Venice attractions

8 top sights, in our order of priority for a first visit.

1. 1Doge's Palace & St Mark'sMuseums & culture · Allow 3 hThe seat of Venetian power for centuries, a Gothic palace of grand council halls, golden staircases and enormous paintings, linked to the old prison by the Bridge of Sighs. Next door, St Mark's Basilica is covered in Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile (bell tower) has the best view over the roofs.
2. 2Gondola RideCruises · Allow 1 h 30 minA 30-minute gondola ride through the back canals is the classic Venice experience, and the quieter side canals are far better than the Grand Canal itself, where it is busy with boats. Gondoliers have to pass an exam and many are the sons of gondoliers.
3. 3Murano, Burano & TorcelloDay trips · Allow Full dayThree islands in the lagoon: Murano, where the glassmakers moved in 1291, Burano, with its rainbow-coloured houses and handmade lace, and Torcello, the quiet earliest settlement, with a cathedral covered in Byzantine mosaics.
4. 4Hidden Venice WalkGuided tours · Allow 2 h 30 minA guided walk through Cannaregio and Dorsoduro, away from the main crowds, taking in the Jewish Ghetto (the world's first, established in 1516), quiet canals, small workshops and local bars.
5. 5Cicchetti & Wine TourFood & drink · Allow 3 hVenetian bar snacks, such as baccalà mantecato on bread, fried olives and meatballs, served at the counter of traditional bacari with a small glass of local wine. A tour links several in a few hours.
6. 6Grand Canal & RialtoGuided tours · Allow 2 h 30 minThe 3.8 km main waterway of Venice is lined with palaces from the Gothic to the baroque. The Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the four bridges across it, and the market beside it are the focal points.
7. 7St Mark's BasilicaMuseums & culture · Allow 1 hA Byzantine basilica glittering with golden mosaics, in St Mark's Square.
8. 8Burano & Torcello IslandsCruises · Allow 4 h 30 minA boat trip to the colourful fishing island of Burano, famous for lace, and the quiet island of Torcello.