What to See in Venice

The main attractions of Venice: where are they located and what to see? What sights are really worth a visit, why are they so unique and unrepeatable?

Venice is one of the most popular tourist city in Italy, second only to Rome. And apparently bypassing Milan and even Florence today.

That is why the iconic and simply interesting places that are worth visiting in Venice are not listed today only by a lazy guide. Or the one who simply doesn’t write about main Italian attractions.

The obligation to visit the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace is emphasized in every first work devoted to the architectural gems of the “City of the Canals”. The list also necessarily includes the Rialto Bridge, the glass blowing island of Murano. Well, and Burano, of course – since you got out into the lagoon!

In recent years, an increasing number of travelers have mentioned the huge brick cathedral Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in the San Polo area. For with external modesty inside, this church is literally consecrated by the genius of Tintoretto. And therefore now – one of the main attractions of Venice and all of Italy!

And, of course, I will mention the church Santa Maria della Salute, in every sense an unique building , standing almost opposite the Doge’s Palace.

Keep in mind!

But many other really interesting sights worth seeing once in Venice are still in deep shadow. After all, travelers are always in a hurry! And don’t bother trying to look further. Why – when everything is (as they say) located along the Grand Canal?

Excursions, of course, help out. Especially those of them that can be called unusual. But not everyone is ready to part with an amount exceeding 50-60 euros … Even if in exchange they get three to four hours of an interesting and extremely meaningful walk!

Interesting places in Venice

No one can ignore St. Mark’s Square and Piazzetta. Both tourists first of all direct their eyes there, as soon as they step on the Grand Canal embankment near the station. And the question “how to get to San Marco”, asked in different languages, probably most often sounds at the vaporetto ticket windows.

• Such interest is understandable, but the number of interested people is too large in every months of the year.

A place where everyone tends to photograph themselves is the famous St Mark’s Basilica. It is difficult to catch the angle – all the time someone extra gets into the frame. And therefore, in general, the praises that are sung to this place are incomprehensible.

Do you expect to catch the aura of the famous city here, stirring with a spoon of coffee? Alas, even in Venice in November this will not work: the squares and the adjacent embankment are almost packed with people, like a market on Sunday.

At night, however, if you can’t sleep, you can guess the time!

• Official Venice Guide – www.visitvenezia.eu/en

St. Mark’s Basilica

There is always a queue outside to get in. And on a summer day, be prepared to stand at least an hour to get inside!

But the entrance is free and inside is really magnificent and rich – it justifies the patient wait. But at 16.45 the free flow of tourists is blocked. And all those who are interested are sent to the upper loggia and to the treasury – for a small fee.

Campanile, that is, the bell tower of St. Mark did not survive to this day – it collapsed. And then a new bell tower was built in the same place. Tourists are queuing up to go upstairs and look at Venice from above, but you are not in a hurry. Read on and find out why…

Palazzo Ducale

That is, the Doge’s Palace, the residence of officials from aristocrats who exercised executive power in the city until 1797.

The flow of travelers to the entrance is not too large. Or maybe it’s the 20 euros that are required for entry? Venetians are allowed free of charge, and this is not crazy generosity – the townspeople today have a little more than 100 thousand.

The interior halls are really impressive in scope, although they are not replete with furniture and paintings. But there is no need for them: intrigues were woven here that shook medieval Europe, and agreements were drawn up that changed the course of history.

The audio guide will provide a complete picture of the history of Venice for those who are able to parse spoken English or Italian. Those who have mastered only the school course will gather information from the stands that are provided in all halls.

The ticket allows you to visit the New Prison, looking at the swarming tourists through the gaps on the Bridge of Sighs, and go to the Correr Museum, which occupies part of the premises of the Procurations.

Inside the modern

Correr Museum

the halls that were occupied by Empress Sisi, the wife of the Austro-Hungarian Kaiser Franz Joseph, were preserved – from these windows she looked at the Grand Canal and the place where it merges with the Giudecca, on San George Maggiore and … dreamed .

Dreaminess in Venice is in the order of things: vague images swarm in the head, and thoughts appear seemingly out of nowhere.

A little hidden in the labyrinth of streets, but for many, a must-see attraction in Venice is the Teatro La Fenice. Obviously opera is not for everyone. However, Verdi’s music on the famous stage is guaranteed to cheer you up.

San Giorgio Maggiore

A separate island in the Venetian lagoon seems to be not as famous as Murano or Burano. But the church of San Giorgio, which was rebuilt in a classical way by Antonio Palladio, and the ancient monastery behind it insist on a visit!

Getting there is not too easy: vaporetto number 2 goes here from the Santa Lucia station. But not along the Grand Canal, but around – through Giudecca!

Those wishing to visit this grandiose church in its simplicity and grandeur should arm themselves with a travel pass. For otherwise, the cost of transport will seem excessive.

“The Last Supper” by Tintoretto is the main highlight of the basilica. Wait, think, take the elevator to the bell tower. It’s not expensive, and the views around will convince you that you knowingly ignored the queue for St. Mark’s Campanile!

Dorsoduro

The area is located right across the canal from the sights of San Marco, but generally not as touristy. Especially if you move away from the streets leading from the vaporetto stop at the Accademia Bridge to the church of Santa Maria della Salute. For it is always crowded there, there are a lot of shops selling traditional Venetian souvenirs.

The Academy Bridge is an interesting landmark of the place, connecting the banks of the Grand Canal in a very busy place. Built in the 20th century, but made of wood. Photos and selfies in both directions are excellent, but to choose the moment you have to work hard – there are too many who want to do the same.

The Accademia Gallery is the largest art museum in Venice. Inside you will see perfectly preserved interiors, excellent icons, paintings by Bellini, Veronese, Carpaccio Tintoretto and Titian. A magnificent collection, a visit is definitely worth the money that they ask for it.

A couple of minutes walk from the Gallery is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. She specializes in contemporary art, without reference to Venice. Inside: Picasso, Braque, Duchamp, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Klee, Dali, Giacometti. The same amount will be asked for entry, only children under 10 years of age will enter free of charge.

Santa Maria della Salute

is an epic church. According to many reviews and even experts looks – the most beautiful in Venice. In addition, there is a clear dominant of the designated area.

Designed by a not-so-famous architect, Baldassare Longhena. By erecting a temple on a rather swampy place, the Venetians thanked God for stopping the plague of 1630-1631, which wiped out a third of the inhabitants.

The Church of Santa Maria della Salute looks great from the Grand Canal and is a symbol of Venice. On its steps facing the water, it is customary to take pictures for memory.

Many tourists also eat here – what huge seagulls are well aware of. Without hesitation, sandwiches and sandwiches snatching out of the hands of the klutz.

Inside, baroque luxury multiplied by classical restraint, Titian and Tintoretto. Please note that Santa Maria is closed for lunch – the customs of Italy allow for a midday siesta – from 12 to 15 hours.

San Polo

A small area adjacent to San Marco from the north. Visited by those who dared to walk from the station, as well as those looking for the brick building of the church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari with the second oldest bell tower in Venice.

Unlike San Marco, it retained its originality, having withstood after being struck by lightning. And you can go upstairs today.

Titian is buried in Frari, and his powerful “Assunta” or “Ascension of the Virgin Mary” adorns the altar.

Another attraction that can be conditionally attributed to San Polo is the Rialto Bridge. Much better looking from the outside! It is most convenient to look at it from the water, from the stern or bow open areas of the vaporetto.

But the Rialto fish market, the oldest surviving in Europe, belongs to San Polo entirely. Like the Scuolla San Rocco, painted from head to toe by Tintoretto.

An entrance fee of Scuollo is highly recommended as a donation for the restoration and upkeep of the interiors and paintings.

Castello

This area is poor in famous places. However, there is at least one – the church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo or San Zanipolo. An imposing and somewhat Frari-like mass dating back to the 15th century is the resting place of two dozen Doges of the Republic.

Islands

The Venetian Islands must be visited in the course of a more or less serious visit to the city on the water. First of all, it means:

• Murano, where you should carefully explore the range of shops

And buy souvenirs made of the famous Murano glass, which you won’t find anywhere else.

Also just take a walk, admiring the walls that have been worn out over the centuries. We guarantee that in a couple of hours you will simply soak in the incredibly original aura of the place.

• Burano with multi-colored houses that just beg to be in the frame is also a must-see attraction in Venice

The island is famous for its lace makers. But other souvenirs in local shops are just asking for your hands.

Expensive is true. But money is the last thing which will come to your mind here.

The island of Torcello must be visited before lunch. Since in the late afternoon everything dies out here, and the vaporetto does not go very often.

Giudecca is an integral part of Venice. Which, however, often remains in vain – there are already too many interesting things around. But getting here is easy – right from the station on the river bus number 2.

Walking around Giudecca, you will understand how good it is when there are few tourists around. And also enjoy the correct layout of the streets, the abundance of air and space. Naturally, the architecture of the houses – they are exceptionally beautiful here!

Lido, the venue of the Venice Film Festival and the center of sandy beaches, is good at any time. Tourist activity is low and this is an additional reason to visit.