Katie and Pierce
Planning two days in Venice can feel overwhelming with so many famous sights packed into such a small area. This itinerary balances the must-see attractions with authentic local experiences that most tourists miss completely. You’ll learn how to beat the crowds, save money, and see both the postcard-perfect Venice and the neighborhoods where real Venetians live and work.
Venice welcomes 20 million visitors every year into just 2.5 square miles of floating city. While that creates challenges, the right planning helps you skip the worst tourist traps and long lines. This guide focuses on optimal timing, hidden local spots, and genuine experiences that will make your Venice trip memorable for all the right reasons.
Before You Go: Venice Planning Essentials
Getting ready for Venice takes a bit of planning, especially with new fees and transportation options in 2025. Here’s everything you need to know before you arrive.
New Tourist Fees for 2025
Venice now charges day visitors €5 (if you book 4+ days ahead) or €10 (last minute) on 54 specific dates between April 18th and July 27th, from 8:30am to 4pm. Hotel guests don’t pay this fee since you already pay a tourist tax with your accommodation. Book at cda.veneziaunica.it and get a QR code to show if checked.
Getting Around Venice
Venice’s water buses (vaporettos) are your main transportation. Here are the best options and money-saving tips.
Individual vaporetto rides cost €9.50 each, so grab a 24-hour pass for €24 instead. If you’re under 30, get the Rolling Venice Pass for €6 plus a 3-day transport pass for only €22. From the airport, take the ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma (€10, 30 minutes).
Photo Tips and Avoiding Crowds
The secret to great Venice photos and a peaceful experience is all about timing. These strategies will help you beat the crowds and get those perfect shots.
Wake up at 6:30am for empty famous spots and beautiful morning light. Most tourist attractions are basically empty before 8:30am, letting you take perfect photos without crowds. Bring a wide-angle lens for narrow streets and rain protection since weather changes quickly.
Day 1: Famous Sights Plus Hidden Local Spots
Your first day balances the must-see Venice icons with authentic local experiences. Start early to beat the crowds and end with real Venetian nightlife.
6:30 AM: Sunrise at St. Mark’s Square
Starting your two days in Venice itinerary this early gives you the world’s most famous square almost to yourself. The morning light creates incredible shadows through the basilica’s arches, and you can take perfect photos without crowds. This experience is completely free and absolutely magical.
7:30 AM: Local Breakfast at Pasticceria Tonolo
This 100-year-old bakery is where Venice locals start their day with authentic pastries and coffee. Their krapfen (Venetian donuts) are incredible, and the atmosphere feels completely different from tourist cafes. Stand at the bar like locals do to save money. Location: Crosera San Pantalon, 3764. Cost: €5-8 per person.
8:30 AM: St. Mark’s Basilica (Get There First)
Being first in line when the basilica opens is one of the smartest moves you can make. The gold mosaics catch morning light beautifully, and you’ll avoid the crushing afternoon crowds. Pay the extra €7-10 for the terrace to see the famous bronze horses and get amazing square views. Cost: €3 entrance plus extras.
10:00 AM: Doge’s Palace
Buy skip-the-line tickets online before your trip because regular lines are brutal. This palace was Venice’s power center for 1,000 years, with incredible art by masters like Tintoretto. Don’t miss the Bridge of Sighs and Giant’s Staircase. Plan at least two hours here. Cost: €20 with online discounts available.
12:30 PM: Real Local Lunch
Choose between All’Arco, a tiny standing bar near Rialto where locals eat, or Cantina Do Spade (since 1462), Venice’s oldest restaurant. Try baccalà mantecato (creamed cod) or sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines). Cost: €15-25 per person.
2:00 PM: Rialto Bridge and Market Area
Check out the fish market for authentic local life, then walk under the Rialto Bridge for canal views without crowds. The hidden gem here is T Fondaco rooftop terrace with spectacular Grand Canal views for free. Location: Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi.
3:30 PM: Cannaregio District Walk
This neighborhood shows real Venetian life away from tourism. Walk Fondamenta Misericordia for canal-side wine bars and visit the Jewish Ghetto, the world’s first, with important historical significance.
5:30 PM: Venice’s Secret Instagram Spot
That famous pier photo with the bridge background is behind Hotel San Moise. Search “Dernamaria Srl” on Google Maps. Much quieter than main tourist photo spots with great afternoon lighting.
6:30 PM: Happy Hour at Cantina Schiavi
This famous wine bar lets you sit canal-side with feet dangling over water. Try an authentic Aperol Spritz (invented in Venice) with crostini. Perfect atmosphere for evening relaxation. Location: Fondamenta Nani, 992. Cost: €3-6 per drink.
8:30 PM: Dinner in Dorsoduro
This artsy neighborhood has authentic restaurants away from tourist traps. Try Osteria ai Do Farai or La Bitta for traditional Venetian dishes like seafood risotto or fegato alla veneziana. Cost: €30-45 per person.
10:00 PM: Evening Photography Walk
Venice at night becomes magical with atmospheric lighting and peaceful canals. Tourist crowds disappear, leaving you with dramatic photo opportunities. Best spots include Ponte dell’Accademia and quiet Castello squares.
Day 2: Islands and Art Treasures
Day two takes you beyond Venice’s main island to see colorful Burano and glass-making Murano. You’ll also experience authentic Venetian bar culture and get some final amazing photos.
8:00 AM: Breakfast at Pasticceria Colussi
Different neighborhood, same authentic local feeling. Try their zaeti (traditional Venetian cookies) with your morning coffee. Cost: €6-10 per person.
9:00 AM: Peggy Guggenheim Collection
World-class modern art in a Grand Canal palazzo featuring Picasso, Pollock, and Dalí. The sculpture garden is beautiful for photos, and Peggy is actually buried here with her dogs. Early morning means better lighting and fewer crowds. Cost: €16.
11:00 AM: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
This baroque masterpiece sits at the Grand Canal entrance with stunning architecture. Free entry and peaceful atmosphere. Best photos are from Ponte dell’Accademia looking down the canal.
12:00 PM: Murano and Burano Island Trip
Take Line 12 from Fondamente Nove using your 24-hour pass. Murano features incredible glassblowing demonstrations (€7) and the beautiful Church of San Donato with 12th-century mosaics. Spend 2 hours here.
Burano is the most Instagram-worthy spot in Venice with incredibly colorful houses. The colors help fishermen identify homes from the lagoon. Traditional lace-making workshops show incredible craftsmanship. Spend 2-3 hours here. Lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero or grab bussolà cookies locally.
5:00 PM: Back to Venice
The return boat ride gives beautiful city views from the lagoon.
6:00 PM: Castello District Walk
Venice’s largest neighborhood where locals actually live. Via Garibaldi is unusually wide for Venice with a great local atmosphere. Find hidden gems like Acqua Bookstore with books piled to the ceiling.
7:30 PM: Venetian Bar Hopping (Cicchetti Crawl)
Experience “andare per bacari” (bar hopping) like locals do. Visit Bar All’Arco (crostini specialists), Cantina Do Mori (oldest wine bar from 1462), and Al Timon (floating boat seating). Just point and say “per favor” to order. Cost: €20-30 per person for all three stops.
9:30 PM: Dinner OR Continue Bar Hopping
Either try Antiche Carampane (hidden gem with no sign) for traditional dinner or continue with cicchetti for a full meal with 6-8 small plates.
11:00 PM: Night Photography
Venice transforms at night with dramatic lighting and peaceful canals. Best spots include the Rialto Bridge area and random Castello squares for intimate shots.
How to Save Money in Venice
Venice has a reputation for being expensive, but smart travelers know how to find great experiences without breaking the bank. Here’s how to stretch your budget while still having an amazing time.
Free Experiences
St. Mark’s Square, church exteriors and many interiors, authentic neighborhoods, T Fondaco rooftop terrace, Rialto Market browsing, and photography walks all cost nothing.
Smart Money Tips
Rolling Venice Pass (under 30) saves enormous money. Book attractions online for 10-20% discounts. Aperitivo hours (6-8pm) include free snacks with drinks. Choose cicchetti over restaurants for authentic and cheaper experiences. Use vaporetto day pass for islands. Completely avoid St. Mark’s Square restaurants.
Worth the Splurge
Doge’s Palace (€20), gondola ride (split among up to 6 people), one excellent dinner, and authentic Murano glass directly from artisans.
Best Times to Visit Venice
Timing your Venice trip can make a huge difference in crowds, weather, and costs. Each season brings different advantages and challenges.
- Spring (April-May): Great weather, manageable crowds, blooming flowers
- Summer (June-Aug): Most crowded and hottest, but longest days
- Fall (Sept-Nov): Best time with fewer crowds, dramatic light, possible acqua alta
- Winter (Dec-Mar): Cheapest, atmospheric fog, Carnival season, unpredictable weather
Photography Tips for Your Venice Trip
Venice is one of the world’s most photogenic cities, but getting great shots takes some planning. These tips will help you capture both famous landmarks and hidden gems.
Essential Gear
Wide-angle lens for narrow streets, lightweight tripod for early morning/evening shots, rain protection for changing weather.
Best Times
Golden hour (1 hour before sunset), early morning (6:30-8:30am) for empty spots, blue hour (30 minutes after sunset), foggy mornings for atmosphere.
Creative Ideas
Shoot reflections in canals, capture laundry lines in residential areas, use bridges and archways for framing, find leading lines with waterways.
Why This Two Days in Venice Itinerary Works
This itinerary is different from typical Venice guides because it combines insider knowledge with practical planning. Here’s what makes it special.
The timing recommendations are based on actual local photographer knowledge rather than general travel advice. Starting days at 6:30am gives you iconic locations to yourself versus fighting crowds for mediocre photos. The focus on authentic experiences like cicchetti crawls shows you Venice as a living city rather than just a tourist destination.
The strategic island visits maximize time and photo opportunities while minimizing crowded boat frustrations. Money-saving tips use actual local knowledge about things like the Rolling Venice Pass rather than generic budget advice.
Final Tips for Your Venice Trip
These last-minute reminders will help you avoid common Venice mistakes and make the most of your visit. Keep these tips handy while you’re walking around the city.
Download offline maps because GPS is unreliable in narrow streets. Always carry cash since many small wine bars don’t accept cards. Pack comfortable walking shoes for 15,000+ daily steps on uneven stones. Don’t overplan every minute because the best discoveries happen spontaneously. Be respectful of local customs like not sitting on bridge steps.
This two days in Venice itinerary gives you the complete experience balancing must-see attractions with authentic local culture. You’ll understand why people fall in love with this floating city and appreciate both its incredible beauty and unique way of life. While two days might seem short, this plan packs in experiences that many visitors miss entirely, giving you memories that will last a lifetime.
