Our Perfect 2 Days in Venice Itinerary (Map + Hidden Gems!)

Spending 2 days in Venice is a feast for the eyes. Colorful buildings, tiny boats coasting through canals, and sunsets spent with a spritz in hand and cicchetti on the way may just make you believe that fairy-tale places exist in real life.

And last year, I got to go to Venice…twice. I can hardly believe my luck! I’ve been to Italy several times at this point, including twice with Chris! But last year was my first-ever time in Venice, and I was there 2 times. It was the best!

The first trip was with my parents and sister back in April before we took the train to Trieste and began sailing on a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate my mom’s upcoming retirement. The second time was when Chris and I flew to Venice to explore before going to Verona for a conference for Chris’s work.

I have been to the “Venice of the Alps,” I have been to the “Venice of Provence,” and I’ve even been to the “Venice of Japan,” but none ever compare to actual Venice. It’s mesmerizing, enchanting, and every bit as delightful as you’d think. And then some.

I’m going to share with you how to spend 2 days in Venice, because 1) it definitely deserves more than a day and 2) can you ever get too much of Venice? Now, while most of this itinerary will be from my trip with Chris, part will include things I did with my family too.

So let’s talk about the best way to spend a couple of days in Venice (with hidden gems), where to stay, and answer all your burning questions about this iconic canal-filled city.

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Summary of 2 Days in Venice

Here is a quick summary of this 2-day Venice itinerary. For more details, keep reading below!

• Day 1: Arrive and explore
  • Lunch at Antico Gatoleto
  • San Marco Square
  • Museo Correr, National Archeological Museum, & Biblioteca Marciana
  • Doge’s Palace
  • Cicchetti Crawl

• Day 2: Hidden Gems & an Unforgettable Evening
  • Breakfast at a bar
  • Early San Marco Square Visit
  • Campo Santa Margherita
  • Chiesa di San Pantaleone Martire
  • Leonardo da Vinci La Mostra de Venezia
  • Scala Contarini del Bovolo
  • Lunch at Trattoria Agli Artisti
  • Museo di Palazzo Grimani
  • Afternoon Boat Tour on the Grand Canal
  • San Marco’s Basilica After Hours Tour

2 Days in Venice, Italy

This is the best way to spend just 2 days in Venice, including hidden gems and things we loved!

Day 1: Arrive and Explore

Ideally, you’d arrive in the morning on this day. That’s what I did on my first visit, and I’m glad I did, as I had the whole day to explore Venice! Be sure to check flight prices on Skyscanner and don’t forget to get travel insurance before you go!

Here is what to do!

First of all, when you get there and settle in, it’s likely lunchtime. Head to Antico Gatoleto for a delicious Venetian meal. This is located only 12 minutes walking from San Marco Square, so it’s a bit tucked away, but close by. 

It’s on a cute little square too, and the pizza here is delicious! 

Next up, you’re heading to San Marco Square. Yes, it’ll likely be busy, and yes, you’ll want to watch your belongings. However, there is a LOT to see in this square alone, aside from it being a stunning square in Italy. 

But this day, you’re not focusing on the square as much today as tomorrow, you’ll come back to admire it in the morning when it’s calm. 

So arrive and head straight to the Museo Correr, National Archeological Museum, and Biblioteca Marciana. This museum complex is across from Doge’s Palace in the square and not nearly as busy. 

And if you get this ticket, it’s part of your entry fee for the Doge’s Palace, so why not visit? Far fewer people actually visit this museum complex and it’s really neat to see!

The Museo Correr has displays on the history of Venice as well as artworks, the National Archeological Museum has items from Greek and Roman antiquity, and the Biblioteca Marciana is a stunning library with collections of classical texts.

Spend a couple of hours here, wander around, and then go to Doge’s Palace.

And if you have this ticket, you’ve got a reserved entry for the day. 

But skip the line and explore the iconic Doge’s Palace, which was the seat of power for Venice for hundreds of years. Admire the art, architecture, artifacts, and even walk through the Bridge of Sighs, which was where many prisoners caught their last glimpses of the city and world. 

Yes, you’ve heavily concentrated yourself around San Marco’s square, and to be honest, that is kind of the heart of where the main tourist attractions lie. 

Book your Doge’s Palace combo ticket here!

But now, it is time to enjoy a more modern pastime of Venice: a cicchetti crawl.

Cicchetti are basically little small appetizers you eat accompanied by a glass of wine or a spritz, two things Venice, and the Veneto region of Italy, are known for!

Typically these days, you’ll find that cicchetti are little slices of bread topped with anything from meats and cheeses to fish and tapenades. It really depends on how fancy the place likes to get with it.

While it is popular to head to a spot for cicchetti before dinner and the snacks are just apertivo snacks, sometimes people also like to make a meal of it. And that’s what you’re doing this evening!

Oh, and you get to cross over, and admire Rialto Bridge on your way to your first stop!

Here are the places we visited on our Venice cicchetti crawl:

• Cantina Do Mori: Go to this place first as it closes at 7:30 pm on Monday-Friday. Even by 7 pm they’re shutting down and putting things away, so showing up around 6 pm or earlier is best. Hopefully you’re visiting during that time, because outside of that, it closes at 3 pm on Saturday and is closed on Sunday. But this is the oldest tavern in Venice and has amazing wines by the glass and traditional cicchetti. We’re talking about eggs with sardines, mini octopus, cheeses, and some bread with toppings. But pair it with an Amarone and you’ll be in love. It was also a place Anthony Bourdain loved! 
• Enoteco al Volto: I understand we’re backtracking a little here, but it’s best to visit the first stop first as it closes early. But head back across Rialto Bridge to this charming spot with tons of great cicchetti options. I particularly LOVED their tuna and olive sandwiches and all their spritzes! I went here both with my family and with Chris. 
• La Cantina: This isn’t a fantastic cicchetti spot, but it is a good spot to stop for another fun drink and they’ve got decent cicchetti bites. It’s a stop as you’re going further to the last stop in the evening. If 4 cicchetti spots with a drink is too much, you can skip this. But it was fun to sit outside and people-watch with a drink and snacks.
• Vino Vero: This was one of our favorite cicchetti spots as 1) it was packed with locals and spilled onto the street, 2) the cicchetti is SO good with many unique ones, and 3) they specialize in wine, and they had quite the wine selection. We wrapped up our evening here with many cicchetti bites and delightful wine. This is also in the more local Cannaregio neighborhood. 

After that, call it a night for your full day of exploring the hidden gems of Venice tomorrow!

Day 2: Hidden Gems & an Unforgettable Evening

On the first day in Venice, you’ve explored a lot of the highlights, so this day does include a couple more highlights… but also some hidden gems you’ve got to see!

First up is breakfast. And I recommend doing this the Italian way: with a coffee and cornetto (pastry stuffed with a type of flavored filling) at the counter of a bar. A bar in Italy is a “coffee bar” rather than a bar for cocktails… at least in the morning. So don’t freak out if someone asks if you’d like to go to the bar in the AM. 

Now you can do this wherever you find a good bar in Venice, but for us, we stumbled upon Pasticceria Nobile, which was abuzz with people popping in for a coffee and/or pastry before work. So we stopped in, ordered our breakfast, and ate it at the bar before we were off to our next stop!

If you’re like us and get up early while traveling to explore before the crowds come in, then go from the bar to San Marco Square. It is so peaceful and lovely before 10 am. That is when a lot of the museums and attractions open up, so going before that allows you to wander without the crowds. 

Then, walk over to Chiesa di San Pantaleone Martire (or San Pantalon), which opens at 10 am (except for Fridays when it’s closed). On the way, explore Campo Santa Margherita, a large square as you walk through the Dorsoduro neighborhood. 

Then, stop at the church. While on the outside, it appears to be a pretty unassuming church. But who doesn’t love a good European church, right?

Well, upon entry, you’ll discover there is much more to this church on the inside. In fact, until recently (like in 2025), it had the largest painting on canvas in the world. If you’re curious, that title is now given to Impossibility is a Myth by Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke as of April 2, 2025.

But this painting in San Pantalon is The Martyrdom and Apotheosis of St Pantalon by Gian Antonio Fumiani in the late 1600s/early 1700s. So walk inside this church and look up. Be astounded by this enchanting and ginormous work of art. 

The whole church feels like a hidden gem art gallery, so it is worth walking around and witnessing it before going to your next stop. 

Next up: Leonardo da Vinci La Mostra di Venezia

The Leonardo de Vinci Exhibition in Venice is super cool, complete with many of his designs and reproductions of his inventions to play with! Located in a former church, you can see many drawings and inventions of da Vinci and even try them out! Plus, it takes like 30 minutes to see this museum. 

After that, you’re wandering back over to the San Marco area to visit a hidden gem staircase! It’s called Scala Contarini del Bovolo. Built in the 15th century for the Contarini family, this large spiral staircase leads you to the top, where you’ll be met with some amazing rooftop views of Venice! It’s magical to be there when the church bells go off!

After this, it is around lunchtime, so why not check out Trattoria Agli Artisti in the Castello neighborhood? We popped over here for lunch, and noticed some gondoliers dining here. If it’s good enough for them, it has to be pretty good, right? 

And we had some delicious Soave wine (local to the Veneto region), Venetian style antipasto, and tagliatelle with artichokes and scallops. 

Once we were refueled, there is one more hidden gem place to visit: Museo di Palazzo Grimani.

This small art museum was formerly a palace and contains both contemporary art as well as many busts and sculptures. The coolest room is the marble room with natural light coming in from the roof and an angel sculpture floating in the center.

The best part is it is a small, easy to navigate museum with few people there. It takes like 30 minutes or less to see. 

After that little tour of Venice, it is time to go on a great VIP boat tour of Venice including the Grand Canal with Take Walks. I’ve loved going on tours with this company whether I’m in Paris, Italy, etc. So head back over to San Marco’s Square to the meeting point to hop on their boat and enjoy a 1.5-hour tour around Venice from the water with a local guide! 

We explored various canals, and then we rode the length of the Grand Canal, taking in stunning sights along the way, including Rialto Bridge!

It was 100% worth it!

Book it here!

After that, you’re free to explore at your own pace and grab an early dinner (perhaps head to another cicchetti spot), before going back to San Marco Square to enjoy another exclusive Take Walks tour “Alone in St. Mark’s Basilica After Hours.” I did this with my family, and it was breathtaking.

You go on a guided tour of the church to learn more, but you get to admire the Pala d’Ora altarpiece, see the crypt, and even witness the gold mosaic ceiling glow in the evening light. 

It was an incredible tour! Book it here!

After that, your time in Venice comes to a close. You’re off to your next destination tomorrow!

Want to listen to how to spend time in Venice? Check out our podcast episode here!

Map of Your 2 Days in Venice

Where to Stay in Venice

Strangely enough, I’ve stayed in 3 hotels in Venice. And I will say that the best areas to stay in Venice are either in the Santa Croce/Dorsoduro or the Cannaregio neighborhoods. The closer you get to Piazza San Marco, the more crowded, touristy, and expensive it gets. 

Cannaregio was our favorite neighborhood, as it has a more local feel and isn’t crowded. Santa Croce and Dorsoduro have tucked away pockets, which is nice, but it is also more convenient as Santa Croce has Piazzale Roma, which is where cars can go. This is where you can get a taxi or bus to/from the airport.

Here are great hotels for your stay!

AC Hotel Venezia: I stayed here on my first visit to Venice with my family, and it was right off Piazzale Roma. This was great because my mom has limited mobility so we easily got a taxi into town and could go straight to the hotel. It also had a room big enough for 4 adults (although my sister and I slept on a pull-out couch-it was the Junior Suite room). Either way, it’s also not far from the vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal. 

Book it here!

Hotel Arlecchino: On my recent visit to Venice, Chris and I stayed here on our final evening (we spent 2 nights in Venice, then left for Verona, and then came back for a final night). It was great! It’s along a canal, and it’s not far from the Piazzale Roma area, so we could catch a bus to the airport the following morning as we had an early flight. It’s in the Santa Croce neighborhood.

Book it here!

Al Mascaron Ridente: This is where Chris and I stayed our first 2 nights in Venice, and we loved it! We got a canal-view room, and it was so charming, waking up and seeing the canal in the morning. It’s in the more local Cannaregio neighborhood, and we loved walking everywhere from here!

Book it here!

If You Have More Time in Venice

If you have more time in Venice, the best thing you can do is visit the nearby islands of Murano and Burano, which are known for glass and lace, respectively. You can do this on your own via the local vaporetto water buses or go on a tour to learn more!

Book a tour here!

Honestly, Venice is full of nooks and crannies to explore that you could just spend a whole day cruising on the Grand Canal on the vaporetto water bus, stopping at what looks interesting, and exploring. 

And your other options include:

• Dolomites Day Trip
• Verona + Lake Garda

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some helpful tips for your frequently asked questions in regards to visiting Venice.

1. Is 2 days in Venice enough?

While there are a lot of people who claim that you only need 1 day in Venice, I say 2 days is better. Honestly, I could’ve spent 3-4 days in Venice and the surrounding area exploring! 

But yes, 2 days in Venice is enough time to explore both the main highlights as well as hidden gems! 

2. What is the best way to get around Venice?

There are many ways of getting around Venice, let’s talk about it:

• Walking: If you don’t mind going up and down little stairs on all the bridges, you can walk all over Venice! In fact, the whole time Chris and I were in Venice (other than arriving from the airport), we just walked.
• Vaporetto: As Venice doesn’t have roads running through it, this is their version of public transportation. It is a boat bus, basically. You can go along the Grand Canal via the vaporetto or even around the city. Either way, it is a pretty cheap and easy way to get around without having to navigate every bridge along the way. We used this a lot with my mom when we went, and it was great! It’s easy to get on/off as well as the boat lines up with the dock area. We all loved riding from where we were staying in Santa Croce to San Marco on the vaporetto, just sailing along the Grand Canal! 
• Gondola: I wouldn’t necessarily use this as your sole transport option in Venice, as it is expensive (it starts at €90). It is more of a fun thing to do while you’re there. Personally, I rather enjoyed the boat tour we took, but you can forgo that in favor of a gondola ride instead. Pro-tip: If you only use a gondola to cross the Grand Canal, you get to experience the gondola but also only have to spend a few euros.
• Water taxi: Again, I wouldn’t use this as your sole transportation option, as it is expensive. But yes, you can take a water taxi too.

3. How do you get to Venice from the airport?

There are also a few ways to get to Venice from the Venice Marco Polo Airport. 

• Water taxi. I do recommend doing this as it is so fun! We pre-booked a shared water taxi here on my last visit, and you just follow signs to the boat docks, hop on the water taxi, and boom! You’re in Venice. The sun had started setting when we did this in the fall, and it was epic! Book it here! You can also book a private water taxi too. 
• Taxi. You can also take a taxi from the Venice airport. Just head to the taxi stand, and they can take you all the way to Piazzale Roma. Now, if you’re staying nearby, that’s great! If not, you may have to drag your suitcases. On my first visit, we did this option, and it was easy as we stayed next to Piazzale Roma.
• Bus. This also takes you to Piazzale Roma. We actually took the bus from here to the airport on our last visit, and it was quick and easy. We were able to purchase a ticket using the QR code at the bus stop. 
• Vaporetto: There are lines that go to the airport from Venice too! The orange and blue lines both head to the airport, with the orange line covering the Grand Canal area. There is also a seasonal red line. Check the routes here.

Note: Taxis in Italy are legally required to take credit cards. However, when it’s 4 am and there are only 2 taxis available and they both refuse to accept cards…you’re kind of screwed. So either have cash or take the bus. We took the bus as we didn’t have cash. 

4. Should you buy the Venice vaporetto pass for 2 days? 

This depends on how much you plan to take the vaporetto. For Chris and I, we walked everywhere and didn’t use it at all. However, we used it a lot with my family, so we purchased a day pass while there. As a single ticket for 75 minutes is €9.50, a 24h pass is €25, and a 48h pass is €35, if you plan to ride it at least 4 times, it is worth it! 

You can purchase it at ACTV ticket machines or windows around Venice. Or you can even get it on the MyPass Venezia app. 

5. Is Venice expensive to visit?

It can be! It depends on when you visit. Peak tourist season (summer months and during Carenvale) will likely be more expensive with hotels. However, outside of that, you can get decent prices on hotel rooms. 

But, if you’re staying and eating around the main touristy spots (Rialto Bridge and San Marco Square), you’re likely going to be paying more. Instead, explore more local areas and the prices are better.

6. Is Venice crowded?

It 100% can be! If you’re near the San Marco area, along the Grand Canal, and on Rialto Bridge, it can be super crowded. However, if you just veer off those areas for a few blocks, you’ll be met with far fewer people! When I was there in April and October, it wasn’t bad at all as we stayed in a more local neighborhood and just ventured off the main touristy parts when we wanted to avoid crowds.

7. What islands should you visit in Venice?

Well, Venice is full of islands all interconnected via bridges! But aside from Venice itself, many people also like to visit Murano for its glass, and Burano for lace and colorful buildings. 

San Giorgio Maggiore was a great gem that our VIP boat tour guide recommended as it has some of the best views of Venice from the bell tower there without the crowds of the one in San Marco Square. My dad actually went up it during our visit and enjoyed it!

8. When is the best time to visit Venice?

I would likely avoid the summertime months because 1) it’s hot and 2) it’s crowded with summertime travelers. Again, you can still escape crowds simply by wandering away from the popular areas, but it is more pleasant in the shoulder season, making April-May and September-October the best times to visit Venice. 

I was there both in April and October and loved it!

That being said, the months of November-January tend to be the more common times for acqua alta, or when Venice floods. It can happen anytime, but from autumn until springtime, it tends to happen more, especially late fall/winter. 

But the holiday season also brings in the Christmas markets! 

Basically, there is no real bad time to visit Venice. Even during acqua alta, just bring some rain boots! However, the best times are probably from April-May and September-October. 

9. Is Venice worth visiting? 

After going twice in a year, I can certainly say that you wouldn’t have to twist my arm to take me back. Venice is touristy, but I found that by simply walking a few blocks from the main touristy spots, you’re met with few crowds and lovely views. Yes, Venice is worth visiting! 

It’s full of rich history, culture, and it truly is one of the most awe-inspiring cities I’ve ever seen! 

That wraps up how to spend 2 amazing days in Venice! I first fell in love with Venice in April, and then solidified my love for it while wandering around its canals and streets with Chris. 

I hope with this guide you too fall in love with this iconic northern Italian city. What questions do you have in regards to Venice travel?