5 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

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

   2. Late morning

      Doge's Palace

      The Secret Itineraries guided tour shows hidden offices, the torture chamber and Casanova's cell in the roof; book it in advance. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

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

   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

      Go early or just before sunset; avoid being up there on the hour when the bells ring loudly. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Gondola ride

      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. (30–40 minutes, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sarde in saor

      Bacari and traditional trattorie across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Rialto Bridge and Market

      Visit the market early in the morning, then have cicchetti in one of the bacari around Campo Cesare Battisti. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Fondamenta della Misericordia and Ormesini

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

3. Day 3: Grand Canal by vaporetto and Burano

   Grand Canal by vaporetto, Burano and Gallerie dell'Accademia, then Campo Santa Margherita in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Grand Canal by vaporetto

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

   2. Late morning

      Burano

      Take vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove (about 45 minutes) and arrive in the morning or late afternoon to avoid tour groups. (Half a day with Murano, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Baccalà mantecato

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

   4. Afternoon

      Gallerie dell'Accademia

      Focus on the Bellini, Giorgione and Veronese rooms if time is short. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   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. Best for couples, culture and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Venice

      Dinner: try Squid-ink pasta.

5. Day 5: Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Ca' Rezzonico

   Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Ca' Rezzonico and Zattere promenade, then Rialto in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Peggy Guggenheim Collection

      Step onto the canal terrace beside Marino Marini's horse-and-rider sculpture for one of the best views of the Grand Canal. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Ca' Rezzonico

      Combine it with a spritz in nearby Campo Santa Margherita. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Squid-ink pasta

      Seafood trattorie throughout Venice, especially in Castello and Cannaregio.

   4. Afternoon

      Zattere promenade

      Look across the canal at the Squero di San Trovaso from the opposite bank, then walk the Zattere at sunset with a gelato. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Rialto

      Spritz crowds spill out of bacari into Campo Cesare Battisti and the market squares in the early evening.

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 5 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 18–21 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Venice

Questions travellers ask