nav8r

My husband and I have only one full day to spend in Venice before boarding a cruise. It is our first visit, although we have been to many other parts of Italy on previous trips. What would one recommend as "must do" things in such a limited time frame?

elaine

The following one-day itinerary for Venice appeared in this forum years ago, it was written by a Venice expert named Paulo and I've added some bits to it.

"At that time I already knew Venice very well, so I didn't exactly do what 9 out of 10 daytrippers to Venice do: to take #1 vaporetto from the Ferrovia (train station) to San Marco ... Instead, we started our stroll right at the train station. We crossed the bridge over the Grand Canal, strolled through the Sestiere of San Polo, to Campo S. Giacomo dell'Orio and on to Campo San Polo, visiting both churches on the way.

elaine’s note: The San Polo church has some masterpieces by Tiepolo, Veronese, and Tintoretto.)

"From there, a stroll to Campo dei Frari (church visit) and Scuola San Rocco (visit).

elaine’s note: I would skip the Scuola San Rocco, despite the Tintoretto treasures, in fact, I would, reluctantly, not visit any museums if I only had one day in Venice.

"Then on to Dorsoduro, via Campo San Pantalon,Campo Santa Margherita (snack lunch), Campo San Barnaba to the Accademia Museum (no visit), across the Accademia bridge and into the sestiere of San Marco.

elaine’s note: Before crossing the Accademia Bridge, and depending on the time you have, I would walk farther south into Dorsoduro to visit the Salute Church. Or skip it, just wander a bit, and head back to the Accademia Bridge.)

"When we got to see the Piazza and Basilica it was almost 3pm!!!

elaine’s note: if you have time, by all means go to visit the inside of the Basilica and/or the Doge’s Palace in the Piazza.

"We got to visit the Basilica, rested and had drinks/coffees at Cafe Florian and went for some shopping. In the evening, we took vaporetto #1 back to the train station."

elaine's note: the gelati, snacks and drinks at Florian's or at Quadri on the Piazza are not cheap, and there is an extra charge when the band is playing, but you just can't not do this at least once imo. The ride on the #1 vaporetto
between the train station Ferrovia and San Marco, will include a view of the Rialto Bridge.

LoveItaly

Hi nav8r, one day in Venice is better than not having a day in Venice!

Not sure what hours you will have but I think if I were you I would visit Piazza San Marco and the various sites there, wander down to the Rialto Bridge for sure. I would assume you will be flying into Venice and if so you will probably have some jetlag. I would not overplan, I would more or less just flow with what I felt up to doing. If you use the search box here on Fodor's you no doubt will find some reports from other posters and that will no doubt give you ideas as to what would interest you.

And just think, the next time you visit Venice for a longer period of time you will be more familar with this beautiful city. Have a wonderful vacation!

PalQ

Number one thing to do in Europe, not only Venice, in my opinion is to take a boat ride along the Grande Canal, especially at night when the parade of majestic ancient palace's, stately homes built by the wealthy during Venice's heydey around 1600, that line the canal silently pass by - an eerie feeling and they are so sublimely illuminated. Go at night. You can take a regular vaporetto for a few euros - or a gondola for a few hundred euros.
Otherwise just walk around this amazing city with no streets except for its canals - check out St. Mark's Basilica and St. Mark's Square and escape the tourist hoardes on the main path between the parking lots/bus and train station area and find the quiet Venice - tourists never venture off the beaten path often so seek out a quiet square or canal and enjoy the serenity. buy a boat pass and take trek up and down some canals, perhaps going to nearby Murano, the glass-blowing mecca, but a key reason to go there besides seeing the world-famous glass being blown is that you then will glimpse Venice from afar, from across the water, where it present a simply dreamy visage - seemingly floating on the lagoon. But it doesn't really matter much what you do as the city itself is its don't miss sight. You could take the lift up the belltower at St. Mark's for a bird's eye view of Venice and its ringworm-like system of canals. And at least visit St. mark's square at night to listen to the ubiquitous orchestras that play outside several caffes.

jgg

We have only been once for 4 nights this past March. However, if it were me, I would go to St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica. Go up the Campanile for the beautiful views, and definitely take a gondola ride (leave about 45 minutes before sunset, if possible). The rest of the day I would spend leisurely wandering around, getting lost and just soaking up the beauty of Venice.

I would have lunch or dinner at Acqua Pazza (S. Marco, 3808/10 Campo San Angelo). There is no spectacular view but the food is wonderful! Order their house appetizer de mare. They are closed on Monday .

Enjoy your day!

Tiff

Hi Nav8r,

Even though it is only for one day, this thread may be of interest and help you decide what may inspire:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34604835

Enjoy! Tiff

LindyE

Spend part of the day wandering. There is so much to see in Venice. Some time at Saint Marks is a must. The horses alone are worth the visit. Some time the evening you are there at the Cafe Floian is very worth it. Very romantic if you are there with ther right person. A tour of Doges Palace is also worthwhile.
Have a great trip! You will love Venice!

ira

Hi nav,

Will you also have a night in Venice?

In season, the city is mobbed with daytrippers. The evenings are much better.

zwho

We just spent a day there at the end of our cruise. Heres what we did. Start at St. Marks Sq. Go into the Cathedral, its gorgeous, have a cold drink on the sq. and then take the #1 vaporetto around the city. Get off somewhere before it returns and wander back. There are little plaques that point to San Marco everywhere and everywhere goes back to San Marco as long as you head towards the sea. Its fun and beautiful.

nav8r

Thank you, thank you for all these wonderfully helpful replies. I must admit that I was very much hoping that most of you would suggest "soaking up the city" instead of taking tours of churches. This is really the way we prefer to travel anyway, so the validation is useful. I should have mentioned that we will actually be staying over 2 nights, hence giving us one full day. This will allow us to recover from the previous day's jet lag and give us at least one evening to enjoy the boat rides suggested. Thanks again!

sallyjane3

I echo the others re: San Marco's, the Campanile, wandering around, and the Rialto. I bought a Festival mask at a shop near the bridge and i am transported back there every time I see it hanging on my living room wall. You will fall in love!

Spygirl

You know, people tend to become "mask weary" when visiting Venice, given the profuse number of mask selling shops, and it seems, generally take a pass on buying one. But it's a whole different matter when you bring one home, put it on a wall, or as I have mine, sitting on a Chinese wine table-that Venetian mask takes on a whole different quality- it looks so elegant and original. I love looking at mine-to look at it DOES transport you back to Venezia! I therefore highly recommend browsing around the artisanal mask shops across the Accademia bridge into Dorsoduro, or in and around the Piazza San Marco, just walk around and see what catches your eye-many beautiful creations to choose from!

ira

There are also mask shops around the Rialto Bridge.

We have 5.

You might wish to look into
Specchi Veneziana di Barbini Sergio at 1720 Calle del Cristi

eliztrav

Since you will be spending two nights in Venice, may I suggest you limit your time in Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge areas to early morning and late afternoon into evening, when the day trippers are gone? Otherwise, you will likely experience gridlock instead of the best of those patticular sites.

jgg

Spygirl - I coudn't agree more. All our purchases from our trip to Italy have so much more meaning now that we are home. My daughter loves to wear her "Italy shoes" my son has his Venetian pinocchio mask on a shelf in his room, and everyone always asks where he got it.

All our purchases, no matter how big or small are great memories of our trip.

My favorite purchase was a simple 15 euro Venetian glass bracelet. Simple, and inexpensive, yet everytime I put it on I am transported to our time in Venice.

The best is my husband's leather coat he bought in Florence. Everytime he wears it, the kids are reminded of the haggling/negotiating he did. My daughter is convinced they weren't going to let him leave without buying one!!