EXPLORING VENICE
Venice is a sightseeing paradise for people of all ages. To make the most of a holiday and see the best the city has to offer, here are some time-efficient ideas for both two- and four-day stays.
Two Days in Venice
Day 1
Start off at the marvellous Basilica di San Marco before wandering around the Piazza San Marco. The Campanile tower gives a superb view over the city.
A visit to the Doge’s Palace can be followed by a laid-back ride on a vaporetto all the way up the glorious Grand Canal past many elegant palazzi and under the Accademia and Rialto bridges.
Day 2
Begin with Venetian art at the Accademia Galleries before strolling through to Campo Santa Margherita for a bite to eat.
It’s a short walk to the Venetian Gothic masterpiece Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and, from there, on to the lovely Campo San Polo square with its great neighbourhood feel.
Four Days in Venice
Day 1
The natural place to start any visit is the magnificent main square, Piazza San Marco. Visit the panoramic Campanile or the Torre dell’Orologio (booking essential), then have a coffee at the legendary – but expensive – Caffè Florian. Refreshed, head into the Basilica di San Marco to wonder at the ancient mosaics.
After lunch, take time to explore the Doge’s Palace, once the powerhouse of the Maritime Republic. Don’t miss the Bridge of Sighs and the dank prisons.
Day 2
Catch a vaporetto at Piazzale Roma or the railway station for the spectacular trip along the Grand Canal, passing beneath Rialto Bridge. Alight at Salute to visit the Punta della Dogana.
After lunch on the sun-blessed Zattere, backtrack to see the impressive Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Day 3
Make an early start to enjoy the best of The Rialto, a fish and produce market, which is open mostly in the morning. It’s then just a short walk to the church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture.
Campo Santa Margherita is a bustling square with inviting cafés and restaurants ideal for lunch. After you have eaten, proceed to the Accademia Galleries for an overview of Venetian painting through the centuries.
Day 4
Take a leisurely ferry trip over the Northern Lagoon to the island of Torcello, where you can admire the Byzantine mosaics in the Basilica. Then continue to neighbouring Burano or Mazzorbo for lunch.
Pick up a ferry to take you cruising via Treporti and Punta Sabbioni to the Lido for a trip to the beach. Afterwards, head back to Venice proper.