5 days in Venice
A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.
This 5-day plan covers Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica, Gondola Ride, Murano and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.
Day 1
Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica & more
- 09:00
Doge's Palace & St Mark's
3 h
Skip-the-line entry saves a lot of time because the queues are long. The 'Secret Itineraries' guided tour, which goes into the prison cells and the chancellery, must be booked separately. Basilica dress code and bag rules apply.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ Next door
St Mark's Basilica
1 h
Strict dress code: cover shoulders and knees. Queues are long, so book a timed entry.
- 19:00
↓ About 6 min on foot
Gondola Ride
1 h 30 min
The official rate is fixed for a 30-minute ride, with a higher rate in the evening, and covers up to six people. Agree the price and duration before boarding.
Day 2
Murano, Hidden Venice Walk & more
- 09:00
Murano, Burano & Torcello
Full day
Go on a weekday; Burano gets busy on weekends. Beware of unlicensed glass shops that sell imports as 'Murano glass'. The islands are reached by vaporetto from Fondamente Nove.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi
Hidden Venice Walk
2 h 30 min
Wear comfortable shoes; there are dozens of bridges and steps. Many guides begin near the train station.
- 19:00
↓ Next door
Cicchetti & Wine Tour
3 h
Go in the early evening, when bars set out the best food and the locals arrive for an aperitivo. Standing at the bar is cheaper than sitting down.
Day 3
Grand Canal & Burano
- 09:00
Grand Canal & Rialto
2 h 30 min
Take vaporetto line 1 for the slow tour of the whole canal, and sit at the front if you can. The Rialto Market is best in the morning, and the fish market is closed on Mondays.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Cannaregio
A residential district with the Jewish Ghetto and quiet canals, far from the St Mark's crowds.
- 19:00
Burano & Torcello Islands
4 h 30 min
Go in the morning, and bring a camera. Lace shops range in authenticity.
Day 4
Explore Venice
- 09:00
Morning in Dorsoduro
Home to the Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim collections, with a student feel.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Castello
A less-visited area with the Arsenale and local life, and a quiet base.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 5
Explore Venice
- 09:00
Morning in Cannaregio
A residential district with the Jewish Ghetto and quiet canals, far from the St Mark's crowds.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Dorsoduro
Home to the Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim collections, with a student feel.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The route on a map
Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.
Best time to visit Venice
The most comfortable months with manageable crowds are Oct. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.
- JanColdCrowds: quiet
- FebColdCrowds: busy
- MarCoolCrowds: busy
- AprMildCrowds: peak
- MayMildCrowds: peak
- JunWarmCrowds: peak
- JulHotCrowds: peak
- AugHotCrowds: peak
- SepWarmCrowds: peak
- OctMildCrowds: busy
- NovCoolCrowds: busy
- DecColdCrowds: quiet
Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.
5-day Venice questions
Is 5 days enough for Venice?
Two days is enough for the main sights and the islands; three lets you slow down. This plan fits the main sights into 5 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.
What should I book before I go?
Book Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica, Murano first – they use timed entry or sell out.