7 (and more) Venice attractions not to be missed

Venice is one of the most famous and popular cities in the world and, certainly, one of the most beautiful in Italy. Every year its center is visited by numerous tourists attracted by the buildings that are reflected in the water, the elegant old buildings and the many museums that house some of the most important art collections in the country. To really get to know this city, a lifetime is not enough, but if this is your first time visiting here are the Venice attractions that you should not miss.

1. Saint Mark’s Square

The heart of Venice is the famous Piazza San Marco. This is the image that comes to mind every time you mention the city.

Before the arrival of the relics of St. Mark and, therefore, before the construction of the imposing basilica, this area was nothing more than a large vegetable garden.

Today the square is overlooked by some of the most important buildings in Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bell Tower, the Doge’s Palace and the Procuratie, the characteristic arcades that surround the square.

As you can imagine, this is the most crowded place in the city. If you want to visit it calmly, however, we’ll let you in on a secret: come here when the sun has set! When darkness arrives the city empties and transforms. St. Mark’s Square is one of those unmissable places in Venice at night!

2. The canals

The lagoon city is crossed by numerous canals, one of the most famous being the Grand Canal that crosses it for 4 km and divides it into two distinct parts. The canal reaches a width of 70 meters and a depth of 5: really impressive, don’t you think?

Among the other canals it is worth mentioning Canale di Cannaregio and Canale della Giudecca.

One of the best ways to explore the Venetian canals is to take a gondola ride. This is a really unmissable experience to do in Venice, but we warn you, it is really very expensive!

Alternatively, you could use the vaporetto.

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3. The bridges of Venice

Famous for its canals, Venice is crossed by numerous bridges.

Among the most important you must absolutely admire the Rialto Bridge, which crosses the Grand Canal, the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the Doge’s Palace to the ancient prisons, the Accademia Bridge and the modern (and controversial) Constitution Bridge built on a project by architect Calatrava.

4. The Academy Galleries

Among the must-see museums in Venice are the Accademia Galleries, an exhibition dedicated to Italian Renaissance painting.

Among the works that are exhibited there you can admire masterpieces by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese, Bellini and Canaletto, but surely the most famous work is the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci. The latter, however, is exposed only on rare occasions so that the light does not ruin it.

The works inside the Gallerie dell’Accademia are so numerous that the complex within which they are housed is made up of several buildings: the church of Santa Maria della Carità, the convent of the Canonici Lateranensi and the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carità.

5. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection

If you love modern art, you must enter Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal. Here, is housed one of the most important collections in the world.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection houses, among others, works by Picasso, Modigliani, Dali, Warhol, Kandinsky and Duchamp.

The entire building was purchased by Peggy Guggenheim to house this enormous collection, which was intended to promote avant-garde art from around the world.

6. La Fenice Theater

The Teatro La Fenice is one of the most important opera houses in the world.

Although two terrible fires have struck and destroyed it over the centuries, this magnificent temple of opera has been rebuilt and has always been reborn.

Here authors such as Rossini, Bellini and Verdi have held some of the most exciting premieres in the history of music.

Today it is possible to visit the theater thanks to interesting guided tours.

7. The Basilica de’ Frari

Finally, do not forget to visit the Basilica de’ Frari, one of the most beautiful and important churches in Venice.

Inside are preserved works and altars of inestimable value: for example you can admire Titian’s Assumption, the Triptych of the Frari and the Madonna Enthroned by Bellini and the Funeral Monument by Antonio Canova.

These are the Venice attractions that, in our opinion, you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

If you want to live an unforgettable experience in the city, after visiting museums and monuments, join us in the Cannaregio district to participate in a Bacaro Tour, a Food Tour of Venice during which you will discover the local gastronomic tradition and the most authentic habits of the Venetians.

We will accompany you to some of the most popular bacari (traditional taverns) in the city to taste, for example, baccalà mantecato, mozzarella in carrozza and sarde in saor while we tell you the history, anecdotes and curiosities about the neighborhood and its surroundings.

We are waiting for you!

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SELENE

A graduate in Literature and Media Communication and Culture, she loves to write and tell stories. She made her first trip when she was only two and a half months old and hasn't stopped since. Each of her trips is accompanied, of course, by several samples of the local cuisine! Today she tells all this and more on her blog "Viaggi che Mangi" and in the meantime writes for other portals.

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