Anna 
Top sites to see in Venice, Italy
Venice, or Venezia in Italian, is quite possibly the most beautiful and romantic city in the world. It is located in the Veneto region of Northeast Italy, the city is built upon 100+ islands across a shallow lagoon under the snow capped peaks of the Dolomites. The city has earned the nickname La Serenissima for its tranquil nature. It is a wildly popular tourist destination that draws approx 30 million visitors annually, and for good reason. This little city delivers major value- rich history, beautiful architecture, art, culture and distinct cuisine. I’ve visited this city 3 times and each time I am enamored. There is no shortage of things to do in Venice, but here are some of my top recommendations for what to do in Venice, Italy. For more ideas planning your vacation, check out these blog posts: Visit Venice, Off the Beaten Path and What to Eat in Venice
The absolute best thing to do in Venice is visit Piazza San Marco
Saint Mark’s square (Piazza San Marco) is a bustling highly trafficked tourist area where many of the “must-see sites’ are located. I suggest visiting this area off-peak to avoid the crowds and lines. Personally, I love this area at sunset, because the west facing Basilica of San Marco catches the pink light, perfectly highlighting the gilded details of the roof. If you go at night, the piazza is usually pretty empty and you get a much better sense of the scope of this area. It is massive. Also, the buildings will be illuminated and it’s so pretty.
Basilica di San Marco
This is easily one of the most beautiful churches in the world. This building is so distinct from other grand European cathedrals because it was heavily influenced by Eastern architecture. The Basilica was constructed to show off the pride, wealth and power of Venice, and houses the relics of Saint Mark, the patron saint of the city whose emblem is the winged lion, you will see it approximately everywhere. The interior of the church is a jaw-dropping melange of Byzantine, Islamic and gothic style. The walls and domes are covered in glittering gold mosaics, precious stones, and vibrant frescos, and throughout the building are valuable sculptures. However, many of the iconic artworks associated with the Basilica were actually pillaged during the Crusades- the four bronze horses, statues, and marble columns are actually stolen.
The Campanile
The Bell Tower is another iconic landmark associated with Venice. It’s located just in front of the Basilica in Piazza San Marco. You can go up the tower and enjoy views of the city and lagoon. Sometimes the lines get long, but the entrance tickets can be purchased in advance, or you can buy private tours to skip the line altogether.
The Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is one of the top attractions in Venice, Italy and has a captivating history. It was the seat of government and residence of the Doge (or Duke) during the republic. The rooms are very grand and ornately decorated, with frescoed ceilings and gilded murals. During the tour, you will enjoy views of various angles of the beautiful inner courtyard, grand staircases, the campanile, and the top of the connected Basilica. Enjoy various exhibits along the way, armor weapons, and sculptures.
The Bridge of Sighs
How does this Bridge of Sighs stand out in a city of 100’s of bridges as Venetian Icon? It’s a spooky covered bridge leading from the Doge’s Palace with a macabre history. Prisoners would be escorted across the canal to the dungeons, where they would likely spend the rest of their miserable existence. The view from the bridge would likely be the last time they saw the beautiful lagoon, or even the last trace of daylight, causing the fated prisoners to sigh forlornly as they descend into the dungeon. Ironically, the bridge has lattice type windows with only tiny slits to peek through. These would have made a dismal last view, foreshadowing the dismal conditions to be met inside the prison. It is also called the Ponte di Sospiri in Italian.
The Dungeons: My favorite site in Venice
I love the dungeon tour! It is fascinating. Visit the dungeons through the Doge’s Palace Tour. I strongly recommend booking these in advance, as the often sell out the day of.
The dungeons had a pretty bleak and ominous reputation during their hayday. They were known for their squalid and miserable conditions. The justice system in the Republic of Venice wasn’t the best. Citizens could report transgressions by submitting a letter into a designated mailbox, fittingly, the mouth of a lion statue (the bocce di Leone). Denounced citizens were hastily tried in the Palace, inside the room of torment, often using torture methods to make them confess to “crimes” of a dubious severity.
When inevitability found guilty, the prisoners would be sent next door to the “pozzi” or the “piombi”. The piombi (which means lead in Italian) were the upper floors of the dungeon and were named after the lead roof. This subjected the prison cells to extreme temperatures: broiling in the summer, and freezing in the winter.
However, the pozzi, (the wells, or pits), were even worse. In the basement of the dungeon, cells were dark, wet and isolated. The ceilings were very short and prevented the prisoners from standing upright.
The Rialto Bridge
The biggest bridge is a classic Venice landmark and the first one built to connect the two halves of the city. Enjoy views of the Grand Canal and souvenir shops along the bridge.
