One week in Venice: the ultimate local approved itinerary

Speaking about iconic cities you cannot help but think of Venice, a unique jewel in the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, especially for lovers. The city hanging over the sea offers indeed a truly magical atmosphere, discovering places rich in history such as Piazza San Marco, museums and palaces that keep a timeless culture, picturesque neighborhoods crossed by dozens of canals to explore by gondola.

Today la Serenissima is one of the most beautiful and important Unesco heritage cities in the world, the perfect destination for an intense, fascinating week of travel, full of art, culture and emotions, without giving up the relaxation and the pleasure of shopping that you can find at the Designer Outlet McArthurGlen in Noventa di Piave.

If you want to visit the wonders of the Venetian Lagoon and its more than one hundred islands, check out our fantastic itinerary to spend seven days in Venice and discover the best of the pearl of Adriatic.

You made the decision to spend a week in the Lagoon and want to find out what to do and what to see in Venice in seven days? Well, you're in the right place! In this article you will find our proposal for a complete itinerary of a week in Venice, to spend discovering amazing locations, breathtaking views and truly unique emotions.

Our concept of ​​travel in fact is not limited only to the historic centre of la Serenissima, with its iconic attractions like Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and the iconic gondolas, but also explores more characteristic and fascinating gems in other islands of the Lagoon, such as Murano, Burano and San Giorgio Maggiore. All this with the possibility of moving from Marco Polo Airport comfortably, well connected to the heart of the Lagoon by bus or ferry.

Here are some things we will discover day by day in this itinerary for one week in Venice:

    • First day: visit to Piazza San Marco and the attractions of the city centre;

    • Second day: trip to the Islands of Murano and Burano;

    • Third day: tour of the neighborhoods San Marco, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, San Polo and Castello and their main attractions;

    • Fourth day: visit to some of the most iconic museums in Venice, like Goldoni House;

    • Fifth day: tour of the city by gondola crossing Canal Grande and other minor canals;

    • Sixth day: trip to the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore;

    • Seventh day: relax and shopping at McArthurGlen before leaving.

A fast, practical and convenient way to enjoy all the best of Venice and its surroundings is the Venice Pass, the perfect city card to access the most beautiful attractions and public transport comfortably in one single app!

Once landed at Marco Polo and reached the heart of the city with the available transport services, immediately begin your itinerary of seven days in Venice to discover its most iconic beauties in the city centre: let’s start obviously from Piazza San Marco.

The namesake Basilica, which majestically overlooks the square with its five byzantine domes, will welcome you with its incredible golden mosaics and statues of winged lions, the unmistakable symbol of San Marco. Also absolutely unmissable is the imposing Bell Tower of San Marco, a monument and exceptional panoramic point.

Not far from the square there’s Palazzo Ducale, the majestic historic residence of the Doge of Venice. Here you can explore sumptuous corridors and cross the famous Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), among the most important in the city, which connects the palace directly to its prisons made famous especially by one of its most famous prisoners, Giacomo Casanova. The square also hosts the Correr Museum, where to discover the history of Venice through works of art, costumes and historical artifacts.

If you want to refresh yourself and at the same time enjoy an elegant experience in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the world, visit the historic Caffè Florian in Piazza San Marco. Among the oldest cafés in Europe, it is a historic and fascinating place to have a coffee, an aperitif or a light meal while diving into the magical atmosphere of Serenissima.

Stops of Day 1:

- Basilica and Bell Tower of San Marco

- Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) and Ponte dei Sospiri

- Correr Museum and Caffè Florian

For the second day of your week in Venice, we recommend you visit the two most important islands in the Venice Lagoon, reachable by sea with the iconic vaporetti (ferries). We’re talking about the Islands of Murano and Burano, two pearls of scenic beauty and of great importance for the Venetian culture and craftsmanship.

The former, the Island of Murano, is famous throughout the world for its tradition related to the artisan production of blown glass. We recommend visiting a glass furnace to watch live demonstrations and admire first-hand the creation of extraordinary glass art masterpieces.

The latter, the Island of Burano, stands out for its iconic brightly colored houses that are the subject of many postcard photographs and, just like Murano, boasts a great artisan tradition for the production of crochet. Here indeed you can visit the Crochet Museum and discover the history and details of this centuries-old artisan tradition.

Stops of Day 2:

- Island of Murano and visit to artisan glass workshops

- Island of Burano and visit to the Crochet Museum

One of the best ways to explore Venice is definitely to visit one by one its main and characteristic neighborhoods (or sestieri). Each neighborhood indeed boasts its own charm and personality, characteristics that make each one a unique experience.

Let’s start from San Marco neighborhood, the historic centre of Venice already visited on the first day, famous for the iconic Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale. This is definitely the most popular district for tourists, and boasts breathtaking architecture enriched by numerous historic cafes. Don't miss the opportunity to take a walk overlooking the seaside and enjoy the view of the Canal Grande.

Then there’s Cannaregio neighborhood, known for being one of the most authentic in Venice. It is less crowded than San Marco and is a great place to explore the most genuine and folk side of the city, without the pressure of mass tourism. Here you can visit the Jewish Ghetto, one of the first in Europe, as well as enjoy a walk along Canal Grande and discover all its picturesque calle (or internal alleys).

Also unmissable is Dorsoduro neighborhood, home to important cultural institutions including the Academy of Fine Arts, Ca’ Foscari University, the Guggenheim Gallery and the Academy Gallery, which hosts an extraordinary art collection. The perfect place for those who love art, culture and the architecture of truly unique historic buildings.

Would you like to travel back in time? Then you absolutely must visit San Polo neighborhood, one of the oldest in Venice famous for Goldoni's House, Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa and the Rialto Bridge, an iconic structure that crosses Canal Grande. This district can also be explored by gondola and is an ideal place for shopping and enjoying authentic Venetian cuisine in its many restaurants and bacari (taverns).

Finally, there’s Castello neighborhood, where to visit the Historic Naval Museum of Venice, the Arsenal, the Dalmatian School of San Giorgio degli Schiavoni and the Grand School of San Marco, two important testimonies of Venetian architecture, art and culture related to the era of the guilds and active since the heart of the Middle Age.

Stops of Day 3:

- Visit to San Marco neighborhood

- Visit to Cannaregio neighborhood

- Visit to Dorsoduro neighborhood

- Visit to San Polo neighborhood

- Visit to Castello neighborhood

After exploring a bit of the city, it's time to visit some of its most prestigious and authentic places with more attention. We remind you that for access to the most important museums, churches or palaces in Venice you can leverage the services of the Venice Pass, in the formula of two, three or five days depending on your travel needs.

Let’s start with one of the most important and famous Italian playwrights who lived in Venice, we’re obviously speaking of Carlo Goldoni. And right here you can visit his house, in San Polo, where he was born in 1707 and today transformed into a museum to discover the work and talent of the man who is considered one of the founders of modern comedy, in particular a master in the artistic use of the Venetian dialect.

Another must-see place is Palazzo Mocenigo, located in the Santa Croce neighborhood, not far from other attractions such as Palazzo Donà and Ca’ Pesaro Gallery of Modern Art, home to the rich and fascinating Museum of Fabrics, Costumes and Perfumes dedicated to eighteenth-century city fashion and the prestigious Venetian culture in terms of theater.

We also recommend visiting Basilica dei Frari, a stunning example of Venetian Gothic architecture where to admire up close original masterpieces by Titian and Donatello.

Stops of Day 4:

- Carlo Goldoni's House in San Polo

- Visit to Santa Croce neighborhood

- Palazzo Mocenigo and Museum of Fabrics, Costumes and Perfumes

- Basilica dei Frari

When you say Venice, you say gondola, it's inevitable. And in your itinerary of seven days in the pearl of Adriatic you absolutely cannot miss a tour aboard the iconic city boat, to join a fascinating and romantic experience crossing the canals of the city from a truly local perspective.

The tour usually includes Canal Grande and the minor canals that intersect on its sides, giving dynamism even to the most hidden corners of the town. Gondolas are small boats easily recognizable for their unique style and the presence of the famous gondoliers. As you let yourself be lulled by the gentle waters of the canals, admire the unique architecture of Venice, with its colorful facades, stone bridges, small piers, calle and charming little churches that reflect on the surface of the water, creating an unparalleled visual spectacle. Sailing through the canals of Venice you will pass under its iconic bridges, in particular Ponte di Rialto and Ponte dei Sospiri.

In Venice a gondola is comparable to a real taxi. You can also decide the route to explore together with your gondolier to be taken to the most secret and hidden places of the city. And why not, ask him to sing some typical Venetian songs for a unique experience.

Stops of Day 5:

- Tour by gondola along Canal Grande

- Custom tour by gondola through hidden minor canals

If you plan to visit Venice, you can't miss the enchanting Island of San Giorgio Maggiore. This gem, one of the most beautiful in the Lagoon, offers a quiet and cultural experience very far from the hustle and bustle of the centre of La Serenissima, a more than valid reason to include it in your itinerary for a week in Venice.

In particular, once you land on the island you can begin your visit by exploring the magnificent Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, a masterpiece by the architect Andrea Palladio. This church boasts a spectacular interior that houses breathtaking works of art and a truly extraordinary panoramic view from the dome. Also make sure to climb up the bell tower to enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the entire Venetian archipelago, in which Piazza San Marco and its iconic Campanile will stand out.

In addition to the Basilica, also take some time to explore San Giorgio for a relaxing walk through picturesque alleys, evocative corners and fascinating views. The best way to spend the sixth day of your trip in tranquility, in a certain way saying goodbye to Venice and its beauties in a romantic way before treating yourself to an experience of relaxation, luxury and fun on the final day of your holiday.

Stops of Day 6:

- Visit to the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore

- Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore and its bell tower

After spending a week in Venice, before leaving from Marco Polo Airport you can take the opportunity to relax and enjoy some free time nearby while waiting for the next flight. A convenient and satisfying choice is the McArthurGlen in Noventa di Piave, less than half an hour from Venice and well connected to Marco Polo thanks to bus and train transport services, one of the best outlets in Italy where to make last-minute purchases and perhaps buy an exclusive souvenir of your trip.

It’s known that fashion and shopping are unmistakable and timeless icons of italianity, as well as qualities that have accompanied the history of La Serenissima in the centuries of its hegemony as a very important world hub for trade, wealth and welfare, also expressed through clothing and the evolution of trends in fine dressing.

Here at the Designer Outlet McArthurGlen in Noventa di Piave all this finds a new dimension, contemporary, fresh and cosmopolitan, where to immerse yourself in a surprising and relaxing shopping experience among 170 boutiques and with a vast choice of over 200 Italian and international brands for all tastes, from high fashion to sportswear, in an enchanting atmosphere that pleasantly recalls the elegance of the arts, squares and palaces that you appreciated spending a week in Venice.

And if you are hungry, don't worry, at McArthurGlen in Noventa di Piave you will find 12 restaurants to enjoy your favorite food both for lunch and dinner, with a menu that ranges from Italian cuisine to exotic international delicacies.

Stops of Day 7:

- Shopping and relax at the Designer Outlet McArthurGlen in Noventa di Piave before leaving from the Marco Polo Airport