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Italy · Trip plan

3 days in Venice

Misty canals without the crowds, and the masked Carnival in February.

Best time
Nov – Mar
Ideal length
3 days
A day, mid-range
$260 per person
Trip for two
about $1,560

Planning a 3-day trip to Venice? Here's a day-by-day Venice itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

Winter Venice is quiet and atmospheric, and the Carnival of Venice fills the city with masks and costumes for two weeks before Lent (February).

Venice is a city of 118 islands linked by canals and bridges, with no cars, a thousand years of history and a famous Carnival.

  1. Jan: a good time to go
  2. Feb: a good time to go
  3. Mar: a good time to go
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov: a good time to go
  12. Dec: a good time to go

Winter: 0–9°C, misty.

Create my Venice trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Venice

  • 01

    St Mark's Square

    The Basilica and the Campanile.

  • 02

    Doge's Palace

    The Bridge of Sighs and secret itineraries.

  • 03

    Carnival

    Masked balls and costumes in February.

  • 04

    Burano

    Colourful fishermen's houses.

Day by day

Venice itinerary for 3 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: St Mark's

    Morning
    Visit St Mark's Basilica, glowing with gold mosaics, then climb the Campanile for views over the lagoon.
    Afternoon
    Tour the Doge's Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs into the old prisons.
    Evening
    Cicchetti crawl through Cannaregio's bacari bars with a spritz.

    Book the Basilica's skip-the-line entry.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Canals and Carnival

    Morning
    Ride vaporetto line 1 the full length of the Grand Canal.
    Afternoon
    Rialto market and the art of Dorsoduro, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
    Evening
    Carnival events and masked balls in February, or a gondola ride at dusk.

    Gondola fares are fixed; agree the time before boarding.

  3. D3

    Day 3: Burano and home

    Morning
    Boat to Murano's glass furnaces and Burano's colourful fishermen's houses.
    Afternoon
    Lunch of risotto in Burano.
    Evening
    Water bus to the airport and fly home.

    Allow extra time for water transport.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Venice in 2, 3 or 5 days

2 days in Venice

Follow days 1 to 2 above and leave out “Burano and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

5 days in Venice

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Florence & Tuscany.

What it costs

Venice trip budget

StylePer person, a day3 days for two
Budget$130$780
Mid-range$260$1,560
Luxury$700+$4,200

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Venice is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Venice for every budget

  • Budget

    Hotels in Mestre

    Mestre

    Cheaper, 10 minutes by train.

    from $80 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Hotels in Cannaregio

    Cannaregio

    Quieter and local.

    from $220 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Gritti Palace

    Grand Canal

    A Doge's palace.

    from $900 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Venice

  • Cicchetti

    Venetian tapas in bacari bars.

  • Sarde in saor

    Sweet-sour sardines.

  • Spritz

    Born in the Veneto.

Getting there

How to reach Venice

Travel
Marco Polo airport, then a water bus or taxi; trains to Santa Lucia station.
Getting around
Walk and vaporetto water buses.
  • Day-trippers pay an access fee on peak days.
  • Acqua alta (high water) can flood St Mark's in winter.

Before you go

What to pack for Venice

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Venice trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Venice?

3 days are enough to see the highlights: St Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, Carnival. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 3-day Venice trip cost?

Roughly $130 a day per person on a budget, $260 mid-range and $700+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,560 for 3 days.

What is the best time to visit Venice?

Nov – Mar. Winter Venice is quiet and atmospheric, and the Carnival of Venice fills the city with masks and costumes for two weeks before Lent (February).

Where should I stay in Venice?

Budget: Hotels in Mestre (Mestre), from about $80 a night. Mid-range: Hotels in Cannaregio (Cannaregio), from about $220 a night. Luxury: Gritti Palace (Grand Canal), from about $900 a night.

How do I reach Venice?

Marco Polo airport, then a water bus or taxi; trains to Santa Lucia station.

Is 2 days enough for Venice?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 2 of the itinerary above and skip "Burano and home". 3 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Venice?

Winter: 0–9°C, misty.

What food should I try in Venice?

Cicchetti: Venetian tapas in bacari bars. Sarde in saor: Sweet-sour sardines. Spritz: Born in the Veneto.

How do I get around Venice?

Walk and vaporetto water buses.

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