Marcus ThomasI have always prided myself on picking tour destinations for our annual vacation with my wife. And our trip to Venice was no different, one thing about her that you must know is Kayla hates to waste money (keyword WASTE not HATE to spend🤣) seriously though she wants to make sure we are getting our money’s worth so when we went to Venice, Italy we asked ourselves, what are the free things to do in Venice.
When vacationing it can be hard to pick something that everyone is going to like. When you have a 3-year old that is entertained by Amazon boxes and a 15-year old that is too cool for school it can be a challenge.
This “Biggest and Best” guide will give you ideas for exploration and to get the biggest bang for your buck and see which things we found FREE is better or paid was better.
Fun Venice Facts -Before The Free Things To Do In Venice Guide
Venice has over 100 islands connected by canals and bridges, earning its proud title as “the floating city.” Venice is one of Italy’s most visited tourist destinations because of its fascinating culture, warm and accommodative locals, and enchanting architecture.
Thomas Tip: To understand the Islands better and which to see. Go to our “Best Islands of Venice” post here.
Venice has a charming atmosphere that makes it an ideal honeymoon destination, and, in my opinion, the charm can make any seasoned traveler’s heart melt like an ice cube on a hot summer day.
I know this because my wife loved it so much that we decided to move to the place that we took our 1st-year anniversary trip to.
And at the end of our trip, I held all the bragging rights after meticulously planning the tour of Venice.
Navigating To The Free Things To Do In Venice
Venice might be small in size as an island but is by no means a lousy abandoned island. On the contrary, it blooms as one of the top tourist destinations of Italy and thus has various options of transportation.
Unless you are already in Europe, then finding a good value ticket is the best way to get to the floating city. As soon as you touch down at Marco Polo airport, you can feel the atmosphere shifting with the anticipation of a good time ahead.
Thomas Tip: All airports are not created equal see the best once in this article here.
You can also optionally take the train from Milan-Italy which connects directly to Venezia Santa Lucia Railway Station. It is a more comfortable and cost-effective option for travelers who would like to explore more areas of Italy and not just Venice.
We have been scammed enough at the train station to write a book use this link to get the best and cheapest rail transport. [AFFIL]
It is impossible to travel by car within Venice since it is a floating city and thus cars can only go so far. Therefore, all vehicles and other motorized means of transport must stop at the Piazzale Roma bus terminal located on the north-western part of Venice Island.
It’s not as bad as it sounds don’t worry we got you covered, you can either book a water taxi in advance below or a bus (we prefer a water taxi by 500%).
Either a private or public water taxi can be used. They are not the same price and each has its advantages and disadvantages in this article we explain “what is a water taxi“.
Best time to visit Venice
Venice is by no means a cheap travel destination in terms of accommodation and as such, when you visit and if you plan to do it on a budget like us, the best time to visit is September to December. During this time, you will find great hotel rates and the places won’t be as crowded with other tourists.
However, if you love the sensation of crowds and loads of tourists, April, May, June, and the start of September are the best. At this time, the weather is warm but not unbearable to interrupt your time in the sun. August is the worst time to visit as it becomes so hot that some Venetians opt to leave for a month-long vacation.
7 Best Free Things To Do In Venice
The attractions of Venice range from sightseeing on the canals, food tasting next to the Rialto Bridge to admiring the beautiful architecture of the gothic churches with a deep and rich history.
To fully explore all of Venice, we would recommend a full 3 days. Venice is a pretty expensive city, and most activities could cause you to put a dent in their savings.
Don’t worry though there are way too many beautiful attractions that can be seen, explored, and experienced for free if you know exactly where to look. This article is dedicated to creating a list of the seven best free things to do in Venice and love it.
1. Venice’s Free Walking Tour [AFFIL]
It is common to get lost in the crowd if you venture out to explore Venice on your own. Therefore, Venice has several tour guides that offer free tours of the charming town on foot to tourists. The good thing about this is that each tour guide sets their route to see, and this gives you a chance as a tourist to see the best and most authentic parts that give you the true feeling of living in Venice.
It is also the perfect opportunity to hone your history and culture by listening to the guides talk passionately about each attraction. You have the chance to learn so much more helpful information than could be found on any website.
Here are the best Free tours we found that are not worth what you pay.
[AFFIL]2. St. Mark’s Basilica
The gorgeous Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark (commonly branded St. Mark’s Basilica) it is one of the most famous churchs in Italy. It is decorated with golden mosaics and an ornated roofline with gothic designs that date back to the early Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. “The Church of Gold,” as it is commonly known, is home to many priceless relics that have been stored here since the early days of the Crusade in 1204.
Admittance to the church is accessible to the public from 9:30 am to 5:15pm (last admission: 4.45pm)
Due to present Covid-19 regulations, on Saturday and Sunday, you can buy tickets only at the San Basso Ticket Office (Piazzetta dei Leoncini).
If you want more than the church entrance, the Bell Tower opens every day from 9.30am to 5.15pm (last admission: 4.45pm; ticket: 10 €; free for children up to 6 years of age). In the event of adverse weather conditions (fog, strong wind, intense cold), the Bell Tower will be closed.
3. Piazza San Marco
The Piazza San Marco is the oldest and most famous square where people see the city’s sights. It is bordered by the Grand Canale, one of the most extensive canals of Venice, where you can see the Rialto Bridge.
The Rialto Bridge has the most thriving fresh food market in the whole of Venice, where locals and tourists alike can go to buy the freshest fish and vegetables. In our “Ultimate In Venice Guide” we provide the exact location of the market.
The square is also linked to the St. Mark’s Campanile which is 99-meters-high (323 ft) tower used in previous centuries as a lighthouse and watchtower. Once you get to the top of the building, you can feel the air get knocked out of your lungs just by how picturesque Venice looks when seen from a high vantage point.
4. Jewish Ghetto
The modern-day definition for the word ‘ghetto’ is derived from the Jewish Ghetto, the area of Venice where Jews were forced to settle by the government over 500 years ago. Although the number of Jews living in Venice today has dramatically reduced, the Ghetto still thrives to date. The Jewish Ghetto is divided into three sections, i.e., Old Ghetto, the new Ghetto, and the Ghetto novissimo, home to over 7000 Jews.
As one walks through the alleys and wanders into the synagogues, you can feel the history bubbling to the surface, telling a story of culture and remembrance as passed on from father to son over the years.
5. San Giorgio Maggiore
The San Giorgio church is a renaissance style church designed by Andrea Palladio in the 16th century. As a result, this church doubles as one of Italy’s most photographed and hand-drawn portrait landmarks. The classical marble that decorates some parts of the exterior of the church gleams and reflects in the clear blue waters surrounding it, adding to the church’s allure.
The interior is, even more, awe-striking with high ceilings, high alters, and displaying a collection of priceless portraits such as The Last Supper and the Coronation of the Virgin with Saints by Tintoretto and many other artworks by equally accomplished painters like Sebastiano Ricci and the Madonna or the Adoration by Jacopo Bassano.
This bell tower “campanile” even thought it si not free it is only about 6 euros.
What does 6 euros get you? With this tower you won’t have to worry about climbing the stairs, since you can only access the observation deck by elevator.
6. The Lido
The Lido is a barred island that is open to tourists with several private and public beaches. When the weather is favorable, the beaches are lined with tourists sunbathing, some cyclists riding bicycles, and kids and adults alike splashing in the water. The water is usually very calm, and the waves only ever grow strong when there is an approaching storm.
Blue Moon is one trendy free beach, but as such, it tends to fill up pretty fast. So endeavor to arrive earlier if you want to get a great spot by the waterside.
Thomas Tip: To know the best beaches before going and ruining the day look here.
7. Museo Della Musica
The Music Museum is dedicated to the appreciation of artistic expression using stringed instruments. The museum is built where once stood a workshop for stringed instruments as part of the Church of San Maurizio. Visitors can experience the sounds by testing out instruments crafted by great craftsmen such as Amati and Goffriller. It is the perfect opportunity for music enthusiasts to get immersed in a world of music and history.
UP NEXT: The Ultimate Venice Guide
Marcus Thomas
