Photo: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.02 Days in Venice: The Romantic First-Timer's Itinerary
Venice's greatest hits in 48 hours: St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, gondola rides and cicchetti crawls. Designed for first-time couples who want romance without the crowds, with where to stay and how to get around.
Pick a style, a budget and a pace — the route and days below re-plan themselves.
6 stops · 4 meals · 1 hotelThis is the editor’s pick.
2 days, 2 neighborhoods
Each day takes one part of Venice, kept close so you walk more than you ride. The map shows the whole route — pick a day to zoom in.
San Marco
The monumental core: St Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the grandest stretch of the Grand Canal.
Photo: Giacomo Guardi / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
San Polo
Across the Grand Canal from San Marco: the Rialto Bridge and market, the Frari church and lively cicchetti bars.
Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ride the Grand Canal by vaporetto for the best views of palaces at a fraction of gondola prices.
A classic restaurant near St. Mark's with Venetian specialties and live music.
The quintessential Venice experience — glide through canals in a traditional gondola.
Venice's legendary opera house, beautifully restored after the 1996 fire.
A stretch
An elegant restaurant with creative Venetian cuisine and a beautiful setting.
A stylish osteria on the Grand Canal with excellent seafood and views.
A legendary luxury hotel on the waterfront with historic charm and impeccable service.
The iconic bridge over the Grand Canal — cross at sunset for the best views.
The Pantheon of Venice with tombs of doges and magnificent art.
A traditional osteria near Rialto with classic Venetian dishes.
Venice's main waterway lined with palaces — best seen by vaporetto or gondola.
A stretch
A hidden gem serving authentic Venetian seafood in a quiet location.
Closer: Trattoria Da Remigio, 7 min out of your way
A stretch
A historic café on St. Mark's Square with a refined atmosphere and excellent coffee.
Stay put: it's a 11-minute walk to Rialto Bridge.
Bases for how you travel
Ranked for romantic travelers on a comfortable budget. The places this plan sleeps in come first.
Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel
A legendary luxury hotel on the waterfront with historic charm and impeccable service.
Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente
A charming hotel in Cannaregio with Moroccan-inspired decor and a peaceful garden.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Venice's most luxurious hotel on the Grand Canal with legendary service and views.
Flights to Venice
Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
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