Discover our ultimate insider guide for a one-day adventure in Venice! Immerse yourself in the local culture with our handpicked recommendations for the best places to dine, drink, and stay, regardless of your budget. We’ve scoured the city and consulted with our friends and industry experts to bring you the inside scoop on where to go and what to do. Plus, we’ve uncovered the secret to experiencing the Grand Canal like a true Venetian. Make the most of your limited time in the city with our must-do list for a truly authentic experience.
First of all, if you are only staying for the day and plan to take the last train out, we strongly suggest taking a private water taxi to San Marco. Along the way, you’ll see some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Palazzo Ducale, the Ponte dei Sospiri, and the Basilica di San Marco from a wooden boat driving along the Grand Canal. If you are staying overnight, then take the water taxi to your hotel to drop off your luggage and head to San Marco.
A private water taxi ride will give you a unique perspective on the city and allow you to take in the sights and sounds of Venice in a more intimate setting and avoid contributing to the long lines at the Vaporetto (especially in the summer when it’s crowded). These private wooden boats are one of the best locations to take photos from and it’s much more economical than a gondola ride. See why we don’t recommend taking a gondola here. You can also take a water taxi directly from the airport to your hotel.
Once you arrive in San Marco, take some time to explore the area. The Piazza San Marco is arguably the most famous square in Venice and is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Basilica di San Marco and the Campanile di San Marco. Rather than standing in line to get into the basilica, stop in for a coffee or some of the city’s best cicchetti at Quadrino for lunch.
After exploring San Marco, make your way back by walking towards the train station. If you plan to stay overnight, just get lost in the streets and bridges of Venice. Along the way, you’ll pass through many of the city’s charming little piazzas. These small squares are often overlooked by tourists, but they’re a great place to get a glimpse of local life in Venice and admire the city’s ancient architecture in a less crowded environment.
End your day with a glass of natural wine at one of Venice’s many natural wine bars like Vino Vero, or treat yourself to a luxurious experience by having cocktails at the St. Regis Bar before heading back to the train. It’s the perfect way to end your day in Venice.
For dinner, Bepi Antico 54 da Loris is a must. The restaurant is known for its traditional Venetian seafood dishes. Make sure to order a good bottle of wine to earn the owner’s respect, as he is known to be strict with tourists. Some of the must-try dishes include the razor clams straight from the Venetian lagoon and the squid ink pasta, which is the best we’ve ever had.
Day-tripping is not ideal as Venice is small, fragile, and unable to handle mass tourism. Overcrowding and strain on its infrastructure and resources occur due to high volumes of visitors. Day trippers and cruise passengers make daily life difficult for locals and negatively impact the city’s economy by depriving restaurants and hotels of overnight revenue. We strongly recommend you spend the night and enjoy the city after the last train leaves the station. You’ll see Venice in a different way.
Restaurants in Venice
Bepi Antico 54 da Loris, Salizada del Pistor, 4550, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy, +39 041 528 5031, call for reservations
Quadrino, P.za San Marco, 122, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy, +39 049 630303
Vino Vero, Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2497, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy, +39 041 275 0044, no reservations
St. Regis Bar, S. Marco, 2159, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy, +39 041 240 0001
Where to Stay in Venice
We highly recommend spending the night in Venice to experience the magic of Venice once the last train leaves the station. Our hotel recommendations at every price point are:
Hotel L’Orologio, Riva de l’Ogio, 1777, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Il Palazzo Experimental, Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1411, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Ca’di Dio, Riva Ca’ di Dio, 2183, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
The St. Regis Venice, S. Marco, 2159, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Aman Venice, Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo, 1364, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy