Overview

Start and finish at your city-center lodging. Pace is moderate: mostly walking and vaporetto trips (buy a 72-hour ACTV vaporetto pass if you plan multiple rides). Bring comfortable shoes; many streets are pedestrian-only and bridges have steps.

Day 1 — Classic Venice: St. Mark’s & Rialto

Morning

• Walk from your hotel to Piazza San Marco. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica (skip-the-line ticket recommended) and the Doge’s Palace. Enjoy the atmosphere of the square early to avoid crowds.

Afternoon

• Lunch near San Marco. Stroll to the Rialto Bridge and explore the Rialto Market (fresh produce, fish, and food stalls). Browse nearby Mercerie for Venetian souvenirs and leather goods.

Evening

• Take a short vaporetto or enjoy a gondola/traghetto across the Grand Canal at sunset (optional). Dinner in a small osteria; finish with an evening stroll along the waterfront.

Day 2 — Islands Day: Murano & Burano (crafts focus)

Morning

• Early vaporetto to Murano. Watch a glassblowing demonstration at a working furnace; visit glass ateliers and small museums.

Afternoon

• Vaporetto to Burano. Walk the colorful island, visit lace shops and local ateliers; great photo opportunity and relaxed lunch on the island.

Evening

• Return to central Venice. Explore the quieter sestiere of Cannaregio (Jewish Ghetto) or Campo Santa Margherita for aperitivo and casual dining.

Day 3 — Neighborhoods, Museums & Cicchetti Crawl

Morning

• Start at Rialto Market if you missed it earlier, or head to the Accademia area. Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or Gallerie dell’Accademia depending on interests.

Afternoon

• Explore Dorsoduro’s artisan shops and small galleries; walk the Zattere promenade with views over the Giudecca.

Evening

• Do a cicchetti (Venetian tapas) crawl in Cannaregio or near Rialto: sample small plates and local wines. Finish with a relaxed last-night dinner and a night-time stroll through San Marco or along Fondamenta.

Practical Tips & Recommendations

• Transit: Use ACTV vaporetto lines; a 72-hour pass often saves money for 3-day stays. Keep a printed map or offline map app—addresses can be hard to find.
• Tickets: Book St. Mark’s Basilica entry (if special areas) and Doge’s Palace in advance to avoid long lines.
• Shopping: For authentic Murano glass and Burano lace, buy at workshops/verified studios (ask for provenance). Avoid heavily discounted, mass-produced stalls near major tourist spots if you want originals.
• Food: Try cicchetti (small plates) at bacari for authentic local flavors; reserve for well-known restaurants.
• Accessibility: Many bridges have steps—if mobility is a concern, plan routes along fewer bridges and use vaporetto stops that avoid transfers.
• Safety & Etiquette: Watch for acqua alta (high water) in autumn/winter; carry a light waterproof layer; be respectful of local residents in quiet neighborhoods.

Enjoy Venice: slow your pace, get lost on purpose, and savor the details—craft workshops, small squares, and canalside cafés.