We’re leaving for Venice next week and the only thing we’ve booked is our hotel Locanda Orseolo. We will arrive early Saturday morning and spend 3 nights before heading to Florence by train sometime on the 22nd. We have never been to Venice and would like to explore some neighbourhoods and visit the islands of Murano and Burano as well as see some sights. We plan to visit the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica San Marco and ??? Our thoughts are that we will take the bus and vaporetto from the airport then check in, leave our bags and wander for the day. We are interested in attending a concert or performances. We will get lost but that’s travel!

Palazzo Ducale — The Secret Itineraries Tour is booked up but seems to be available through outside agencies for a large sum. There also seem to be agencies which sell timed tickets for entrance and exploring on your own or tours. Our plan had been to purchase museum passes at a less crowded museum and then visit the palazzo. Recognizing that Venice will be crowded, should we expect to line up for long with the museum passes? Do the passes allow you to skip the line ? Is it worth purchasing the timed tickets from an outside agency? Is a tour worth the added expense?

Basilica San Marco — should we purchase a timed ticket online?

Should we take a walking tour of any neighbourhoods? Or just explore on our own?

Should we book our train tickets to Florence in advance?

Any recommendations for our stay will be appreciated. I have been reading forum posts and trip reports for restaurant suggestions.

Your help is appreciated! Thanks.

With so few days, I wouldn't spend them standing in line. If you can still get a timed ticket for the basilica, go for it. I'd save the Doge's Palace for another trip. Your interests may or may not make the museum pass worthwhile. We usually spend a couple of hours in a museum, so I would suggest you look at how many you wish to visit in the time you have. Combining Murano and Burano will likely fill one of your days. Highlights for us are the Rialto fish and vegetable market on the other side of the Grand Canal from where you're staying. If you wish to explore a neighborhood, try the area near San Giacomo dell Orio or the Basilica dei Frari. There's more of old Venice there. You're so close to Piazza San Marco that hanging out there in the late evening, after the crowd thins, will also be a treat. Enjoy the orchestras at a distance or sit down and enjoy a prosecco. Have fun.

I agree with greytop13's comments. Only you can decide whether something you want to see is "worth" spending a lot of money and time. The basilica would be at the top of my list. I also enjoyed seeing the inside of palazzi facing the canal. Ca d'Oro and Ca Rezzonico are now museums, but you can still get a sense of them as very extravagant homes. Ca Zenobio is in a quieter location on a smaller canal

I wouldn't spend one day visiting two islands. I might (emphasize might) go to one. I'd rather spend time wandering areas away from Piazza San Marco.

There is so much to do and see in Venice, especially for art lovers, that you will need to prioritize. When you say three nights, do you mean two full days only? I probably wouldn't go to the islands if so, but that's just me. I would also skip the Palazzo Ducale, but then again, for you maybe it would be a highlight.

I'd book the train to Florence. I'd try to book San Marco for early or late. I'm not a tour person generally, so unless you have to...

I agree with trying to see Frari if you can. Also Scuola San Rocco. I like Ca' Rezzonico for a less crowded museum in a pleasant spot.

I spent a week in Venice last summer, after a hiatus of over 10 years. Yes, it was crowded but still just a delight to experience. I tend to eat at low-key but upscale places, so not sure my recommendations will align. Enjoyed Estro and Enoteca Vinus (good wine bars with food), Bancogiro for lunch, CoVino, Anice Stellato (lunch), and Enoteca Ai Artisti (lunch).
Ai Artisti

Edit to add: Was typing the same time as Jean. I agree with her suggestions, as well as greytop's.

I've been to Venice twice (4-5 days both times). Both trips had no advanced planning other than a hotel reservation. I just wandered and walked. I did have a paper street map which I sometimes used to make a general plan. I did not go out to any of the islands because I didn't want to take that time away from the central area. The second time I was with a friend. He had some self-guided walking tours he'd printed out from somewhere that we followed a few times.

Personally I think you already have too much planned (lol)! Anyway, enjoy, Venice is magic.

As to San Marco itself I would try to go there at dusk when most of the visitors have left. Do it and you'll understand why I suggested it.

Bookmarking

Might give you something to think about.

Venice trip report, May 2018, ten nights

You really have only two full days, with parts of other days. When you arrive by bus at Piazzale Roma, take note of the amount of time it takes you to reach your hotel. You will make virtually the same trip in reverse on your departure day to reach the train station (Ferrovia).

Your days
Sat 5/19 - arrive in Venice from airport
Sun 5/20 - Venice
Mon 5/21 - Venice
Tue 5/22 - depart at some point for Florence

For me, I would book the Basilica of San Marco for midday--it may be more crowded but I believe 11:30a-12:30p is when the golden mosaic ceiling is lit.

I would not worry about the Secret Itineraries tour on this trip--especially at a high price.

A visit to Murano and Burano (and perhaps Torcello) will take at least half a day, perhaps more. I would not make this trip unless the weather was fair. To save time from your hotel location, walk to Fond. Nove to catch a vaporetto to Murano. After an hour or two on Murano, catch the #12 boat to Burano. Since you have traveled that far, you might also enjoy Torcello which is right next to Burano. The trip to Burano is about 45 minutes from Fond. Nove, so you will spend 1.5 to 2 hours just in transit between walking to boats and riding them

I stayed at the Locanda Orseolo last August—you will feel well taken care of.
I can recommend Alle Testiere, Osteria alle Testiere - SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN VENICE, for an excellent seafood meal not too far from the LO. If it looks good to you, I’d write to the hotel and ask them to make a reservation.

Have been to Venice many times... another vote for the Frari... it's a splurge but have a drink late at nite in the Piazza San Marco with the dueling bands (especially if the weather is good)...
our favorite restaurant is Corte Sconta You won't have time for the islands, but Torcello would be my choice.

Thank you for your many suggestions. You have given us many good ideas!