Destinations
Three days is the right amount of time — enough to cover the major sights, explore the lagoon islands, and still have room for aimless wandering. Get a 72-hour vaporetto pass on arrival.
nn
Day 1 — San Marco and the Grand Canal. Start at St. Mark’s Basilica before 9:30 AM. Golden mosaics, then Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Afternoon: Vaporetto Line 1 down the full Grand Canal — the best sightseeing ride in the city. Evening in Dorsoduro for aperitivo and sunset from the Punta della Dogana.
nn
Day 2 — Lagoon islands. Vaporetto from Fondamente Nove to Murano (20 minutes) for glassblowing. Continue to Burano (30 minutes) for painted houses and seafood lunch. Stop at Torcello if time allows. Evening in Cannaregio — the old Jewish Ghetto area has excellent restaurants and a local atmosphere.
nn
Day 3 — Art, quiet corners and getting lost. Morning at the Gallerie dell’Accademia or Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Then put the map away and wander. Cross into Castello, walk the waterfront toward the Arsenale. Final moment: find a bacaro, order cicheti and an ombra, and watch Venice exist beautifully on water.
