Day 1
2 min walk
10 min walk
18 min walk
Day 2
35 min by water bus
55 min by water bus
23 min walk
Is 2 days enough in Venice? Two days is enough to see the main sights and get out to the islands without rushing. This 2-day Venice itinerary covers the centre on foot on day 1 and uses the water bus (vaporetto) on day 2.
Day 1 is iconic Venice: St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal, then an evening in Dorsoduro. It's about 2.2 km of walking between stops.
Day 2 is the islands and hidden Venice: Murano for glassmaking, Burano for its colourful houses, back to the city for Libreria Acqua Alta, then cicchetti and wine in Cannaregio.
Day 1
About 2.2 km of walking between stops, from St Mark's to Dorsoduro.
Open day 1 in Google MapsStart here · Attraction · Cathedral
Venice's cathedral on Piazza San Marco, famous for its golden mosaics and Byzantine domes. Go early: the queue grows fast once the day-trippers arrive.
Tip: Book a timed entry online to skip the main queue. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
Stop 2 · Attraction · Palace and museum
The Gothic palace of the doges, with grand council halls and the prisons you reach by crossing the Bridge of Sighs from the inside.
Tip: The Secret Itineraries tour takes you into hidden rooms and the prisons. Book it ahead.
Stop 3 · Attraction · Bridge
The oldest bridge across the Grand Canal, with classic views up and down the canal and the Rialto Market streets right beside it.
Tip: The Rialto Market by the bridge is busiest in the morning and closed on Sundays.
Stop 4 · Area · Neighbourhood
A quieter district of canals, galleries and student bars. Wander towards Campo Santa Margherita for an evening spritz and dinner.
Day 2
Water bus out to Murano and Burano, then back to the city for an evening in Cannaregio.
Open day 2 in Google MapsStop 5 · Area · Island
The glassmaking island, with furnaces where you can watch glassblowers at work and the Murano Glass Museum.
Tip: Take the water bus from Fondamente Nove. Look for furnaces offering short glassblowing demonstrations.
Take the water bus: Line 12 vaporetto from Murano Faro to Burano, about 35 min.
Stop 6 · Area · Island
The island of brightly painted fishermen's houses and lace making. Walk away from the main street for the quietest, most colourful canals.
Take the water bus: Line 12 vaporetto from Burano to Fondamente Nove, then a 10 min walk, about 55 min.
Stop 7 · Shop · Bookshop
A famously quirky bookshop in Castello, with books stacked in bathtubs and a gondola, and a staircase made of old books.
Tip: Climb the staircase made of books in the back courtyard for the classic photo.
Stop 8 · Area · Neighbourhood
Venice's most local district. Along the Fondamenta dei Ormesini and della Misericordia, bacari serve cicchetti and wine by the glass.
Tip: Order cicchetti at the bar, one or two at a time, with an ombra (a small glass of wine).
Recommended hotels
Riva degli Schiavoni, by St Mark's
Best for: Splurge
Legendary lagoon-front palace hotel, steps from St Mark's and the Doge's Palace.
Check pricesCannaregio, at Rialto
Best for: Views
Small hotel in a 14th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal, with a terrace facing the Rialto Bridge.
Check pricesGiudecca
Best for: Budget
Design hostel with dorms and private rooms on Giudecca, a short water bus ride from St Mark's.
Check pricesRecommended activities
2-3 hours
Skip the lines with a guide for the two biggest sights on Piazza San Marco.
Book4-6 hours
A guided boat trip to both islands, often with a glassblowing demonstration.
Book30 min
A shared or private gondola ride along the smaller canals.
BookBefore you go
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