Smart planning, real costs, one‑day route, transport & food picks, plus the best day trips: Verona, Dolomites, Murano & Burano, Padua, Bologna, Lake Garda, Lake Bled, and more.
Venice is filled with timeless landmarks and unforgettable experiences. Below are the most popular tours and attractions according to GetYourGuide — all easily bookable online. Whether you’re dreaming of a gondola ride, a skip-the-line palace tour, or a colorful island escape, here’s where to start:
Experience the true heart of Venice aboard a traditional gondola. Glide along the Grand Canal while learning fascinating stories about the palaces, bridges, and hidden corners of the city from your local guide. Perfect for first-time visitors or romantic couples.
Skip the lines and explore two of Venice’s most iconic landmarks in one tour. Walk through the dazzling mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica and the opulent chambers of the Doge’s Palace — where centuries of history and politics come alive.
Escape the crowds and sail to Venice’s most colorful islands. Watch master glassblowers at work in Murano and stroll through the rainbow-painted streets of Burano, famous for its handmade lace and vibrant houses — a photographer’s dream.
Discover hidden gems and local secrets on this engaging walking tour. From Rialto Bridge to Cannaregio, your Venetian guide reveals stories behind the narrow alleys, local markets, and traditional culture that most tourists miss.
Combine a guided walk through St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace exterior, and the Rialto area with a classic gondola experience. This combo gives you the best of Venice — both on foot and from the water — in just a few hours.
Get the full VIP treatment with a personalized tour tailored to your pace and interests. Your private guide leads you through Venice’s famous landmarks and lesser-known districts, ending with an optional gondola ride through peaceful canals.
Save time and money with an all-in-one Venice City Pass. Enjoy access to over twenty top sites including St. Mark’s Basilica, a gondola ride, and museums — ideal for travelers who want to experience everything in a short stay.
Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Venetian Lagoon to Murano and Burano. Watch a live glassblowing demonstration, admire colorful canals, and soak up the authentic island atmosphere away from Venice’s busy main squares.
Float beneath Venice’s most romantic bridge while listening to an engaging audio guide. The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace to the old prison — and the gondola view beneath it is one of the city’s most unforgettable sights.
Step inside the opulent royal apartments of St. Mark’s Square before gliding along the canals on a private gondola. This combination of history and elegance captures the essence of Venice’s golden age.
💡 All tours and tickets are offered by GetYourGuide partners. Prices vary by season — book early to secure your preferred time slot.
Planning your trip to Venice, Italy is an unforgettable experience — but it’s important to know how much to budget and when to go. Venice is one of Europe’s most unique destinations, built entirely on water, offering centuries of history, art, and romance. From gondola rides to hidden canals and island day trips, the city can fit both luxury and budget travel styles.
Wondering how much is a trip to Venice, Italy? Prices vary depending on season, travel style, and accommodation type.
| Category | Budget (€) | Mid-Range (€) | Luxury (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | 50–90 | 120–250 | 300+ |
| Meals (per day) | 25–50 | 60–100 | 150+ |
| Attractions & Transport | 20–40 | 50–100 | 150+ |
| Average daily cost | 90–150 | 200–300 | 450+ |
👉 A 4-day trip to Venice typically costs €600–€1000 per person for mid-range travelers, while luxury visitors can easily spend over €2000 for a romantic weekend.
Round-trip flights to Venice (VCE – Marco Polo Airport) from major European cities usually range from €80–€250, while long-haul routes from the U.S. or Asia often start at €600–€900 depending on the season.
From the airport, you can reach the city via:
If you’re arriving from nearby cities, you can easily take a train to Venice Santa Lucia Station from Rome, Florence, or Milan.
Venice offers a wide range of stays — from cheap trips to Venice with cozy guesthouses in Mestre or Cannaregio, to all-inclusive Venice Italy hotels with lagoon views.
Best areas to stay:
Tip 💡: Hotels in Venice often charge a city tax (€3–€5 per night), so include that in your trip budget.
Venice has no cars — only boats, ferries, and vaporetti (water buses). The Venice day trip fee, also known as the Venice tourist tax, was introduced to manage daily visitors.
For public transport, buy a Venezia Unica card — a one-day pass costs €25, and multi-day passes (2–7 days) are cheaper per ride.
For an authentic experience, explore osterias (local taverns) in less-touristy districts like Cannaregio or Castello.
If you want to visit multiple attractions, the Venice Museum Pass covers Doge’s Palace, Correr Museum, and more for €33. You can also check TripAdvisor Venice for combo tickets or cheap trip packages to Venice that include gondola rides and island tours.
Whether you’re planning a cheap trip to Venice, a romantic getaway, or an all-inclusive luxury stay, Venice has options for everyone. Set your budget, book early, and leave some time for spontaneous exploration — because the best part of Venice is often found in its quiet backstreets and hidden bridges.
Even if you only have one day, Venice delivers an unforgettable experience. The city is compact enough to explore on foot or by vaporetto, yet filled with landmarks, art, and hidden corners. A Venice day trip offers the perfect mix of culture, history, and pure beauty — all surrounded by shimmering canals.
According to Tripadvisor, most travelers recommend spending at least 6–8 hours to see the main highlights of Venice without rushing.
If you’re visiting for just one day, here’s an optimized route based on recommendations from Lonely Planet and seasoned local guides:
💡 Tip: The Venice day trip fee (introduced by the city council) applies to day visitors, typically around €5–10. Overnight guests are exempt.
Venice is entirely pedestrian and water-based. No cars, scooters, or bikes — only vaporetti (water buses), traghetti (public gondolas), and water taxis.
According to Lonely Planet, a one-day transport pass (€25) is more cost-effective than buying individual tickets.
For a quick yet authentic lunch, try traditional bacari — Venetian wine bars serving small tapas-style bites called cicchetti.
Recommended spots by Tripadvisor reviewers:
Average lunch costs: €15–25, including a glass of wine or Aperol Spritz.
For art lovers, add Galleria dell’Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for modern art highlights.
As Tripadvisor notes, the best moments in Venice are often unplanned — a quiet canal, a hidden art shop, or a street musician by the water.
According to Lonely Planet, “Venice rewards those who wander.” Don’t rush — let yourself get lost in the maze of bridges and alleyways, and you’ll understand why it’s called La Serenissima, the most serene city in the world.
A day trip from Venice opens the door to an incredible range of landscapes — from the romantic streets of Verona to the snowy peaks of the Dolomites and the colorful island villages of Murano and Burano. According to Lonely Planet, Venice is one of the best bases in Italy for short regional excursions thanks to its efficient rail network and water routes.
A day trip from Venice to Verona takes around 1 hour by train, making it one of the most popular choices for visitors. Tripadvisor travelers praise Verona for its blend of Roman heritage and romantic atmosphere.
Highlights:
Suggested itinerary:
Morning: Visit the Arena and Piazza Bra
Afternoon: Explore Juliet’s balcony and Castelvecchio
Evening: Stroll along the Adige River before heading back to Venice
💡 Travel tip: Regional trains depart hourly and cost around €10–15 each way.
A day trip from Venice to Florence is doable by high-speed train (2 hours one way). According to Rick Steves, it’s a long but rewarding journey if you start early — especially for art lovers.
Top attractions:
Itinerary idea:
6:00 – Depart Venice Santa Lucia
9:00 – Arrive Florence; visit the Duomo
12:00 – Lunch near Piazza della Repubblica
14:00 – Tour Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio
18:00 – Train back to Venice
💡 Best for: Culture seekers and art enthusiasts.
A day trip from Venice to Milan takes about 2.5 hours by train. According to Tripadvisor reviews, travelers often combine a visit to the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Da Vinci’s Last Supper for a perfect single-day experience.
Top things to see:
💡 Insider tip: Book tickets for “The Last Supper” weeks in advance.
A Padua day trip from Venice is one of the easiest and most underrated options — just 30 minutes by train. As Lonely Planet notes, Padua offers authentic charm with fewer crowds.
Highlights:
💡 Local favorite: Enjoy a coffee at Caffè Pedrocchi, open since 1831.
Only 1 hour 30 minutes from Venice by train, Bologna is perfect for culinary enthusiasts. Tripadvisor lists it among Italy’s top-rated food destinations.
What to do:
💡 Budget tip: Trains cost around €20 each way; tickets are cheaper if booked early.
Some tours combine a day trip from Venice to Verona and Lake Garda, offering history and nature in one day. Rick Steves recommends this route for summer travelers who want a peaceful lake escape after sightseeing.
Activities:
A day trip from Venice to Trieste reveals a fascinating blend of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian cultures. Many guided tours even extend to Slovenia’s Lake Bled or Ljubljana. Expect scenic coastal drives and views of the Adriatic Sea.
A day trip from Venice to Murano and Burano is one of the city’s most beloved excursions. Tripadvisor reviewers rate it as the top activity for first-time visitors.
How to go:
💡 Local insight: Morning light is best for photography on Burano.
The Venice Lido is a narrow island between the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea — a perfect escape for a relaxed afternoon. According to Lonely Planet, it’s where locals go to unwind.
Often included in guided tours, Torcello is the oldest inhabited island in the lagoon. You’ll find early Byzantine mosaics and peaceful countryside paths — a quiet contrast to Venice’s bustle.
A day trip from Venice to the Dolomites offers breathtaking mountain views and alpine villages. According to Rick Steves, this is one of the most scenic full-day excursions in northern Italy.
What to see:
How to go:
💡 Best season: Late spring to early autumn for clear skies and hiking trails.
For travelers looking for something truly unique, Lake Bled can be reached in about 3.5 hours by car or organized bus tour. Tripadvisor users describe it as a “fairy-tale lake surrounded by mountains.”
| Destination | Travel Time | Main Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verona | 1 hr | Arena, Juliet’s House | Romance & history |
| Florence | 2 hrs | Duomo, Uffizi | Art & culture |
| Dolomites | 3 hrs | Mountain views, Cortina | Nature lovers |
| Murano & Burano | 40 min | Glass & lace islands | Photography |
| Bologna | 1.5 hrs | Food, towers | Gastronomy |
| Padua | 30 min | Giotto frescoes | Art & architecture |
| Lake Garda | 2 hrs | Sirmione, boat tours | Relaxation |