First-Timer 2-Day Venice Itinerary with Prices + Budget Eats
While riddled with tourists, Venice is, in my opinion, one of the most wondrous places I’ve visited. The architecture, the maze of canals, and the artistry never ceased to amaze me.
I went during high season in July, and while I had only 2 days, I packed in as much as I could and spent a good amount of time creating the best itinerary to see the highlights.
And that’s why I’m sharing my first-timer 2-day Venice itinerary so you can follow along and adjust things where you’d like instead of planning from scratch.
Pro Tip: If you visit Venice during high season, book a hotel farther from the center (San Marco). I stayed in San Polo, where it was less crowded, which was perfect to return to after a day of being overwhelmed by crowds.
Disclosure: Some links to products and recommendations are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).
Suggested Places to Stay for 2 Days in Venice:
Budget Hostel (San Polo): Ostello Domus Civica (this is where I stayed!)
Mid-Budget (San Marco): Hotel Rialto
Mid-Budget (Santa Croce): Ca’ San Giorgio B&B
High-End (San Marco): The Gritty Palace
Ultimate Luxury (Cannaregio): The Venice Venice
Other Activities to Include in a 2-Day Venice Itinerary
Here are a few tour and activity ideas I didn’t include in my own 2-days in Venice, but I want to leave them here for you as suggestions and inspiration. Maybe even stay in Venice for three days?
🏔 Dolomites Day Trip from Venice
🍝 Cooking Class in Venice with All-You-Can-Drink Prosecco
🇮🇹 Pasta & Aperol Making Masterclass
Day 1: Venice Icons & A Musical Evening
The first day in this 2-day Venice itinerary features all the absolute must-dos in Venice. If you decide you only have time for one day in Venice, this one-day itinerary fits perfectly.
Suggested Budget Breakfast Spot: bArCollo
Depending on where you’re staying on this first-timer 2-day Venice itinerary, BarCollo is an excellent choice for a budget-friendly full breakfast compared to most places to eat in Venice.
I went here a couple of times because it’s quite a filling breakfast, so you don’t get hungry again right away.
Save this spot to your maps.
Klook.com9:00 AM: Explore Doge’s Palace
Cost: Approximately $35–$55 USD per person.
Doge’s Palace served as Venice’s political center for over 1,000 years. The Venetian Gothic-style palace was built in 810 and was modified and extended over the years until it became a museum in the early 1900s.
I spent about 2-3 hours here, so it’s best to come right when it opens to beat the largest crowds and open up the rest of your day.
If you’re a fan of incredible architecture and large-scale paintings, then don’t skip Doge’s Palace. It’s truly a marvel as you wander from room to room.
The most straightforward way to buy Doge Palace tickets is through Klook, where I bought mine.
12:00 PM: Wander Venice + Pizza
While there are so many sites to visit in Venice, another part of a first-timer 2-day Venice Itinerary experience is simply walking through the small alleyways and crossing bridges over the canals.
Before the next tour, I decided to spend some time just taking in the atmosphere, and also stopped at HÜTTE for a slice. The crust is fluffy, and the toppings fit just right. It’s especially perfect for a grab-and-go type of snack.
Mid-Afternoon: St. Mark’s Basilica Tour
Cost: Approximately $11–$60 USD per person, depending on tour type (or no tour)
St. Mark’s Basilica is one of those places I will never regret touring. It’s mosaiced out in gold, the architecture is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and it has a story in every detail.
One of my favorite things when traveling is visiting magnificent religious sites and taking a tour of them because they’re so integral to human society today.
You can visit St. Mark’s Basilica on a budget for about €10 for basic entry, but if you can pay more, I recommend the tours linked below because there is SO much to the Basilica’s story and things I never would have noticed without a tour.
I suggest the tour on Klook if you want the specific 2:00 PM time slot, but anything around mid-afternoon fits well into this Venice itinerary.
Optional: Gelato & Cicchetti Bar
This one depends on the timing of the day, and maybe you could do it before or after the Gondola ride.
As I was in Venice during the summer and the sun set late, I stopped at these spots for some bites before heading to my Gondola ride at 6:20 PM.
First, stop for espresso and cicchetti (small bites) at Bacaro Risorto Castello; the service is so friendly, and it’s a really chill spot to take a break! I came here multiple times, actually. And it’s not too far from Saint Mark’s Basilica.
Then there’s a famous gelato spot in Venice called Gelateria Gallonetto. If you have time and a sweet tooth, you won’t regret it. There’s usually a bit of a line, but it hits the spot.
5:00 PM or Later (Follow Seasonal Hours): Gondola Ride
Cost: Approximately $35–$90 USD per person, depending on shared or private ride.
I was hesitant about going on a gondola ride, but since this is a first-time 2-day Venice itinerary, I don’t think it can be skipped.
Plus, as a solo traveler, the shared gondola options helped fit the budget.
In the end, I was so happy I did it.
There was a moment in the canals where silence just hit. All you could do was tune into the soft sounds of the water being paddled against while you floated underneath the small bridges that keep the city connected.
Maybe I just got lucky, but the route they did was varied, and the people on our gondola were quite chill, making it easy to settle into the moment.
Another Great Idea ✨ Book a Venice food tour that includes a gondola ride
Early Evening: Dinner + Wandering
At this point, I think a proper meal should be accounted for.
Now, as someone who doesn’t mind walking, I went from the gondola location over to Del Maro’s, a budget-friendly fresh pasta spot.
Then I spent the rest of my time before the Vivaldi concert hanging out along the San Marco Pier, watching the sunset. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along the pier to take in the views and maybe grab an Aperol or a glass of wine.
9:00 PM: Vivaldi Four Seasons Concert
Cost: Approximately $40-50 USD
The Four Seasons Vivaldi concert in Venice was the absolute highlight of all the best things to do in Venice. In fact, I now regularly listen to Vivaldi’s music, as I was so moved by this performance. The layers of sound and the musicians’ passion reached right into my soul.
The composer Vivaldi was from Venice, which explains why this is one of the best things to do there.
And even if you don’t think you know Vivaldi’s works, trust me, once you hear them, you’ll recognize them.
Day 2: Hidden Gems & Venetian Arts
Day 2 in this first-timers’ 2-day Venice itinerary dives into Venice’s creative stories, from the world’s largest canvas painting to world-class glassworks.
Klook.com10:30 AM: Visit Chiesa di San Pantalon
Cost: Free entry; donations accepted.
This is one of my favorite “hidden gems” in Venice that was touted on social media. It’s home to the world’s largest canvas painting, which covers the church’s ceiling.
Since it opens at 10:30 AM most days, give yourself this morning to take it a bit more slowly until then.
There’s a brunch spot right nearby, Lunula Caffetteria Brunch, that whips up a beautiful plate for a reasonable price. And it’s in a convenient location, which is especially helpful since day 1 of this itinerary includes lots of walking to and from places just for the food.
11:30/12:00: Venetian Mask-Making Workshop
Cost: Approximately $60–$90 USD
My time in Venice made me realize there was so much I knew about that came from Venice that I didn’t quite connect.
For example, I didn’t know that Vivaldi, whose music I knew well, was from Venice.
The same goes for the Venetian masks. Clearly recognizable, but I didn’t realize they originated from Venice.
If you enjoy being creative or are traveling with kids, Venetian mask painting is one of the best things to add to your first-timer 2-day Venice itinerary.
My mask looked far less pretty than I imagined it would, but it was still super fun to give it a shot.
2:00 PM: Visit Murano
Cost: Round trip Vaperetto (~€20) + Murano Museum (~€15)
Murano is another island in Venice that not everyone will catch on their first trip, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can still fit it in. In all the Venice guides, it’s one of the best things to do in Venice.
You’ll need to take the Vaperetto to get there, and you can buy tickets at the ticket booth or online in advance.
Murano is known for the Murano Glass Museum and for offering glass-blowing demonstrations. I stopped by a few Murano Glass shops in Venice and was blown away by the craftsmanship.
If you want a luxurious souvenir from Venice, glasswork is at the top of the list.
Half-Day Trip Idea from 1 PM – 6 PM ✨ Visit both Murano and Burano Islands (Klook Booking)
Alternative ideas to Murano for those who love to cook:
🍝 Cooking Class in Venice with All-You-Can-Drink Prosecco
🇮🇹 Pasta & Aperol Making Masterclass
Evening: Dinner + Final Stroll Through Venice
Since this first-timer two-day Venice itinerary is packed, let’s allow ourselves the final evening to unwind and absorb it all.
One of my favorite stops was at Osteria al Squero for the small plates and Campari. If it’s full, you can sit outside along the canal, but be careful of the seagulls!
FAQs for a Two-Day Venice Itinerary
Is Two Days Enough to See Venice?
Two days are enough to see the top attractions in Venice. While it can be quite packed if you want to do as much as possible, you can still have a super satisfying Venice trip in only two days.
If you want to have more time to relax in Venice, book a third day.
Does Venice Have an Airport?
Yes, Venice has the Marco Polo Airport, which is about 30-minutes by bus to/from Venice.
As Venice is car-free, you will need to walk into Venice from either the bus station or wherever your taxi drops you off.
If you’re traveling from inside Italy, though, you can also take the train in/out of Venice. From the train station, I could walk to my Venice hostel (Ostello Domus Civica) in about 10 minutes.
Is there a Fee to enter Venice?
There used to be a fee to enter Venice for a day trip (no overnight stay), but it has since been removed. And if you’ll be staying overnight a few nights, then there’s no need to worry about any extra fees.
Final Tips for 2 Days in Venice
Venice is the kind of place that tourists either absolutely love or would never go back to. After 2 days there, I was so ready to leave despite how much I loved it (and want to go back again during a slower season!).
My top tips would be to:
- Stay further from the center of San Marco (beautiful area but packed with people)
- Book the best things to do in Venice ahead of time: Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, Vivaldi Concert
- Give yourself time between things to do in Venice to take breaks
- Respect the laws, don’t be too noisy in quiet areas + just be respectful, as Venice does have issues due to its mass tourism
