Top 10 Things to See & Do in VENICE, ITALY 🇮🇹 2026 Travel Guide

In this video we're sharing the top 10 things to do in Venice, Italy including iconic landmarks and hidden gems that most tourists miss. We'll also show you the mistake we made when booking our gondola which turned out to be way less romantic than we had expected and if you watch until the end we'll show you how to ride a gondola for just two euros. Number one ride the Vaporetto, Venice's public water bus. It's one of the best ways to see Venice from the water with incredible views along the Grand Canal and unlike a gondola it won't break the bank and the best place to start is from Piazza Roma. That's where you can buy your tickets. We'd like to go to San Marco. Two people. Would you like a ticket? We don't have a ticket no. Is it just over there? Okay guys we have got our ticket. Line two is over here. The ticket machine didn't work for us so you want to be going to the ticket counter and let's go through here. Seems like a mad dash to get on. Oh wait that's priority access so maybe all passengers. Hey there we go. You got it right. Get me a seat Carolina. Get me a seat. Once you're on board don't worry there are plenty of spots with great views. You can sit at the back of the boat or in the middle section where the windows are open or stand to get an unobstructed view of the Grand Canal. The ride to San Marco takes around 40 minutes and it's one of the best ways to take in the beauty of Venice. You'll pass so many beautiful buildings, waterfront cafes and old facades that line the canal. Even the Grand Casino di Venezia. You also see how alive the Grand Canal really is packed with gondolas, delivery boats and water taxis constantly weaving through the water. With no roads in Venice this is how everything moves and the best part the whole journey costs less than 10 euros. And we have made it guys to Piazza San Marco the main square here in Venice. Now once upon a time Napoleon once labeled this very square the finest drawing room in Europe. Now I didn't know what a drawing room was so I did a bit of research and I found that back then it was the fanciest room in a house where they would entertain guests and this is a bit like an outdoor drawing room. You've got beautiful grand buildings, coffee shops and of course music playing in the background. Number two must visit bridges. Venice isn't just a city of canals it's held together by over 400 bridges each linking tiny islands like a pieces of a puzzle. We started with the Rialto Bridge which is probably the most famous one in Venice but in the 1500s it arches over the Grand Canal like a marble sculpture. We arrived just before sunset and the whole place was glowing. It was one of those places that everyone wants a photo on and for a good reason. The view of the canal, the gondolas below, the warm light heating the buildings, it's pure Venice. Yes it's crowded but there's something special about sharing that moment with so many people all quietly taking it all in. Then there's the famous Bridge of Sighs. When you look closer you will notice the carved faces along the sides. Each one with a different expression. They were meant to reflect the emotions of the prisoners who crossed this bridge on their way to their cells. Now Ponte dell'Accademia which turned out to be a bridge with one of our favorite views in Venice. On one side you see the wide curve of the canal with Santa Maria della Salute and its beautiful dome in the distance. On the other the rooftops and quiet palazzos lining the water. And finally Ponte della Costituzione, the most modern of the four. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, sleek, contemporary and unlike anything else in the city. Number three, stay in Cannaregio. One of the best areas in Venice if you want a more local and laid-back experience. It's just a short walk from Santa Lucia train station which means no water taxi, no hauling bags over endless bridges, you're in your hotel within minutes of arriving. And as you wander into the neighborhood you're greeted by rows of colorful Venetian buildings with charming balconies and shutters. Each street has its own character. The area feels lively but not overcrowded. You can stroll alongside the beautiful canals in peace watching boats drift by and taking in the rustic old world charm of the surrounding buildings. If you want to experience the real Venice this is the place to come. And when it comes to food, Cannaregio really delivers. You'll find traditional trattorias lining the canals where you can sit outside and enjoy a meal right by the water. We stopped at a spot called Very Good where we started with an apple spritz and a plate of bruschetta by the canal in a relaxed scenic setting. The staff were absolutely lovely. They invited us into the kitchen to see the pasta being made fresh. I had gnocchi in a rich bolognese sauce and Carolina went for the squid ink pasta with cuttlefish, a must try when you're in Venice. You get all of this, the charm, the food, the views without the premium price tag you'll find in more touristy areas. Venice can be pricey especially if you're aiming to stay in a charming area like Cannaregio. We booked last minute and paid for this place $172 per night so trust us, booking ahead makes a big difference. That's where today's sponsor Planning comes in. With Planning you can save up to 40% on hotels worldwide and thanks to their partnership with Agoda, Priceline and Booking.com, Planning gives you access to exclusive deals that you won't find anywhere else. And here's the best part. When you sign up using our link or simply scan the QR code on screen, you will not only unlock all of these amazing discounts but you will also be entered to win a $150 planning credit that you can use for your next adventure. You can even browse all our favorite hotel picks from every trip right on Planning too. So don't miss out. Create your free Planning account today using our link in the description, pinned comment or scan the QR code on screen because your next adventure and big savings are just a few clicks away. Number four Teatro La Fenice. We stepped inside one of Venice's most famous landmarks and I'm so glad we've got to see it because it was so beautiful. Look at the chandelier. We've booked the self-guided tour with Kluk and it genuinely exceeded our expectations. We have the tickets booked. You're given an audio guide that walks you through each room and right from the start it explains why this place is so important. The theater burned down twice, once in the 19th century and again in the 1990s but was rebuilt each time. That's why it's called La Fenice, like the mythical bird that arises from its own ashes. We started in the foyer which was bright and elegant. Marble columns, gold-trimmed ceilings and chandeliers. The audio explained how this space was used to welcome nobles, guests and performers throughout its history. Then we entered the main auditorium and it was honestly breathtaking. It's stunning. Wow, wow. I've never seen anything quite like this. I love the ambient lighting on these balconies over here. All the beautiful seating. But my favorite is actually the ceiling. Look how beautiful it is. It looks like the sky but with a chandelier in the center. They are building this stage, it looks like for a show. Four levels of private boxes wrapped around the stage, all decorated in gold with red velvet seats and a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Even without a show on, the atmosphere was powerful. You could feel the weight of everything that's happened here. We also got to step into the royal box. Yes, you've heard that right. It's positioned in the center with the perfect view of the stage and inside it's decorated with mirrors and soft lighting. Standing there, it really felt like you were seeing the theater from the perspective of somebody important. One of the best things about this tour is that it's fully self-paced, which meant that we could take our time in each room, listen to the guide and really look at the details. From historical paintings to old architecture plans that showed how the theater was rebuilt. It really made the experience feel personal and immersive. If you are planning to visit La Fenice too, the self-guided tour is honestly such a good way to experience it. We booked ours through Klook and if you want to do the same, you can use our code JCAROLINAKLOOK at checkout to get yourself a little discount. At number five, we have Basilica di San Marco. Even just standing outside is breathtaking with golden domes, towering spires and detailed mosaics that shimmer in the sunlight. It's the kind of place that stops you in your tracks. But if you think the outside is impressive, just wait until you step inside. It's one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in all of Venice. Tickets are just three euros from the main website but the line is no joke. It snakes across the square and moves painfully slow. If you're short on time and you want to save that precious travel time that you have in Venice, it's well worth booking a guided tour with skip the line access. We use Klook, links in the description and it saved us a lot of waiting around. Now let us show you what it's like inside. The moment you step inside, it feels like you've entered another world. The ceiling store above you completely covered in gold, not just decoration but entire stories told through mosaics. Saints, angels and scenes from the bible stretch across every arch and dome. From floor to ceiling, it's covered in shimmering artwork, mosaics, frescoes and painted domes that feel more like a museum than a place of worship. So what I love about this cathedral is the entire ceiling is covered in gold. I don't think I've ever seen a cathedral quite like it and we're listening in to the group tour just over here. It's not 24 karat gold, it's 24 karat gold leaf because I imagine it's quite expensive to have all the mosaics on the ceiling in complete gold. But what I also like is how like dark is inside and also there's dark marble and ornaments are kind of like dark silver and then the gold is really contrasting with it. But this is the reality. I'll show you a quick look. So we've taken some beautiful shots but it does get incredibly busy because this is one of the most important places to come when coming to Venice. Number six, the Doge's Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian gothic architecture and once the political heart of the Republic of Venice. We booked our tickets in advance with Kluk which we always recommend doing. I'll leave a link in the description if you want to do the same. Just look out for the red sign that says entrance prepaid tickets, that's where you head in. We're YouTubers. Ah, YouTubers. Yeah, YouTubers, yes. The name? Jay and Carolina. Jay on YouTube? YouTube, yes. J-A-Y and Carolina with a K. That is us. This one? Yes. Oh wow, good. And now Venice. Yes. Oh, fantastic. As you enter Doge's Palace, you'll be greeted by a stunning open courtyard surrounded by elegant arches and intricate marble facades. In the courtyard, you'll find the famous giant staircase where new doges were once crowned, watched over by two towering statues of Mars and Neptune, symbolising Venice's power over both land and sea. Once inside, you'll walk through a series of spectacular rooms, each one more dramatic than the last. The ceilings are covered in gold and elaborate paintings by Venetian masters, all designed to celebrate the power and glory of the Republic. These weren't just for show, many of these rooms had serious political functions. Some were used by councils and magistrates, while others handled foreign affairs, voting and state secrets. After passing through several of these ornate chambers filled with gold ceilings and political symbolism, you'll eventually reach the most famous room in the entire palace. We have just entered the chamber of the Great Council. This hall is so big. The scale of it is just incredible. And at one point, a thousand noblemen would come here to make important decisions, political decisions of course, for the city of Venice. And all around us you can see paintings, not just on the walls, but also on the ceilings. Doge's Palace is just unreal. The amount of artwork. I've never quite seen anything quite this spectacular, probably in our lives. After all the splendour of the palace, you will eventually reach the old prison complex and the atmosphere shifts completely. Dark, damp corridors, heavy iron doors, cramped stone cells. This was where prisoners were held, sometimes for years, in bleak, windowless conditions. It's a stark contrast to the luxury above and a reminder of how harsh life could be for anyone who crossed the republic. And right next to Doge's Palace, we have Bridge of Cy just behind us over there. So it connects Doge's Palace to the prison and it sounds romantic, right? Bridge of Cy. We saw a couple earlier smooching and having a little cuddle while looking at the bridge, but actually the reality is a little bit more less romantic, let's say, because prisoners, when they would get sentenced, at Doge's Palace would then have to cross over this bridge over to the prison and it would be the last view of Venice they would see. And so that's why they had a big sigh on their face and that's where the name comes from, because they probably weren't too happy about their situation. But here we are today, everyone is taking selfies, have a little smooch and hug. So now we've come to the most beautiful bookshop in the entire world. The space is tiny, books are piled everywhere and you are kind of being pushed along with the crowd. We could barely stand still for more than a few seconds, which basically shows how popular this place is. But even with all that noise and movement, one thing really stood out. A cat fast asleep on a stack of books completely unbothered by the chaos around it. This bookstore has become famous over the world for a reason, for how it was designed to survive Venice's floods. Instead of fighting the water, the owner filled the place with things that float, like bathtubs and a full-sized gondola completely packed with books. It's weird, messy, but somehow still so charming. In the back there's the famous staircase made entirely from old damaged books. This is the staircase. Follow the book steps and climb. We've managed to climb it quickly and at the top you get this little peak over the canal with gondolas floating past just below. This man is controlling the crowd. Everyone needs to just come up and then come down this way. Everyone wants to experience it, so there was even a gentleman who literally controlled the traffic. So it's a little crowded and crazy, but Libreria Acqua Alta is one of those special places that just stays with you. Number eight, ride a gondola in Venice. It's the classic Venetian dream, gliding through quiet canals with a gondolier at the helm, maybe even singing as you pass under centuries-old bridges with the city unfolding around you in the most romantic way. But when it came time for our ride, let's just say things didn't go quite as planned. We'll get to that in a moment. When we booked our ride online, it came with an audio-guided walking tour that led us towards the gondolier station, giving us a glimpse into the secret world of gondoliers from their centuries-old traditions to their strict rules about who can actually become one. We even learned why all gondoliers are painted black, and it's not just for the style. Back in the day, Venice's elite were going over the top, decorating their gondoliers in flashy colors and gold. So in the 16th century, the government banned it. Since then, all the gondoliers must be black, a rule that still holds today. But when we finally reached the gondolier station, we quickly realized something wasn't quite right. Hi, guys. I thought this was a private gondola. I had no idea. No, no, no. It's okay. It's okay. We've made some friends. Oh, and another friend. They're really squeezing us onto this gondola. What a romantic experience, right? I'll be the guide. Yes. Are you going to sing to us? No. Serenade. Even though it wasn't the romantic private experience we'd imagined, it actually turned out to be a really fun ride. We ended up sharing the gondola with a friendly Swedish couple and another solo traveler, and honestly, the company made it feel more relaxed. We slowly made our way through Venice's narrow canals, surrounded by classic Venetian buildings on either side. There were delivery boats bringing goods to local shops. Oh, so close. And that's why, Carolina, you need to keep your arms inside of the gondola. Yes, so close. But at times, it did get a little crowded with other gondoliers trying to pass, but it was still such a relaxing way to float through the city, drifting under bridges and soaking it all in. And then to our surprise, our gondolier took us all the way out to the Grand Canal, which gave us a completely different view of the city. He was also a bit of a joker, constantly cracking jokes and keeping the mood light. Can you sing? We can arrange that tonight. We have some new subscribers from Sweden. From Sweden. What were your names? Christian. Christian and? Madeline. Madeline. Madeline. Oh, Madeline. Thank you. So in the end, even though it wasn't romantic, it was actually better than we had expected. But how much did this group ride cost? And how much would you pay for a private gondola just for yourselves? Carolina's here to explain. So we made a little bit of a mistake because I was booking the tour and it was called romantic gondola ride. So I was assuming that there's just going to be two of us. Two of us. Yeah, you think romantic gondola ride. It's not going to be shared amongst five people. And actually, it was two couples and a random guy joining us. And actually, we had fun. So if you're looking for more of like a social experience, it's definitely worth going anyway. And it's cheaper. And it's cheaper. It's like around 100 U.S. dollars for both of us. But there's also an opportunity to book a private gondola, which is a bit more expensive. It's like around 170 U.S. dollars for the gondola. But if you're looking for the romantic vibe and actually maybe some singing, that's definitely the one that you want to go for. If you want the gondola experience without the price tag, you can take the two euro traghetto used to ferry locals from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. Now, bear in mind, this isn't your typical gondola. It is a stripped down version and the ride lasts barely a minute. But it is a fun little experience. These boats are designed to carry several people at a time. But because it was just the two of us, they just took us across. And for a brief moment, we finally had our romantic gondola ride. Number nine, explore the quieter districts. It might surprise you because we usually go to the most popular spots. But one of our favorite moments in Venice wasn't about taking off big sights. As soon as we stepped away from the main sights, everything changed. It was quieter, slower, no tour groups, no one posing for photos, just everyday life. Locals were out running errands, chatting softly, walking their dogs. You could actually hear your own footsteps and the gentle sound of the water nearby. It felt calm and surprisingly real. Along one of the canals, we even saw people buying fresh produce from one of the boats. Just part of daily life here. No queues, no rush. And nearby, there were even tiny cafes tucked into quiet corners where people were just sitting with a coffee and something sweet, enjoying the moment. One moment that really stayed with us was seeing an older woman on her balcony, quietly arranging flowers in the sun. It was such a simple thing, but it said a lot about the pace of life here. After that, we just kept walking through quiet alleys and open squares with no real plan. The streets felt more open, more local, like a part of Venice most people don't get to see. And for once, we didn't feel the need to capture every moment. Just being there was more than enough. If you ever visit Venice, make sure to give yourself time to simply wander. And even if you're short on time, try to take a quick stroll through this area called Dorsoduro. It's where the real Venice comes alive. And finally, number 10, St. Mark's bell tower. The tallest structure in Venice and the perfect way to end your visit on a high, quite literally. And we have made it to the top of the bell tower. As you can see behind us, the big bells just above my head. We're standing with these very large binoculars looking out to Venice. And actually, the view out to Venice is absolutely incredible from up here, especially at this time. We've come at around eight o'clock and you can't come here for sunset because it closes I think at 8.45, but the views here are spectacular. I love seeing all the kind of red tiled roofs of Venice. There's something quite special about being up here. And the nice thing is at the end of a long day, we've done probably over 20,000 steps that you can take a lift up to the top. And actually, I don't think the stairs are working, so you don't have much choice, but see everyone's just coming out of the lift just over there. From the top, you get 360 degree views across the city, rooftops as far as the eye can see, with Venice stretching out into the lagoon in every direction. We booked skip the line tickets through Klook, which made it super easy. As always, the links in the description.