4 days in Venice

Day by day

1. Day 1: St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace

   St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Square, then La Fenice opera house in the evening.

   1. Morning

      St Mark's Basilica

      Allow 1–1.5 hours (low cost). Cover shoulders and knees, leave large bags at the free deposit nearby and buy the museum ticket for the loggia view.

   2. Late morning

      Doge's Palace

      The route climbs the Golden Staircase to council chambers painted by Tintoretto and Veronese, including the vast Hall of the Great Council with Tintoretto's Paradise, then crosses the Bridge of Sighs to the old prisons.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cicchetti

      Bacari around the Rialto, along Fondamenta della Misericordia in Cannaregio and near Campo Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro.

   4. Afternoon

      St Mark's Square

      Allow 30 minutes–1 hour (free). Come at sunrise or after 9pm for the square almost to yourself; sitting at a café with music carries a hefty surcharge.

   5. Evening

      La Fenice opera house

      Even a seat high in the gallery for an opera or concert is worth it for the atmosphere; dress smartly.

2. Day 2: St Mark's Campanile and Gondola ride

   St Mark's Campanile, Gondola ride and Rialto Bridge and Market, then Fondamenta della Misericordia and Ormesini in the evening.

   1. Morning

      St Mark's Campanile

      A lift takes visitors to the belfry for views over the domes of the basilica, the lagoon and, on clear days, the Alps.

   2. Late morning

      Gondola ride

      Allow 30–40 minutes (expensive). Pick a gondola station away from St Mark's for quieter canals, agree the price and route before boarding, and try a traghetto at Santa Sofia or San Tomà.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sarde in saor

      Bacari and traditional trattorie across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Rialto Bridge and Market

      On the San Polo side, the Rialto Market sells fruit, vegetables and lagoon fish under the arcades of the Pescheria, a neo-Gothic fish hall.

   5. Evening

      Fondamenta della Misericordia and Ormesini

      Canal-side bars and bacari in Cannaregio, the liveliest evening strip in Venice.

3. Day 3: Basilica dei Frari and Scuola Grande di San Rocco

   Basilica dei Frari, Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Grand Canal by vaporetto, then Campo Santa Margherita in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Basilica dei Frari

      Allow 45 minutes–1 hour (low cost). Combine it with the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a minute's walk away.

   2. Late morning

      Scuola Grande di San Rocco

      Hand mirrors are provided so you can study the ceiling of the upper hall without straining your neck.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Baccalà mantecato

      Almost every bacaro; it is the most classic Venetian cicchetto.

   4. Afternoon

      Grand Canal by vaporetto

      Allow About 45 minutes (low cost). Board at Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia to get a seat at the front or rear outdoor sections, and ride towards San Marco.

   5. Evening

      Campo Santa Margherita

      A large square in Dorsoduro with student bars and outdoor tables, busy late into the evening.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Verona

   About 1 hour 10 minutes by fast train each way. Getting there: High-speed or regional train from Santa Lucia.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Verona

      About 1 hour 10 minutes by fast train (High-speed or regional train from Santa Lucia); about 120 km.

   2. Day

      Verona

      Verona has a near-complete Roman arena still used for summer opera, a medieval centre around Piazza delle Erbe, the Scaliger tombs and the courtyard said to be Juliet's house, all along a loop of the Adige river.

   3. Evening

      Back in Venice

      Dinner: try Squid-ink pasta.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace and La Fenice opera house before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 nights, San Marco keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Dorsoduro ($$$) suits couples, culture, nightlife and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–13 hours of visiting over 4 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.7 hours in December to 15.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Venice
• 2 days in Venice
• 3 days in Venice
• 5 days in Venice

Questions travellers ask