Things to do in Venice

St. Marks Square (The Piazza)

Otherwise known as Piazza del Marco, St Marks Square is the focal point for all tourist visits to Venice. The square itself is a masterpiece but it also houses St. Marks Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. The Basilica is often called the Church of Gold because of its opulent Byzantine design, and is built on the original site of the first basilica dated from the 9^th century. See the mosaics and gold-lined ceilings inside the Basilica, and the Greek horses of St Mark that have survived the ages and being moved from Constantinople, to Paris and back to Venice. The Gothic Doge’s Palace was the home of the Doge, in other words the ruler of Venice, and is adjacent to the Basilica.

You can easily spend the whole day here, so get there early to avoid the inevitable crowds. Try to get a chance to visit the Campanile, the clock tower at the top end of the square, the highest building in Venice from where you can get a great view. 

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim was an American heiress and socialite from New York who collected art in large quantities. She lived the latter part of her life in a large house on the Grand Canal in Venice where this museum is located. She died there and is buried in the garden. The exhibition is strong on surrealism and abstract expressionism, a possible legacy of her marriage to Max Ernst, the artist. 

Art Galleries Of Venice

Venice is one of the most important art destinations in the world, so if you’re into art you can spend literally weeks going round all the various galleries in Venice. The highlights would be the works by Titian, Canaletto , and Tintoretto which can be seen at the I Frari, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and Galleria Franchetti.