- Venice is comprised of a complex system of wooden piles driven deep into the clay and sand, which petrified over centuries due to lack of oxygen, providing the solid foundation for stone buildings.
- The city has its own distinct language, Venetian, which is a Romance language distinct from standard Italian and historically served as the lingua franca of the Mediterranean trade routes.
- Venice features a strictly regulated historical preservation policy where modern modifications are largely prohibited to maintain the integrity of the 13th-18th century streetscape.
- The city's unique 'Acqua Alta' flood events are caused by astronomical tides exacerbated by the sirocco wind, which pushes water from the Adriatic into the shallow Venetian lagoon.
- There are no cars, buses, or bicycles permitted within the historic center, making it the largest car-free urban area in Europe.
About Venice
Venice is a unique city built on a cluster of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. As a masterpiece of medieval urban planning, the city preserves its historic layout around the central Saint Mark's Basilica and the sprawling Doge's Palace. Visitors navigate the labyrinthine alleys and waterways to discover architectural landmarks like the Ponte di Rialto and the iconic Bridge of Sighs. This floating city serves as an open-air museum where transportation relies entirely on boats and pedestrian pathways.
Highlights of Venice
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This historic stone arch provides the most iconic vantage point over the Grand Canal.
Museums
Explore the opulent seat of Venetian power featuring impressive chambers and the giant's staircase.
Temples
View the intricate Byzantine mosaics that decorate the vast interior of this historic cathedral.
Places of interest
Cross this enclosed limestone bridge that once connected the interrogation rooms to the prison.
Venues
Visit one of Italy's most famous opera houses, reconstructed multiple times following historic fires.
Museums
View a world-class collection of modern art housed in the former home of Peggy Guggenheim on the Grand Canal.
Historical places
Ascend this unique spiral staircase for a rare elevated view of the city's rooftops.
Historical places
Examine the historic shipbuilding complex that was once the engine of the Venetian Republic's naval power.
Top things to do in Venice
The 328 highest-rated places in Venice, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
The Ponte di Rialto is the oldest and most central stone bridge crossing the Grand Canal in Venice. Designed by Antonio...
2
Museums
The Doge's Palace is a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture that served as the political and administrative heart...
3
Temples
Saint Mark's Basilica is an Italo-Byzantine cathedral serving as the seat of the Patriarch of Venice. It is renowned for...
4
Places of interest
The Ponte dell'Accademia is one of only four bridges spanning Venice's Grand Canal. It serves as a vital pedestrian arte...
5
Places of interest
The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed limestone bridge spanning the Rio di Palazzo in Venice, connecting the Doge's Palace...
6
Venues
Teatro La Fenice is one of Europe's most historic opera houses, located in the San Marco district of Venice. Originally...
7
Temples
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute is a monumental Baroque church commissioned by the Venetian Senate in 1631 as a votive...
8
Museums
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a premier museum of modern art housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an unfinished...
9
Temples
The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is a vast Gothic Franciscan church located in the San Polo district of Ve...
10
Historical places
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a 15th-century Venetian palace renowned for its multi-arch spiral staircase, the Scala C...
11
Parks
The Giardini della Biennale serve as the primary site for the Venice Biennale, the world's oldest and most prestigious c...
12
Historical places
The Arsenale di Venezia is a historic shipyard and naval complex that served as the industrial heart of the Venetian Rep...
13
Museums
The Gallerie dell'Accademia houses the definitive collection of pre-19th-century Venetian art, tracing the evolution of...
14
Historical places
St Mark's Campanile is a 98.6-meter tall bell tower standing isolated in St. Mark's Square, serving as the primary belfr...
15
Places of interest
Constitution Bridge, known locally as Ponte della Costituzione, is a modern pedestrian span designed by Spanish architec...
16
Historical places
San Giorgio Maggiore is a Benedictine church located on its own island directly across the Bacino di San Marco from the...
17
Museums
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a historic Venetian confraternity building housing the most significant collection of...
18
Historical places
The Venice Ghetto, established in 1516, is the world's oldest Jewish Ghetto and the site where the term 'ghetto' origina...
19
Museums
The Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) is housed in the historic Palazzo Giustinian on the island of Murano. The collection...
20
Places of interest
Ponte delle Guglie is the only bridge in Venice adorned with stone gargoyles, located in the Cannaregio district. Constr...
21
Temples
The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, known as San Zanipolo in Venetian dialect, is the largest church in Venice and...
22
Places of interest
23
Museums
24
Historical places
25
Museums
26
Places of interest
27
Museums
28
Museums
29
Temples
30
Parks
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Venice on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Venice
Late spring (May to early June) or early autumn (September to October) offers the most temperate weather while avoiding the peak humidity of summer and the flood-prone late autumn months.
3-4 days allows enough time to explore the main islands, visit core museums, and take a dedicated day trip to the surrounding lagoon islands like Murano and Burano.
The city is entirely pedestrianized, so navigation is strictly by foot, water bus (vaporetto), or private water taxi.
Stay in the Dorsoduro district for a quieter, more academic atmosphere, or choose Cannaregio to experience a more authentic, residential side of Venetian life away from major tourist hubs.
Expensive; Venice maintains high costs for accommodation and dining, particularly near major landmarks, due to the logistical challenges of transport and high visitor demand.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 328 curated attractions in and around Venice, ranked by traveller ratings.
Ponte di Rialto is the highest-rated place to visit in Venice right now.
The largest category is museums, with 104 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Galatina.
Explore more of Italy
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
