houses have a gateway with a metal grille which presumably opens or opened to let the family canoe inside.

Traditional Venetian mansion beside a canal — Tradional Venetian mansion beside a canal

Venetians traditionally accessed their homes by boat and many still do today. Houses have a raised wooden platform outside where watercraft can tie up, and steps lead upwards to the front door as the main rooms are sensibly built well above water level. The grandiose hotels bring in guests by private gondol, so celebrities and the affluent coolly arrive in true water-city style. Luggage is loaded onto a separate barge.

There are no roads inside Venice itself, no trams, vans, cars or scooters, which is great for the environment and peacefully relaxing. Goods and supplies are brought into the merchant port, loaded onto courier boats and finally delivered by pushcart.

Although you can drive over from the mainland along the causeway and park by the coach station (which tends to be expensive), people generally come to Venice by train or bus, or boat!

* Venice is close to a lot of interesting places which are simple to get to by train. There are some great things to do in Verona, Bologna and Florence, for example, so add these beautiful historical Italian cities to your northern Italy itinerary.

Evening in Venice

Orange sunset over Venice skyline and lagoon — Sunset over Venice lagoon

As evening draws on in Venice the ambience is totally magical, the street lighting is quite subdued and you can imagine yourself back in Medieval times strolling along the footpaths that edge the canals.

Although a night out at the opera sounds enthralling (Teatro La Fenice is the place to go but do book in advance) and there are dozens of elegant restaurants beside Canal Grande where you can enjoy some of the best food in Italy, we head back to the hushed depths of Dorsoduro sestieri, for an unpretentious dreamy waterside dinner. Authentic creamy black risotto -a local specialty with fresh cuttlefish- and a bottle of chilled Chianti wine at our favourite ‘trattoria’ are the perfect ending to this amazing day.

Map of Venice districts with Vaporetto Route to the Lagoon Islands

Map of Venice and the Lagoon Islands showing how to visit Murano Burano and Torcello by Vaporetto. — Map designed by The Orange Backpack.

Day 2 in Venice

This is only the First Part of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary!
Follow us on a Vaporetto ride to the Venice Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. It’s another highlight of our Italian adventure to discover some of the best places to visit in Italy.

Canal view from Tre Ponte bridge on Burano Island, Venice Lagoon

Venice Lagoon Islands: Torcello, Murano and Burano

How to Visit Venice Lagoon, Italy. Doesn’t the ‘Islands of the Venetian Lagoon’ sound romantic? Murano, Burano and Torcello are beautiful little islands a short distance off the coast of the world’s most famous water city – Venice!

Read more…