Visiting Venice is a wonderful journey: it is a unique city in the world that, in addition to its uniqueness, possesses an enormous richness of artistic, architectural and gastronomic beauty. You may have little time to spend and choose what to see in Venice is difficult: in the main square alone you will find the Doge's Palace, the Basilica and the Bell Tower of San Marco and the Libreria Marciana.

In short, you're spoilt for choice. To help you in this difficult choice we tried to list the 10 things to see absolutely in Venice.

Consider spending your holiday in Venice visiting one or more of these gems: some of them are included in the Venice Pass!

10. Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal

One of the oldest bridges in Venice is the Rialto Bridge. Initially built of wood to connect the Sestiere di San Marco to that of San Polo, crossing the Grand Canal, subsequently it was rebuilt in stone, becoming the commercial center of Venice thanks to the shops and the adjacent market. This area is very busy, but a must see. Beautiful panoramic view of the Grand Canal.

9. Scala del Bovolo

At Palazzo Contarini, in Campo Manin in the Sestiere of San Marco, there is a jewel not to be missed: Scala del Bovolo. It is part of the Gothic building in which it is contained and has this name for the particular shape of the "snail shell" scale, in Venetian bovolo. On the top of the staircase there is a domed belvedere from which you can enjoy a splendid panorama.

8. St Mark's Square

In Venice, the most extensive areas, free of buildings, are known as campi, the only area called square is St Mark's Square, the city's living room. The square is in the San Marco district and contains many important monuments: the Basilica of San Marco with its bell tower, the Palazzo Ducale, the Procuratie Nuove and Vecchie united by the Napoleonic Wing containing various museums, included in the Venice Pass! All wonderful and unique places.

7. Murano

The island of Murano is undoubtedly one of the most famous of the islands of the Lagoon of Venice and is located opposite the Fondamenta Nuova beyond the island of San Michele.

It is famous for its furnaces in which blown glass objects, which are sent all over the world, are produced by its master glassblowers. Murano is very small, you can visit it in a few hours.

It is very nice to see how the glass masters blow glass and get to know its history by visiting the Murano Glass Museum. The churches of the Island are also very beautiful: the Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Church of San Pietro Martire.

6. The tour of the bacari

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The bacaro is an osteria where the glass of wine is accompanied by appetizers called cicchetti. Many can be found in the various districts.

They are rustic, welcoming and are a real meeting places where you can spend carefree moments immersed in the typical Venetian atmosphere, these places are in fact frequented by the inhabitants of the city, both young and old. You can make real tours of the bacari to discover these typical taverns.

5. Getting lost in Venice

The best thing to do in Venice, after visiting the most significant monuments, is definitely throw away the city plan and wander aimlessly.

Venice is a very small city, there is no danger and it is easy to find the way back. There are no buses, no cars and no skyscrapers.

Not only is the landscape different, but so are the sounds. If you go by intuition you can discover wonderful corners: the more you get away from the crowded destinations the more you can enjoy the city. It will be an experience without equal.

4. Rialto Market

In Rialto there were the first settlements of the city of Venice, this because, in that part of the Grand Canal, the water was deeper and it was possible to arrive with ships loaded with goods. Rialto became the centre of the local economy and the need arose to connect the two sides to facilitate transport. The Ponte della Moneta was built first and then the current Ponte di Rialto.

Even now there is the Pescaria with the typical fresh fish stalls and the Erbaria where you can buy seasonal fruit and vegetables and where you can taste ancient Venetian flavors accompanied by the classic spritz.

3. Teatro La Fenice

La Fenice is the main opera house in Venice and one of the largest in Italy. Located in the San Marco district, in Campo San Fantin, it is one of the most evocative places in the historic center.

Being able to attend a show is certainly desirable, but if not possible you can visit it in an hour of tour discovering the history, architecture, stuccos and gold of the prestigious rooms, the Foyer, the Great Hall, the Royal Box and the Apollonian Halls.

La Fenice is just one of many wonderful theatres in Venice.

2. A gondola ride

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The first thing that one observes, when in Venice, is this streamlined boat with a strange bow iron, which swings in the silent and elegant canals. Even the gondolier hits with his classic uniform and with the mastery with which he drives his gondola.

Venice, as well as calli and campielli, has other streets to visit, these streets are the canals. A gondola ride, unique and fascinating, allows you to see this other side of Venice, even more romantic if you are accompanied by traditional melodies.

1. Burano and Torcello

The Island of Burano is located in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon along with Mazzorbo and Torcello. Its colourful houses certainly create a breathtaking atmosphere, look for the Casa di Bepi Suà is the most colorful of them all.

The island is famous for its typical tombolo lace, a centuries-old tradition. You must visit the Lace Museum and the large Paleo-Christian churches of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Fosca.

To complete the day it is worth visiting the Torcello Island, a small island that seems immersed in the late Roman Empire. Find on your way the Ponte del Diavolo, the Marble Throne of the Bishop of Torcello, the Palazzo del Consiglio and the Archive and the Torcello Museum.

Bonus: the museums of Venice

Venice is a city with a vast artistic heritage. If you want to know the attractions and things to see in Venice for art lovers, know that you will be amazed: just think of the circuit of the Civic Museums of Venice, the wonderful Gallerie dell'Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Venice is also the city that hosts the famous Biennale of Art and Architecture. In short, even for art lovers there is a vast choice. The best places of art and museums in Venice are here.