For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Venice, Italy Travel Guide has been your connection to Venice's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Things to Do
A ride on the Grand Canal is a must while in Venice. Grand views, galleries, museums, and beautiful Venetian Gothic style palaces -- these are just a few of the sights to see while floating down the Grand Canal, which begins at Piazetta San Marco and ends at the rail station. Hop on and off vaporetti, Venetian water taxis, to explore spots throughout town, or relax for the ride while taking your time to enjoy the surrounding beauty. Evening rides on the water can be less crowded and a bit more romantic, but whatever the time of day, a ride on the Grand Canal will be unforgettable. Don’t miss the Rialto Bridge, one of the three bridges spanning the Grand Canal. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and one of the architectural icons of Venice.
For unparalleled views of Venice and the Alps in the distance, take a ride to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile. Campanile di San Marco was built as a lighthouse to assist lagoon navigation and also to serve as a bell tower. The bells originally communicated five different messages to the townspeople but now serve simply to entertain and enrapture visitors.
For the lover of modern art, housed in the former Venetian home of Peggy Guggenheim, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most outstanding art collections in the world. Visitors to the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which sits on the Grand Canal in Venice, can browse works by Jackson Pollock, Max Ernst, Picasso, Chagill, Delvaux, Salvador Dali, Duchamp, and Mondrian. Also on site is a garden of modern sculpture with works by Giacometti, a museum shop, and a cafe overlooking the sculpture garden.
The Rialtine islands - the 'main' part of Venice - are small enough to walk from one end to the other in about an hour. The city is not that big, and you can walk from one end to the other in a few hours. But it would take months for a fit person to discover every path in the city. Along the way you will discover marvelous art, superb architecture and breathtaking urban landscaping. Exploring the city randomly by walking is well worth it but also be prepared to get lost easily!
