Ready-made trips · Italy
Venice in 4 days
St Mark's Basilica and the Rialto, a gondola, and a day on the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
- Length
- 4 days
- Best time
- March to May, September to November
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- None, all in the city
Four days in Venice: Murano, Burano and Torcello; St Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening at St Mark’sArrival
- When you arriveSt Mark’s SquareCentral plaza.Tip: Venice's grand central square — genuinely floods periodically during acqua alta season, so check tide forecasts if visiting in autumn or winter.
Lunch nearby: Al Portego or Ca’ D’Oro alla Vedova
Dinner: Il Paradiso Perduto or Al Timon
2Murano, Burano and Torcello
- MorningMurano IslandGlass-making island.Tip: Venice's glassmaking island — genuine glassblowing demonstrations offer real insight into a centuries-old local craft tradition.
- AfternoonBurano IslandColorful houses island.Tip: Known for genuinely vibrant, colorfully painted houses — a good, photogenic day trip distinct from central Venice's more muted palette.
- If you have timeTorcello IslandHistoric island.Tip: One of the quietest islands in the Venetian lagoon, with genuinely significant early history predating Venice itself — a good escape from the main city's crowds.
Lunch nearby: Pasticceria Palmisano or Trattoria al Gatto Nero
Dinner: Trattoria al Gatto Nero or Pasticceria Palmisano
3St Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto
- MorningSt Mark’s BasilicaIconic cathedral.Tip: Book a timed entry to skip the queue; shoulders and knees must be covered, and large bags are not allowed.
- AfternoonLibreria Acqua AltaA bookshop where books are kept in bathtubs and gondolas against the floods.Tip: Climb the staircase of old books in the back courtyard.
- EveningRialto BridgeFamous stone bridge.Tip: Venice's oldest bridge over the Grand Canal, genuinely lined with shops — go early morning for photos without the heaviest crowds.
Lunch nearby: Al Portego or Osteria alle Testiere
Dinner: Al Timon or Il Paradiso Perduto
4A Last Morning in San MarcoLast morning
- Before you leaveScala Contarini del BovoloA spiral Renaissance staircase tower hidden in a courtyard.Tip: The view from the top over the rooftops is worth the climb.
Lunch nearby: Al Portego or Ca’ D’Oro alla Vedova
Dinner: Al Timon or Il Paradiso Perduto
Where to stay
San Marco
The heart of Venice around St Mark’s Square and La Fenice.
Vaporetto stops San Marco and San Zaccaria; water taxis from the airport.
Dorsoduro
Museums, the Zattere and quieter canals across the Accademia bridge.
Vaporetto stops Accademia, Salute and Zattere.
Cannaregio
Local Venice of canal-side bàcari, near the station.
Santa Lucia station for trains; vaporetto lines along the Grand Canal and to the islands.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
Open the full plan →Want different dates, a slower pace or something specific? Plan your own Venice trip in about a minute.