Venice is one of the most popular and visited cities in Italy. It’s no wonder why, with its winding canals, outdoor cafes and iconic gondolas. But as you explore this beautiful city on your own or with a group of friends, there are some things you just have to do. From eating freshly baked pastries to taking in a canal cruise at sunset, here are 10 things you should add to your Venezia bucket list:
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1. Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, which served as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. The palace is composed of two parts: the Doge’s Palace and the Palace of the Doges.
The first building was built in 814 but only lasted a few decades before being destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt again, this time on a grander scale after 976 when Doge Pietro Orseolo moved his official residence from Malamocco to Rialto (the area where most trade took place). It remained an important center for trade and government until Napoleon burned it down in 1797.
2. Canal Grande
The Grand Canal is Venice’s most famous and beautiful waterway. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Italy. The Canale Grande was once a major thoroughfare for watercraft, but today it is frequented mostly by gondolas and other small craft. Still, you can easily see why this canal has been admired throughout history: its colorful buildings reflect off its waters like a mirror on a still lake, while bridges arch high overhead to create an elegant skyline that must have inspired many poets and artists (and maybe even some painters).
3. Basilica di San Marco
The basilica is the largest church in Venice and is dedicated to Saint Mark. It was built in the 9th century, contains the body of Saint Mark (and his remains), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is one of the most famous squares in all of Europe. At its center is a huge column topped by a statue of St. Mark, Venice’s patron saint, and from here you can see the city’s stunning architecture as well as enjoy some of Italy’s best gelato.
The square was originally built in the 9th century but was destroyed many times over the following centuries until it was rebuilt in 1577 by order of King Philip II of Spain. It was then completely rebuilt again between 1912 and 1926 after being damaged during an earthquake which struck on November 18th, 1902.
Today there are many attractions within the piazza including:
Today there are many attractions within the piazza including:
- Basilica di San Marco (Basilica Cathedral) – where you will find St Mark’s body preserved inside an elaborate tomb made from silver chests filled with gold relics
- Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) – where you can visit secret rooms and view paintings dating back to 1310 including works by Tintoretto as well as other great artists such as Titian; also worth seeing inside are paintings by Canaletto who lived nearby when he painted these frescoes for his patron Francesco Alvise Mocenigo III who commissioned this magnificent palace complex; if you want to tour this building then you should book tickets online beforehand because they sell out fast!
5. Teatro La Fenice
Right at the center of Venice, this famous theatre is an architectural masterpiece. It was built in 1791 and is considered to be one of the best expressions of Venetian Baroque architecture. Its architect was Alessandro Galilei, who designed it as a regal opera house.
The Teatro La Fenice has been rebuilt several times thanks to fire damage, leaving it standing today as the only surviving opera house in Venice—a testament to its importance within the city and its history. Visitors can tour this historic venue during guided tours that include information on both performances held there today, as well as past events like Shakespeare’s plays performed by actors such as Henry Irving back when this place first opened its doors!
6. Campanile di San Marco
Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Bell Tower)
The Campanile di San Marco, also known as the bell tower of St. Mark’s basilica, rises to a height of 98 meters and is the highest structure in Venice. Its construction began in 1063 under Doge Domenico Selvo and was completed in 1902 with the addition of two further floors for bells and clocks. It is also home to a library containing over 2,000 ancient manuscripts from all over Europe, as well as several statues including one depicting St. Theodore slaying a dragon that sits on top of one of its columns.
In addition to being one of the most famous landmarks in Italy, it has been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980 because it represents both aesthetic value as well as architectural excellence due to its unique combination between Eastern styles such as Islamic architecture with traditional Western European building methods like brickwork or stone masonry which were used during its construction phase
7. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a museum in Venice, housed in a 16th-century palazzo. The museum’s collection includes works of art by many famous artists. It also hosts temporary exhibitions and artist residencies.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection was founded in 1952 by American socialite Peggy Guggenheim (1898–1979), who was an art historian, collector, and patron of the arts. She established the Foundation for her collection with her husband Benjamin Brown Solomon (1892–1972). In 1959 she left New York City with her collection of paintings to live permanently in Venice where she opened this museum on the Grand Canal named after herself.
In 1973 it was given as a gift to Italy with no restrictions on its future use or content; however, despite being privately owned by two foundations registered under Italian law since 1966 (the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation and Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation), it has always been managed by public institutions such as Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia SPA which manages all municipal museums on behalf of local government.
8. Cannaregio
Cannaregio is one of the oldest parts of Venice and is home to some of the city’s oldest architecture, including a palace that dates back to the 12th century. The area also has a lot more history than most visitors realize: for example, it was here that the Jewish Ghetto was created in 1516 and where many Jews lived until their expulsion from Italy in 1551.
The neighborhood is also home to several important landmarks related to Judaism or Italian culture, including the Jewish Museum and historical synagogues such as Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (known as “La Farsetto”). Visitors who want to learn more about Cannaregio should visit these sites along with other nearby attractions like St Mark’s Square or Rialto Bridge.
9. San Giorgio Maggiore
San Giorgio Maggiore is an island in the Venetian lagoon, in the Venetian historic centre. It is one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon and is a short distance from Venice. The main church on this island was built by Mauro Codussi between 1470 and 1477 as a votive church for Doge Francesco Foscari after his escape from prison at Pisa during an attempted coup d’état by his enemies.
10. Ponte di Rialto
Ponte di Rialto is the oldest bridge in Venice and the only bridge open to vehicles, pedestrians and boats. The bridge was built in 1591 by Antonio da Ponte, who also constructed the nearby Rialto market.
In order to cross this busy waterway, you must pay a toll of just over one euro per person (but no more than 2 euros).
Venice is a city with a lot to see.
Venice is a city with a lot to see. Venice is a city with a lot to do. Venice is a city with a lot of history and culture.
Venice is home to the famous Saint Mark’s Basilica, which houses the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of Venice, as well as many other churches and monuments from different eras of its history. The Rialto Bridge was built in 1345 and still stands strong after hundreds of years!
Conclusion
Venice is one of the top places that should be on your bucket list. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of charm and history to explore. If you decide that Venice is where you want to go next year, we hope this list has given you some ideas as well as inspiration!
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