The back story 1
In-depth stories behind the list.
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The back story
Venice and its lagoon: the back story
A city built on the water, and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987: how Venice and its lagoon came together.
13 of the best · Venice, Italy
The Best Things to See and Do in Venice
St Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto, Tintoretto at San Rocco, Titian at the Frari, and Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Our 13 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Venice
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Venice.
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The golden church
Basilica di San Marco
St Mark’s Basilica, with its golden mosaics, the Pala d’Oro, the Museum and Loggia of the Horses and evening visits.
Piazza San Marco 328, 30124 VeneziaExplore View on map
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The seat of the Republic
Palazzo Ducale (the Doge’s Palace)
The Doge’s Palace on the Piazzetta, with the Bridge of Sighs and the prisons.
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Tintoretto’s great cycle
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
The confraternity whose halls are painted by Tintoretto.
Campo San Rocco 3052, 30125 VeneziaExplore View on map
The full list: Sights, A–Z
Show 10 of 13 places on a map
Neighbourhood
Landmarks 5
San Marco and the Grand Canal.
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The golden church
Basilica di San Marco
St Mark’s Basilica, with its golden mosaics, the Pala d’Oro, the Museum and Loggia of the Horses and evening visits.
Piazza San Marco 328, 30124 VeneziaExplore View on map
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The view over the lagoon
Campanile di San Marco
The bell tower of St Mark’s, with the view over the city and the lagoon.
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The seat of the Republic
Palazzo Ducale (the Doge’s Palace)
The Doge’s Palace on the Piazzetta, with the Bridge of Sighs and the prisons.
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The heart of the city
Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal
The stone bridge at the centre of the Grand Canal, beside the Rialto markets.
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Guided visits
Torre dell’Orologio
The clock tower over the entrance to the Mercerie, seen by guided visit.
Churches and scuole 4
Titian, Tintoretto and the Salute.
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Titian’s Assumption
Basilica dei Frari
The great Franciscan church of San Polo, with Titian’s Assumption over the high altar.
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One pass, many churches
Chorus: the churches of Venice
The association of Venice’s parish churches, with one pass for many of them.
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At the mouth of the Grand Canal
Santa Maria della Salute
The domed basilica at the mouth of the Grand Canal, opposite San Marco.
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Tintoretto’s great cycle
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
The confraternity whose halls are painted by Tintoretto.
Campo San Rocco 3052, 30125 VeneziaExplore View on map
The islands 3
Glass, lace and mosaics.
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Painted houses and lace
Burano
The lagoon island of painted houses and lace, joined by a footbridge to Mazzorbo.
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The island of glass
Murano and the Museo del Vetro
Murano’s glass museum, on the island where Venice’s glass has been made for centuries.
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Mosaics in the lagoon
Torcello Cathedral (Santa Maria Assunta)
The ancient cathedral of Torcello, with its mosaics, on a nearly empty island in the lagoon.
