2 Days in Venice: The Ultimate Itinerary for First-Timers

Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace

Ready to dive deep into Venetian history and explore two of Venice’s most magnificent structures? Kick off your first day in Venice with this skip-the-line tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace.

St. Mark’s Basilica, constructed in the 9th century, is one of the most over-the-top cathedrals I’ve ever seen.

The millions upon millions of gold mosaic tiles, captivating tessellated tile floors, five-domed ceiling, and priceless Byzantine treasures (like the four bronze horses!) – and the stories behind them – blew my mind.

The special-access panoramic view of St. Mark’s Square from St. Mark’s Terrace was just the cherry on top!

Must-Know Tips for the Basilica & Palace

• Book the “Exclusive Entry Doge’s Palace” option at 8 AM to enter Doge’s Palace an hour before it opens! You’ll see the palace’s opulent chambers, quiet hallways, stunning frescoes, and creepy prisons – and walk through the Bridge of Sighs – without any crowds. In my opinion, it was worth the extra cost!
• Your shoulders and knees must be covered to enter St. Mark’s Basilica! Ladies, I suggest bringing a light scarf or a light linen shirt to cover your shoulders and wearing a long, flowy dress!

St. Mark’s Bell Tower

Cross the Rialto Bridge

What’s all the fuss about this bridge? The Rialto Bridge?

Built in the 16th century, the Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal. A grand feat of engineering from the Renaissance era, the Rialto is Venice’s most famous (and busiest) arched bridge.

Halfway across, stop to watch the chaos unfold below, and snap a photo or two. This bird’s-eye view of the narrowest part of the Grand Canal is pretty epic!

Hungry yet? Cross the Rialto Bridge and you’ll find yourself in the San Polo neighborhood. The crowds will begin to thin, and you’ll be on your way to a traditional, tasty Venetian snack!

Try Cicchetti

Next up on your 2-Day Venice Itinerary, it’s time to try cicchetti.

Cicchetti are little snacks served in traditional Venetian bàcari (bars). You eat cicchetti with your fingers, alongside a glass of wine, and usually, while standing… Yes, kind of like Spanish tapas!

Let’s visit one of my favorite cicchetti bars, shall we? Stroll through San Polo until you find Cantina Do Mori (closed on Sundays). Open since 1462, this is one of the oldest and most traditional bars in Venice! Walk up to the counter, point to what looks best, and order a glass of local wine too. 

This is just a pre-lunch snack, though. Okay? Save some room!

NOTE: Is discovering authentic Venetian food is at the top of your list? Maddy’s Avenue guides are always packed with foodie recommendations. Plus, tomorrow night, this “Eat Like a Local” Venice Food Walking Tour is on your agenda!

Visit the Rialto Market

Around the corner from Cantina do Mori and the Rialto Bridge, you’ll find the Rialto Market (Mercato di Rialto). 

This bustling, centuries-old fish and fresh fruit market is one of my favorite places in San Polo. It’s a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and smells, popular among locals and travelers alike.

Note: It’s closed on Sundays!

Lunch at a Traditional Venetian Restaurant

Ready for a delicious Venetian-style seafood lunch? By now, it should be around 1:30 PM, which means it’s time to eat (again)!

Slowly meander your way through San Polo, and over to the quaint neighborhood of Cannaregio. Then, choose between Trattoria Bar Pontini and Al Mariner. Either way, you can’t go wrong! I love both.

I always start with a mixed seafood antipasto platter. Then, I dive into a traditional Venetian seafood pasta, like spaghetti alla bùsera or spaghetti with black cuttlefish ink! Of course, a Select spritz (which is from Venice!) or an Aperol spritz is a must too.

My husband claimed that his spaghetti allo scoglio (with fresh tomatoes, garlic, mussels, clams, and prawns) at Pontini was the best seafood dish he’d had in six months.

Explore the Venetian Lagoon: Murano & Burano

You know those colorful islands near Venice that you’ve seen on Instagram? Well, you’re about to explore them in real life on this Murano & Burano Islands Small Group Tour by Boat! 

During the fun half-day tour, we cruised the Venetian Lagoon in a private boat (just for our small group) to reach two of the region’s most quaint and colorful islands: Murano and Burano. 

Both islands are home to unique cultures, laid-back vibes, and ridiculously vibrant streets. We had the best time roaming around, popping into galleries, and taking dozens of photos.

In Murano, we watched glass-blowing masters employing centuries-old techniques to craft some of the most impressive glass art I’ve ever seen (yes, seriously, it’s jaw-dropping). We also had time to explore the island and visit some glass shops.

And in Burano, we saw nonne (grandmas) making the most beautiful lace, painstakingly, by hand. Truth be told, this is a dying art and an honor to witness. After, we had free time to roam the colorful canals.

Book your Murano & Burano Islands Tour.

HOT TIP: Book the earliest option possible to maximize your day! Ideally, at 8 AM. It’s 5 hours long, so you’ll return to Venice around lunchtime.

READ MORE: How to Visit Murano and Burano from Venice: The Ultimate Guide

Roam Around Castello (option 1)

Once your boat docks back in the Castello neighborhood, roam without a map. Get lost along the picturesque canals and quiet backstreets. Relish the magic around every corner. Take lots of photos. And pop into some shops.

Want specific ideas of what to do in Castello? I’ve got you covered…

Stop by Libreria Acqua Alta

One of my favorite spots in Castello is Libreria Acqua Alta. The self-proclaimed “most beautiful bookshop in the world” is worth adding to your Venice itinerary.

It’s filled to the brim with newly published books, rare volumes, ancient editions; and used books; friendly cats; bookshelves made from old gondolas; and even stairs and alleyways made from flooded and recycled books (that make amazing photo ops!).

Go for Cicchetti 

Time for some quick cicchetti and a spritz? Here are some more of my favorite bars in and around Castello…

• Bar Ai Santi is a great local spot in charming Campo Santi Apostoli. The spritzes are just €4 each… So, enough said!
• Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi is a local joint with lots of scrumptious cicchetti offerings.
• Osteria al Ponte is a great little bar across the bridge from the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo.
• Cantina Do Spade is, according to some, the second-oldest bar in Venice. A delicious, must-visit! 

Don’t eat too much! You’re going on this “Eat Like a Local” Walking Food Tour tonight for dinner.

Get Gelato

Hot or cold weather, who cares? It’s time for a quick gelato stop. Years ago, I found a little gelateria called Gelatoteca Suso, which will always be my go-to gelato shop in Venice. It’s so good. Since then, it’s become very popular. You might have to wait in line, but it’s worth it!

Sight-see on the Grand Canal (Option 2)

Want to pack in more sightseeing (art, churches, etc.)? Follow this route:

• Get a 75-minute water bus ticket for €9.50.
• Take the water bus Line 2 from San Marco-San Zaccaria “F” to San Giorgio. Visit the San Giorgio Maggiore Church and climb the Bell Tower. Allow 30 minutes to have enough time for the next leg of the journey.
• Return to San Marco-San Zaccaria “F” and walk to the adjacent San Marco-San Zaccaria “E”. Take Line 1 for two stops to Salute.
• On foot, you can visit the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Then, walk across the Ponte dell’Accademia back to the San Marco neighborhood.

San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower

Want to see the best panoramic view of the Grand Canal with San Marco in view? Take the water bus to San Giorgio Maggiore Church and ride the elevator to the top of the bell tower!

The basilica is free to visit. The bell tower costs €8 (cash only). Access the bell tower (from inside the basilica) daily from roughly 10 AM to 6 PM.

Basilica Santa Maria della Salute

This imposing building stands out from the Grand Canal! Construction of this masterpiece, by Venetian architect Baldassare Longhena, began in 1631. It costs €4 to visit the sacristy behind the altar, but Titian’s artwork is worth it!

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of Italy’s top modern art collections. It’s housed in collector and New York City socialite Peggy’s former home – which happens to be an 18th-century palace! Tickets cost €15 and reservations are not required. An hour is enough time here.

Go on a Foodie Tour for dinner

Despite what I just said… I hope you didn’t eat too much this afternoon. It’s time for your Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour!

During my tour, we stopped at eight local establishments to taste countless Venetian dishes and delicacies like:

• Coffee and pastries
• Seafood cicchetti
• Mixed fried seafood
• Sarde in soar (a sweet and sour sardine dish)
• Homemade pasta with shrimp
• Tramezzini (little sandwiches)
• Red wine from Veneto
• Artisanal gelato
• And so much more…

Along the way, our local guide, Martina, told us about Venetian food, culture, and history, pointed out interesting sights, and shared her palpable love of Venice with us.

This foodie tour will be a highlight of your Venice trip!

Note: Book the latest available food tour (either the 5 or 5:45 PM). That way, you’ll have time to fit everything else in!

How to Get to Venice

Transportation in Venice can be busy, hectic, and confusing, especially during peak season. Not to mention, Venice itself is a maze. So, before you arrive, make a plan. 

Here’s some quick, must-know information to get you started. 

Arriving Via Airplane

Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the closest, most convenient airport. Once you land, I recommend taking either the water bus or a water taxi. Note, there is no train station at the airport.

• Water bus: Boarding a water bus (or vaporetto) operated by Alilaguna is my preferred way to get from the airport to Venice! There are three different lines to choose from, servicing the islands of Venice, Lido, Murano and Burano, and beyond. Research the timetables and your ideal route in advance. Here are Alilaguna’s lines map and Alilaguna’s timetable. It’s €18 for a one-way ticket, or €32 round-trip. You can purchase Alilaguna tickets online (recommended) or at the kiosk. Once you arrive at the water bus stop closest to your hotel, you’ll walk the rest of the way. 
• Water taxi: If you want a no-fuss option, hop on a private water taxi. It’ll drop you off as close to your hotel as possible. This is the most expensive, fast, and comfortable option. Expect to pay at least €130 to the city center, for up to 4 people; the more luggage or people, the higher the price. (Up to 8 people, with luggage, can fit in a water taxi.)
• Land taxis and buses: Car taxis and buses to Piazzale Roma (a station in Venice accessible by ground motor vehicles) are available from the airport. I don’t recommend either, since you’ll probably still need a water bus or water taxi when you arrive at Piazzale Roma.

Arriving Via Train

Some of the most popular direct train routes into Venice include Verona, Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome. Direct train fares can be as low as €10. 

When booking your train tickets, choose Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia as your final destination (not Venezia Mestre). Venezia Santa Lucia is on the island of Venice; from there, you can take a water taxi or water bus, or walk, to your hotel.

I recommend booking your train tickets directly through the Trenitalia website or app.

HOT TIP: Download the Google Maps app on your phone and “save” your hotel’s location so you can find it when you arrive. It will show you your location, even if you don’t have cell service. I also recommend getting an eSIM for your phone, so you have cheap mobile data throughout your Italy trip!