2 Days In Venice | A Must See Itinerary
Spending 2 days in Venice is the perfect way to spend a short break and a great way to see such a unique part of Europe.
Formed of 118 islands connected by over 400 bridges, it’s no wonder that Venice, the city built on water, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Known by many as one of ‘The Most Romantic Cities in Europe’, Venice is much more than red roses and gondolas. Filled with culture; impressive artwork, architecture and historical wonders can be found around every corner. It’s impossible to leave without encountering some of the city’s extensive history or experiencing it’s ancient wonders.
Dating back to the 5th Century AD, Venice is a historians paradise. The ‘floating city’ sits upon wooden struts buried into the thick clay beneath the network of canals. Having remained unexposed to oxygen and submerged in salty water, the wooden supports have in fact, hardened and become more durable.
Bordering the Adriatic sea, the city of canals sees around 30 million visitors per year. Many of these visit for only a few days, which is a great way to capture a snap shot of the archaic city.
Our 2 days in Venice guide includes; an itinerary, top sights and tips on everything you need to know. As well as accommodation and food recommendations and more to plan your historical Italian adventure.
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Navigation Menu – 2 Days In Venice
How many days should I spend in Venice?
2 Days in Venice is enough time to immerse yourself in it’s culture and history without breaking the bank. The city is expensive so make every night count.
Unless you plan on exploring the lesser known islands, you won’t need any longer to see the top sights.
Where should I stay in Venice?
When planning where to stay in Venice, there’s three choices. You can stay central, stay on another island or stay out of Venice completely and travel in.
Having tried staying both on another island and central, central was much easier. It may be more expensive but being able to walk everywhere and not have to worry what time the last water bus was leaving or when the tide was out, made for a much more relaxing trip.
Venice is an expensive city to visit even without the cost of accommodation. We’ve listed below some of the top hotels and hostels, none of which will break the bank for a weekend away.
All of the hotels listed below can be booked through Hotels.com. We always book through Hotels.com because of their rewards program and have actually earned several free nights now!
Top Tip: Stay on the outskirts of the main island and walk in. That way you can escape the noise of the central squares whilst still being able to walk there in less than 20 minutes.
Combo Venezia – Hostel
Housed in a 12th century monastery, this stunning piece of architecture has been converted into a 130 room hostel.
Offering travellers affordable and central accommodation combined with a unique and historical experience.
Cost: Approx. £53 per night
Pros: Free WIFI, Air Conditioning, Free Breakfast, Luggage store, Rooftop terrace
Cons: WIFI is only in Communal Areas
Bonus: 15 minute walk to San Marco Square
Generator Venice – Hostel
Situated over the canal from San Marco Square and the Basilica , the panoramic bay views are similar to that of a 5 star boutique hotel.
Cost: Approx. £39 per night
Pros: Free WIFI, Air Conditioning.
Cons: Have to get a boat across to main island.
Bonus: Offers stunning views of San Marco Square across the canal
Hotel Le Boulevard – 4-Star Hotel
Having stayed here in January 2017, it was a peaceful spot located on one of the outer islands, The Lido. Situated just across from the water boat station, it’s easy to access central Venice whilst staying out of the busy city centre.
The golden sandy beaches of the Lido are only a short walk away, offering an alternative summer experience in Venice.
Cost: Approx £80 per night
Pros: Free Wifi, Air Conditioning, Free Breakfast, near water boat station and a beach.
Cons: Dated rooms, can be difficult getting back from the central islands late at night.
Bonus: Gives you the chance to explore another island in Venice.
Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo- 3-Star Hotel
This elegant and historical hotel, situated in a classical Venetian building offers a peaceful escape from the bustling alleys only minutes away.
Enjoy your morning coffee in the gorgeous courtyard and listen to the boats pass on the canal only meters away.
We stayed here in September 2020 and loved how central it was whilst still being off the beaten path.
Cost: Approx. £108 per night
Pros: Free WIFI, Air Conditioning, Free Breakfast.
Cons: Breakfast area quite small, so get up early.
Bonus: Great Central Location, within walking distance of several top sights.
Getting around Venice
Getting around Venice isn’t difficult, there is a network of Vaporetto’s as well as water taxis. Once on the main island most of the top sights are accessible by foot. If you’re fit and able walking is a good option as it’s FREE and a great way to see the city.
However, if you plan on venturing over to other islands there are plenty of water taxis and boats to choose from!
Walking
Cost: €0
Exploring Venice on foot where possible is a great way to discover and experience the city. You’re more likely to stumble upon local hot spots and charming cafes in peaceful squares as well as seeing the top sights the city has to offer.
Endlessly weaving through the narrow alleys is exciting and memorable, but be sure to pack a good map as phone signal can be patchy and it’s easy to get lost in the network of passages.
Vaporetto
Cost: €7.50 per journey
The Vaporetto is the public transportation of Venice, basically a water bus. It’s a great way to see the city from the canals and offers a quick and easy hop on hop off style system to designated stops.
With 19 scheduled lines the Vaporetto means you can explore Venice without a worry.
You can also buy travel cards which allow for unlimited journeys within a set time period.
24 hour Travel Card – €20
48 hour Travel Card- €30
72 hour Travel Card – €40
For more information on Vaporetto tickets and a map of the stops, click here.
Water Taxi
Cost: Around €40- €120 depending on distance
‘The limousines of Venice’ are much like a normal taxi, in that they are private, smaller and cheaper than buses.
They can hold up to 10 passengers so it can be cheaper to use these if you’re travelling in a larger group.
Many first time travelers mix up the water buses with water taxis and end up paying over the odds for what should have been a budget friendly journey.
A journey in one of these luxury boats from the Airport to the City of Venice easily costs over €100.
To book call: 041 522 2303 (24 hours a day)
2 Days in Venice | Itinerary
2 days in Venice is just enough to see the top sights and take in the vast history and stunning architecture whilst not breaking the bank.
Our Venice Itinerary below includes top tourist attractions along with food recommendations and top tips.
Day 1
AM
Walk the streets of the Historic Centre
Rialto Bridge
PM
St Mark’s Square
Doge’s Palace
Bridge of Sighs
Pizza by the Canal
Transport
€0
Food & Drink
€25
Extras
€38
Bonus: If you’re staying central, no public transport is required for Day 1.
The first day in a new city should always be spent exploring and sampling local cuisine, immersing yourself in the new culture.
Walk The Streets
Begin the day weaving leisurely through the streets, getting lost and absorbing the atmosphere of Venice. Around every corner you’ll discover historical gems, stunning architecture and the odd café tucked away in the corner of a square.
Aim for the general direction of the Historic Centre, if you’re staying further afield, make your way towards it before exploring. This doesn’t mean catch a boat to St Mark’s Square though, we’ll get to that later. For now just explore the city and get to know it.
Rialto Bridge
Having gotten lost in the maze of thoroughfares, make your way towards the Rialto Bridge.
The 7.5 meter arch is Venice’s oldest bridge to span the Grand Canal. Built in 1591, it only took 3 years to complete this stunning piece of engineering.
After seeing the bridge, make your way away from the hustle and bustle and find a quiet bite to eat.
A short walk from here is Osteria Ai 4 Feri Storti a quiet restaurant with a delicious menu and tables right on the water.
St Mark’s Square
Spend the afternoon exploring the largest open space in Venice, Piazza San Marco. Contrasting the narrow alleys surrounding it, St Mark’s Square is the centre of Venice and the tourist hot spot. The old market square is now one of the most expensive square in the world!
Top Tip: Avoid stopping at cafes in tourist hot spots, a coffee in St Mark’s Square will set you back €15! Instead, find a side street coffee house and enjoy your drink alongside some locals.
Campanile Di San Marco
Within the Square are several top sights including Campanile Di San Marco. The 99m high bell tower looms above the arcade and is the tallest structure in Venice. Completed in the 12th century it was then rebuilt with mostly original stones in 1912, after it collapsed.
If you want to visit the top the entrance fee is €13 but you need to book in advance!
Fun Fact: In the Middle Ages, the Campanile Di San Marco was used to punish thieves, adulterers and other wrongdoers. They were held in a cage and hoisted halfway up the tower.
Basilica Di San Marco
Another top sight in St Mark’s Square is the Basilica di San Marco. The important religious landmark was first built in the 9th century to house stolen relics. One of which was to be the body of St Mark the Evangelist, however after stealing the body, thieves were caught in a storm. After making it back to Venice safely they put their fate down to that of St Mark, now named the protector of the city.
The unforgettable 5 domed cathedral is encased in dazzling mosaics, the Byzantium style makes it one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.
Admission to the Basilica is free, although you have to pay to enter certain parts and the queues to get in can be lengthy. It’s worth joining a tour to skip the lines and learn more about the iconic piece of architecture.
Doge’s Palace
The neighbor of St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace is another of Venice’s iconic landmarks and remarkable example of Gothic Venetian architecture. Previously the centre of the government during the Venetian Republic, the palace contains paintings by the greatest artists of their time including Titian and Bellini.
If you don’t want to just admire the exterior and can bare a lengthy wait in a queue, you can take a tour of the inside. Entrance to the palace is €25 and is titled ‘St. Mark’s Museum Ticket’.
The Bridge of Sighs
Just around the corner from St Mark’s Square, connecting the Doge’s Palace with the Prigioni, a notorious and formidable prison, is the Bridge of Sighs. One of the most famous sights in Venice it’s the perfect way to round off your first day.
The baroque style, limestone bridge was built in the early 1600’s. In contrast to Venice’s romantic associations, the name ‘Bridge of Sighs’ stems from a much bleaker history.
Condemned prisoners would be walked over the bridge to the grimy and terrifying cells that awaited them. It would be through those small hole they would catch their final glance of Venice, and sigh.
Pizza by the canal
If you fancy an easy dinner and want to absorb the bustling atmosphere of Venice, grab a pizza from a hole in the wall style takeaway and find a quiet spot along the steps to enjoy it.
We recommend PizzOne, a hidden gem with reasonable prices and a vast menu.
Day 2
AM
Venice Lido
PM
Santa Maria della Salute
Academia Bridge
Gondola Ride
Transport
€15
Food & Drink
€25
Extras
€30
Venice Lido
Use the morning to relax and experience a different Venice, the narrow island and natural barrier known as The Lido offers a different pace of life to the bustling city across the Lagoon.
The world famous sandy beaches stretch the length of the 11km Island, bordering the endless deep blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Catch a Vaporetto over to Lido S.M. E (Santa Maria Elisabetta) and head east on Granville Santa Maria Elisabetta. Passing through a vibrant local neighborhood, with on street cafes and local gift shops.
The road concludes at the Lido Beach and Blue Moon restaurant where the tarmac transforms to buckets of golden sand.
Having explored the beaches return to the main Vaporetto Station and take a moment to glance across the lagoon and absorb the breathtaking views that stretch across the bay to Venice’s historic district. On a clear day you may even be rewarded with a backdrop of the Dolomites, a hikers paradise, towering over the city built on water.
Fun Fact: The term ‘Lido’ used to describe an outdoor bathing beach or pool comes from Venice Lido. As it was one of Europe’s first beach resorts and Lido in Italian means beach.
Santa Maria Della Salute
Situated at the entrance to the Grand Canal the prominent and striking dome of Salute is visible from all over the city. Beginning construction in 1631 the stunning piece of architecture took 56 years to build.
It was created to commemorate the end of a terrible plague that resulted in the deaths of around 1/3 of the Venetian population.
The important religious structure contains classical paintings by the iconic Titian and Tintoretto. Entry to the Church itself is free but the sacristy (where the incredible artwork is) is charged at €3.50 per adult.
Take the Vaporetto line 1 from Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta to Salute, the 20 minute journey cruises past some of Venice’s top tourist sights.
Academia Bridge
Having ambled across from Salute make your way towards the iconic Academia Bridge.
Although the wooden structure was only built in 1933 as a temporary solution, replacing an iron bridge from 1854, it has since become a piece of Venetian history.
Contradicting the solid stone city surrounding it, the simple wooden design stands at the optimal position. Offering views up the Grand Canal towards Santa Maria Della Salute and back down the canal towards the Rialto Bridge. The busy pedestrian thoroughfare is popular with both professional and amateur photographers due to the picturesque views from it’s crest.
Gondola Ride
A trip to Venice just wouldn’t be complete without a Gondola Ride, everyone says it, but it’s true!
The traditional, 10m long, handcrafted boats line the waterways and offer romantic journeys to explore the ‘streets’ of Venice.
They have been an integral part of Venice since the 16th Century, when they were predominantly used by the upper-class.
Whilst a traditional Gondola will cost €80 for 30 minutes we booked onto a group Gondola (max. 6 people) at £25 pp through Klook. It was ideal, another passenger was able to take our photograph and we could enjoy the experience on a more affordable budget.
Fun Fact: There are currently 400 licensed Gondolas in Venice, at the turn of the 16th Century there were as many as 10,000!
FAQ's
Our 2 days in Venice itinerary has hopefully inspired you to take a city break to this historical city on the water. You might still have a few unanswered questions and that’s ok! We’ve got you covered, listed below are some of the most common FAQ’s:
Is Venice expensive to visit?
In short, Venice is expensive, but so are a lot of European cities. A bottle of Coca-Cola is around €2.10 whilst a three course meal in a mid range restaurant for two may cost you around €75.
There are a lot of excursions and entrance fees in Venice, but if you’re more interested in taking in the atmosphere than exploring cathedrals you won’t be spending much on these.
However if you do fancy exploring the museums check out Klook, which is where we booked our Gondola excursion but which also offers a variety of entrance tickets at a discount.
How much money should I take for 2 days in Venice?
How much spending money you need to bring to Venice will depend on your lifestyle and needs.
For 2 days in Venice, the above itinerary cost €135, excluding; accommodation, breakfast and any extra drinks and snacks throughout the day. Take into account how often you might want to eat, attractions you’ll visit and if you plan on buying any souvenirs whilst you’re there.
Somewhere between €35-70 a day should be sufficient for food, drink and public transport, it may also cover attraction costs if you plan ahead and eat cheap. If you want to buy souvenirs or gifts add this onto your daily budget.
Top Tip: Bring a reusable water bottle, it’s safe to drink the tap water in Venice and will save you some money and reduce plastic waste!
What's the best month to visit Venice?
Having visited Venice in snowy January and early September in the stifling heat, there really is no bad time to visit Venice. As the weather improves it will get busier, but that’s the same in every city.
January allowed for a more relaxing experience without the crowds swarming the alleys or grouping in St Marks Square.
However September allowed for us to see the Historic Venice Regatta (1st Sunday of September) and see the city bathed in bright sunlight.
Fancy spending 2 days in Venice? We hope our itinerary has you craving Venetian architecture and a cruise along a peaceful canal, let us know in the comments below.
We love to hear feedback and if you’re planning a trip to Venice or Italy let us know what you’re up to whilst you’re there! Thanks for reading, for the latest updates follow us on Instagram and drop us a message to say hi!
Eve and Nick