Top 8 activities in Venice

Visiting Venice is like a daydream. You’ll pass from one architectural treasure to the next, never tiring of it, and lift the veil on the secrets of the history of this fabulous city. To add to your sense of wonder and soak up the culture in a different way, a few activities will be most welcome.

Set sail to conquer its fabulous islands, and feast your palate on its generous gastronomy during a culinary course or a gastronomic tour. Drink in the music until the wee hours of the morning… It’s up to you!

You’ll feel the incomparable joie de vivre that permeates the streets of this magical city. As you glide along the Venetian canals in a gondola, you’ll be enveloped in an atmosphere that’s both unreal and romantic. Venice, the Serenissima, is more than an open-air masterpiece. It’s a city to be explored at your own pace – with an almond and cream biscuit in hand – as you take in the many famous sights and authentic activities.

What to do in Venice? 8 ideas for activities

If you’re planning a trip to Venice, you’ll agree that it’s not always easy to work out what to do… Because, even though tourist activities and attractions are everywhere in Venice, most of them overlap and look (too) similar! It’s up to you to pick out the best ones. Otherwise, you can rely on our selection of the best must-do activities typical of Venice to help you make your choice.

1. gondola ride through the canals

Category: €€ / Cultural

Description: Embark on an iconic water excursion around the world. Aboard an enchanting gondola, you will sail in the pure Venetian tradition along the most beautiful part of the Grand Canal and its confidential canals. With the soothing sound of flowing water as your background music, marvel at iconic buildings such as Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, Palazzo Gritti, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and Punta della Dogana. A peaceful ride aboard a gondola is an absolute must during your stay in Venice.

2. Attend the Four Seasons concert at the Vivaldi church

Category: €€ / Unusual / Cultural

Description: Enjoy this extraordinary musical experience in the Venetian church of Santa Maria della Visitazione. This is the very place where the melody was composed by Antonio Vivaldi. The in situ interpretation of the Four Seasons could not be more grandiose! Experience the thrill of listening to Vivaldi’s music in the very place where it was composed.

3. Discover the magic of a glass factory in Burano and Murano

Category: €€ / Cultural

Description: Board a boat from Venice for the islands of Murano and Burano. After the boat trip on the lagoon, you can visit the islands at your leisure and watch a demonstration of the famous Murano glass-blowing process. During this session, you’ll learn the traditional glass-making processes. After the workshop, you can wander through the picturesque streets of Burano, admiring the beautiful colourful houses.

4. Feast on Venetian street food

Category: €€ / Gastronomic

Description: Set off on a delicious culinary tour of the city! From one typical restaurant to another, and then on to the farmers’ markets, the taste experience will be complete. The stalls overflowing with fruit and vegetables will make your mouth water. This visit will allow you to feast like the locals and sample a wide range of culinary specialities. Hot bites, local cheeses, Buranelli biscuits and other ancient cakes will be waiting for you. This culinary stroll will also give you the chance to admire some historic monuments along the way.

5. Make your own carnival mask

Category: €€€ / Unusual / Cultural

Description: Here’s an unusual artistic activity! Take part in this workshop to make an authentic Venetian mask, in the company of a professional mask decorator. You’ll learn the ancient techniques of decorating papier-mâché masks and the history of this tradition. This fun and entertaining workshop is a great way to immerse yourself a little more in the local culture.

6. Be enchanted by the travelling opera at the Grand Canal Palace

Category: €€€ / Unusual

Description: Venice can bewitch you in many ways, but above all through music. As this enchanting activity, based around Italian opera, shows. This show takes place in a historic building on the Grand Canal. Follow the artists through the rooms to hear the different parts of the show in a new setting. You’ll be totally immersed in traditional Venetian music.

7. Learn how to make the best pasta and tiramisu

Category: €€€ / Gastronomic

Description: Venice is the perfect opportunity to sample delicious Italian cuisine. The delicious local specialities will quickly make you want to learn how to make them yourself. Thanks to this private traditional cooking course, your wish will come true. Learn how to make fresh pasta and a delicious tiramisu. To round off the session, enjoy the fruits of your labour over a fine meal accompanied by a glass of wine.

8. Kayak through Venice

Category: €€€ / Sporty

Description: Get ready for a 1h30 kayak trip through the canals of Venice. You’ll be accompanied by a guide determined to show you parts of the city that many visitors don’t know. Slowly make your way along the canals, using your arms to admire the spectacular architecture of Venice. If you’re as close to the water as possible, you’ll have a completely different view. We particularly recommend this activity when the sun is beating down on the city.