One Day in Venice Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal
Is one day in Venice enough? Maybe not to see it all—but it’s just enough to fall in love.
I’ve said it in my Venice travel guide before: Venice is such a magical city I truly recommend spending at least a couple of nights on the island to soak it all in. That said, I know many travelers are short on time and still want to experience this dreamy city. So I’ve put together this one day in Venice itinerary that covers all the major sights – helping you make the most of your short but unforgettable visit.
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How to Get to Venice:
If you’re planning to spend just one day in Venice, you’re probably including it as a day trip from a nearby city—and most day trippers arrive by train.
🚆 Train to the Santa Lucia Train Station
Take the train to Venezia Santa Lucia station, right on the Grand Canal. From there, you can walk or hop on a vaporetto (water bus) to your first destination.
✈️ Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
If Venice is your first stop and you’re flying in, you’ll arrive at Marco Polo Airport (VCE)—the main international airport serving the city. From there, you’ll need to transfer to the city center by water taxi, Alilaguna boat, or airport bus, depending on your budget and time.
*If you’re flying into Venice, I highly recommend spending at least one night on the island. That way, you’ll have most of the day to explore after your arrival without having to rush to leave same day.*
The cheapest way to get into Venice from the airport is the airport express bus, which costs about 10 euros one way. This bus with luggage storage area takes you to Piazzale Roma, from which you can transfer onto a water taxi to get to your hotel (cars can’t go beyond this square).
Another great option is to take a shared water taxi for a scenic ride to your hotel in Venice. If you want to splurge and get a private boat, this private boat option will take you directly to your hotel.
Alilaguna is a public transportation boat that can take you from the airport to Venice. It costs 15 euros, but it usually takes much longer than the water taxi.
Download the AVM App in Venice for vaporetto (water taxi) travel in Venice as I found that Google Maps wasn’t always giving the best options.
BEST HOTELS IN VENICE
These hotels all have a rating over 9.0 on Booking.com, and you won’t regret staying in any of these!
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B&B Casin dei Nobili – a charming, cozy place situated near Gallerie dell’Accademia, Peggy Gugghenhaim.
Rosa Salva Hotel – a renovated hotel near San Marco Square and Rialto Bridge, conveniently located for sightseeing.
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Palazzo Veneziano – an elegant hotel in Dorsoduro, walkable to all the major attractions.
Carnival Palace – sister hotel of Palazzo Veneziano, modern designs meet Venetian charm here.
Novecento Boutique Hotel – a charming hotel inspired by Mediterranean and Oriental furnishings, featuring rooms decorated with antiques. Breakfast is served in a peaceful garden.
Palazzo Keller – a gorgeously renovated hotel with a beautiful courtyard.
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Violino d’Oro Venezia – an 18th-century building overlooking the San Moisè Canal. Featuring crystal chandeliers and contempoary designs. Saint Mark’s Square is less than 2 minutes’ walk away.
Nolinski Venezia – Evok Collection – a new 5 star luxury hotel filled with contemporary and classical art pieces, just 400 yards away from Piazza San Marco. Check out their library bar!
Palazzina Grassi – a well located luxury hotel with modern interiors.
Ca Maria Adele – a boutique hotel in Dorsoduro, in extravagant Venetian style.
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The Gritti Palace – a stylish, opulent Venetian design hotel.
Ca’ di dio – an elegant boutique hotel on the waterfront, filled with lustrous marble, frescos, and decorated with Murano glass.
St. Regis Venice – located in the heart of Venice on the Grand Canal, walking distance to everything.
One Day in Venice Itinerary
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to spend a dreamy one day in Venice.
Start Your Day at Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco—also known as St. Mark’s Square—is the heart of Venice. Surrounded by grand architecture and steeped in centuries of history, this lively square is home to some of the city’s most iconic sights, including St. Mark’s Basilica, its towering Campanile, and the elegant Doge’s Palace.
Because it’s one of the most visited areas in Venice, I highly recommend starting your day here first in the morning when the crowds are thinner.
Caffè Florian
Known a the oldest coffeehouse in Italy, Caffé Florian is a timeless gem that’s been around since 1720.
📍Piazza San Marco, 57, 30124 Venezia (VE) – Italy
I have to warn you though, the prices here are steep. I paid €10.50 for a cappuccino – probably the most I have ever spent for a single cup of coffee. But honestly? I still recommend visiting at least once during your trip to Venice. This cafe isn’t just a place to grab a drink. It’s a piece of living history. In 300 years, the cafe has served famous figures like Casanova, Lord Bryon, Charles Dickens and Earnest Hemingway.
Inside, the cafe is divided into 6 different rooms, or halls. Each space is decorated beautifully with its own distinct charm. I admired every corner of the cafe, from the velvet lined seats to the paintings to the sparkling gold mirrors, and all the decadent 18th century details.
St. Mark’s Basilica & Campanile
Also located in Piazza San Marco, the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica is an opulent Byzantine-style church decorated with golden mosaics, intricate marble floors, and impressive domes.
Make sure to get tickets ahead of time as this is one of the most popular sights of Venice.
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Now lets step back in time to Venice’s golden ages with a visit to the Palazzo Ducale or Doge’s Palace. This is a true masterpiece of Venetian Gothic design and one of the most important landmarks in the city. Once the residence of the Doge and the seat of Venice’s government, the palace is filled with ornate chambers, sweeping staircases, and remarkable works of art that offer a glimpse into the city’s powerful past and artistic legacy. It’s a must-see on any one day in Venice itinerary.
Bridge of Sighs
At the end of the tour of Doge’s Palace, you’ll have the opportunity to cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners would take their last glimpse of Venice before being sent to their jail cells.
Lunch & Dessert
Dal Moro’s & Gelatoteca Suso
You’ve probably worked up an appetite by now, so let’s go grab some lunch.
Dal Moro’s is a small spot that serves freshly made pasta in to-go containers at an affordable price – something that’s not easily found in Venice. There’s usually a line out the door but don’t worry – it moves quickly. There are no seats as the place is tiny, but just walk a few minutes to a spot by the canals to enjoy your fresh pasta.
Afterwards, head to Suso Gelatoteca, my favorite gelato shop in Venice. Enjoy a sweet moment while watching the gondolas glide by — this is a true Venetian experience.
Rialto bridge
Now walk just a couple of minutes to the Rialto Bridge. The Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in Venice, crossing the Grand Canal with incredible views of the waterway and surrounding buildings.
This is the oldest of the 4 bridges that span the Grand Canal. It was built in the 16th century, and made of stone and marble arch. While it offers a beautiful vantage point for photos of Venice, the bridge itself is something to admire.
The bridge is lined with shops selling souvenirs, jewelry, and Venetian delicacies.
Gondola Ride
Even with just one day in Venice, you can’t miss a gondola ride through the canals of Venice.
These sleek boats painted in black, are a symbol of Venice, and a bucket list activity for visitors. They have been in existence since the 11th century.
There were up to 10,000 gondolas during the 17th and 18th century, but today there are only about 400 in active service.
The fare price of Gondolas is set officially. Last I checked, a 30 minute ride during the day costs €80, and €100 after 7 pm.
Sure, it’s touristy and expensive, but this is the only place in the world where you can experience an authentic gondola ride, so it’s a must during your one day in Venice.
You can find gondoliers dressed in striped shirts and black pants waiting for customers around the canals.
If you don’t mind sharing the boat with others (a gondola can hold up to 5 guests), pre-book this shared gondola ride for just €35 per person!
Ponte dell’Acccademia (Accademia Bridge)
While the Rialto Bridge may be the most iconic, my personal favorite for views is the Accademia Bridge. One of only four bridges that cross the Grand Canal, it connects the Dorsoduro and San Marco districts—and stands out for being the only one made of wood, giving it a warm, rustic charm compared to the stone and metal of the others.
From the top, you’re treated to a postcard-perfect view of the Grand Canal, with the dome of Basilica Santa Maria della Salute in the distance.
It’s especially breathtaking at sunset, when golden light washes over the city and creates a dreamlike atmosphere.
⛴️ The bridge is easy to reach, located right at the Accademia vaporetto stop, making it a convenient and worthwhile stop on your one day in Venice adventure.
Dinner & Enjoy the Canals
To end your day in Venice, treat yourself to dinner by the water and simply soak in the beauty of the canals as the sun begins to set.
I’ve visited my fair share of “Venice of” destinations—Venice of Spain, Little Venice, and many others—but nothing compares to the real thing.
There’s no better way to close out your one-day adventure than with a view that reminds you why Venice is truly one of a kind.
Final Thoughts
That concludes this one day in Venice itinerary.
Even with just a single day, Venice has a way of capturing your heart. From its iconic canals to incredible architecture, the magic of this city lingers long after you leave.
I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time—and that it inspires you to come back soon to experience even more of the beauty and charm that Venice has to offer.
Have More Than One day in Venice?
Check out my Venice Travel Guide that includes hotel recommendations, and more things to do including a day trip to the nearby Burano Island.
USE MY CHECKLIST TO PLAN YOUR TRIP!
- Flights
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Hotels
- I use Booking.com for most accommodations
- For Asia, I prefer Agoda as they have the most competitive prices. I also compare prices on Klook (you can use my code MINYWANDER for a discount so see if that’s a better deal)
- For vacation rentals, especially for larger families, consider VRBO
- Transportation
- Trains & Ferries – book on Omio
- Rental Cars – I usually book on DiscoverCars
- For reliable airport pickups, use Welcome Pickups
- For Asia I use Klook (code MINYWANDER for a discount) – Japan trains for example
- Activities & Tours
- GetYourGuide and Viator are my go to’s.
- For Asia, I prefer Klook as there are more options – use code MINYWANDER
- E-sim
- Stay connected with Airalo E-sims.
The way you did your recommendations is so easy to understand and so simple. Important notes are all in. Thank you for sharing this to us. We will be in Venice in October.
I’m so glad its helpful! Hope you have a wonderful time in Venice!