Apartment Mia

There is a lot to see and do in Venice, so it’s worth planning what you want to visit and when to get the most out of your stay. Many of the most popular sights are within walking distance of each other in the centre, but it’s easy to make use of the water bus service and head to quieter spots when you want to.

If you’re after some time on the beach, make the crossing to Lido, an island with a lengthy stretch of sand, as well as pretty canals and a host of bars and restaurants. The beaches at Alberoni to the south are perhaps the nicest. It’s on Lido that the Venice Film Festival takes place each summer – this important event of the cinematic calendar has been a fixture on the island since 1932.

Another island just a short hop away is Murano, the home of Venetian glass making, while lace making is the craft that Burano is best known for. The brightly hued houses that line the canals of these islands make for a great photo opportunity – residents being instructed to paint their homes every few years in a specific shade. It is said that the vibrant colours were originally a navigation aid to help sailors see in foggy conditions.

Back in the city centre, you have numerous choices around St Mark’s Square. The Doge’s Palace, otherwise known as Palazzo Ducale, is just one of the square’s grand sights and once served as the city’s administrative centre. The famous Bridge of Sighs is attached to the palace, originally a walkway to the adjacent prison cells. You will also find notable works of art from Tintoretto, Carpaccio and others.

Nearby, the Basilica San Marco is an epic cathedral with endless mosaics, carvings and intricate architectural features, and is top of many people’s to-do list. If the queues put you off, it is possible to book private tours of this largely golden church.

Also on the Piazza San Marco is the National Archaeological Museum. One of the world’s first public museums, this vast collection introduces you to centuries of artefacts, even including Egyptian mummies. The tallest building on the square is the Campanile San Marco bell tower. For a fee, you can climb it and enjoy the best view in the city.

Four bridges now cross Venice’s Grand Canal, but the original and most recognisable is the Rialto Bridge. Only a few minutes from St Mark’s Square, this landmark is another must-see; the route from one to the other a characterful maze of streets lined with shops, bars and restaurants.

Venice’s cultural scene offers numerous galleries showcasing classic and contemporary art. For the former, head for Gallerie dell’Accademia, across the bridge which shares its name. Here you will find more than 500 pieces of art in 24 halls, the most recent works from the 19th century. More modern art can be found in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a 5-minute walk away. Tours are available to guide you through what has become one of the most important collections of its kind.

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