{"id":18124,"date":"2026-04-27T10:38:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/?p=18124"},"modified":"2026-04-27T10:38:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:38:54","slug":"tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tourist attractions in Venice are at their most enchanting when you treat them as a designed experience, not a checklist\u2014and when you choose the right thing to do in Venice at the right hour. In Italy\u2019s most poetic city of water, the Grand Canal, a private gondola glide, and the golden hush inside St Mark\u2019s Basilica can feel both iconic and surprisingly intimate. This Destination Guide is crafted for high-end travellers who want beauty with ease: what to book ahead, how to move by water taxi, and how to explore with confidence and care\u2014so every moment feels seamless, supported, and genuinely Venetian.<\/div>\n<h2>Tourist spots in Italy, Venice: top attractions and tourist attractions in Venice for your first visit<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<div style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025335\/124_ildigo-venice-gaaf5cd1cb_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Top attractions and tourist sights in Venice for a first visit around Piazza San Marco\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/852;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025335\/124_ildigo-venice-gaaf5cd1cb_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Top attractions and tourist sights in Venice for a first visit around Piazza San Marco\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" \/><\/noscript><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Signature sights near Piazza San Marco for a calm, crowd-light start<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re choosing tourist spots in Italy, Venice travellers talk about most. Start with a simple thing to do in Venice mindset: begin in the heart of Venice, then let this destination unfold at a walking pace. The real difference-maker is early in the morning, when the light is soft, the stone feels cooler underfoot, and the day trippers haven\u2019t yet arrived in full force. For a first visit, a gentle loop around Piazza San Marco gives you an immediate sense of place\u2014grand yet human in scale\u2014and it\u2019s one of the most beautiful cityscapes in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>At Designer Journeys, we help you see in Venice what matters most while keeping the mood unhurried, almost like a private Venice travel guide written for a single day. Consider this a guide to Venice and a guide to the best pacing: choose your priorities, then add breathing space so you can discover the best details between the main stops. If you go to Venice as part of a broader trip to Italy, you can browse our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/italy-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trip gallery<\/a> and decide what else in Italy pairs beautifully with a few days here.<\/p>\n<h3>Mark\u2019s Square (Piazza San Marco) at dawn \u2013 the calmest way to start visiting Venice<\/h3>\n<p>Start at Mark\u2019s Square before the crowds swell, and you\u2019ll understand why locals speak of Venice\u2019s moods as if they were weather. This corner holds a concentrated sense of Venetian identity: ceremony, maritime confidence, and the quiet pride of a city shaped by trade across the Mediterranean. Give yourself permission to slow down; one of the best things here is simply noticing texture\u2014salted air, the sheen of stone, and the sound of water beyond the colonnades.<\/p>\n<p>As you wander, keep your voice low and your movements gentle. Venice rewards that softness, and the most memorable tourist moments are often the most respectful ones. This part of Venice is a living neighbourhood, not a theme set, so modest dress for sacred spaces and awareness of local routines make a noticeable difference while exploring Venice without rushing.<\/p>\n<h3>San Marco Basilica, the bell tower and Doge\u2019s Palace \u2013 cross the Bridge of Sighs<\/h3>\n<p>The Basilica di San Marco is the basilica that anchors the city\u2019s imagination\u2014glowing gold, candlelit shadows, and one mosaic detail that can hold your attention far longer than you expect. As a church in Venice, it\u2019s also an active place of worship, so dress modestly and step inside with the same calm you\u2019d bring to a concert hall. For a seamless experience, book timed entry in advance and consider an expert-led visit: it\u2019s the difference between being jostled like a tourist and being gently guided through the history of Venice with context and quiet.<\/p>\n<p>The basilica\u2019s atmosphere changes as the morning unfolds; the earlier you enter, the more you can hear your own footsteps and feel the scale without distraction. If this is one day in Venice, give the basilica the best of your attention rather than squeezing it between other plans; it\u2019s a main attraction experience, but it\u2019s also a place where you can breathe. As you step back into the light, the basilica\u2019s domes and courtyards continue to frame San Marco with a sense of ceremony.<\/p>\n<p>Next, step into Doge\u2019s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) to understand how the Republic of Venice worked\u2014and how Venice was ruled through councils, rituals, and careful symbolism. The opulent halls feel like a theatre: paintings, gilding, and political messaging designed to impress ambassadors and intimidate rivals, which is why it remains such a powerful attraction for anyone interested in Venetian power. Then the mood turns as you approach the Bridge of Sighs, the enclosed passage that once linked judgment to imprisonment, politics to personal emotion; the Bridge of Sighs makes that contrast feel immediate.<\/p>\n<p>To lift the day back into light, add the bell tower for the best viewing moment. From above, the view of Venice becomes less maze and more miracle: islands stitched together by bridges, the Venetian lagoon stretching outward, and the city of Venice floating with a kind of impossible grace. Queue-skipping tickets are worth it here, not as extravagance, but as a kindness to your time in Italy and your energy\u2014especially on a busy tourist weekend.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gentle pacing tips for a confident day<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose two major interiors (the basilica and the ducal palace) and let everything else be optional\u2014your day here will feel richer.<\/li>\n<li>Book timed entry online and aim for the first slots, so you\u2019re not competing with the biggest visitor waves later on.<\/li>\n<li>Keep a quiet caf\u00e9 pause near the square in your plan; it turns \u201cseeing\u201d into a genuine way to experience Venice.<\/li>\n<li>Reserve key tickets and transfers at least 30 days ahead in peak season, and if acqua alta is forecast, carry discreet waterproof footwear and confirm your travel insurance covers disruption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you plan with this kind of care, the best things and classic attractions in Venice feel less like a checklist and more like a curated, walkable story. Once you\u2019ve met the icons on foot, the next chapter is to experience the city from the water, where architecture becomes a moving gallery.<\/p>\n<h2>Venice from the water: best things to do on the Grand Canal with a gondola ride<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<div style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025348\/7769_michelle_pitzel-venice-gd2d88d71f_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Venice from the water with a Grand Canal gondola ride and rooftop aperitivo\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/852;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025348\/7769_michelle_pitzel-venice-gd2d88d71f_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Venice from the water with a Grand Canal gondola ride and rooftop aperitivo\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" \/><\/noscript><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Venice on the Grand Canal, with a gondola ride and rooftop aperitivo<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p>For many travellers, the best things in this city begin the moment you arrive on the Grand Canal. A private water taxi sweeping onto the Grand Canal isn\u2019t simply transport; it\u2019s your first true view of Venice, with palazzi rising like stage sets and reflections shimmering at eye level. Arriving this way feels crafted and effortless, and it\u2019s one of those rare comforts that also makes practical sense: no dragging luggage over bridges, no guessing directions, just seamless support from arrival to your hotel dock.<\/p>\n<p>The Grand Canal is Venice\u2019s grand boulevard, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. As your boat curves past fa\u00e7ades in faded pinks and terracottas, you see how centuries of salt air have softened the stone. The Grand Canal doesn\u2019t just divide neighbourhoods; it connects them, carrying you through a living museum where people still commute by water and where each doorway seems to open onto another layer of Venetian life.<\/p>\n<h3>Grand Canal arrival by water taxi \u2013 a simple Venice itinerary for first-timers<\/h3>\n<p>A water-taxi arrival also offers instant orientation, which matters because the streets can feel labyrinthine on your first visit. Watching the Grand Canal\u2019s S-shape from the water helps you understand where the bridges gather people, which stretches feel calmer, and how you might design an easy itinerary for the days ahead\u2014including a relaxed day in Venice built around one neighbourhood at a time. If you\u2019re visiting Venice in late spring or early autumn, you often get comfortable temperatures without the peak pressure of August; for many travellers, that\u2019s the best time to visit Venice for balance.<\/p>\n<p>When you do step ashore, keep your plans spacious. Venice is easy to love when you give it time, and the water teaches that lesson quickly: it moves at its own pace, and so do your best memories.<\/p>\n<h3>Gondola canals, Rialto Bridge and a rooftop sunset \u2013 a softer side of Venice at night<\/h3>\n<p>Of course, there\u2019s the gondola. A private gondola moment through quieter canals is less about spectacle and more about intimacy\u2014arched doorways, worn brick, laundry lines, and the gentle creak of wood against water. One high-end traveller we know still reminisces about a bespoke gondola serenade: the singer\u2019s voice drifting under low bridges, the notes echoing off stone, and the feeling of stepping into a timeless Venetian romance.<\/p>\n<p>For your gondola ride, consider timing carefully. A 30-minute ride during the day feels bright and architectural\u2014perfect for seeing details and learning how the canals work. Later, as the light softens, the same gondola route becomes cinematic, with lamps flickering on and reflections lengthening into gold.<\/p>\n<p>No water-based chapter is complete without the Rialto Bridge. The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto \/ Ponte di Rialto) is an essential bridge in Venice, and it\u2019s where the Grand Canal feels both grand and immediate. For photographs, arrive early or drift in just before dinner, when the tourist crowds thin slightly and you can stand still long enough to notice how the stone catches the last light.<\/p>\n<p>Then, create a gentle finale with a rooftop aperitivo overlooking the Grand Canal. One couple described their evening sipping spritz as the sun dropped behind the roofs, and the city after dark began to glow\u2014music rising from somewhere unseen, water taxis tracing luminous lines, and the sense that Venice was quietly performing just for them. In that moment, luxury wasn\u2019t excess; it was space, comfort, and a view you didn\u2019t have to fight for.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Practical elegance for a gondola and terrace evening<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Choose a gondola route that slips into side canals rather than staying entirely on the busiest water. Ask for a quieter start point, keep voices soft, and allow other boats space at narrow corners\u2014small Venetian etiquette that signals trust and care. If you\u2019re celebrating, let your hotel concierge arrange the gondola and a rooftop reservation together so the evening flows seamlessly without you having to check the time.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve admired the Grand Canal from the water, the next delight is to step beyond the obvious tourist circuit. Venice has extraordinary hidden corners\u2014on the lagoon islands, in small ateliers, and in a palazzo where modern art changes how you see everything that came before.<\/p>\n<h2>Hidden gems on the islands of Venice \u2013 itinerary ideas for Murano and Burano<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<div style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025359\/8147_helenjank-colorful-g13fbd18d4_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Hidden gems and islands Murano and Burano and art in Venice\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/852;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025359\/8147_helenjank-colorful-g13fbd18d4_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Hidden gems and islands Murano and Burano and art in Venice\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" \/><\/noscript><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hidden gems on Murano and Burano, plus art back in Venice<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re building an itinerary in Venice, Italy, beyond the headline sights, a half-day escape to Murano and Burano is one of the most satisfying ways to enjoy the lagoon. These islands of Venice feel like a change of tempo: the Venetian lagoon can be silvery and serene in winter, bright and breezy in early summer, and softly dramatic as autumn approaches. That shift in mood is part of the experience\u2014water as atmosphere, not just scenery.<\/p>\n<p>For travellers with Venice for a short time, the trick is to keep the logistics light. A private boat or a carefully timed vaporetto plan helps you visit Venice efficiently, leaving you with energy for an art interlude back on the main island. If you want a little structure, plan a simple itinerary that pairs the islands with one quiet museum stop, then allow yourself to get lost on purpose.<\/p>\n<h3>Murano and Burano in the Venetian lagoon \u2013 glass, colour, and lace traditions<\/h3>\n<p>Murano is synonymous with glass, but the most meaningful visits are curated. Rather than wandering into the first shop that calls to you, visit the beautiful workshops with an expert-led atelier experience so you can watch artisans work and understand what makes a piece truly Murano. This is also how you avoid low-quality tourist traps: look for transparency about techniques, signatures, and provenance, and choose makers who explain their process with pride.<\/p>\n<p>Burano, by contrast, is colour and cheer\u2014canals lined with vivid houses that seem designed for painters. Burano is also famous for its lace; the island is known for its bright fa\u00e7ades that reward a slow walk and a quick conversation with local shopkeepers. Time your wander just outside the busiest mid-day window, and you\u2019ll find quieter lanes where the colours feel more like a lived-in neighbourhood than a backdrop.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Buying beautifully on Murano and Burano<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On Murano, prefer ateliers that demonstrate workmanship and provide documentation; the best pieces come with a story and a maker\u2019s pride.<\/li>\n<li>On Burano, step beyond the first canal-front strip to find calmer corners and more personal encounters.<\/li>\n<li>Choose one meaningful purchase rather than many; it becomes one of my favourite things to bring home, not clutter.<\/li>\n<li>Factor in careful packing and shipping advice\u2014high-end support here protects your investment and your peace of mind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Peggy Guggenheim Collection \u2013 modern art and quieter corners beyond the tourist track<\/h3>\n<p>Back in the city, slip into the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for a completely different lens on Venice. Set in a palazzo with a garden that feels like an exhale, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection has a crisp modernity that makes the surrounding centuries feel newly alive. It\u2019s a tourist-friendly stop that doesn\u2019t shout, yet it stays with you long after you leave.<\/p>\n<p>To balance the day, weave in moments without the pressure to perform your trip for anyone else. Find a quiet bookstore in Venice and let yourself browse, even if you buy nothing\u2014these unplanned pauses often become the stories you retell. Cross Ponte dell\u2019Accademia for one of the best views in Venice over the Grand Canal, then pause near San Giorgio Maggiore; the calmer angle offers views over Venice and a perspective that feels surprisingly personal.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re hungry, this is the time to lean into Venice food with intention. High-end travellers often enjoy Michelin-starred dining here not for formality, but for craft\u2014Venetian seafood, seasonal vegetables, and fine local wines paired with understated expertise. It\u2019s one of the best places to feel culture through taste, not just architecture.<\/p>\n<p>After days in the city, what remains isn\u2019t only what you photographed. It\u2019s the way Venice\u2019s details settle into you\u2014quietly, tenderly\u2014until you realise you\u2019re carrying a new sense of beauty back into your everyday life.<\/p>\n<h2>F.A.Qs: tourist attractions in Venice for first-time travellers<\/h2>\n<h4>What is the number one attraction in Venice, Italy?<\/h4>\n<p>For most travellers, St Mark\u2019s Basilica is the number one attraction because it combines Venetian history, spiritual atmosphere, and extraordinary gold interiors in one unforgettable basilica visit. Booking timed entry (or a guided visit) helps you experience the basilica calmly, especially if you\u2019re visiting Venice in a busy season.<\/p>\n<h4>What are some tourist attractions in Venice?<\/h4>\n<p>Highlights include St Mark\u2019s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, the bell tower for panoramic outlooks, and a Grand Canal journey by water taxi or gondola. Beyond these attractions in Venice, many also love the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and an afternoon on Murano and Burano.<\/p>\n<h4>What should you not miss in Venice?<\/h4>\n<p>Don\u2019t miss stepping inside the basilica, walking the corridors of the ducal palace, and taking time on the water\u2014ideally a gondola ride through quieter canals. If you can, add a sunset aperitivo with a rooftop view, when the city feels softer, and the lights begin to shimmer.<\/p>\n<h4>What is famous in Venice, Italy?<\/h4>\n<p>Venice is famous for its canals, gondolas, the Grand Canal, and landmark sights around the basilica. It\u2019s also celebrated for Murano glass, Burano\u2019s colourful streets and lace tradition, and a culture that blends maritime power, art, and everyday life in a truly unique way.<\/p>\n<h2>What stayed with me after visiting Venice \u2013 reflections from a trip to Venice and a stay in Venice<\/h2>\n<p>There was a last glimpse of Venice that returned to me for weeks afterwards: not a landmark, but a texture. Water tapping against stone steps, light skimming across a worn wall, the sound of a boat passing somewhere out of sight. In memory, Venice becomes a collection of small sensations\u2014cool air in a shaded alley, the warmth of a caf\u00e9 cup in your hands, and the way the Grand Canal can look like glass one moment and hammered silver the next.<\/p>\n<p>When I think about visiting Venice now, I don\u2019t immediately picture the biggest tourist crowds or the loudest moments. I remember the unplanned pauses: a glance across the Grand Canal from a side alley, a few minutes of stillness near San Giorgio Maggiore, a single bell sounding somewhere behind me, and a second, quieter view of Venice that felt like it belonged only to me. Those were the moments that felt most personal, as if the city had made space for me.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also a calm gratitude that comes with thoughtful planning. Knowing tickets were arranged, transfers were seamless, and the pace had been designed with care, I could relax into the experience Venice offers rather than manage it. That\u2019s when this destination reveals itself\u2014less like a performance for tourists, and more like a place that lets you belong for a while.<\/p>\n<p>And perhaps that\u2019s the quiet gift: Venice doesn\u2019t insist that you do everything. It simply invites you to return in a different mood\u2014Venice in winter when the air feels crystalline, Venice Carnival when masks turn the streets into theatre, or a slower, longer visit where mornings begin without a plan as you wander around Venice. You can leave Venice without feeling you\u2019ve missed the unique things that matter, because the city teaches you to value presence over pace.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-bottom\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;18124&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Rate this post&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;4\\\/5 - (1 vote)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;113.5&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 113.5px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            4\/5 - (1 vote)    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tourist attractions in Venice are at their most enchanting when you treat them as a designed experience, not a checklist\u2014and when you choose the right thing to do in Venice at the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":18125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"faq_json_schema":["[\r\n  {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What is the number one attraction in Venice, Italy?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"For most travellers, St Mark\u2019s Basilica is the number one attraction because it combines Venetian history, spiritual atmosphere, and extraordinary gold interiors in one unforgettable basilica visit. Booking timed entry (or a guided visit) helps you experience the basilica calmly, especially if you\u2019re visiting Venice in a busy season.\"\r\n    }\r\n  },\r\n  {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What are some tourist attractions in Venice?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"Highlights include St Mark\u2019s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, the bell tower for panoramic outlooks, and a Grand Canal journey by water taxi or gondola. Beyond these attractions in Venice, many also love the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and an afternoon on Murano and Burano.\"\r\n    }\r\n  },\r\n  {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What should you not miss in Venice?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"Don\u2019t miss stepping inside the basilica, walking the corridors of the ducal palace, and taking time on the water\u2014ideally a gondola ride through quieter canals. If you can, add a sunset aperitivo with a rooftop view, when the city feels softer and the lights begin to shimmer.\"\r\n    }\r\n  },\r\n  {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What is famous in Venice, Italy?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"Venice is famous for its canals, gondolas, the Grand Canal, and landmark sights around the basilica. It\u2019s also celebrated for Murano glass, Burano\u2019s colourful streets and lace tradition, and a culture that blends maritime power, art, and everyday life in a truly unique way.\"\r\n    }\r\n  }\r\n]"],"footnotes":""},"categories":[304,133],"tags":[324,319,442,192],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v23.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors | Travel Journal by Designer Journeys<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tourist attractions in Venice are at their most enchanting when you treat them as a designed experience, not a checklist\u2014and when you choose the right thing to do in Venice at the&hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Travel Journal by Designer Journeys\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DesignerJourneys\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-27T10:38:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025950\/4898_1147_mainzer-venice-ga408f634e_1280.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"853\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Quang Nguyen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Quang Nguyen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors | Travel Journal by Designer Journeys","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors","og_description":"Tourist attractions in Venice are at their most enchanting when you treat them as a designed experience, not a checklist\u2014and when you choose the right thing to do in Venice at the&hellip;","og_url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/","og_site_name":"Travel Journal by Designer Journeys","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DesignerJourneys\/","article_published_time":"2026-04-27T10:38:54+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":853,"url":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025950\/4898_1147_mainzer-venice-ga408f634e_1280.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Quang Nguyen","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Quang Nguyen","Estimated reading time":"14 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/","url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/","name":"Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors | Travel Journal by Designer Journeys","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025950\/4898_1147_mainzer-venice-ga408f634e_1280.jpg","datePublished":"2026-04-27T10:38:54+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-27T10:38:54+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/6605941f50392e8f1f9807f8236848df"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025950\/4898_1147_mainzer-venice-ga408f634e_1280.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25025950\/4898_1147_mainzer-venice-ga408f634e_1280.jpg","width":1280,"height":853},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/tourist-spots-in-italy-venice-best-things-to-do-in-venice-and-top-attractions-for-first-time-visitors\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Travel Journal","item":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Europe Travel","item":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/category\/europe-travel\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Italy","item":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/category\/europe-travel\/italy\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Tourist spots in Italy Venice: best things to do in Venice and top attractions for first-time visitors"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/","name":"Designer Journeys","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/6605941f50392e8f1f9807f8236848df","name":"Quang Nguyen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/blog-admin.designerjourneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_5463-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/blog-admin.designerjourneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_5463-96x96.jpg","caption":"Quang Nguyen"},"description":"Hi!! I'm Quang, a travel enthusiast, photographer and creator from Quang Binh. Here, I share captivating stories and stunning visuals from my journeys across Vietnam and beyond. Find me on Instagram for more travel inspiration!","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/","quangcomm\/"],"honorificPrefix":"Mr","gender":"male","knowsLanguage":["Vietnamese","English"],"url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/author\/quang\/"}]}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","yoast_wpseo_canonical":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18124"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18124"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19019,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18124\/revisions\/19019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}