Here we suggest an itinerary to discover Venice in one day. To complete it, also see the article What to see in Venice?

One day is very little to discover the Serenissima. Here we suggest a few leads, passing through St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. But it would be a shame not to take the time to get lost in the alleys a little away from the tourist flow. Feel free to explore the surroundings of each stop or to take a random route !
The proposed itinerary is very dense, so that you can choose your possible visits along the way (museums and churches). It is not possible to do them all in a single day.
Feel free to comment on this itinerary to improve it !

  1. Arriving from Santa Lucia station, take the vaporetto to St. Mark’s Square, in the direction passing through the Grand Canal, line 1 or 2 (the other direction goes around Venice), duration of about 45 minutes. This is an opportunity to admire the magnificent palaces lining the canal.

  2. Explore St. Mark’s Square, and visit the St. Mark’s Basilica (queue sometimes long, it is preferable to get a ticket in advance, otherwise you risk losing an hour).
    Option: visit to the Doge’s Palace (the visit can last at least 2 hours)

  3. Head towards the Molo (dock), pass in front of the Bridge of Sighs

  4. Reach the beautiful Santa Zaccaria church

  5. Reach the square Campo Santi Giovani e Paolo, passing by the original bookstore Acqua Alta
  6. Visit to the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo
  7. Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
  8. Rialto Bridge

Then we suggest two possibilities: visit of the sestiere San Polo and Dorsoduro (option 1) or visit of the sestiere San Marco and Dorsoduro (option 2)

Option 1

9. Reach the Campo San Polo

10. Visit to Santa Maria gloriosa dei Frari

10 bis. Option: visit to the Scuola Grande San Rocco (depending on available time and opening hours)

11. Church of San Pantalon, for the immense fresco on its vault

12. Reach the Campo Santa Margherita, a pleasant place to possibly have an aperitif

13. Possible walk to Punta Dogana (passing over the Accademia Bridge)

Option 2

9. Pass by the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo see its beautiful exterior staircase

9 bis. Option: possible visit to the La Fenice Theater

10. Pass by the church Santa Maria del Giglio, rebuilt in the 17th century with its very beautiful sculpted facade.

11. Reach the Campo Santo Stefano

12. Cross the Accademia Bridge

12 bis. Option: possible visit to the Accademia Gallery (if you have enough time left, important museum)

13. Go to Santa Maria della Salute and Punta della Dogana

14. Possibly then reach the Campo Santa Margherita further northwest

Links

Veneto

Venice