Possible activities
routes through Venice
Possible activities
routes through Venice
activities in venice
Routes through Venice
If you’ve never visited Venice, it’s hard to believe—yet anyone who has will know the truth: the streets are winding, narrow, and often dead-ends. Even seasoned travellers can find keeping their bearings on this island city a genuine challenge. Most people end up navigating the alleys with a smartphone glued to their face, or staring helplessly at a map. Despite the best equipment and Google Maps, many still find themselves hopelessly lost in the labyrinthine streets.
We’re here to help! Getting lost in Venice is a thing of the past. We’ll guide you along our favourite routes through the city, taking in top sights and charming squares along the way. We’ll show you how to wander the little lanes without ever hitting a dead-end.
We’ve put together four routes for you to explore—and there will be more to come!
Our routes
through Venice
Full-day Highlights Route
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Full-day Art Route
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Kids' Route
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Full-day Off the Beaten Path Tour
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This route is perfect for you: if it’s your first time in Venice and you want to see as much as possible in one day.
Walking distance: approx. 2.9 km
Suitable for children: yes/no
Link to the route
Full-day itinerary
City highlights
No matter where you start—whether from Santa Lucia station, the Piazzale Roma bus terminal, or the Tronchetto Flixbus stop—grab a Vaporetto ticket and head to the Rialto Market (Mercato Rialto), as this is where our route begins. From here, you can dive straight into an authentic Italian market atmosphere, with the vendors’ calls, the heady scents of spices, and the vibrant colours of the fresh produce. For a mid-morning pick-me-up, we recommend a coffee at Café Naranzaria; it’s excellent and costs around EUR 1.
Crossing the Rialto Bridge can take longer than expected, and for good reason: firstly, it’s the perfect spot for a memorable photo, and secondly, you might be tempted by one of the charming bridge-side shops.
If you’re not yet hungry, consider a detour to the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. No pasta here, but the architecture is exquisite.
For lunch, we suggest a leisurely stroll to Osteria al Portego. Afterwards, treat yourself to dessert at one of Venice’s finest gelaterias, Gelateria Suso. We’re curious which flavour you’ll choose! 🙂
Refreshed, it’s time to head to St Mark’s Square. Here, you face the “luxury of choice”: will it be St Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, or the Doge’s Palace? Whichever you choose, pre-book your tickets to minimise time spent in queues. We also recommend focusing on one, or at most two, attractions so you can truly enjoy them without turning your city break into a stressful dash.
Afterward, take a moment to unwind in the Giardini Reali. The greenery, flowers, and tranquil atmosphere are the perfect antidote to the bustle of St Mark’s Square.
Finally, round off your day with an aperitivo at Al Volto. With its relaxed ambience, small bites, and excellent drinks at reasonable prices, it’s the ideal spot to plan your evening meal. After all, a visit to Venice is just as much a culinary journey as it is a sightseeing one… ;D
This route is for you: if you want to combine art, art, art, and culinary delights.
Walking distance: approx. 1.5 km
Suitable for children: not really
Link to the route
Full-day itinerary
Art museums in Dorsoduro
The starting point is the Punta della Dogana, originally conceived in the 17th century as a customs house. Here you’ll find an unusual landmark—the very tip of the island is literally a “punta” (point). In 2009, the customs house was transformed into a contemporary art venue, now home to the Pinault Collection in Venice. The atmosphere, both inside and out, is inspiring and well worth a visit. You can check which exhibitions are currently on display here.
After the museum, continue to the Church of Santa Maria della Salute. Its wealth of intricate decorative details and rich history make it truly impressive. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to climb the dome for a panoramic view over the city!
The next stop is less for the eyes and more for the taste buds: a small aperitivo with a classic Aperol Spritz at Corner Pub.
Once recharged, you can walk a few minutes back to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, home to modern and contemporary masterpieces.
For those with a preference for something a little “older,” the Galleria dell’Accademia is also worth a visit, with its focus on Renaissance and Baroque art.
From there, Ristorante Al Profeta is just a short walk away—the perfect spot to treat your appetite. Buon appetito!
This route is perfect for you: if you’re in Venice with children.
Walking distance: approx. 1.7 km
Suitable for adults: yes
Link to the route
Children's Route
Have Fun and Learn
The starting point is the magnificent Teatro La Fenice. Book your tickets online with an audio guide and explore the opulent halls with the family. The experience becomes especially exciting if you happen to witness a rehearsal in one of the boxes! (Alternative to the Theater: The Bovolo Stairs)
Next, it’s time to cross the water—by Traghetto. These large gondolas will take you from one side of the canal to the other for just EUR 2/p.P.. How often do children get to experience something like this? Make the moment truly special!
If you need a short break, treat yourselves to some typical Cicchetti at Adagio to refuel before heading to the fantastic Leonardo da Vinci Museum. Boredom is impossible here: children can explore the wonders of technology in a playful, hands-on way. This interactive museum is well worth a visit, so be sure to book your tickets online in advance to avoid missing out.
You might want to make a brief stop to see the Banksy graffiti, but after that, you’ll likely be craving something sweet: sugar to boost your energy! We recommend ice cream at Gelateria Il Doge. 🙂
From there, it’s just a short stroll to the Ponte dei Pugni, where you can hunt for the four footprints. Nearby is a second Leonardo da Vinci Museum—but we’ll assume one museum per day is quite enough. 😉
This route is for you: if you have good shoes and enjoy walking + want to see lesser-known places in Venice
Distance to walk: approx. 4.4 km
Suitable for children: no
Link to the route
All day
Off the beaten track
We start again at the Rialto Bridge and fuel up with a coffee and pastry at Café Naranzaria. Then we cross the Rialto Bridge once more and head north (to the left) towards a small alley. “A small alley?” you might think—they’re everywhere in Venice! But this one is special: the Calle Varisco, at just 53 cm wide, is the narrowest street in the city. 😉
Next, we stop at the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the largest church in Venice—yes, even bigger than St Mark’s Basilica. Many Doges, artists, and scholars were laid to rest here, including Giovanni Bellini, Lorenzo Lotto, and Jacopo Palma the Younger. Bellini and Veronese also contributed some of the church’s stunning decoration.
Take a short break at Libreria Acqua Alta. Though it’s no longer a hidden gem, you’ll still avoid the crowds. Look around—it’s one of the most unusual bookstores you’ll ever see!
Our next stop is another church, Santa Maria Formosa. You can decide whether to go inside or simply admire its exterior. If not entering, keep an eye out for the grotesque face above one of the doors. Inside, you might spot a work by Tiepolo.
At this point, you might want to consider lunch. Along the way, there are several options for sitting down and resting:
Traditional cuisine and pasta at Ristorante Da Carletto (Calle de le Bande, 5272 – online reservation recommended)
or
Pizza at 1000 Gourmet Venezia (C. Specchieri, 475 – online reservation recommended)
If you’re not yet hungry, climb the Bovolo Staircase for stunning views over Venice!
A little further on, there are two more dining suggestions on the way to Palazzo Pisani:
To-go pizza at Pizzeria L’Angelo (Calle de la Mandola, 3711)
Traditional cuisine at Ristorante Rosa Rossa (Calle de la Mandola, 3709 – online reservation recommended)
Palazzo Pisani is known for three things: it houses the Conservatorio di Musica, has appeared in James Bond films, and reportedly has a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Venice (we’ll verify this soon!).
Next, we head to the Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. On the way, you’ll pass one of the two Il Doge gelaterias—perfect for a sweet treat now or after your visit to admire works by Bellini, Titian, and Canova inside the church.
Directly next to the church is one of our aperitivo recommendations: Adagio, ideal if you’d prefer a Spritz over gelato. 😉
By now, you’ve seen quite a lot and could easily start winding down your day. For those still full of energy, there’s a Banksy piece nearby—a child holding a pink Bengal torch.
On the way to the Ponte dei Pugni, you’ll find the second Il Doge gelateria—perfect if ice cream feels right now. The small bridge itself is the so-called Fist Fighters’ Bridge, where four footprints mark the starting positions of historic fights.
A few alleys further, you’ll find another restaurant recommendation: Al Profeta (C. Lunga S. Barnaba, 2671 – online reservation recommended). Cozy and rustic, it serves pasta, pizza, and other traditional dishes.
Buon appetito!
Text and image rights: © Celine Mülich, 2024 – 2026
With support from Susanne Vukan.
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