Article mis à jour le 19 Nov 2024
3 days in Venice: What to do?
Venice is situated in the north-east of Italy, in the Veneto region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous above all for its canals, gondolas and colourful historic architecture. How can you visit Venice in 3 days? Here’s a detailed itinerary to find out what to do in Venice!
Organising your trip to Venice: practical information
Where to stay for your 3 days in Venice?
I stayed at the 4-star Hotel Royal San Marco, ideally located just a few steps from one of the city’s most emblematic squares: the piazza San Marco. Don’t be surprised, most of the hotels in Venice have a (very) atypical, baroque style, but there’s nothing better than being immersed in the Venetian atmosphere! Prices vary according to the season, ranging from €100 to €300 per night. You can opt for the all-you-can-eat breakfast option, served in a room overlooking the canals.
It’s worth bearing in mind that most hotels look the same and prices are generally similar. However, choose a hotel in the city centre, which will make it easier to get around.
When should you go?
The best times to visit Venice are before and after the summer, i.e. from March to May and from September to November. In summer, as well as a very hot climate, the city is invaded by tourists, which sometimes makes it difficult to get around in the narrow streets.
Of course, you can’t separate Venice from its carnival (which takes place from late January to early February), which locals say is a must-see at least once in your life.
How do I get there?
There are several ways to get to Venice from France:
- ✈️ By plane: Direct flights to Venice Marco Polo airport are available every day from Paris, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse and Lyon.
- 🚞 Train: Connections with connections are available from Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg.
- 🚗 By car: For the more courageous, allow 12 hours for the journey from Paris. However, once there, you’ll need to leave the car on the outskirts of the city. You can then reach the centre by train, on foot or by boat.
What’s the budget for a 3-day visit to Venice?
- Flight France – Venice: €50-100 return in low season and €150 to €300 (or more) in high season.
- Airport – city centre: €10 via a shuttle bus that takes you to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes.
- Hotels: prices range from €80 to €400 or more per night, depending on the season.
- Restaurants/food: around €30 per person per day for 2 meals.
Getting around
Venice is a car-free city where everything can be visited on foot. For longer distances, you can take a vaporetto (waterbus) or a water taxi. And if you’re looking for a more romantic option, there are of course the famous Venetian gondolas.
💌 Book your private gondola ride
Do I need to buy tickets online to visit the must-see spots?
For reasons of price, language and ease of use, we advise you to pre-book your activities on one of the following 2 sites:
What to do in 3 days in Venice?
Come on, let’s get to work! We’re going to give you our itinerary for visiting Venice in 3 days. Before you start, you need to know that Venice is divided into 6 districts: San Marco, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Castello, Santa Croce and San Polo.
In addition to these recommendations, the best way to discover the city is to dare to venture out and get lost in its narrow streets away from the tourists. If you’re an early riser, get up very (very) early to enjoy the deserted city and understand its sometimes surprising organisation!
Day 1: Discover the historic centre
Depending on your preferences, you can visit Venice on your own or hire a private guide to find out all about the city’s history.
Piazza San Marco
This itinerary begins in one of Venice’s must-see places. Surrounded by a number of historic monuments, Piazza San Marco is a lively place to stroll around and sit down at a café to enjoy the view and start the day.
San Marco Basilica
It’s impossible to miss this imposing building with its golden domes, colourful mosaics and Byzantine-style facades. Admission is free, but you’ll need to buy a ticket on this site to access certain areas, such as the museum.
The Doge’s Palace
Built in the 14th century, this is the former residence of the rulers of the Republic of Venice known as the Doges. Don’t forget to book in advance on this site if you want to visit the interior, as the Doge’s Palace is one of the most popular monuments in Venice.
Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs once served as a passageway for prisoners between the Doge’s Palace and the prison. Its name derives from the fact that prisoners sighed when they saw Venice one last time.
Accademia Bridge
Move away from the centre to reach the Grand Canal and cross this imposing wooden bridge offering a 360° view of the canal and neighbouring buildings.
Basilica of Santa Maria Della Salute
The Basilica of Santa Maria Della Salute is recognisable by its huge dome and Baroque architecture, while the interior is highly decorated and covered in works of art. Its location offers a beautiful view of the city. Admission is free, but some parts of the interior are chargeable.
Rooftop of the Fontego dei Tedeschi shopping centre
If you still have time (and energy), the rooftop of this shopping centre offers a magnificent view of Venice. Open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm, access to the panoramic terrace is free, but you must reserve a time slot in advance via their website.
Where to eat?
Even if it’s not the region’s star dish, it’s impossible to travel in Italy without eating a good pizza! For this, head for Farini, which offers pizzas made with fresh produce and other Italian dishes at reasonable prices. You can eat in, but I’d strongly advise you to take away and enjoy your pizza on the banks of a canal. And if you’ve got a little room left over, go and have an ice cream at Suso, a very famous ice cream parlour.
Day 2: Venetian Dolce Vita
The Rialto market
Not far from the Rialto Bridge, this not-to-be-missed Venetian market is renowned for its fresh produce and daily fish arrivals. The atmosphere is pleasant, and it’s also an opportunity to discover local produce and do a bit of shopping.
💌 To book a guided tour of Rialto and the Jewish Quarter, click here.
Acqua Alta bookshop
Even if you’re not planning to buy books, this bookshop is worth a visit for its unusual decoration and atmosphere. Both inside and out, hundreds of books are stacked on gondolas.
The Cannaregio district
Certainly the most authentic district of the city, it is much less touristy, but just as pretty to visit, and allows you to immerse yourself in Venetian life.
Where to eat?
Cantine del Vino già Schiavi: this authentically decorated wine bar is the ideal place to enjoy these small Venetian bites and tapas known as cicchetti. Accompanied by a good glass of Prosecco, a sparkling wine and speciality of north-east Italy (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health – consume in moderation).
Day 3: Set course for Burano
Burano is a small island 40 minutes from Venice by boat. To get there, take vaporetto line 12 from Fondamente Nove in the north of Venice. The one-way fare is €9.50. Known for its colourful little houses, Venice can be visited in just a few hours. Go early in the morning to get there before the crowds of tourists.
💌 If you also want to visit Murano and Torcello, we recommend this boat trip.
Where to eat in Burano?
If you’re looking for traditional seafood dishes, Da Primo is the place to go. Their squid ink risotto is delicious! Expect to pay around twenty euros per dish. Trexento Luxury Gelato is for those with a sweet tooth, and this ice cream parlour offers a wide choice of flavours.
Now that you know what to do in Venice in 3 days, it’s waiting for you. Let yourself be guided by its narrow streets steeped in history and its unique atmosphere!
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Je suis Aurélie, co-créatrice du blog et de l’Instagram Amoureux du Monde. Depuis 2016, j’ai eu la chance de visiter de nombreuses destinations et de me former à la photographie via ces expériences. Ce que je recherche en voyage, c’est l’apaisement devant un magnifique paysage, l’émerveillement devant la beauté de la nature et l’émotion devant un coucher de soleil.
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