Stepping out of the train station and seeing the Grand Canal for the first time is a travel moment you never forget. There are no cars, no horns, just the sound of water, boats, and centuries of history.
As part of our 17-day, 30th anniversary trip to Italy and Greece, we spent 3 magical days exploring the floating city of Venice. But let’s be honest: Venice can be a labyrinth. It is notoriously easy to get lost, and the crowds at St. Mark’s Square can be overwhelming.
If you want to experience the romance of Venice without the stress of navigating it all yourself, here is exactly how we spent our 3 days, including the guided tours that made our trip unforgettable.
Day 1: Arriving & Exploring the Local Markets
We arrived in Venice late morning via the high-speed Trenitalia train from Florence. Good Journey Tip: Taking the train is by far the easiest way to arrive in Venice, as it drops you right in the city center at the Santa Lucia station!
After navigating the canals to check into our beautiful local apartment, we decided to keep our first day completely free. We spent the afternoon wandering through the winding alleys, exploring the vibrant local markets, and stopping for authentic Italian pizza and gelato. Getting lost in Venice is part of the charm, as long as you don’t have a schedule to keep!
Day 2: The “Venice in a Day” Tour & Gondola Ride
For our second day, we wanted to hit the major bucket-list sights. Instead of waiting in hours-long ticket lines, we booked the Small-Group Venice In A Day With Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace, and Gondola Ride.
This 6.5-hour tour was worth every single penny. Our local guide expertly navigated us through the crowds in St. Mark’s Square. We got to skip the line to see the jaw dropping golden mosaics inside St. Mark’s Basilica and explore the fascinating history (and prison cells!) of the Doge’s Palace.
Of course, the grand finale was the classic Venetian gondola ride. Gliding through the quiet, narrow back canals of the city while the gondolier navigated the tight corners was the ultimate romantic anniversary experience.
Day 3: Escaping the City to Murano & Burano
On our final day, we wanted to get off the main island and explore the Venetian lagoon. We booked a half-day Murano Glass Experience & Burano Lace Laboratory Tour.
First, a private boat took us to the island of Murano, which is world-famous for its glass blowing. Watching a master artisan pull a glowing blob of molten glass out of a furnace and sculpt it into a delicate horse in a matter of seconds was mind-blowing!
Next, we sailed to Burano. If you love photography, this island is paradise. Every single fisherman’s house is painted in a vibrant, neon color. We watched local women demonstrate the island’s historic lace-making traditions and spent the rest of the time taking hundreds of photos of the colorful canals.
What to Pack for Venice
Venice is a pedestrian-only city, which means you are going to be doing a lot of walking. Here are three things you absolutely need to pack for the floating city:
- Extremely Comfortable Walking Shoes: You won’t just be walking on flat pavement; Venice has over 400 bridges, and almost all of them have stairs! Save your feet and pack a stylish but highly supportive walking shoe.
- An Anti-Theft Bag: St. Mark’s Square is heavily crowded, which unfortunately makes it a hotspot for pickpockets. We always carry a sleek anti-theft bag with locking zippers for peace of mind. Get our favorite travel day bag.
- A Packable Sun Hat: When you are out on the water heading to Murano and Burano, the sun reflects off the lagoon and can be very intense. A crushable, packable sun hat is a lifesaver and takes up zero room in your suitcase.
Where We Stayed: Living Like a Local
For this leg of the trip, we wanted to feel like locals, so we booked a beautiful apartment called Luxury Apartment CA’ CHIARETTA. Having our own space to relax in after a long day of sightseeing was wonderful. If you prefer the amenities of a hotel, Venice has some of the most stunning, historic boutique hotels in the world.
- Find Your Venice Stay
Have you ever taken a gondola ride in Venice, or is it still on your bucket list?
Read Next: The Ultimate 17-Day Italy & Greece Anniversary Itinerary (Rome to Santorini)