Why We Love Venice
Venice looks like nowhere else: no cars, no scooters, just water, footsteps on stone and the lap of the vaporetti. You get deliberately lost in the maze of alleys (the calli), stumble on a tiny, silent square far from the crowds, and leave knowing you've seen something truly unique in the world.
The Must-Sees (and How to Really Enjoy Them)
St Mark's Square and Its Basilica
The heart of Venice, with its basilica of golden mosaics, the Doge's Palace and the Campanile, which offers one of the best views over the lagoon.
The Lokki tip: come at dawn, before the big tour groups arrive, the square is almost empty and the light is beautiful.
The Rialto Bridge
The oldest bridge over the Grand Canal, lined with shops since the 16th century. The Rialto Market next door is one of the oldest markets still running in Europe.
The Grand Canal by Vaporetto
The best way to watch Venice go by: palaces, gondolas, the buzz of the main canal. Vaporetto line 1 doubles as a budget cruise.
The Lokki tip: take line 1 at off-peak times and stand at the front or back of the boat for the best view.
The Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace
Venice's most romantic bridge, once linking the palace to the old prisons. Inside the palace, the Doges' lavish halls are well worth the visit.
The Islands of the Lagoon
Venice doesn't end at the historic city, the lagoon is full of islands to discover by vaporetto:
- Murano: the island of blown glass for eight centuries, with workshops and furnaces to visit.
- Burano: Italy's most photographed coloured houses, and traditional lace-making.
- Torcello: the lagoon's oldest island, wild and silent, with its Byzantine cathedral.
- The Lido: the only island in the lagoon where you can drive, with a long sandy beach and grand avenues.
The Lokki tip: combine Murano and Burano in the same day, but save time for Torcello if you're after absolute calm.
By Bike, in Venice
Cycling in Venice's historic centre is impossible: no roads for cars, no bikes, only canals and bridges with steps. Head to the Lido instead, the only island in the lagoon where the bike is king: long and flat, with Belle Ăpoque avenues and a beach, it's the perfect spot for a bike ride far from the tourist crowds.
The Lokki tip: take the vaporetto to the Lido with a bike, and ride along the beach to Malamocco, a preserved fishing village at the far end of the island.
Outdoor Sports in Venice, at a Glance
| Activity | Where in Venice | Best for | The Lokki tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycling | The Lido | Coastal rides away from the crowds | Rent on the spot when the vaporetto arrives |
| Boat trips | The lagoon, Murano, Burano | Island and calm lovers | Stick to public vaporetto lines, cheaper than private tours |
| Swimming | The Lido's beaches | Families, lazing about | In summer, public beaches are free to access |
| Walking | The calli of the historic centre | Wanderers, photo lovers | Get deliberately lost, it's the best way to discover Venice |
Culture and Heritage: The Venice of the Doges
- St Mark's Basilica and its Byzantine mosaics.
- The Doge's Palace, seat of power of the Venetian Republic for centuries.
- The Gallerie dell'Accademia, the largest collection of Venetian painting (Titian, Veronese, Bellini).
- The Ca' d'Oro, one of the finest Gothic palaces on the Grand Canal.
The Lokki tip: buy a combined ticket for the Basilica and Doge's Palace online, it cuts out a good chunk of the queue.
What to Do in Venice for Free?
- Get lost in the alleys away from St Mark's Square and the Rialto.
- Admire the exterior of St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.
- Cross the Rialto Bridge and browse its market.
- Watch Murano's glassmakers at work through workshop windows.
- Watch the sunset from the Zattere, the promenade south of Venice.
The Lokki tip: the Zattere, away from the St Mark's Square crowds, is our favourite free spot for a sunset over the lagoon.
What to Do in Venice When It Rains?
- The Gallerie dell'Accademia and its masterpieces of Venetian painting.
- The Doge's Palace, huge and mostly covered.
- Murano's glass museum, to understand eight centuries of craftsmanship.
- A tasty break in a bacaro (a typical wine bar) with cicchetti, Venetian-style tapas.
The Lokki tip: on a rainy day, hop between several bacari for a Venetian-style aperitivo dinner, cicchetti and wine by the glass, all under cover.
With Kids
The Natural History Museum with its big dinosaur, a ride on the vaporetto (kids love it), the Lido's beaches to burn off energy, and a glass-blowing demonstration in Murano, always a hit with younger visitors.
The Lokki tip: book a glass-blowing demonstration in Murano, ten minutes of spectacle that kids (and adults) remember.
Eating (Very) Well in Venice
Venetian food is best enjoyed standing at a bacaro counter, over cicchetti (small bites) and a glass of wine. On the menu: sarde in saor (marinated sardines), risotto al nero di seppia (squid-ink risotto), and fritto misto from the lagoon. The Rialto Market is the best place to watch the morning's fish come in.
The Lokki tip: make your dinner an aperitivo crawl through two or three bacari rather than one restaurant, that's the true Venetian way to eat.
Going Out at Night
Cannaregio, more local, comes alive around its canal-side bacari, St Mark's Square offers classical music concerts on its terraces (at a steep price), and a Spritz at sunset on the Zattere remains one of the best moments of the day.
The Most Beautiful Day Trips Around Venice
| Destination | Distance | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|
| Murano, Burano, Torcello | 30-45 min by vaporetto | Blown glass, coloured houses, absolute calm |
| Padua | 30 min by train | Basilica of St Anthony, historic university |
| Vicenza | 50 min by train | Palladio's architecture |
| Verona | 1h15 by train | Roman arena, Juliet's balcony |
| Treviso | 30 min by train | Peaceful canals, fewer tourists |
Our Tips for Planning Your Trip
Allow 2 to 3 days for Venice, a full week to also explore the Veneto. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October: beautiful light, without the heat or crowds of summer (and without acqua alta, more frequent in autumn and winter).
The Lokki tip: avoid July and August if you can, the heat and humidity in the narrow alleys can make sightseeing exhausting.
FAQ: What to Do in Venice
What to do in Venice for free?
Get lost in the alleys, admire the exteriors of St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, cross the Rialto Bridge and enjoy the sunset at the Zattere (see our dedicated section above).
What to do in Venice when it rains?
The Gallerie dell'Accademia, the Doge's Palace, Murano's glass museum, and a bacaro crawl for a sheltered aperitivo.
What to do in Venice with kids?
A vaporetto ride, the Lido's beaches, the Natural History Museum, and a glass-blowing demonstration in Murano.
How many days do you need to visit Venice?
2 to 3 days for the city and its lagoon, a week to also explore the Veneto (Padua, Vicenza, Verona).
What's the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October, for the light, mild weather and fewer crowds than summer.
Venice, at Your Own Pace
Whether you come for the art, the canals, or simply to lose yourself in the calli, Venice is best savoured slowly, without too fixed an itinerary. Let yourself be surprised by a silent square far from the crowds, it's often there, away from St Mark's Square, that the city reveals its true magic.
