Where to actually go in Venice

Cantina Do Mori

Bar · San Polo (near Rialto)

One of Venice's oldest bacari: cicchetti (small bites) and a small glass of wine standing at the counter.

Best for: a cicchetti crawl

Best time: early evening

Cantine del Vino Già Schiavi

Bar · Dorsoduro

A canal-side wine shop and bacaro with a huge range of cicchetti.

Best for: cicchetti and wine by a canal

Best time: early evening

Dal Moro's

Restaurant · Castello

Fresh pasta to go in a box: one of the cheapest good meals in Venice.

Best for: a cheap lunch

Best time: lunch

Pasticceria Tonolo

Cafe · Dorsoduro

A classic pastry shop with Venetian pastries and coffee at the bar.

Best for: breakfast

Best time: morning

Gelatoteca Suso

Dessert · San Marco (near Rialto)

A popular gelato shop near the Rialto Bridge.

Best for: gelato

Best time: afternoon

St. Mark's Square and Basilica

Sight · San Marco

The great square and the gold-mosaic basilica. Arrive early before the crowds.

Best for: the essential Venice sight

Best time: early morning

Doge's Palace

Museum · San Marco

The Gothic palace of Venice's rulers, with the Bridge of Sighs and the prisons.

Best for: Venice history and art

Booking: Book online to skip the queue.

Best time: morning

Rialto Bridge and market

Sight · San Polo

The famous stone bridge over the Grand Canal and the morning fish and produce market beside it.

Best for: free sights, the market

Best time: morning, for the fish market

Burano island

Activity · Burano (lagoon)

The island of brightly painted fishermen's houses, by vaporetto; outside the access-fee zone.

Best for: the colourful photos, a calmer afternoon

Best time: afternoon

Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop terrace

Viewpoint · Rialto

A free rooftop terrace over the Grand Canal on top of a department store.

Best for: a free Grand Canal view

Booking: Free, but book a time slot online.

Best time: booked slot

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Museum · Dorsoduro

Modern art in a palazzo on the Grand Canal.

Best for: modern art

Best time: morning

Libreria Acqua Alta

Sight · Castello

A bookshop storing books in bathtubs and a gondola, with a staircase made of books.

Best for: a fun photo stop

Best time: afternoon

Traghetto gondola crossing

Activity · several points on the Grand Canal

A cheap stand-up gondola ferry across the Grand Canal: the budget gondola ride.

Best for: riding a gondola for a few euros

Best time: any time

Murano

Activity · Murano (lagoon)

The glass-making island; watch a furnace demonstration.

Best for: glass-blowing

Best time: afternoon

Accademia Bridge

Viewpoint · Dorsoduro / San Marco

A wooden bridge with the classic Grand Canal view toward the Salute church.

Best for: a free sunset

Best time: sunset

Campo Santa Margherita

Area · Dorsoduro

The university square of Venice, with cheap bars and students drinking spritz outside.

Best for: the student night out in Venice

Best time: evening

All'Arco

Bar · San Polo (by the Rialto market)

A tiny bacaro making some of the city's best cicchetti; get one of everything.

Best for: a cicchetti lunch

Best time: lunch

Osteria Al Squero

Bar · Dorsoduro

A bacaro facing one of the last gondola workshops; eat on the canal edge.

Best for: a spritz with a view

Best time: early evening

Al Mercà

Bar · San Polo (Rialto)

A tiny stand-up bar; drink outside in the Rialto square.

Best for: a cheap Rialto drink

Best time: early evening

Il Caffè Rosso

Bar · Campo Santa Margherita

A tiny red bar on the student square, crowds spilling outside.

Best for: a student spritz

Best time: evening

Osteria alla Bifora

Bar · Campo Santa Margherita

A candle-lit wine bar with cicchetti.

Best for: a cosy evening

Best time: evening

Bacaro Jazz

Bar · Cannaregio (near Rialto)

A quirky late bar with a jazz soundtrack.

Best for: a late drink

Best time: late