Is it even possible to see Venice in 24 hours? Barely! But these tips just might help you make the most of a short trip and lead you on your way to a pretty perfect day — and of course, we can also help you to make that perfect day even better. Hop on one of our Venice city tours to see the local side of life (with plenty of wine and snacks along the way).
Start the day at St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) before the mass of tourists invade it. From St. Mark’s, you’ll be able to snap some beautiful sunrise photos over the water, reinforcing why Venice is one of the most beloved cities in the world. Wait any longer and St. Mark’s will be a zoo of people and pigeons, so it’s absolutely worth the early wake up!
Enter the Church of St. Mark’s at 9am and enjoy it without too many other people around. Admiring the Byzantine mosaics is a great way to start the day, and it really is a classic Venice experience.
After St. Mark’s, walk to the famous Rialto Bridge to enjoy the view of the Grand Canal (it’s pretty much a Venice ‘must’), and then head to Caffè del Dodge (Calle dei Cinque, San Polo 609) for a nice breakfast with homemade roasted coffee from all the corners of the world.
Once you’re sufficiently caffeinated, visit the lively market of Rialto to explore all the local Venetian products integral to local cuisine. Then, take the traghetto gondola to the Cannaregio neighbourhood, to snack on some local cicchetti (Venetian tapas) at Ai Promessi Sposi (Calle dell’Oca, 4637), one of the most historic places in town, and full of locals. Sip a nice glass of prosecco and enjoy people-watching and rubbing shoulders with locals.
Your 24 hours will not be complete with a taste (or several tastes!) of cicchetti | Photo by Venice Urban Adventures
Next, head to Fondamente Nuove to grab the vaporetto to the Islands of the Lagoon. Get your camera ready to photograph one of the most colourful islands of all, Burano.
Hopefully you’re hungry by this point (and didn’t fill up with too much cicchetti earlier!), because once on Burano, a typical fish risotto is waiting for you. Head over to Il Gatto Nero (Via Giudecca, 88), a gem that’s famous for this very dish — so famous we recommend you book a table in advance. We also recommend the “fritto mixto,” a collection of fried seafood. Regardless, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Il Gatto Nero — they serve some of the best food in Burano, hands down.
Walk off your lunch by exploring the super colourful island of Burano before heading back to Venice.
After a good shower, head out for dinner in the Cannaregio district. Al Timon (Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2754) is among the most popular spots, and you can try their famous steak while seated in their heritage boat. It’s a wonderful experience and will be sure to put you in the middle of all the action.
If you’re up for some after-dinner drinks, head to Campo Santa Margherita in the Dorsoduro area, and join the crowds of the young Venetians in the most lively campo of all. Pubs like Duchamp or Rosso are the most crowded, and sure to have the best vibes. Spend the rest of the evening mingling with locals and enjoying the best of what Venice has to offer.
