What to visit in Venice in 1 day: itinerary and advice

Let's face it: is it really possible to visit Venice in just one day? Well, not really, but it is possible to organize an itinerary optimized for the short visit time and be able to capture the beauty of the city. The Serenissima is a labyrinth of canals, gondolas, alleys and bridges with surprising points of interest and unparalleled opportunities for discovery and wonder. Here is a virtual itinerary and some tips for visiting Venice in a single day.

Visiting Venice in 1 day: the key places

The Venice itinerary lasts a few hours, therefore, it is best to start early in the morning and choose a permissive season such as spring, which will allow you to wander around the city peacefully without worrying about the weather. The first stop on this itinerary is the Rialto Bridge which in the morning hosts the Rialto Market where it is possible to browse and admire Venetian life in the morning. The Rialto Bridge is in itself a work of art not to be missed which allows you to cross the Grand Canal and also go shopping in the shops.

At this point you are ready to see Piazza San Marco , it is still morning, it will be around 9:00 and it is possible to admire the stupendous main square of the city, photograph the architectural beauties such as the Campanile of San Marco and the extraordinary Palazzo Ducale . You can take advantage of the places in the square to have a rich breakfast and enjoy the splendid scenery before entering St. Mark's Basilica.

This visit may take a long time but it is worth admiring the spectacle of Byzantine architecture. Now it's time to choose whether to visit the Campanile of San Marco, from which to enjoy a splendid view over the whole city, or visit the exhibitions of the Palazzo Ducale , the seat of the Doge with Gothic and Renaissance characteristics not to be missed.

Then walking along the Riva degli Schiavoni it is possible to see the infamous Bridge of Sighs which connects the Ducal Palace to that of the Prisons. These are undoubtedly the symbolic places of the city, together with the Accademia Bridge and the renowned Galleries which are worth a visit but only if you have time available.

Alternative points of view on Venice

Seeing Venice in just one day means walking a lot and above all trying to look at the city from different angles. One of the most photographed areas of Venice is undoubtedly Punta della Dogana which overlooks the San Marco Basin and allows a glimpse of the islands. From here you can reach the sensational Chiesa della Salute with its elegant dome which you can visit for free.

Another stop not to be missed in the surroundings of Piazza San Marco is the Scala del Bovolo in Palazzo Contarini , a splendid spiral staircase with bricks and marble that you can climb to have a breathtaking view over the roofs of the city.

In Venice, then, the gondola ride is not for tourists at all, on the contrary, it is one of the best ways to get a general impression of the city. Even though the prices are quite high, a gondola ride is an unforgettable experience. Beautiful to do at sunset, to end a wonderful day.

When the sun goes down, Venice transforms into a magical place, with the lights reflecting on the waters of the canals and it is possible to experience the cultural ferment of the city even more: in addition to stopping to taste the local delicacies, it is possible to book a ticket for shows at the Teatro La Fenice . The streets become empty and the humidity at night makes Venice a little colder: but it is possible to retrace the stages of the city seen during the day and rediscover them completely in a new, romantic and evocative light.

In the end. better to put your heart at rest: in a single day it is not possible to deepen your knowledge of the city but this does not mean that it is necessary to rush from one place to another. Better to enjoy the atmosphere, admire what you can and plan to stay at least one night by booking an apartment online in advance .