Planning a 1 day trip to Venice can be an exciting experience, and here’s a suggested itinerary to make the most of your time:
Early morning:
Depart from Florence: Take an early morning train from Florence to Venice. Trains run regularly from Santa Maria Novella (Florence SMN) station and take around 2 hours to reach Venice’s Santa Lucia station.
In the morning:
Arrive in Venice: On arrival in Venice, head straight for the historic centre. You can either walk or take a vaporetto (water bus) from Santa Lucia station to the heart of Venice, depending on your preference and proximity to your desired destinations.
St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco): Start your day with a visit to St Mark’s Square, the iconic heart of Venice. Marvel at the stunning architecture of St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and the Campanile. Take time to soak up the lively atmosphere and perhaps enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes that line the square.
Midday:
Explore the canals: Venice is famous for its intricate network of canals, so take some time to explore them by walking through the narrow streets and crossing the picturesque bridges. You could also take a gondola ride for a quintessential Venetian experience, although this can be expensive and take up much of your time.
Lunch:
Lunch: Indulge in some Venetian cuisine at one of the local trattorias or osterias. Try traditional dishes such as sarde in saor (marinated sardines), risotto al nero di seppia (squid ink risotto) or cicchetti (Venetian-style tapas). For a more authentic dining experience, avoid the tourist traps around St Mark’s Square.
Trip to Venice is something you must do if you are visiting Italy. This is the place, where every street and building has the story of its own. There is no other place in the world, with same number of amazing architecture samples and stunning seaviews. Book your 1 day trip to Venice and you will be inspired by the atmosphere of this amazing place.
Afternoon:
Rialto Bridge and Market: Walk to the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most famous landmarks. Admire the view of the Grand Canal from the bridge before exploring the nearby Rialto Market, where you can find fresh produce, seafood and other local goods.
Dorsoduro or Cannaregio: Depending on your interests, spend the afternoon exploring the Dorsoduro or Cannaregio neighbourhoods. Dorsoduro is known for its art galleries, museums (such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection) and charming canals, while Cannaregio offers a more local atmosphere with its residential streets and hidden gems.
In the evening:
Return to Florence: Return to Santa Lucia station in the late afternoon or early evening to catch the train back to Florence. Be sure to check train schedules in advance to avoid missing your return journey.
Other tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes as Venice is best explored on foot.
- Buy a Venezia Unica card or a Vaporetto pass for convenient transport around the city.
- Be aware of pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist areas.
- Take time to get lost in Venice’s labyrinthine streets and discover hidden corners away from the main tourist routes.
With this itinerary, you’ll be able to see the highlights of the 1 day trip to Venice, making the most of your time in this enchanting city.
Is 1 day enough for visiting Venice?
While a 1 day trip to Venice can give you a taste of the charm and beauty of the city, it’s important to note that Venice is a destination with a myriad of attractions and hidden gems that deserve more time to be fully explored. Spend a day or more exploring Venice’s rich history, culture and unique ambience.
However, if you only have one day, you can still experience many of Venice’s highlights and iconic landmarks, such as St Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. You’ll have the chance to wander the enchanting streets, sample Venetian cuisine and soak up the magical atmosphere of this floating city.
Bear in mind, however, that with just one day you’ll probably only scratch the surface of what Venice has to offer, and you may find yourself rushing to see as much as possible. Also, the limited time may limit your ability to explore off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods and attractions.
It’s important to prioritise your must-see sights and plan your itinerary accordingly if you can’t extend your visit beyond one day. Consider concentrating on the most iconic landmarks and areas of interest, and be prepared to make the most of your time by starting early and maximising your daylight hours.
Ultimately, while a 1 day trip to Venice can be an unforgettable experience, if circumstances allow, consider allowing more time to truly immerse yourself in the city’s captivating atmosphere and explore its many treasures at a more leisurely pace.
More about Venice
Venice was built just 4 km from the shore on 118 islands.
Venice is also a big port city with a population of 350 thousand people. The city is connected with continent by a 4 km railroad and bridge.
Venice is the city of bridges and channels. The islands are separated from each other by 160 channels and connected by 400 bridges.
No one travels by car in Venice. If you are traveling by car and intend to make a trip to Venice, leave your car at a huge parking lot Piazza Roma, at the entrance to the city.
Boats and gondolas are the main means of transport in Venice.
The best way to explore Venice and visit all the narrow old streets and squares are walking tours. You can combine walking around the city with a trip by gondola in Venice.
The city was founded in 811 B.C. and by the end of the 15th century a tiny village turned into a powerful state of Europe – The Republic of Venice (Italian: Repubblica di Venezia).
It had influence over several regions of Italy and local lords were considered almost the most reach and respectful people of the Middle Ages Europe.
Venice is also an important cultural center. Famous Biennale of the modern Art, world known cinema festival are held in Venice.
There are several islands in Venice lagoon:
Lido island, located 2 km from San Marko Square. During summer time the Lido island turns into a luxury resort with beautiful sandy beaches from the seaside, shady alleys and casinos. All spectrum of entertainments is in one place. Lots of art exhibitions, international cinema, theater and music festivals are regularly arranged in Lido island.
Murano island is world known for production of Venetian glass.
Burano island is the island of fishermen, and also known for its lacework and a number of beautifully colored homes.
If someone wants to change a color of their home, it is required to send official request to the local authorities. After consideration of the request a certain color for the house will be approved.
Torchello island is a cradle of the Venetian civilization. This is a serene piece of land with the population of about 100 people and number of stunning art pieces, which are still well preserved.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Church of Santa Fosca, and Devils Bridge are the main attractions of the Torchello island.
San Michele island – is the old cemetery of Venice, famous by its history and people who are buried here – Diaghilev, Stravinsky, Greek and Russian princesses.
In 1807 it was decided that due to unsanitary conditions in Venice, San Michele island will become a cemetery after being a prison location for a number of years.