Best things to do in Venice

Start with a gondola ride

One of the most iconic images of arguably Europe’s most iconic city is a gondola being navigated down one of its waterways. In addition, to make your stay perfect, we recommend staying in one of our hotels in Venice. If that is an activity that you’ve always dreamed about ticking off your bucket list then from the rear of the NH Venezia Santa Lucia hotel you can step directly onto one of the famed vessels. 

Forget Main Streets and High Streets, Venice offers you its main artery of the Grand Canal, and whether you go north or south from our docking area you can spend as long as you have taking in the sights on either side of you. Note that an alternative means of travel when not on dry land is via a taxi boat… so you’ll struggle to drag your eyes from the views around you!

'Must see' in Venice

Head towards Calle del Pestrin. You may not be in the water but any walk around Venice will involve crossing over numerous bridges as you traverse the picturesque streets that all add to the Venetian experience. You’ll arrive in Campo Santo Stefano which is a great square to stop and take in a little of the life going on around you. 

Depending on the time of day, grab a coffee there in Caffe Mokaefti or Le Café. If you prefer a sweeter option, among the best things to do in Venice you can have an ice cream at Gelateria Paolin S Stefano. Sit on the terrace and experience the magnificent feeling of finding yourself in a classic 60s movie scene. Having the Chiesa di Santo Stefano in the background is a privilege!

Back onto your feet and we’re going to continue down towards the Grand Canal, passing the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti on the way. As you’ll see, there are plenty of street vendors selling all types of souvenirs if you want to pick up a small gift en route. Cross the water over the Ponte dell’Accademia, a quaint wooden bridge, and share a wave with your fellow tourists on the boats as they pass underneath. 

If you look to the left, another of the obligatory stops within this list on what to do in Venice, is to see the majestic dome of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Then, go down the steps on your left to the Gallerie dell'Accademia. Follow the small streets in a general direction running alongside the canal guided by the clear signs pointing towards the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Hats, bags and unusual looking ornaments and cafés aplenty will tempt you in along the way. There’s also a delightful selection of confectionery in Caffe Poggi dal 1919. Something great about the city of Venice, apart from its obvious magical quality, is that around every corner there is something to see. 

If doing sports is on your list of things to do in Venice, this city offers an endless array of alleys to jog along and strings of beautiful bridges for stair-climbing. You’ll get your muscles going and your heart rate elevated – both great for keeping you healthy! Afterwards, you can relax back at your NH hotel.

A Guggenheim-inspired museum 

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection not only sits upon one of the most famous canals in the world, but features an astonishing assortment of modern art with a focus on Italian and American artists. 

You’ll find Futurism, Cubism, Surrealism and avant-garde sculpture among other works, the ideal way to spark the creative electrons in your mind. Miró, Magritte, Ernst, Modrian and Picasso grace this wonderful exhibition and, popular as it is, don’t let crowds put you off.

The great square of San Marco

After a quick look around the museum, head back out and along the alleyways, keeping the Grand Canal on your left until you see the striking Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, one of the best things to do in Venice in a mandatory way, as we had mentioned before. That dome catches the eye from afar but the octagonal walls around it give this baroque church a unique look. 

Walk around it and just take a moment to absorb the stunning view in front of you before jumping aboard a ferry to escort you over to Piazza San Marco via the Giardini Reali. This, the main square in Venice, takes a little time to digest. 

Stand in its center, mind the pigeons, and slowly rotate while observing all that surrounds you. Napoleon famously referred to it as ‘the drawing room of Europe’ and you can get a feel for its history by just absorbing the architecture of the many and varied structures including Palazzo Ducale and the Campanile di San Marco, the bell tower of the basilica.

Café terraces provide an ideal stopping point for a refreshment. In addition, you’ll likely have some live classical music courtesy of a passing local performer to accompany your thoughts. There is no better place than Piazza San Marco for a coffee or a typical Italian “spritz” cocktail.

Rialto’s iconic crossing 

Heading north, initially via Calle Frezzeria, through more charming walkways, you’ll have more opportunities to pick up a souvenir or gift item in the myriad of shops lining both sides, if shopping is on your list of best things to do in Venice. Those that work there almost always speak English, as well as other languages, and are well used to catering for visitors. 

Another place worthy of mention is Marchini Time, delicious pastries to go with a fresh coffee. Out of interest, something even more delicious is just around the corner, in the form of the Teatro Goldini, where opera, ballet and other lavish plays have been performed since the early 17th century. 

From the theater you are back on another stretch of the winding Grand Canal and will immediately spot the famous Ponte di Rialto. A trip to Venice is not complete without the obligatory photo-shoot of the bridge and after spending some time here you can choose whether to wander back to the hotel or relax again on the water as someone else steers you there. 

Continuing with this guide on what to do in Venice, if you head south of the eastern bank of the Grand Canal, you will find the Dorsoduro district, known for its artisan boutiques, bars, restaurants and the buoyant Campo Santa Margherita just around the corner.

Venice Carnival: luxury, masks and a great spectacle

If by any chance you are going to visit Venice in February, you must celebrate its Carnival. Venetian Carnival is one of those events to which you must go at least once in life, and there is no other place where Carnival is so classy, spectacular and opulent as in the city of canals. 

The Carnival of Venice is unique in the world and its tradition goes back to the eleventh century, although it was not declared public holiday until two centuries later. Venetian Carnival reached its greatest popularity in the eighteenth century when attending it was one of the most important celebrations in the world with lots of aristocrats who came from very different places and, very often, there were also Kings and Queens, Princes and Princess trying to scape from reality.

During the eighteenth century the Carnival lasted for six months, from the first Sunday in October until the beginning of Lent. All along this period, any Venetian dressed up with a sort of black coat called “tabarro” and with a white mask, the “bauta”, and everything was permitted, no social hierarchies respected so people could intrude into the aristocracy or mock the authorities. With the occupation of Venice by Napoleon’s army, Carnival was banned for fear that conspiracies were generated during those days.

Venice was transformed into a theatrical setting for authentic performances and theatre plays where dances, songs and love were the libertine protagonists. Over time, the simple black costume and white mask became authentic costumes, giving a chance to personal imagination and creativity. Dresses were often inspired by the characters of the Comedy Theatre, the most famous was the character called “Mattaccino”. With the beginning of the Industrial revolution, the carnival was losing its popularity until 1979 when a group of Venetians recovered the tradition.

If you want to experience how is to feel like an aristocrat you don’t need to dress up so don’t worry about customs. The vast majority of tourists don’t dress up or wear a mask. In case you feel inspired by the atmosphere you can always purchase a typical mask at the thousands of shops and street stalls around Venice.

Dining the Venetian way

Not far from our hotel lies the magnificent Teatro la Fenice, a must-see within this list of the best things to do in Venice if you're on a large budget. Next to it is Antico Martini, a restaurant that focuses on traditional Venetian cuisine, this former coffee house has become famous for its wonderful meat and fish dishes in what is a relatively intimate environment.

If the weather is good then book ahead and try to get an exclusive seat on their terrace. Excellent food followed by the opera, that’s one way to impress. 

Talking of impressive, if elegance is being craved then put on your best threads and head along to Ristorante Alle Corone – we can book a table in advance for you. As well as the plush surroundings that you’ll find yourself in, the key to their reputation lies in the sophisticated touch they give to their local dishes. 

You will choose from a seasonal menu and the waiting staff will be more than happy to guide you as to which of their many wines will best complement the cuisine. The restaurant is located just a few minutes south of the Rialto Bridge. On the other side of the Grand Canal to the south bend sits Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti. Hidden in the streets of Dorsoduro, your taste buds are in for a treat as the chefs get to work on the day’s specialties. A small glass of Chianti or Dolcetto along with the varied cicchetti provided can also make for the ideal snack stop as you check out the area. 

You will see that the city is full of eateries for all tastes and budgets so just ask at the hotel and we can point you in the desired direction.

A perfect ending 

If among the best things to do in Venice, you want to get a taste of the “real” Venice, choose to stay in the newly-opened Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel: a renovated 1950’s hotel with a contemporary, geometric design. It’s located in the authentic and less-touristy Dorsoduro neighborhood, which is still just a few minutes’ walk from the Grand Canal. 

A stone’s throw away from the hotel, enjoy the upbeat atmosphere of Campo Santa Margherita, a large square that’s popular among locals and the best place in the area for a well-priced drink. Plus, you can’t end your trip without visiting the Ca’Rezzonico palace museum and its ornate ceilings, paintings, and artifacts.

If you choose to stay in during your trip, take advantage of Avani Venezia Rio Novo’s views of the canal, the Venice skyline, and the lush hotel garden, all while enjoying Italian fine dining and drinks at the hotel’s restaurant and bar.