Venice is known for being expensive, but we’re here to guide you through your trip. Our pick of the best things to do in Venice for every budget will let you enjoy the city’s highlights, whatever your spending power!
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The Best Free Things To Do in Venice
Yes, you can do things for free in Venice! Soak up the magic of the city without spending a cent with these activities.
Stroll the streets
In any city, strolling the streets and soaking up the atmosphere is something you can do for free – and in a place like Venice, well it’s absolutely magic.
Whether you’re wandering along a calm canal, ducking and diving through narrow calle (streets) or mingling with the crowds in St Mark’s Square – you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a postcard, or a movie set.
Venice has lots of signs directing you to main spots like St Marks or the Rialto, so you can actually embrace getting lost and just go for it – soon enough you’ll find the yellow signs that will point you home.
Snap the famous Grand Canal view
One of Venice’s most famous views can be seen from a spot that costs nothing to get to.
Head for the Accademia Bridge to get that Insta-perfect shot of the Grand Canal – the main one that runs through the centre of Venice. You get gorgeous views and it’s a moment where you think, wow I’m really here!
Sunset is a good time to go, when the sky starts to put on a show – or early morning, so you can skip the crowds.
Check out the Rialto Market
Rialto Market is a little slice of everyday life – despite being bang next to one of the city’s biggest attractions, Rialto Bridge. You’ll find colourful fruit and veg stalls, piles of fresh seafood and both Venetians and tourists doing their grocery shop.
It’s best in the morning when things are busiest – after lunch the vendors start to pack up as they’ve sold all their produce for the day. You don’t need to buy – just enjoy the vibes.
Visit on the first Sunday of the month
On the first Sunday of every month, some of the state-run museums in Venice have free entry. This includes art galleries like Gallerie dell’Accademia and Ca’ Pisaro.
Now let’s be real – it’s going to be BUSY – but if you just need a little hit of culture and you don’t like to spend too long in any one museum, it’s a good way to check things out.
Pop into a church
Most churches in Venice actually charge an entry fee, but there are a few free ones – so it’s a good way to see some of the city’s architecture for nothing! Try…
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute – the iconic church you can see from the Accademia bridge
San Giacomo di Rialto – beside the Rialto, and one of the oldest churches in Venice
San Giorgio Maggiore – the big church you can see on St Giorgio island
The Best Affordable Things To Do in Venice
Venice has plenty of things to do and enjoy that won’t blow your budget – from galleries to cafes there’s plenty to do that doesn’t cost a bomb.
Take a gondola (yes really)
Did you know there’s a gondola hack, where you can ride one for just €2? There are a few spots from where you can catch a kind of gondola shuttle.
It’s because there are only a few bridges spanning the Grand Canal – so this provides an alternative way to get across. This type of gondola is called a traghetto, and it only costs €2 – it’s not fancy, but you can say you’ve ridden one!
Find out more about how to ride a traghetto over in our Ways To Save Money in Venice article.
Have a coffee
If you’ve been to Italy before you might know a bit about their coffee culture. Basically it’s very common to order a coffee and drink it standing at the bar – it won’t cost you more than a few euros.
However, if you want to sit at a table and drink your coffee, you’ll find that same drink can cost you a lot more – and you could be waiting a LONG time for a free table. Somewhere like Venice, it’s a good idea to save your coins by enjoying your coffees on the hoof – try somewhere like Cafe Rosso in Dorsoduro.
Go inside St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica is the huge church that dominates St Mark’s Square, and inside it’s seriously impressive. Gold mosaics shimmer everywhere and there’s so much intricate art, woodwork and marble to see from the moment you step inside. You can buy a ticket (€10 / £8.70) on the door, but booking online will help you dodge the queues.
Shop for groceries in a historic theatre
Despar Teatro Italia in Cannaregio is a supermarket that was once a theatre – and you can still see the historic decor inside. So if you fancy a bit of a unique experience, head there to do your food shop.
Arrive by boat
There’s nothing quite like experience of arriving in Venice by boat – and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.
Watching the island’s iconic buildings hove into view is pretty special. Plus it feels a bit timeless – you can almost imagine all the people that have arrived in Venice like this over the years.
A public water taxi from Marco Polo Airport to St Mark’s Square takes 1 hour 15 mins, and costs from €18 (£15.60) one way.
Go up San Giorgio bell tower
Venice’s most famous bell tower – St Mark’s – costs €15 to go up. Now that’s fairly affordable, but our tip is to swap it for another bell tower that’s just as impressive and even cheaper.
Just 8€ will get you a ticket to go up the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore church on San Giorgio island. Plus, you get to see St Mark’s tower as part of the panoramic views. If you luck out with a clear day you can even see as far as the snowy Dolomites – it’s just breathtaking!
See world-famous art collections
Venice is bursting at the seams with amazing art – whether that’s historic masterpieces by famous artists or newer works that are part of the modern art scene here. Here are our picks of places to visit.
Guggenheim Collection
The Venice outpost of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection houses famous modern art works in a lovely historic palazzo with gardens and a terrace that faces the Grand Canal.
Ca'Rezzonico
Ca’Rezzonico is a historic palazzo on the Grand Canal with a collection of stunning paintings, sculptures, furniture and more.
Querini Stampalia
Querini Stampalia museum contains the personal art and book collection of a wealthy local family – you can see historic paintings, carpets, ceramics and more.
Palazzo Grassi and Punta Della Dogana
These two buildings hold a rotating selection of works from the huge modern art collection of Francois Pinault (a billionaire businessman that owns brands like YSL and Gucci). If you’re into your contemporary art you won’t want to miss it.
Visit Burano and Murano
The islands of Burano and Murano are well worth a mooch during your Venice trip. The most cost-effective way to see them is to get a 24h water taxi ticket and do both visits within that time frame.
Burano has gorgeous colourful painted houses and a museum about its lacemaking tradition. On Murano you can visit the glass museum and even watch glassblowers at work.
The Best Luxury Things To Do in Venice
If you’re ready to splash out, Venice knows how to deliver – make your trip super bougie with some of these luxe activities.
Ride in a gondola
Ok we’re talking a proper romantic gondola ride now! It might be touristy – not to mention expensive – but it’s an iconic thing to do that’s uniquely Venice. Especially if you’re visiting with your other half.
Prices for gondola tours are actually set at €90 for 30 minutes during the day, and €110 for 35 minutes in the evenings/ night time. One way to save on this cost is to split the ride with some other people – most gondolas can take up to 5 people.
Now gondolas don’t come cheap, but the memories will last long after you step back on dry land. Be aware that gondoliers will probably charge you extra to sing or serenade you, and the prices above are minimums – you might find yourself bartering to get to that price. If you struggle, show this page on the city’s official website which sets out the minium tariffs.
Sip a Bellini in Harry's Bar
Did you know that the Bellini cocktail – champagne and peach juice – was created in Venice? Harry’s Bar on St Mark’s Square is credited with being the birthplace of this famous tipple, and has been around for almost 100 years!
A Bellini here costs €22 (£19.10) – yes it’s pricey, although similar to what you’d pay in a lot of centrally-located, top-rated bars across Europe. As well as the OG spot in St Mark’s, they have a second outpost on Giudecca island.
Base yourself on Giudecca island
Speaking of Guidecca, basing yourself here – just south of Venice’s main island – is pretty perfect. You’re tucked away, so it feels exclusive, and you get epic views back towards the city itself. It feels a bit like Venice is in your own back yard – all laid out for you to enjoy.
If you’re rich, then you’ll happily splurge on a room at Hotel Cipriani where rooms start at £1,500 per night. Otherwise, the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice has more realistic prices – a springtime stay starts at around £240 per night – and its even cheaper in winter. Both hotels have a shuttle boat service to whisk you over to the mainland in about 15 minutes.
Stay in a palace
Venice has some incredibly fancy hotels to satisfy the most luxury of travellers. So why not choose a real life palace for a fairytale stay in this magical city? Try one of these…
- NH Collection Grand Hotel Palazzo Dei Dogi from £200 per night
- Sina Centurion Palace from £300 per night
- Palazzo Venart from £550 per night
Have A Magical Venice Stay With These Things To Do In Venice For Every Budget
If you’ve got a Venice trip booked, then make the most of it with our best things to do in Venice for every budget. Venice can be surprisingly affordable if you plan your trip well, and you might even end up with some spare cash to splurge on a treat or two!
