There’s no city quite as enchanting (and overcrowded) as Venice, but it’s worth battling the people to see this iconic Italian city. It’s almost magical in a sense, as you wander across the bridges over the canals, relax with your grande amore on a romantic gondola ride complete with sipping some chilled prosecco, and indulge in squid ink pasta or a pizza frutti di mare with a glass of wine from the Veneto region.
There are so many things to do in Venice, and luckily many of the best things are free! From the must-see attractions to hidden treasures these are the best free activities in Venice to have a great getaway without breaking the bank.
10 free things to do in Venice
1. Walk around Piazza San Marco
Listen the bells, enjoy the people watching, sample some gelato, and pick up a souvenir all in the popular main square of Piazza San Marco! Started in 800, this plaza has been a staple of Venice and one of the first things visitors will see when entering the city built on water. The plaza is perfect for photos, though you’ll want to get photos taken early when the piazza is empty – or at least not packed full of tourists.
Without going inside Basilica di San Marco, you can enjoy the stunning exterior from the plaza and see the bronze Four Horses and the gorgeous frescoes on the outside of the building, perhaps while you wait in line to get in!
The piazza is also the lowest point in Venice – meaning when it floods, this is where the water is going. Expect to get wet during high tide or wear the ever stylish plastic leg covers to keep your shoes dry.
2. Step inside Basilica di San Marco
Entry to the famous basilica is free, but certain areas or exhibits do require tickets, and the basilica may charge admission on holidays. Otherwise, plan on exploring this stunning building free of charge.
Consecrated in 1117 the basilica, affectionately called the Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold), is home to 800 sq. meters of mosaics, sculptures, and art depicting stories from the Bible and the life of Christ. It’s Byzantine in style and a delight to explore – especially with that free price tag!
For a fee of 13€, you can go to the top of of the bell tower in the square for amazing panoramic views of Venice. The tower stands 99 meters, or about 325 feet, above the city, and its current version was built in the 16th century. Only one original bell, of five, remains today as the others were destroyed when the tower collapsed in 1902. The tower also has a fun tie to space, as Galileo used it to demonstrate his telescope in 1609.
3. Visit Santa Maria della Salute
Another church waiting to be discovered in Venice is Santa Maria della Salute, which was built to mark the end of the plague’s hold on Venice. In honor of the Virgin Mary, this beautiful church is near the entrance to the Grand Canal and is definitely worth popping into just to see some sacred works of art.
4. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge
Take a walk across Ponte di Rialto, or Rialto Bridge, and enjoy amazing views of the Grand Canal as you stand on the oldest bridge in the city. After snapping some pics of Venice, take a look at the shops on the bridge for a little window shopping or to pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
5. Explore Rialto Market
You can wander the stalls at the Rialto Market for free, but the tantalizing, fresh produce is going to cost you a few euro, but worth it for a tasty snack. Each season brings new produce, new smells, and fresh flavors to the market, making it fun to visit any time of year. Get there early as most shops start packing up around 1 p.m.
6. Tour Gallerie dell’Accademia
Want to spend more time admiring the art collections of Venice? Then head over to the Gallerie dell’Accademia! It does have an admission cost, but they do observe 20 free admission days to follow decrees from the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, and making it easy to visit for free.
Right now, one of the gallery’s special exhibit is on Leonardo da Vinci and showcasing pieces of his work in recognition of the 500 years since his death. The exhibit is open until July 14 this year. Another special exhibit is Baselitz-Academy, the first retrospective dedicated to a living artist, Georg Baselitz. See his paintings, drawings, and sculptures, and even rarely exhibited pieces in this collection that’s open until September 8.
Interested in going for free? Go on the first Sunday of the month, from October 2019 to March 2020, for free, and the other days of 2019 include:
- National Museum Week, March 5 – 10
- International Museum Day, May 18
- Art Night, June 22
- The Redentore Feast, July 20 – 21
- European Heritage Days, September 21 – 22
- Feast of the Madonna della Salute, November 21
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3
7. Visit San Giorgio
See the famous Last Supper, painted in 1592-94 by Tintoretto, inside the monastery on the San Giorgio Maggiore island. The first church was built on the island in 790 and rebuilt after the earthquake in 1223. This church is simple in its interior decor and nice and bright and airy. The church also has two other works by Tintoretto, the Fall of Manna and the Entombment of Christ in the Chapel of the Dead.
It’s a nice getaway from the crowds in Piazza San Marco, and if you go on Sunday during Mass, you can hear Gregorian chants by Benedictine monks. Quite a neat experience to add to your Venice vacation.
Similarly to Saint Mark’s, you can take the elevator to the top of the bell tower for 5€ or 3€ if you want to walk it. But, the views are worth the cost to see the islands from above.
8. Window shopping
Italians are well known for being fashionable and even if your budget doesn’t allow you to bring back designer clothing, that doesn’t mean you can’t admire the goods from outside the shop! Marvel at the gorgeous clothing, the exquisite leather goods and bags, and of course be amazed at the handcrafted artistry that is glassblowing. I have two Murano glass necklaces that are just stunning and works of art themselves, let alone a cool piece of jewelry.
9. Attend a festival
Most know Venice for Carnevale, complete with colorful Venetian masks and elaborate costumes, and you don’t have to spend a fortune enjoying the festivities. Enjoy live entertainment with the boat parades, free fireworks show, and simply getting lost in the bustling crowds on Mardi Gras.
Another option is to visit at the end of April for the Festival of San Marco, the patron saint of Venice, and you can watch the procession to Saint Mark’s Basilica on April 25. Or, you could time your visit around Christmas to see how Venice celebrates and decorates for the holiday season.
10. Visit the Jewish ghetto
This part of Venice has been home to the Jewish population since 1516 and is split into two parts: Ghetto Vecchio (old) and Ghetto Nuovo (new). There are also five historic synagogues here, two of which are still in use. If you want to tour the other synagogues, you can book a tour with the Jewish Community Museum of Venice, as well as explore the museum’s exhibits to learn more about Jewish festivities and culture and the history of Venetian Jews. Entry to the museum and synagogues is 12€.
Did we miss something from our list of 10 free things to do in Venice? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
