You are planning to visit Venice in 3 days and you are wondering what are the must-sees for a first time, then this article is just in time. Venice, the city of lovers, has been on our bucket list for years. We discovered it in the middle of winter and we literally fell under its spell. So, here we share our weekend in the Serenissima with our itinerary, our advice and our good addresses.
Discover St. Mark’s Square & St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Square
When we arrived in Venice and as it was still early in the morning, we were eager to discover the famous St. Mark’s Square. Piazza San Marco is the historic heart of Venice but also the most touristy! Bordered by the Grand Canal, there are the emblematic monuments of the city including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile and the Doge’s Palace. It is a truly majestic place and the view from the Piazzetta is magical!
St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica, with its Byzantine style and mosaics, is one of the most visited places and the queue can be very long especially in the middle of summer. We recommend that you come at least 30 minutes (in winter) to 1 hour (in summer) before opening to be the first to visit. The entrance to the Basilica has recently been paid, and to visit some places such as the loggia and the museum or the Golden Palace , you will have to pay a supplement (between €5 and €7) . To be honest, we were not impressed by the Basilica. Despite everything, its mosaic ceilings covered in gold are a real artistic feat.
St. Mark’s Campanile
You can also go up to the Campanile overlooking St. Mark’s Square for a breathtaking view of Venice (€10 entry). We didn’t want to do the tour due to the mixed reviews we had received and also because of the price.
For more travel tips, check out our post on the Visit Rome in 3 days
Visit the Doge’s Palace & the Museums of St. Mark’s Square
A visit to the Doge’s Palace is a must on a first visit to Venice. The ticket giving access to the Palazzo Ducale will also allow you to visit the Museums of St. Mark’s Square. Among these museums are the Correr Museum, the Archaeological Museum and the Murciana Library.
The Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace was the official residence of the doges of the Republic of Venice. This immense building is located on the Piazetta very close to St. Mark’s Basilica. First of all, its exterior architecture is impressive with its arcades and its mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Its interior courtyard with a view of the Basilica and its immense staircase is magnificent. During the visit of the Palace, we discover private apartments and rooms of power decorated with impressive works. Conversely, the discovery of the prison cells which are accessed by the Bridge of Sighs is chilling!
Correr Museum, Archaeological Museum & Marciana Library
Among the Museums of St. Mark’s Square, the Museo Correr is one of the most important in the city of Venice. It traces the history of Venice through exhibited paintings and sculptures. It faces St. Mark’s Basilica and therefore offers a breathtaking view of Piazza San Marco . This is also why we recommend the Museo Correr Cafe to sip a spritz or a hot chocolate with a view and in a very Venetian setting! (also open to people who do not have a ticket for the museum).
The Archaeological Museum and the Marciana Library are accessible through the Correr Museum but we found them less interesting.
Photographing the Bridge of Sighs
Like the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the 400 most famous bridges in Venice ! Everyone flocks to the bridge opposite, Ponte della Paglia, to admire and immortalize it. If you discover it from the inside during your visit to the Doge’s Palace, you will see it in a different light afterwards. And if you didn’t know it already, this bridge owes its name to the sighs uttered by prisoners as they crossed this bridge before being judged.
Admire the view from the Accademia Bridge
Before discovering Venice, we had an emblematic image of the city in mind. That of the Grand Canal, the Palaces of Venice and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in the background. This wooden bridge that connects the San Marco district to the Dorsodouro district offers a truly unique view. Day or night, we never tire of this exceptional panorama!
Cross the Rialto Bridge
Undoubtedly the most famous bridge in Venice, the Rialto Bridge is also the oldest and the first bridge that allowed you to cross the Grand Canal on foot. It connects the San Polo district to that of San Marco. Its arch-shaped architecture stands out from the other bridges in the city. From the Bridge, you can admire the ballet of gondolas and vaporettos on the Grand Canal.
Nearby, in the San Polo district, the Rialto Market is held every morning from Tuesday to Saturday , the largest and oldest market in Venice. In reality, it is made up of 3 separate markets, the most famous of which is the fish market. A visit to it will immerse you in authentic Venice!
Take a Gondola Ride
As I said on Instagram, going to Venice without taking a gondola ride is like going to Paris without going up the Eiffel Tower! For some it may seem too touristy, too expensive, too kitsch but for having done it, I can tell you that it is our best memory of our weekend in Venice. We had an almost magical time on the canals!
If you want to live this experience in an intimate way, we advise you first to move away from the Grand Canal . The canals in the Castello or San Polo districts are much quieter. Then, prefer lunch time between 12pm and 2pm and finally try to negotiate the price. You should know that the price of a gondola ride is fixed throughout the city: €80 for 30 minutes during the day and €100 in the evening from 7pm. However, the gondolier could offer you a discount if he waits for the customer (especially in the middle of winter). That’s how we paid €70 for our gondola ride!
