Are you looking for the best itinerary for 72 hours in Venice? Read along to learn what the most recommended neighborhoods and landmarks are to visit in this charming Italian city.
Planning a trip to Venice is very exciting! If you’re anything like me, you are here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. Venice is located in the northeastern part of Italy. Known for its charming canals, unique neighborhoods, murano glass, and traditional cuisine, there is so much to see and do in this magical city. This travel guide will give you some ideas of how to make the most of 72 hours in Venice.
You will learn about which neighborhoods to visit, what activities to do including a gondola ride, some restaurant suggestions, and navigation tips. After learning about these places, you are going to be ready for your next Venice travel adventure!
This post is about Life-Changing 72 hours in Venice.
72 Hours in Venice
Day One: Historic Landmarks and Gondola Dreams
If you are arriving in Venice by train, I recommend using the Santa Lucia train station as it is centrally located in the city. Don’t make the same mistake I made and make sure when you book your train tickets that you select the right train station for your needs!
We stayed in an apartment rental in the Cannaregio neighborhood and LOVED it. I highly recommend staying here if you are looking for a more quiet, quaint area with great cafes and restaurants. With a short 10 minute walk from the train station, we found it to be conveniently located and away from tourists.
Once you are settled in, consider going on a walking tour. Many tours are “free” and you pay what you believe the tour is worth at the end. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the new city you are visiting. You’ll get recommendations from the tour guide and quickly see popular landmarks that you may want to go back to later to explore more in depth. Check out Walks of Italy or Guru Walk for free tours.
If you’d rather explore on your own, head straight to St. Mark’s Square, the heart of the city. Marvel at the architectural splendor of St. Mark’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine art, and climb the Campanile for panoramic views of the city. This basilica is iconic and a must see while in Venice.
Next, visit the Doge’s Palace, a symbol of Venetian power and artistry, where you can explore opulent rooms and learn about the city’s fascinating history. This is a landmark that I recommend booking a tour in advance. We had a tour guide and I found it to be super helpful in learning more about Venice’s history.
In the evening, take a gondola ride. While it might seem touristy, gliding through the narrow canals, serenaded by a gondolier, is an undeniably romantic and unforgettable experience. I recommend booking your ride in advance to avoid long wait times, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
Day Two: Island Hopping and Neighborhood Delights
For your second day of 72 hours in Venice, embrace the Venetian way of life by navigating the city’s waterways. Purchase a pass for the vaporetto (water bus), a cost-effective way to travel around the main island and between Murano and Burano. If you want something a bit more private, there are several water taxis available throughout the city.
Another option is to book a day trip through Get Your Guide that includes visits to Murano, the island famous for its glass blowing and Burano, the island known for its colorful houses. It is with visiting both of these cities to learn about the art and history of Venice.
Upon your return from your tours, enjoy dinner at Al Timon. This restaurant is in the Canneregio neighborhood. They offer steak and pasta on the menu. We tried an assortment of meats that included horse! When in Venice, don’t be afraid to be adventurous with your food!
Day Three: Culinary Delights and Farewell Venice
Italy is such a foodie paradise. Each city has its own delicacies! In Venice, you must try cicchetti which are like venetian tapas or small plates. You can find cicchetti in bacaros, traditional wine bars. They are a great way to sample local delicacies like sarde in saor (marinated sardines) and baccalà mantecato (creamed cod). We chose to eat at Cantina do Spade, one of the oldest osteries in Venice, steps away from the Rialto Bridge.
Another regional dish of Venice is the pasta alle vongole (spaghetti with clams). It is so fresh and light! Don’t forget to order a Select Spritz (Venetian Spritz). It is a regional aperitivo made with Select, prosecco, and soda water.
If you have time on your third day of your 72 hours in Venice, I recommend wandering the streets and getting a little lost. The beauty of Venice is that there are no vehicles to get in the way, the architecture is stunning, and all of the canals create a beautiful maze. A good way to get around is to use Google Maps along with your phone’s compass. This helps keep you on track if Google Maps continues to reroute.
72 hours in Venice might seem short, but with careful planning, you can experience the best of this magical city. I actually found that 72 hours was the perfect amount of time to explore everything Venice has to offer. From the iconic landmarks to the hidden gems, from the delicious food to the unique transportation, Venice will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Navigation Tips
- Use your phone’s compass, if it’s available. It can be easy to get lost in Venice because of all of the narrow streets and canals. When you are going from point A to point B, it is often not very direct because of the canals. Sometimes GPS can be difficult to use, so knowing which direction you want to go and using a compass can be helpful.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes! Since Venice doesn’t have any metros or mobile vehicles, you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Use the water bus and taxis to get around the city
- Consider booking your train tickets using the TrainLine app. I find this app to be very user friendly and streamlined, so I prefer it over booking trains directly with each train company’s website.
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