Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Venice?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Venice?

Many travelers spend two to seven days in Venice during their visit. After all, the romantic city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the quaint atmosphere.

Venice is one of the most popular attractions in Italy, and at times it does feel more like an attraction than a city. But that doesn't mean that it's not truly beautiful and romantic - a not -to-be-missed stop on any Italian itinerary. Part of the experience in Venice is simply getting lost. Tucked away in the hidden corners you'll find what really makes this city one-of-a-kind.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Venice? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Venice?

Venice enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the romantic city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to seven days to fully enjoy the city. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend 3 days in Venice

When visiting Venice, you absolutely can't miss St. Mark's Basilica as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

Venice is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city's beautiful canals, architecture, and gondolas make it among the most stunning and unique places to visit in the world.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • The Essence of Venice in a Stress Free Small group Walking Tour with a Top Guide ($24)
  • In the footsteps of Commissario Brunetti by Donna Leon walking tour ($84)
  • Venice Top attractions Walking Tour along the Canals with Local Guide ($16)

Venice is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

Venice is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Vivaldi's Four Seasons Concert and Music Museum Visit ($43)
  • Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Semi-Private Tour, Max 6 People ($173)
  • Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride ($152)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Prosecco Wine Tour. Half-day. From Venice ($170)
  • Prosecco - Wine tour & tasting - Full day in the Prosecco region ($120)
  • Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Central Venice with a Fun Loving Local ($140)

The public transit in Venice is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • The Essence of Venice in a Stress Free Small group Walking Tour with a Top Guide ($24)
  • In the footsteps of Commissario Brunetti by Donna Leon walking tour ($84)
  • Venice Top attractions Walking Tour along the Canals with Local Guide ($16)

Is 4 days enough time in Venice?

Four days is generally not enough time to experience everything in Venice. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to wander through the museums, admire the historic sights, appreciate the quaint setting, and take in the beautiful scenery. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for two to seven days to immerse themselves fully in the charms of the area. After all, Venice holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

Venice Venice

How to spend 4 days in Venice

With 4 days in Venice, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Venice offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The colorful buildings and quaint canals give this city a character unlike any other.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • The Essence of Venice in a Stress Free Small group Walking Tour with a Top Guide ($24)
  • In the footsteps of Commissario Brunetti by Donna Leon walking tour ($84)
  • Venice Top attractions Walking Tour along the Canals with Local Guide ($16)

Is 5 days enough time in Venice?

As a popular and famous city, Venice offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. Five days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Venice. Most visitors prefer to spend two to seven days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Venice is popular with families, couples, backpackers, and students which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.

Venice, Italy Venice, Italy

How to spend 5 days in Venice

If you have more than 5 days in Venice, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Shopping in Venice is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • McArthurGlen OUTLET SHOPPING DAY ($119)
  • Private Shopping Tour from Venice to Noventa di Piave Outlet ($161)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Venice, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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