How to Spend One Day in Venice – The Labyrinth of Waterways

Where ancient structures sit amongst a labyrinth of narrow waterways, here’s what to see and do in Venice in one day.

Ancient structures line narrow waterways, and stunning bridges connect neighbourhoods and open squares across 118 tiny islands that make up this unique UNESCO World Heritage City. Travelling here is like stepping back to an untouched canvas of some of Europe’s most stunning architectural and artistic spaces.

There are plenty of things to do in Venice, the capital of the Northeastern Veneto region of Italy, and of course, it deserves more than 24 hours. But if you are only passing through as part of a larger Italy trip, there is a way to make the best of it. 

Here’s my pick of the top five must-see and local sights to get you started on your first Venice visit. 

Visit Piazza San Marco and Historical Structures

While the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is nothing more than a vast open space, it is a buzzing arena that holds some of Venice’s greatest architectural structures.

From the magnificent mosaic filled church of Basilica di San Marco, the connecting gothic style Doges Palace, the famous limestone Bridge of Sighs (the view from the bridge being the last convicts saw before their imprisonment), and the art collections housed in Museo Correr, Piazza San Marco is the starting point for a day of exploration around some of Venice’s top cultural and historical sights.

Get to Know the Opposite Side of Venice Island

One of the best activities I undertook in Venice was to walk in the complete opposite direction from the main tourist sightseeing hub.

Within 30 minutes, we stumbled across raw, ‘local’ Venice at its best, where hardly any tourists were roaming, where small shops and grocers lined the quiet, narrow waterways, and where the alleyways were older, residential and calm. Nothing but the hum of commotion inside people’s houses and the light trickling of water filled the air. 

Gaze upon the Rialto Bridge

The famous and striking Rialto Bridge is where every visitor wants to get the golden shot. You might be hard-pressed to get a picture of the Rialto Bridge minus the crowds, but Venice’s oldest bridge, out of the four that line the Grand Canal, is still a must-see.

Picture it from afar as you stand alongside the water, capture it skyward as you pass underneath it on a boat taxi, wander over it while being distracted by all the shopping options, or hide amongst the crowd and capture an alternative shot, just like I did.

Take a Ride on a Gondola

I agonised over the decision to ride a Gondola for days because I wasn’t in Venice with a partner, yet it had been a dream for years to experience it. With over 400 in operation today, it is a rite of passage for tourists and a core part of Venetian life.

A 30-minute ride can cost 80 to 100 Euros, with the more lavishly designed gondolas and singing gondoliers commanding higher rates. Fortunately, I managed to gather four friends to share the experience (and cost) with me.

READ MORE: How much is a Gondola Ride in Venice? Why Paying Less Doesn’t Always Pay Off

Find the Local Wine Stores

Remember, you are in Italy, and Venice, with all its grand architectural and scenic charms, is no exception to the great Italian food and drink scene.

As well as gorging on incredible pasta dishes and visiting small gelato stores in the late evening, I absolutely loved the local vino stores in Venice – the kind that comes in an unmarked 1.5 litre plastic water bottle from an old man in a store stocked with nothing more than a few old wine barrels, down a random narrow street. A wine store like no other, with delicious vino from three Euros upwards.

Where to Stay in Venice

Although Venice can be pricey with its vast array of luxurious hotels, there are more cost-effective options, including hostels, B&Bs, and boutique hotels burrowed in historical squares, or in renovated palais properties. If you want a more local experience, think about renting a self-catered apartment in the city and experience life just like the Venetians – away from the everyday tourist bustle. 

Hostel: Generator Venice is one of the best hostel picks, with mixed and female dorms and private rooms. It’s more budget-friendly as it’s based on Giudecca Island, south of Saint Mark’s Square. 

Historic: Canal Grande is a 4-star boutique hotel with prime water views from its historical, classically decorated building. Hotel Antiche Figure is a similar style property on the canal, featuring Murano glass chandeliers. For a quintessential Venetian stay without the grand canal-side price tag, opt for street-set properties like Hotel Mezzo Pozzo or Ai Cherubini, steps from smaller waterways and within a 10-minute walk of the main sights. 

More Time in Venice?

Day Trips from Venice

I spent five days in the city, which I found was a good time to see the main sights, leisurely traverse the city’s winding narrow alleyways and tiny doorways, but be able to add in day trips to the neighbouring islands of the colourful Burano, the glass-making Murano and Lido, home to the Venice Film Festival.

Visit the Veneto Region

Looking to discover more of the Veneto region beyond its capital? Check out my list of the most beautiful places to visit in Veneto, from mountainous valley villages to some of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Italy.