Are you looking for a one-day in Venice Itinerary? If so, we have you covered with our ultimate Venice guide!
You might be asking, how to visit Venice for a day? Or is it worth it? Yes! Venice is only 2.5 miles, and you can easily get around Venice and see all the sights! The city is so compact, most of the tourist sights and attractions are close together.
I just got back from an amazing 24 hours in Venice this past summer, and will walk you through exactly how I spent 1 day in Venice!
This jam-packed Venice-in-a-day itinerary will take you to all the highlights as well as some off-the-beaten-path stops! From famous bridges, squares, and museums, to viewpoints and gondola rides, this is how I spent a quick visit!
Here are my suggestion of the best things to do in Venice in a Day:
- Gondola ride ( A MUST for 1st-time visitors)
- Crossing Rialto and Bridge of Sighs ( both are a must-see in Venice in 1 day)
- St. Marks Square and Basilica ( stunning!)
- Doge Palace ( one of my favorite museums)
Venice is incredible year-round. However, summer is considered high-season while winter in Venice is off-season but magical!
For those looking at pairing Venice with a longer trip, we have a 2-day Venice guide!
One Day In Venice Itinerary: How to See Venice In A Day
Stop 1- Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Church
The Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari ( Frari Church) is the largest church in Venice. I love the stunning Gothic Architecture of the 13th-century church brick facade, and think it is one of the places to see in Venice! Inside you will find tombs, works of art, and sculptures ( Dontatellos is the most famous).
The church is open from 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and costs 5 euros to enter.
Stop 2: Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the 4 bridges that cross the Grand Canal in Venice, connecting San Marco and San Polo! First built in 1173, it is one of the most famous sites in Venice. Even if this is not on your list of things to see, you will cross the bridge if exploring Venice on foot!
Shops and vendors are lining the bridge for those looking to shop or you can continue on to the Rialto Market! I love to grab coffee and snacks at the market!
Stop 3: T Fondaco dei Tedeschi- Rooftop
If looking at what to do in Venice for one day, I highly recommend booking a FREE-timed ticket to the T Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop!
I think it is one of the best views in Venice, as you will be rewarded with 360-degree view of Venice over the Grand Canal! Plus, it is one of the few spots in Venice without the crowds!
Click here to book : ROOFTOP TERRACE
Stop 4 – Libreria Acqua Alta
One of my favorite things to do when visiting European cities is visit bookstores. And Libreria Acqua Alta is one of the most beautiful bookstores I have been in. All the books are housed inside bathtubs, a full-sized gondola to protect the books from the rising water!
The bookstore is a must-see in Venice in 1 day as it is more like a museum to me, with beautifully arranged books!
Stop 5: St. Mark’s Square and Basilica
St. Marks Square and Basilica have to be on your one-day in Venice itinerary! Step back into the 11th century in this Church of Gold. St. Mark’s Square is both a religious and public gathering spot in Venice. I think the basilica is one of the most stunning in Europe and one of the best places to visit in Venice.
Some tips for visiting Basilica
- Open Daily from 9:30 am to 9:15 pm
- 10 Euros to Enter – Book an advanced ticket to skip the lines
The square is surrounded by shops, and tourists alike! Along with pigeons! If you want to enjoy a coffee and people watch, grab a table at Caffè Florian, the oldest cafe in Venice ( often in every guide to visiting Venice book), just be aware that coffee will run you around 20 euros!
Click here to book : Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Entry & Audioguide
Stop 6 : Lunch
One of my favorite ways to eat lunch in Venice is to try the cicchetti ( think tapas) with a wine or spritz. Head to any of the bacari or wine bars to try! These small bites are part of the Venetian culture. Try everything from fried fish, pickled veggies, potato croquettes, and crostini topped with a variety of fish and veggies.
Another popular lunch dish is pasta. I love Dal Moro’s make-your-own quick pasta shop! Or pizza on the go! Especially on a 1 day itinerary in Venice, I would make lunch a quick spot to make the most of the day!
If this is not your first trip to Venice, and you want to focus on food, I highly suggest booking a food tour!
Click here to book : Venice: Food Tasting Tour with Cicchetti Dishes and Wine
Click here to book : Venice: Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings
Stop 7 : Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace has to be on your list for a 1-day itinerary for Venice if looking to visit a museum! Located in St. Mark’s Square, the palace/museum is known as one of the main sights in Venice and is an amazing example of Gothic architecture.
Built for the Doge, the leader of the Venetian Republic, the Doge Palace is now a museum. My favorite rooms to visit at the armory to see the weapons used over time and the Doge’s Apartments that just reopened to the public!
Inside Tips:
- open to visitors daily from 9 am to 6 pm ( 7 pm in summer)
- Ticket cost 25 Euro if booked 30 days in advance (30 euros if not)
- Check the website for special exhibits
Click here to book : Venice: Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket
Stop 8 : Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is another of the bridges you must see on your one-day itinerary for Venice! There are over 400 bridges in Venice, this white limestone bridge was built in 1600 so that the Doge to the prison!
Today it is considered one of the most romantic and picturesque spots in the city! I always ask the gondolier if they will be sailing under this bridge, so I can get a picture without the crowds!
Click here to book : Venice: Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Royal Palace Tour
Stop 9 : Gondola Ride
I actually prefer to take a gondola ride on one of the smaller canals. The water is calmer and less congested, and you get to see a prettier side of Venice. As of this year (2024) , the average cost for a 30 minute gondola ride is 80 euros for up to 5 people. For those looking to take a gondola ride at night in Venice, the cost averages around 120 euros.
Enjoying being serenaded by your gondolier while you see Venice from the water! One of my favorite spots to hire a gondola is at the Ponte de la Guerra Bridge. A MUST do on your first time to Venice.
Click here to book : Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary
Click here to book: Venice: Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers
Click here to book: Venice: Gondola Tour under the Bridge of Sighs & Audio Guide
Stop 10 : Ponte dell’ Accademia
Ponte dell’ Accademia is another of the things to see in Venice in 1 day! This is another of the 4 major bridges that cross the Grand Canal. It connects San Marco to Dorsoduro. From the top of the bridge, you can see views across Venice from both sides of the canal.
Stop 11 : Dinner
For dinner, some of my favorite districts to eat in are Cannaregio, San Polo & Santa Croce, or even Dorsoduro as I find these parts of Venice to be less touristy with more authentic Venetian food!
With time and planning, you could book a private 3 hour dinner at a local Italian home, this is definitely on my list for my next Venice for the day itinerary!
Below are some of my personal recommendations if I had to choose where to eat on a 1 day trip to Venice:
- Bacaro Quebrado ( season small plates and pasta)
- Trattoria Dona Onesta ( hidden spot with fresh seafood and pasta)
- Osteria Fanal del Codega ( dine on the canal)
- Trattoria Bar Pontini (traditional Venetian bar)
- Antica Osteria Ruga Rialto (terrace, seafood, vegetarian friendly)
Click here to book : Venice: 3-Course Dining Experience at Local Home
Stop 12: Evening Out
Option A : Classical Music
The last stop on your one day and night in Venice, head to the Church of the Pieta for a classical museum performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Listen to the music where it was first composed, and Vivaldi himself performed!!
Click here to book : Venice: Four Seasons Concert Ticket at Vivaldi Church
Option B : St. Marks After Hours
If you are looking to visit St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds, this is the tour for you! You will get to view the mosaics in the evening when they are best enjoyed, without the crowds while having access to the areas that are off-limits to visitors during the day.
Click here to book : Venice St. Mark’s Basilica After Hours: 1.5-Hour Tour
Where to stay for one night in Venice
Check out our guide on where to stay in Venice! For those looking to rent an Airbnb we have chosen some amazing options!
Albergo Marin Hotel
Less than a 10 minute walk from the train station, you will find my favorite charming Venetian hotel in Albergo Marin hotel. The hotel features an outdoor patio space, and offers a delicious breakfast to guests!
The rooms are very comfortable with AC ( very much needed if traveling during summer) tile floors, comfortable beds, and updated decor with modern bathrooms! Perfect for a one night in Venice stay!
Check Rates – Booking.com
Locanda Fiorita
Only a short walk away from Saint Mark’s Square is Locanda Fiorita, one of the most charming boutique hotels in Venice. The rooms are both comfortable and stylish, a must when one is spending one night in Venice!
If the location and style of this hotel were not enough for you to consider staying there, during the spring wisteria blooms around the hotel, making a truly beautiful sight.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Hotel Donà Palace
For those looking at luxurious boutique hotels in Venice, Hotel Donà Palace is the place for you! Located in San Marco, Hotel Donà Palace is set in a 14th-century building just 2 minutes from Saint Mark’s Square.
The simple but elegant rooms are also very simple yet elegant, featuring classic wood furniture and carpeted floors.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Getting To And Around Venice
The closest airport to Venice is Marco Polo Airport. The airport is located about 20 minutes from Venice Mesta.
Tips on how to get to Venice From Airport :
- ACTO Bus #35 is 10 to 18 euros ( large white bus vs. the city bus – quicker with AC and wifi!)
- Alilaguna water bus known as a Vaporetto – take Blue Line to St. Marks and Orange Line to Rialto – 15 -27 euros
- Water Taxi – 100 Euro up to 6 people
If arriving by train ( especially for those coming from Italy), make sure you are traveling to Venezia San Lucia, the train station on the island! If you are just here for one day, and not spending the night, you can store your bags in the train station lockers for the day!
The only ways to get around Venice are by walking or boat! The city is easily navigated by foot as the city is quite small! Strolling along the canals, and wandering back streets is one of my favorite ways to explore Venice.
Other popular ways to get around are gondola rides ( everyone should do this once!)Vaporetto water buses (purchase tickets before you board), traghetto, and water taxis.
Click here to book : Venice: Marco Polo Airport Water Taxi Transfer
Click here to book: Marco Polo Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Venice City Center
Insider Tips For Your First Trip To Venice With One Day
Traghetto
One of my favorite tips to share with friends and cost just 2 euros to get across the canals are Traghetto! A gondola ride across the canals, for those who do not want to splurge on a private gondola ride.
Don’t bring a wheeled suitcase
This is one of my biggest tips for traveling in Europe, but especially in Venice. With tons of bridges and stairs, you will be thankful that you don’t have a wheeled suitcase but instead a travel pack! If you need help with what to pack check out our Italy packing list before you head out on your adventure!
Book tickets for rooftop view 2 months out
If you want an amazing view of the Grand Canal, for FREE, you will want to book a timed ticket on top of the department store T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, 2 months in advance for their rooftop viewing! Make sure to check out other Mistakes To Avoid In Venice!
Book a sightseeing tour
If you are worried about what to do in Venice in one day, or using this guide to plan a one-day walking tour of Venice, join a sightseeing tour! I think this 3-hour City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour is perfect for those who want a guide to share history and off-beaten places to see!
Click here to book: Venice: City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour
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