Venice Sightseeing
One of the best things about Venice is that you could literally live within its borders for years and still not have discovered all its secrets. From hidden alleyways to cloistered gardens, lavish interiors to religious relics, Venice has it all.
Saint Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
Perhaps the most famous section of Venice, St. Mark's Square is the location of the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), St. Mark's Campanile, St. Mark's Clock Tower and the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. These are the icons of Venice and are swamped in the summer months by long queues of tourists - but don't worry, the wait is definitely worth it, some of the views you get from the Campanile and St. Mark's Basilica are unparalleled.
St. Mark's Basilica is one of the most decorated cathedrals in Italy and it's front (facing onto St. Mark's Square) features two Greek horses (the Horses of Saint Mark) and the Four Tetrarchs. The inside of the cathedral is cloaked in gold, earning the building the nickname of 'Church of Gold'. Notable features of the Basilica include the Pala d'Oro ('Golden Pall'), a highly decorative gold and precious stone screen, and the relics of Saint Mark. Entry into the Basilica is free, though the museum on the second level (including significant archaeological finds and relics) has a small fee.
The Doge's Palace is one of the most visited buildings in Venice and it's no surprise - it includes some of the most astounding interior architecture in the world and also allows visitors access to the Palace Dungeons and the interior of the Bridge of Sighs. The Palace does charge an entry fee but is worth the money and is not limited by time - you really could spend all day exploring the nuances and displays lovingly set up inside. Of particular note is the gold staircase (recently restored by jewellers) and the ornate inner courtyard.
Of the other features in the Square, the Campanile (bell-tower) allows visitors to climb to the top for one of the best views in Venice, the Clock Tower displays one of the most beautiful astronomical clocks in Europe, and the Biblioteca Marciana contains some of the most precious texts in Italy.
Rialto Bridge & Surrounds
Rialto Bridge would have to be one of the most photographed landmarks in Italy and is known for its ornate design. Some of the most exclusive shops in Venice are located on the Bridge or in the surrounding areas, including a large number of jewellery stores.
Churches
Aside from the breathtaking Basilica San Marco, Venice has a large number of incredibly beautiful churches well worth visiting. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (sometimes just known as 'Salute'), situated on the opposite side of Venice to St Mark's Square, is famed for it's highly decorative dome and pristine white interior. Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo is another well regarded church which is situated in the Castello district and which contains art work from arists such as Giovanni Bellini and Rocco Marconi. The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (sometimes just 'Frari') is located in the San Polo area and is typified by its largely brick exterior.
Although not a Basilica, the Santa Maria dei Miracoli church in the Cannaregio district is also popular with tourists, primarily because of it's remarkable marbled exterior.
Museums & Art Galleries
Venice has several famous museums and art galleries aside from the collection displayed in the Doge's Palace. The Peggy Guggenheim Museum, for instance, is a celebrated collection of art works by artists such as Dali, Pollock, Picasso, Ernst, Duchamp and Kandinsky. The Accademia (L'Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia) is another critically acclaimed art museum that houses a huge number of works from artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Canaletto, Giovanni Bellini and Rocco Marconi. The Venetian Arsenal, once the shipyard and major dock for Venetian trade, now houses exhibitions and an historic ship preservation centre. Scuola Grande di San Rocco, close to the Chiesa di San Rocco (Church of Saint Roch), is home to a huge collection of Tintoretto paintings.
Other Famous Buildings
There are many other buildings in Venice worthy of note. Known more for it's twisting exterior staircase than for the rest of its structure, the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo has featured in several films and is lauded as one of the best examples of the unique Venetian brand of Classic architecture.
Fondaco dei Turchi is amongst the famed Grand Canal buildings and was historically the home of the Ottoman Turks that resided in the city. It is typified by it's rosy pink exterior and lacy white features. Other famous Grand Canal buildings include the Palazzo Grassi (now an art gallery), Ca' d'Oro (known for its gold gilt exterior decorations), Ca' Rezzonico (now a museum), Palazzo Malipiero (newly restored) and Palazzo Foscari (home to the University of Venice).
Outside of Venice
Some of the islands that surround Venice are equally of interest to visitors. Murano, for instance, is the location of a number of glass factories that produce the world famous Murano blown-glass jewellery and home-wares. Lido, another popular spot, has a stretch of beach suitable for swimming. Torcello, believed to be the longest inhabited area of the Lagoon, is another interesting location that houses a number of Byzantine mosaics (the Torcello Cathedral in particular is known for such works). Burano, close to Torcello, is also worth a visit just to take in its brightly painted buildings.