Things To Do In Venice: 2 Day Itinerary & Transport

Last Updated on 23/02/2025

Things to Do in Venice: Explore a two-day itinerary featuring attractions like Piazza San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, plus island-hopping tips for Burano, Murano, and Torcello, with transportation info included.

Contents

Other Italy Articles：Rome｜Milan｜Florence｜Cinque Terre｜Venice Main Island｜Venice Island Hopping

Venice Overview

Venice, located in northeastern Italy, is a historic water city. In the 5th century, early inhabitants established settlements in the lagoon to escape invasions, later developing into a significant commercial and trading centre. During the Middle Ages, the Venetian Republic reached its peak, becoming one of the Mediterranean powers. Today, the city attracts visitors worldwide with its unique canal system and architectural style.

Major Festivals in Venice:

Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia)：Held every spring in February or March for about two weeks, visitors can enjoy magnificent masks, costumes, and various cultural activities.
Feast of Saint Mark (Festa di San Marco)：Celebrated on April 25 each year, honouring Venice’s patron saint, with events including religious parades and celebrations, attracting numerous tourists.
Feast of the Madonna della Salute (Festa della Madonna della Salute)：Held on November 21 each year to give thanks for the city’s protection, featuring parades and religious ceremonies, it is one of Venice’s important festivals.

How to Get to Venice

Flights

From the UK：Direct flights to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) are available from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, with a flight time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, making it convenient.
From Hong Kong and Taiwan：Currently, there are no direct flights, requiring connections in major European cities (like London, Frankfurt, Paris, or Dubai), with a total flight time of about 14 to 20 hours, depending on layover duration.

Upon arrival at VCE, you can choose:

Water Bus (Alilaguna)：Approx. 80 minutes to reach Piazza San Marco. ➡️ Airport Water bus ticket booking
Airport Bus (ATVO or ACTV)：About 20-30 minutes to Piazzale Roma. ➡️ Airport bus ticket booking
Water Taxi：Takes around 50-100 minutes to city centre hotels. ➡️ Airport Water taxi booking

Travel to Venice from Other Italian Cities

High-speed trains connect Venice Santa Lucia Station (Venezia Santa Lucia) from various Italian cities, such as approximately 2.5 hours from Milan and about 3.5 hours from Rome, providing convenience.

Train Bookings via Official Websites：Italo（Italian and English only）｜Trenitalia（available in Chinese and English）
I’ll provide more details later on how to book tickets through Italo and Trenitalia.
If you’d rather not buy individual tickets each time, consider getting the ➡️ Eurail Global Train Pass for 33 European Countries

Venice Transportation: Water Bus (Vaporetto) and Other Options

In Venice, the water bus (Vaporetto) is the main transportation, providing easy water transport connecting major attractions and islands. It is advisable to purchase tickets online in advance to save time and avoid queues. The following are ticket options for the water bus:

Single Tickets：€9.50
24-hour Pass：€25, suitable for travellers making multiple rides in a day
48-hour Pass：€35, suitable for those needing more time

➡️ Venice water bus ticket booking

Besides the water bus, Venice’s transportation includes:

Walking：The best way to explore Venice, allowing you to delve into narrow alleys and experience the city’s unique charm.
Water Taxi：Suitable for faster and more private service but at a relatively higher price.
Gondola Ride：If you don’t want to pay €80-120 but still want to experience the romance of Venice, you can opt for a gondola ride across the canal for about €2. However, this is not a private boat, so you’ll need to share with other passengers, and sometimes you might even have to stand. The ride lasts about 30 seconds, and these gondolas are not as lavish as the sightseeing gondolas.

Venice Attractions Map and Itinerary

The following map marks the main attractions on Venice’s main island and the lagoon’s islands.

The map is set to English by default. Simply click on the 'Enlarge Map' icon in the top right corner to switch to your preferred language!

Day 1 | Main Island of Venice

📍 St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) → St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) → St. Mark’s Campanile (Campanile di San Marco) → Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) + Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) → Accademia Bridge (Ponte dell’Accademia) → Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) → Gondola

Day 2 | Island Hopping in the Venetian Lagoon

🚤 Mazzorbo → Burano → Torcello → Murano

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

The heart of Venice, surrounded by important attractions like the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale.
The square features numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés, such as the famous Caffè Florian.

St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Famed for its blend of architectural styles, golden mosaics, and stunning exterior.
Main highlights include the “Horses of Saint Mark,” which requires queuing for entry.
Dress code applies; no sleeveless tops or shorts.

Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) Tickets

St. Mark’s Campanile (Campanile di San Marco)

The tallest building in Piazza San Marco, previously serving as a lighthouse for sailors.
The viewing platform offers 360-degree views of Venice, requiring a ticket for the lift.

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The historical centre of Venice, combining Gothic and Byzantine styles.
Visitors can explore several opulent halls, experiencing the grandeur of the Venetian Republic.
Does the exterior resemble LV?

Skip-the-line visit to Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) and the prison (including a walk across the Ponte dei Sospiri).

Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)

Connecting Palazzo Ducale and the prison, it carries a sorrowful history.
Known as the place where condemned prisoners saw sunlight for the last time.
Photos can only be taken from the outside, but you can get up close when entering the Doge’s Palace.
Hong Kong readers may instantly hum the lyrics from “The Kite Runner (追風箏的孩子).” Life’s uncontrollable matters go beyond love, but as we grow and look back, we might appreciate that child we once were, shaping who we are today.

🎶 The kite disappeared at the sighing bridge, happily together we mourn it
🎵 Many things ultimately cannot be controlled, lost amidst the hustle and bustle
🎶 All thanks to you who smiled with me back then

Accademia Bridge (Ponte dell’Accademia)

An ideal spot for capturing classic views of Venice.
Features beautiful scenery of the Church of Santa Maria della Salute and the Grand Canal.
Many postcards are taken from here.

Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

The most famous bridge in Venice, the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal.
Over 400 years old, it represents a masterpiece of the Renaissance period.

Gondola

The gondola is a symbol of Venice, perfect for experiencing the romance of the small canals.
If your budget allows, consider hiring a private gondola, which costs around €80 to €120 for about 45 minutes to an hour, preferably during the sunset.

Shared gondolas（start at €35 for one hour, making them a more affordable option for 1-2 people.）

Venice Island Hopping: Burano, Murano, Torcello

If you wish to explore the different charms of the Venetian lagoon, consider a day of island hopping. Taking the water bus, you can easily reach several unique islands:

Burano ：Known for its vibrant coloured houses.
Murano：The birthplace of Venice’s traditional glass-making craft.
Torcello：Home to ancient churches with a millennium of history.
Mazzorbo：Connected to Burano, known for its tranquil vineyards and upscale restaurants.

These islands each have their unique charm, adding more fun to your Venice trip.

Later, I’ll share details about my island-hopping itinerary.

Alternatively, you can join a day tour (only €5 more than the boat ticket) ➡️ Venice Lagoon Tour: Visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello Islands.