Europe

VENICE Itinerary For 3 Days : What To See And Things To Do

Venice – it isn’t just another Italian city in Europe you visit. It’s a floating dream built on more than 100 small islands, connected by little bridges instead of roads. There are no cars here, no traffic lights – just boats gliding slowly through the canal water, footsteps echoing on cobbled paths and of course gondola songs .

If this is your first time visiting Venice, this guide may help you to see the highlights in 3 days.

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    Why 3 days in Venice is perfect?

    3days in Venice is honestly the sweet spot – not rushed, not too slow, just right. Venice may look small on the map, but it is layered.

    If you want to

      • Visit the iconic landmarks
      • Wander quiet local neighbourhoods
      • Explore charming little corners
      • Do the island hopping
      • Slow down and enjoy Italian food probably

    You need at least 3days in Venice. And you’ll be amazed if you decide to stay here more than 3days.

    3 days Itinerary : Plan your trip

    Day 1 – Classic Venice : Piazza San Macro & Grand Canal

    Piazza San Macro

    Start your morning early visiting Piazza San Macro. As it’s the most famous place and heart of Venice, it gets crowded very quickly. The opening hour is between 9:00 am and 10:00 am and you have to be there before this time to avoid the worst of crowds.

    Visit:

      • Mark’s Basillica
      • Doge’s Palace
      • Campanile Bell Tower

    You can buy tickets online and book a guided tour as well. We visited this place 3years ago. We did not plan very well and missed a great opportunity to take photographs of this place on early morning. By the time we reached the square was already buzzing.

    💡Pro tip: If you want perfect crowd-free photos, go at sunrise. Otherwise embrace the chaos a little.

    Gondola Ride

    Yes, it’s very touristy. Yes, it’s expensive. Honestly, we stood there for a good few minutes wondering if a gondola ride was worth spending that much money on. But we did it anyway and it was a dramatic experience I must say. The whole time I was humming the famous Bollywood song “Do lafzon ki hai dil ki kahani”, it was so romantic.  

    💡Pro tip: If budget is an issue take Vaporetto Line 1 along the Grand Canal. It is a public transport way to travel from Piazzale Roma to Lido. In this way you can experience Grand Canal without spending on Gondola.

    Rialto Bridge & Market

    This area is the busiest and crowded. Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest and most famous bridges in Venice. Standing on top you can enjoy watching boats glide underneath, pastel buildings reflecting in the water, restaurants serving fresh sea food, pasta, risotto. It was surreal.

    Just beside the bridge, there is a market selling fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood etc – it’s loud, chaotic but lively. You’ll see many tiny shops here selling souvenirs, masks and handmade goods.

    💡Pro tip: Be on top of Rialto Bridge just before the sunset. When the sun goes down, the warm streetlights shimmer on the canal, turning the water into liquid gold – it feels like a dream.

    Day 2 – Burano & Murano Islands

    If you are planning to explore beyond central Venice, island hopping is the best thing to do.

    Murano

    Just a short vaporetto ride away, this island has been famous for glass-making for centuries. You’ll notice beautiful glass shops displaying colourful vases, chandeliers, jewellery as you walk around the island.

    If you have time visit a glass factory to see the live demonstration of melting glass to make colourful art pieces.

    Burano

    Burano is an island of yellow, bright pink, blue, green, red houses. It feels like someone turned the saturation all the way up. Take your time here, walk without a plan, sit by the canal and wonder how life feels sweeter and slower in this cozy island.

    💡Pro tip: Visit Murano first, from there visit Burano.

    burano venice

    Day 3 – Local Neighbourhoods

      • On your final day, explore Dorsoduro District. It feels less touristy, more authentic.
      • Visit Basilica Santa Maria della Salute
      • Visit Bridge of Sighs. Legend says prisoners once glanced through these windows, sighing at their last view of Venice.

    Best time to visit Venice

    I’ll say shoulder months – April, May, September, October are very nice to walk around and embrace the beauty of Venice.

    We visited Venice in July, and it was a big mistake that we did. The summer was very hard and humid.

    What you should know before planning a trip to Venice

      • Book major attractions in advance.
      • Use Vaporetto pass. You can buy 1 day, 2 days or 3 days passes online, perfect if you are hopping between San Marco, Rialto, Dorsoduro including Murano and Burano also.
      • If you want to enjoy your dinner at restaurants near Rialto bridge, it will be convenient if you book the table in advance.

    Must try foods in Venice

      • Risi e Bisi ( Creamy rice with peas / seafood )
      • Sarde in Saor ( Sweet n sour fried sardine )
      • Fritto Misto ( Fried seafood platter )
      • Tiramisu & Classic Gelato for dessert

    Final thoughts on visiting Venice in summer

    We hope this itinerary will inspire you to wander, get a little lost, and fall in love with Venice.
    Until the next destination, keep your travel spirit high and heart open for new adventures. Bon Voyage, always.