Venice Tourist Attractions

Venice offers tourists an amazing number of attractions; here is a small selection of what to do and see in one of the world's most beautiful and romantic cities:

Doge's Palace, St Mark's Square and Basilica

Venice's St Mark's Square with one of the world's most gorgeous basilicas is a must when visiting the city. Venice's cathedral affords wonderful views across Venice Lagoon. The Doge's Palace, the seat of Venice's rulers for centuries, is another famous landmark not to be missed. The Chamber of the Great Council with its paintings of former Council leaders is a stunning example of Venice's power. The tour takes you to the 17th century Bridge of Sighs. Meeting Point: the Alilaguna Water Bus Ticket Office next to the San Marco Giardinetti Ferry Stop, near St. Mark's Square.

Explore Venice's Canals with a Gondola Ride

What could be better than exploring Venice's canals, especially the Grand Canal, with a gondola and guide? One of the most romantic ways to see the city! The 35-minute trip includes Desdemona's House, Mozart's House and the Salute Church, Peggy Guggenheim Collection and many palaces along the canal, including Grimani Palace. Meeting point: Ground floor colonnade in front of Museo Correr’s entrance at Saint Mark’s Square. Facing the Museo Correr's entrance is the Post Office (Poste Italiane) on your left.

Walking through Venice's hidden Streets

Venice's hidden streets and courtyards have been used as background for many movies. See the Rialto Bridge area or Church of San Giacometto, the city's oldest church - the tour shows you something of Venetian beauty many tourists never get to see. It includes the Fenix Theater, where the composer Guiseppe Verdi and his contemporaries first performed their operas.

Carnival Mask Workshop

It only takes an hour to create your own unique carnival mask with the help of an artist. Learn how these famous carnival masks have been made over the centuries and how they have changed over that time. Creating masks with paper-mâché may only take 60 minutes, but the mask needs hours to dry. Return to the workshop after a few hours to decorate it with paint. Meeting Point: Campiello San Zulian 596. Facing the entrance of San Zulian Church, turn left onto a narrow street. You'll see the square with the workshop from there.

Venetian Galleon Dinner and Lagoon Tour

Do you love seafood? The tour will open your eyes what else there is in Italian cuisine besides pizzas! You start from the front of the Museo Storico Navale, Venice's maritime museum. You'll get a welcome drink before the candlelit dinner starts. When the sun sets over the Lagoon, the Galleon casts off into the magical Mediterranean night. You'll see the islands of Sant'Erasmo and San Franesco del Deserto, pass the Venetian Arsenal, the see the islands of Vignole, Mazzorbo and Murano, where the famous glass-blowing factories are located.

Other highlights:

• Private glass-blowing classes
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection
• Leonardo da Vinci Museum