Your Guide to Venice, Italy: The Top 7 Activities to Enjoy

Venice is one of the most romantic destinations, so we knew this would be a top location for our honeymoon in September 2017. Not to mention the food in Italy is some of the absolute best in the world! September is one of the best times to go, it's not too hot, but you still have gorgeous weather. There are fewer tourists and crowds than in the summer months.

Now onto the fun part! Here is your guide to Venice, Italy: the top 7 activities to enjoy.

#1 St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square is the bustling center of Venice, where you can see the famous St. Mark's Basilica and Campanile Tower. We enjoyed walking around and taking in the unique architecture, viewing the clock tower, and partaking in a Rick Steves audio tour (downloaded beforehand on the Rick Steves app) explaining more about the buildings and the history behind each of them. Plenty of restaurants and cafes line the square, so you can relax and enjoy a drink at the end of the day.

#2 Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of four of the oldest bridges across Venice's Grand Canal. Its beautiful architecture and history are worth a stop and a stroll across.

#3 St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica is a must-see on any visit to Venice, with its golden mosaics and astounding architecture. We also did a Rick Steves audio tour inside this basilica for additional historical context. (Note: Photography and video are prohibited inside the church, and modest clothing is required for entry.)

#4 Campanile Tower

We took an elevator to the top of the Campanile Tower, and the views of Venice and beyond were breathtaking. Formerly a lighthouse for sailors later turned into a bell tower with the largest of five original bells remaining from when it was built.

#5 Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace, with Venetian Gothic-style architecture, is one of Venice's prominent landmarks. The palace was once the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. It is incredible to see how royalty once lived.

#6 Wine/Bar Tour

An excellent recommendation from our cousin, who had already visited Venice, was a Wine/Bar tour with Alessandro. We met at a bar, had some appetizers and wine, then ventured out and saw a few more bars. It was beautiful to feel like you're genuinely experiencing what locals do and getting more context about this fantastic city.

#7 Frari Church

The Frari Church is a little off the beaten path in Venice, so we liked visiting it that much more! We also did a Rick Steves audio tour inside this church, highlighting some of the detailed architecture.

Bonus: Ca' Rezzonico, Accademia, and Correr Museum

There are also a few museums that we visited while in Venice. If you're a monumental art and history lover, these might be worth a visit during your trip!

We had such a great experience visiting Venice and wandering the small alleyways over bridges and into shops and restaurants. Venice is a unique destination and should be on everyone's list.