Venice was one of our final stops during our Mediterranean honeymoon, and it ended up being one of our favorite destinations.
After spending time on the islands of Greece, Venice felt completely different. Between the historic architecture, winding canals, colorful islands, and unforgettable gondola rides, Venice felt unlike anywhere else we’ve visited.
We spent three days exploring Venice, Murano, and Burano, and found that it was the perfect amount of time for a first visit. This itinerary covers how we spent our time, along with tips, recommendations, and practical information to help you plan your own trip.
Venice Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Explore Murano
- Arrive in Venice
- Check into hotel in Murano
- Wander Murano’s canals
- Browse glass galleries
- Waterfront dinner
Day 2: Venice Highlights
- St. Mark’s Square
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- Doge’s Palace
- Rialto Bridge
- Libreria Acqua Alta
- Gondola ride at sunset
Day 3: Murano & Burano
- Glassmaking demonstration
- Explore Burano
- Lace-making demonstration
- Final afternoon in Venice
Where We Stayed in Venice
For our trip, we stayed at the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice for three nights, and we would absolutely stay there again.
While most visitors stay in Venice’s historic center, we loved having a quieter home base on Murano. The island felt much less crowded, offered beautiful waterfront views, and was still only a short water bus ride from Venice’s main attractions.
Why we recommend it:
- Quieter atmosphere than central Venice
- Easy ACTV water bus access
- Beautiful canal views
- Walking distance to Murano’s glass galleries
Things to Know Before Visiting Italy
A few things we learned that made traveling around Italy much easier:
- Bring a European outlet adapter. Italy uses Type C and Type L plugs, which are different from those used in the United States. We like this universal adapter.
- Carry a small amount of cash. Many places accept credit cards, but cash is still useful for taxis, tips, public restrooms, and small purchases.
- Ferry schedules can be flexible, so it’s always a good idea to arrive early and leave extra time for connections.
- Restaurants often don’t open for dinner until later in the evening. Many locals eat around 8–9 PM.
- Some shops close for a few hours in the afternoon, especially outside major tourist areas.
- Public drinking fountains are common and safe to use throughout Italy. Bring a reusable water bottle to refill throughout the day. We love the Brita water bottles with a filter in the straw, so we can drink tap water from nearly anywhere, without worrying about taste.
- If you’re taking regional trains or buses with paper tickets, be sure to validate them before boarding.
- The emergency number throughout Italy is 112.
Venice-Specific Tips
- Purchase a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ACTV water bus pass if you plan to use public transportation frequently. It quickly pays for itself and makes getting around Venice, Murano, Burano, and the surrounding islands much easier.
- Download the ACTV app or check the official ACTV website for current routes and schedules before your trip.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. Venice is best explored on foot.
- Reserve St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace tickets in advance. Popular attractions like this often sell out during peak travel months.
- If you want to take a gondola ride, booking ahead can help secure your preferred time.
Day 1: Explore Murano and Settle Into Venice
After an early morning flight from Santorini, we arrived in Venice and headed straight to Murano, the island famous for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition.
Many visitors only spend a few hours in Murano before returning to Venice, but staying overnight allowed us to experience a much quieter side of the Venetian Lagoon. Murano is much quieter and less crowded than Venice itself, and offers beautiful canals and waterfront views without the constant bustle of the city center.
After checking into our hotel, we spent the afternoon wandering the canals, browsing glass galleries, and exploring the island at our own pace.
That evening, we enjoyed a relaxed dinner along the water and took in the peaceful atmosphere of Murano after many of the day-trippers had left.
Day 2: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Ride
Our first full day was dedicated to exploring Venice itself.
We took the water bus from Murano to St. Mark’s Square, one of the most iconic places in Italy. Surrounded by historic architecture and bustling cafés, it’s easy to see why this area is so popular. The crowds can be a little overwhelming, but it’s definitely a must-see for first time visitors.
Here we joined a guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. The golden mosaics inside St. Mark’s Basilica were stunning, and the ornate rooms of Doge’s Palace offered a fascinating glimpse into Venice’s history as a powerful maritime republic. Having a tour guide added so much context that we would have otherwise missed and made navigating this popular tourist destination much easier.
From there, we spent the rest of the day simply wandering and exploring Venice.
After our tour, we spent the rest of the day exploring Venice on foot.
Some of our favorite stops included:
- The Rialto Bridge: one of Venice’s most famous landmarks
- Libreria Acqua Alta: one of Venice’s most unique bookstores with gondolas and resident cats
- Accademia bridge: One of the best viewpoints in Venice, especially for photos of the Grand Canal
- Basilica di Santa María Della salute: A beautiful church at the entrance to the Grand Canal
We also attempted to grab the famous tiramisu from I Tre Mercanti, but it sold out while we were waiting in line.
While the major sights are absolutely worth visiting, some of our favorite discoveries came from wandering without an agenda. We loved exploring the quieter corners of Venice and stumbling upon beautiful canals, hidden passageways, and small local shops.
That evening, we checked a major bucket-list experience off our honeymoon list: a gondola ride through Venice’s canals.
While it’s definitely a tourist activity, coasting through the narrow canals at sunset was every bit as magical as we had imagined. It was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
Day 3: Murano and Burano
On our final day, we took a guided tour of Murano and Burano, two of Venice’s most famous islands.
Murano is best known for its glassmaking heritage, and we had the opportunity to watch artisans transform molten glass into pieces for an elaborate chandelier. Since we both love glass art, seeing the craftsmanship up close was fascinating.
Burano offered a completely different experience. The island is famous for its brightly colored homes that line the canals, making it one of the most photogenic places in Italy, as well as its long tradition of lace-making. We watched one of the area’s remaining lace makers demonstrate her craft before spending the rest of our time exploring the island.
We ended up loving Burano so much that we skipped the return boat with our tour group so we could stay a little longer and continue exploring on our own before taking the water bus back to Venice.
After returning to Venice, we spent the rest of the afternoon revisiting a few favorite spots and enjoying one final evening in the city.
Is 3 Days Enough in Venice?
Yes, we think three days is the ideal amount of time for a first visit.
It gave us enough time to see the major attractions, enjoy a gondola ride, explore Murano and Burano, and still leave room for the spontaneous wandering that makes Venice so special.
If you have additional time, there are certainly more islands and neighborhoods worth exploring, but three days allowed us to experience Venice without feeling rushed.
Final Thoughts
Venice exceeded our expectations. Between the historic architecture, the colorful islands, and the unforgettable canal views, it was one of our favorite destinations in Italy.
While Venice can be crowded, especially around St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, it’s surprisingly easy to find quiet corners away from the busiest areas. Some of our favorite moments came from wandering the maze of canals and simply enjoying the atmosphere.
If you’re planning your first trip to Venice, we highly recommend spending three days exploring both the city and the surrounding islands.
