Venice & Lagoon Islands in 2 Days: Vaporettos & St. Mark's

P.za San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Arrive early to admire the vast marble square and the façade of the Clock Tower before day-trippers and cruise crowds arrive.

P.za San Marco, 328, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Head up to the Museo di San Marco on the upper level to inspect the original bronze Horses of Saint Mark and walk out onto the loggia for bird’s-eye views over the square

P.za San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Walk through the massive Chamber of the Great Council to see Tintoretto's Il Paradiso, then cross inside the enclosed Bridge of Sighs into the historic prison cells.

30125 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

💡 Cross to the central balustrade for the classic postcard photo down the Grand Canal, watching gondolas and vaporettos navigating beneath the stone arch.

S. Polo, 859, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Settle in for a classic Venetian bàcaro lunch break; order a selection of cicchetti (crostini topped with creamed baccalà mantecato) alongside an ombra (small glass of local white wine).

Scheduled Downtime

Dorsoduro, 1, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Conclude your day on the steps of this grand octagonal baroque basilica at the tip of Dorsoduro; the stone terrace at Punta della Dogana offers spectacular sunset views looking back toward the Doge's Palace and San Giorgio Maggiore.

Fondamente Nove, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Validate your ACTV card at the automated barrier and board Vaporetto Line 12 heading north into the calm waters of the northern lagoon.

Fondamenta Marco Giustinian, 8, 30141 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Walk down Fondamenta Giustinian along the canal to admire Roman glass relics and Renaissance crystal chandeliers; nearby artisan furnaces offer live glassblowing demonstrations for ~€5.

P.za Baldassarre Galuppi, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Stroll along the narrow canals lined with vibrant, pastel-painted fishermen's cottages; visit Tre Ponti (three wooden bridges connecting three canals) for the premier photography spot.

Via Giudecca, 88, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy

💡 Settle in for a legendary sit-down lagoon lunch; order their signature risotto di gò (creamy Carnaroli risotto made with local lagoon rock goby fish).

Mazzorbo, 30142 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

💡 Cross the covered wooden bridge (Ponte Longo) connecting Burano to peaceful Mazzorbo; walk through the historic walled vineyard that grows the rare native Dorona golden grape before catching Vaporetto Line 12 back to central Venice.