Things to Do in Veneto

Castel San Pietro is a hilltop fortress in Verona. Built in the Austrian style in the 19th century and surrounded by cypress trees, it offers panoramic views of the city, including the Roman theater and the Adige river. 

The castle is built on the site of the first settlements in Verona. Ruins of ancient buildings dating back to the seventh century BC can still be seen on the castle grounds. During Roman times the hill on which the castle is built was considered sacred, and was known as "Rooster Mountain." Several of the historic buildings on the site were destroyed when Napoleon's troops invaded Verona in 1801. 

After the Austrian army defeated the French in the city in 1805, they built the armed fortress that you see today, comprising an army base and barracks for hundreds of soldiers. Visitors are only able to tour the outside of the buildings and walk in the grounds, but it's worth the steep uphill walk or bike ride"”or the fun funicular rail journey"”to enjoy the enviable views from the top.

The hilltop lookout at Castel San Pietro is accessible on foot, or via funicular railway (paid entry). Hop-on hop-off tour buses stop at the bottom of the hill near the Roman theater.   

The lookout at Castel San Pietro is open year round. Budding photographers should plan to visit in the evening to capture the sunset over the city. The funicular railway is also open all year, except on December 25 and January 1. The funicular has reduced hours in the winter (November"“March).

Nestled at the bottom of San Pietro hill is Verona's Roman amphitheater. Not to be confused with the immense arena in the center of the city, this half-moon amphitheater actually predates the larger arena. It was built towards the end of the first century BC, which makes it over 2,000 years old. Tour the stage and raked seating, and explore the connected museum that houses some fascinating finds from the site. 

The Venice Lido (Lido di Venezia), a long stretch of sand in the Venetian Lagoon, is an easy escape for a quick beach break, round of golf, bout of shopping, or leisurely meal. Along several water bus lines and just minutes from the center of Venice, sneaking away from the crushing crowds of St. Mark’s Square couldn’t be simpler.

The Lido island’s northern half is home to the Venice Film Festival, a smattering of stylish hotels, the Venice Casino, and a host of restaurants and nightlife spots. Toward the island’s south, an impressive golf course welcomes visitors looking to get out on the green. In the center of the island are two large public beaches perfect for relaxing under the sun along Italy’s Adriatic Sea, and the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, a popular destination for shopping, entertainment, and uninterrupted ocean views. 

You can use a hop-on-hop-off Venice sightseeing boat tour to visit the Lido, or an Alilaguna boat transportation pass. Otherwise, opt for a private tour of Venice’s outlying islands, including Burano, Murano, Giudecca, and the Lido.

You can reach the Lido by taking the vaporetto from Piazza San Marco that travels up the Grand Canal and getting off at the Santa Maria Elisabetta stop. Alternatively grab a private water taxi.

Venice gets very crowded during the summer months (from June to September), so if you want mild weather and smaller crowds, the best times to visit the area are spring and fall. The annual Venice Film Festival is held from late August to early September.

The Lido beaches can be crowded in summer, but the water is clear and gentle due to a number of breakwaters sheltering the shoreline. The beach clubs are elegant and well outfitted, providing everything from “huts”—large cabins with a veranda and an awning—to simple deck chairs and umbrellas. 

Housed in the Palazzo della Ragione complex, the Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery (Galleria d'Arte Moderna Achille Forti) houses a collection of works from artists worldwide. Showcasing works from the 19th and 20th centuries, the museum has a special focus on Italian artists including Umberto Boccioni and Giorgio Morandi. 

Named after Veronese botanist and art collector Achille Forti, this modern art gallery began with his private collection of artworks. Along with paintings, the gallery also displays old photographs of Verona that offers visitors a new perspective on the city. 

The gallery makes a great additional stop for visitors planning to climb the 12th-century Torre dei Lamberti, also located in the Palazzo della Ragione. It's reached by climbing the impressive gothic Scalla della Ragione, or "reason stairs." Also housed in the gallery is the unique Cappella dei Notai (Notaries' chapel) richly decorated with wood paneling and painted frescoes. To learn more about the Capella dei Notai or the Torre dei Lamberti you take a guided walking tour of the city.

The gallery is located in the Palazzo della Ragione in Verona's city center, at the corner of the old market square, Cortile del Mercato Vecchio. It can be reached on foot from many other places in the center, and local buses as well as hop-on-hop-off tour buses make frequent stops in the city center too. 

On hot summer days, the cool interior is a welcome getaway. 

Experience the Veronese way of life in Piazza Bra, a public square where locals walk, talk, and sip coffee. Home to some of the city's most iconic buildings, including the Roman arena, the sizeable square is also a popular destination for the nightly passeggiata, during which couples, families, and friends take pre-dinner strolls to catch up on the news of the day.

An easy detour from Vicenza and just minutes from Villa Capra, Villa Valmarana ai Nani is a striking example of a Venetian villa, perched on the slopes of San Bastian hill, looking out over the Valletta del Silenzio (Valley of Silence). Still inhabited by its aristocratic namesake, the Valmarana family, Villa Valmarana takes its suffix ‘ai Nani’ or ‘the Dwarves’ from the 17 stone sculptures that adorn its wall – a homage to the dwarf princess who once lived in the villa, if you believe the legend.

The villa is also open to the public and visitors can stroll the idyllic gardens and peek inside the Palazzina (the main residence), the Foresteria (the guest residence) and the Scuderia (the stables). The highlight of a visit is admiring the magnificent frescoes, painted in the 18th century by the Tiepolos and celebrated as some of their finest work.

Venice’s former Jewish ghetto (Campo del Ghetto Nuovo) is one of the most fascinating and poignant corners of the Floating City. The oldest Jewish ghetto in Italy is home to a number of 16th-century synagogues, the Jewish Museum, a small Holocaust memorial, and kosher restaurants and bakeries. 

The origins of the word ghetto can be traced back to Venice: gheto in Venetian means foundry and refers to the island where Venetian Jews were once confined after sunset by Venetian Republic decree. The area is divided into the Ghetto Nuovo (New Ghetto), and the adjacent Ghetto Vecchio (Old Ghetto), though the Ghetto Nuovo is actually the older of the two. Jews from across Europe settled in this neighborhood from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and each synagogue historically catered to a different nationality—German, Italian, Spanish, and Sephardic. 

Today Campo del Ghetto Nuovo is still the center of the Venetian Jewish community and offers a glimpse into its history and culture. The ghetto’s Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico) narrates local Jewish history with a collection of antique gold objects and textiles from ghetto artisans, historic religious texts and artifacts, and personal and household items from former residents. There is also a small Holocaust memorial in the neighborhood to honor the many residents deported during World War II. Book a Jewish ghetto walking tour with a guide to learn more about the ghetto, or pair your visit with a Cannaregio food tour or home cooking experience to explore local cuisine. The museum offers guided tours of the neighborhood’s historic synagogues, or you can book a private tour to view these historic places of worship more intimately.

The Jewish ghetto is in Venice’s Cannaregio neighborhood. Take the vaporetto (water bus) to the Ponte delle Guglie stop on the Fondamenta di Cannaregio.

As one of the main tourist destinations in Europe, Venice can be very crowded most of the year. To avoid the thickest throngs, visit in early spring or late fall. The December Hanukkah festivities in the historic ghetto, with music and celebrations with the traditional lighting of the menorah, make for a particularly beautiful time to visit.

The ghetto has five historic synagogues: the Schola Tedesca for the German community; the Schola Spagnola and the Schola Italiana for the Spanish and Italian communities, respectively; the Schola Levantina for the Sephardic community; and the Schola Canton, a private synagogue probably built by French emigrés.

Venice is a patchwork of many islands in the Venetian Lagoon, an enclosed bay on the Adriatic Sea that covers 212 square miles (549 square kilometers). After visiting the main Venetian islands, take a boat trip across the shallow lagoon to the outlying islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello.

Italy’s Venetian Lagoon was formed by nature thousands of years ago, but human intervention over the past centuries—including hydraulic projects to prevent the lagoon from becoming a marsh and the drainage and construction of islands—has shaped the bay into what it is today.

The most popular way to explore the lagoon is by motorboat cruise from the city of Venice to quieter nearby islands such as Burano, famous for its lace and colorful buildings; Murano, known for its glass production; and Torcello, thought to be one of the first inhabited islands in the lagoon. For a romantic evening on the lagoon, opt for a Venice sunset cruise or a gondola ride along the canals in Venice proper fed by the waters of the lagoon.

The Venetian Lagoon straddles the provinces of Venice and Padua in northern Italy, but by far the easiest and most popular way to reach the lagoon is via the city of Venice either by plane, train, or car.

The lagoon can be choppy in winter, so the best time to cruise the waters is May to September, with the additional benefit of escaping the crowds that invade the main islands during these months. Venice has a number of festivals that take place in whole or in part on the lagoon; the most spectacular are Carnival in January and February, the Festa del Redentore in July, and the Festa della Madonna della Salute in November.

The water level in the Venetian lagoon varies dramatically during the year. Often, Venice experiences acqua alta (high water) in the wet winter months, when sea waters flood the low-lying areas of the city along the Grand Canal, including Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Market. The city sets up raised wooden walkways during acqua alta, so people can get around the flooded portions of the city without getting their feet wet.

Feel like part of history as you attend an event in the Verona Arena (Arena di Verona), a spectacular Roman amphitheater that has dominated Piazza Bra since the first century. Once a venue for sporting events, games, and gladiatorial battles, today audiences of up to 15,000 gather to watch opera, music concerts, and dance performances.

Verona’s Roman Arena is the symbol of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed city center and one of its most popular sights. Though much of the original pink-and-white limestone outer facade was pilfered at the end of the Roman Empire and a catastrophic earthquake in 1117 destroyed the rest, the interior and outstanding acoustics remain remarkably intact. In the 19th century, the city began using the arena once again to hold performances, and a staging of Verdi’s Aida in 1913 to celebrate the composer’s 100th birthday marked its reincarnation as one of Italy’s most important outdoor theaters.

By day, you can book a Verona Arena tour with skip-the-line entrance to the amphitheater or join a small-group walking tour of the city’s highlights, including the arena as well as Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, Torre dei Lamberti, and the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. On summer evenings, you can book a ticket for the annual opera festival or other event, and enjoy the arena decked out for a performance.

Verona is located in Italy’s Veneto region, about halfway between Venice and Milan, and you can easily take a Lake Garda day trip from here. The arena is on Piazza Bra in the historic center of Verona, about a 20-minute walk from the train station or eight minutes by bus.

The arena is open from 8:30am to 7:30pm daily, and from 1:30pm on Mondays. These hours may change on performance days. While you can visit the arena year-round, it is especially memorable in the evening during scheduled performances from June to September. Opera seasons runs during this time; performances begin after sunset (usually around 9pm), and the amphitheater is lit by hundreds of small candles. 

Verona is also famous for being the setting for Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Today you can tour what is known as Juliet’s house, Casa di Giulietta, with its romantic balcony.

 With ancient Roman ruins, church crypts that inspired Shakespeare, and grand Austrian-style buildings from the 19th century, Verona’s Historic Center (Centro Storico) is an architectural treasure trove. Highlights include the 2nd-century Verona Arena, the Casa di Giulietta, and the 14th-century Scaliger Tombs. 

The historic city of Verona was first settled by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Several city sights—including the Roman theater and the Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge) over the Adige river—still remain from this early period, while many city streets, such as the Via Mazzini, follow the routes of ancient Roman roads with many ruins to visit. 

There are also many buildings dating from the Medieval and Renaissance eras, including the Casa di Giulietta, where the family said to have inspired Shakespeare’s Capulets in Romeo & Juliet once lived. Many people interested in the architectural history of the city choose to take part in a guided tour to learn more about the significance of the different buildings. 

Verona’s Centro Storico cover the central district of the city, lying roughly between Via Roma in the south and the riverbank in the north, east, and west. It is best explored on foot, either self-guided or as part of a walking, bike, or Segway tour. Additionally, hop-on-hop-off buses stop at many of the major tourist attractions making the city easy to navigate. 

The streets in the Centro Storico are open 24 hours a day year-round. Many of the individual sights have separate opening hours so check before you visit. The city is busiest in the summer months when visitors come from all over the world to enjoy opera performances at the Verona Arena. 

Climb Up to Castel San Pietro

For a bird’s-eye view of the city before you start exploring in earnest, head up the steep hill to Castel San Pietro—or save your legs and take the funicular railway. From the top you’ll be able to see the Roman roads cutting through the center, the river winding its way through the buildings, and make out the 30,000 seat Verona Arena. 

With its temple-like colonnaded façade flanked by weeping willows and bordering the glittering Venetian lagoon; the stunning setting of Villa Foscari begs to be photographed. The striking villa, also known as La Malcontenta, was built in 1559 for Nicolò and Alvise Foscari, and makes up one of a number of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palladian villas.

The work of acclaimed architect, Andrea Palladio, Villa Foscari combines traditional Venetian, Greek and Roman architecture to give a palatial feel, aided by the villa’s elevated location, looking out over the Brenta River. The regal atmosphere continues inside, where visitors can admire magnificent frescoes from the likes of Battista Franco and Gian Battista Zelotti.

Via Mazzini is Verona’s top shopping street. It’s lined with stores selling the latest fashions and chic cafes where you can sit and people watch over a creamy cappuccino. Leading from the central square Piazza Bra to the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s balcony) it connects some of the city’s main sights.

The stylish street is named after Giuseppe Mazzini, a 19th-century politician and activist who was instrumental in bringing about the unification of Italy. A section of the street follows the original Roman road leading off from Verona Arena. It formed one of the city’s east-west streets, known as “decumanus” streets. 

Keen shoppers will be in heaven here—Via Mazzini is home to all the top Italian and international brands and there’s enough to keep you browsing for hours. For visitors less inclined to window shop, the street itself is quite charming with classic Italian-style architecture painted in pastel colors and there are plenty of places to grab a bite. Walking tours taking in the city’s top sights often stroll down this major street. 

Things to Know Before You Go 

Via Mazzini links Piazza Bra to Piazza delle Erbe through the center of Verona and is easily accessible on foot. Additionally, hop-on-hop-off tour buses, as well as city buses and taxis, stop nearby, although the street itself is pedestrian only. 

The shops and cafés on Via Mazzini are open every day except major holidays. Weekends are the busiest days, especially Sunday afternoons when many people come to browse the stores and take a leisurely stroll.

Explore Piazza delle Erbe

At the bottom of Via Mazzini is Verona’s market square, Piazza delle Erbe (Place of the Herbs). A market is still held here every morning except Sunday, with vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, flowers, and more. The square is also home to the Torre dei Lambert—worth the climb for a great view—and the Achille Forti Gallery of Modern Art. 

Villa Barbaro, masterpiece of 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, is one of the most striking of Veneto’s UNESCO-listed Palladian villas. This group of elegant patrician residences are scattered in the hills between Vicenza and Treviso, and make for a fascinating day trip from Venice.

 

The countryside surrounding Vicenza is dotted by dozens of stately villas with classical architecture and sweeping manicured gardens. Known as the Palladian Villas after their architect Andrea Palladio, these rural residences were constructed in the first half of the 16th century for a handful of wealthy families from the Venetian Republic. Villa Barbaro (also known as Villa di Maser), completed around 1558, is characterized by its Roman-inspired façade with four ionic columns, interior frescoes by Paolo Veronese, tempietto (chapel), and nymphaeum with elaborate stuccoes by Alessandro Vittoria.

 

Today, the villa estate includes a working farm and winery, and visitors can explore the sumptuous residence, view the carriage collection, and enjoy a wine tasting. Day trips from Venice to Villa Barbaro can also include stops in the picturesque medieval hill towns of Bassano del Grappa and Asolo, along with a prosecco tasting at an area winery.

 

 

The villa is located on Via Barbaro near the village of Maser, just over an hour from Venice by car. Arriving by public transportation involves multiple bus connections, so the most convenient way to visit is by joining a small-group or private tour that includes transportation.

 

One of the main draws of Villa Barbaro are the lovely grounds, which are in full bloom in spring and fall.

 

The Veneto region is home to numerous Palladian Villas. Among the most famous are Villa La Rotonda, officially known as Villa Almerico Capra, which is an example of Palladio’s skill in blending architecture with the surrounding landscape; and Villa Emo, home to a fresco cycle by Giambattista Zelotti.

After Chianti, the vinicultural region of Valpolicella produces the most wine in Italy under the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata,) Italy’s top quality classification for wine. Winemaking has existed in the cool hills and mild climate of the area since the time of the ancient Greeks. 

The wine now labeled as Valpolicella comes from one or more of three grapes: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara. The wines produced here tend to resemble Beaujolais and are often lighter in flavor and texture, often fruity and fragrant. Perhaps the most regarded wine from the region is the subtype called Amarone della Valpolicella. It is considered worldwide to be one of Italy’s finest wines.

Vineyards and tasting rooms (along with some great restaurants) are scattered throughout the valley, with everything from traditional villas and small, family-run spots to modern, tech-savvy winemakers. Most welcome guests for wine tastings or events.

As a small walled village in the Veneto region, Soave has earned a reputation for producing some of the best white wine in Italy. Once a Roman hub on the road from Aquileia to Genoa, it is now a commune of only 7,000 residents. Three varieties of Soave wine are produced with DOC (the Italian mark of quality and tradition) using mostly Garganega grapes. The varieties include Soave classico, recioto di Soave and Soave spumante (sparkling). Wine tasting is available both within the city walls and just outside of them at the many area wineries.

Outside of its excellent food and wine, there is a well-preserved medieval castle high atop a hill overlooking the village that is worth visiting. The three courtyards of the castle contain original frescoes, and impressive, historic portraits are visible throughout the castle. It is also worth exploring the city's medieval walls, which date back to the 13th century and offer wonderful views of the Italian countryside.

Venice is made up of over 100 small islands, but generally “the Venice islands” refers to the three most famous outlying islands in the Venetian lagoon: Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Murano, just north of Venice proper, has been the center of Venice’s famous glass-making industry since 1291, and the island’s expert glassblowers still handcraft stunning pieces of Murano glass today. Farther north, Burano has quiet canals lined with brightly painted fishermen’s houses and is home to Venice’s traditional lace artisans. Its neighboring island of Torcello, first settled in 452, is believed to be the first populated island in the Venetian lagoon.

The only way to visit Venice’s islands is by boat. By far the best option for avoiding the hassle and delays of the vaporettos (ferries) is booking a private motorboat tour. Tours enable you to make the most of your time on each island—visiting the glass factories on Murano, lace-making demonstrations on Burano, and the historic sights on Torcello—without having to navigate the complicated and crowded interisland public transportation system. Choose a half-day sightseeing tour if you are pressed for time, or a more leisurely full-day Venice cruise to explore the Grand Canal and lagoon islands at a more relaxed pace.

From St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), take vaporetto 4.1 from the San Zaccaria stop, or a private water taxi from the Grand Canal boat launch near the Doge’s Palace, to Murano. From there, local water buses or taxis run to Burano and Torcello.

The Venice islands are most crowded in summer. The crowds thin considerably from November through February, though chilly temperatures can mean a less pleasant boat trip across the lagoon.

Over the decades, a number of famous artists, musicians, and Hollywood stars have spent time on the quiet island of Torcello. Ernest Hemingway, for one, wrote parts of “Across the River and into the Trees” during his stay on the island in 1948.

Home to the best art collection in Venice, the Accademia Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia) houses Venetian paintings dating from the 14th century to the 18th century. Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man is the collection’s most famous work, but the Venetian painters best capture the spirit of the Floating City. 

Venice’s Accademia Gallery gathers sumptuous masterpieces by Venetian artists like Titian, Giambattista Tiepolo, Canaletto, Mantegna, Hieronymus Bosch, Giovanni Bellini, and Paolo Veronese. Housed in the Scuola della Carita, part of the former Santa Maria della Carità convent complex, the museum first opened in the early 19th century. Today it is home to both a permanent collection and rotating temporary exhibitions. To fully understand the scope and importance of the artwork on display, by far the best way to visit is with a guided tour that includes skip-the-line access to the popular museum.

Venice's Accademia Gallery is located on Campo della Carità in the Dorsoduro district right on the Grand Canal. Take vaporetto line 1 or 2 to the Accademia stop from either St. Mark’s Square or the train station. 

Venice is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, and the best time to visit its sights is October to March, when the city is less crowded. That said, the Accademia Gallery is the perfect respite from the muggy heat in summer, cold lagoon winds in winter, and sudden rainstorms in spring and fall. The museum is closed on Monday afternoons, May 1, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

The Scuola della Carità was the oldest Scuola Grande in Venice, dating from the 13th century. The city originally had six of these important charitable and religious confraternities, which were Napoleon disbanded during his 18th-century occupation.

St. Mark’s Basilica is the crown jewel of Venice, one of the most sumptuous cities in the western world. This ornate cathedral blends elements of Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture—testimony to the city’s political and economic dominance that spanned centuries. Topped by soaring domes and with an interior of astonishing golden mosaics, the church is so opulent it is known as the Chiesa d’Oro, or the Golden Church. Construction began in 828, when the body of St. Mark was smuggled back to Venice from Alexandria; the church has been rebuilt, expanded, and delicately restored over the centuries. 

St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous monument in Venice and hosts millions of visitors each year, so there are often long lines to enter. To avoid the crowds and wait times, book a skip-the-line tour, or opt for an after-hours tour for private evening access. While the exterior is visited on just about every city sightseeing tour, a guided tour is the best way to experience the cathedral, given the complexity of its art and architecture. A private or small-group evening tour led by an expert tour guide offers a unique and intimate experience, and the basilica is located on St. Mark’s Square, so you can easily combine a basilica tour with a gondola ride and a Doge’s Palace tour.

The cathedral is on the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent to the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) along the Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is San Marco–San Zaccaria.

The basilica is most crowded at midday, so begin or end your Venice tour with a morning or late-afternoon visit. Summer is the most popular time of year to visit, while Venice is relatively quiet from November through February (aside from the Christmas and New Year holidays, and during Carnival).

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is famous for Michelangelo's “Pietà” and Florence’s Duomo is known for Brunelleschi’s dome, but St. Mark’s Basilica’s greatest treasure—the stunning Pala d'Oro—dates back centuries before either of those masterpieces. This glittering gold and enamel altarpiece from AD 976 is considered one of the most important, refined examples of Byzantine enamel in the world.

Cruising into the Venetian Lagoon is an unforgettable experience, as you skirt the islands to dock at the Stazione Marittima near the Piazzale Roma transport hub. St. Mark’s Square and its many-domed basilica is only a short public ferry or water taxi ride away, and the picturesque canals, bridges, and palaces of Venice await.

Venice can be a confusing maze of winding canals and tiny backstreets for any visitor, so joining a private walking tour of the Floating City is the most stress-free way to savor its unique beauty and visit the most famous attractions while in port. Maximize your time by exploring Venice with a shore excursion that includes a water taxi ride from the cruise port down the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s Square and skip-the-line tickets to the more crowded attractions like the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Most Venice shore excursions include a half-day guided walking tour that takes in highlights like St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and the city’s famous network of canals, bridges, and quiet backstreets. 

Vaporettos (public ferries) and water taxis run to St. Mark’s Square from the Stazione Marittima cruise port hourly and take about 20 minutes to make the trip down the Grand Canal; you could also walk 10 to 15 minutes to Piazzale Roma and catch the vaporetto from there, which run more frequently. Some cruise lines provide a free shuttle to St. Mark’s Square, and many shore excursions include a private water taxi to the square.

Most of the largest cruise lines stop at the Venice cruise port. Italian is the predominant language here, but English is widely understood throughout Venice. The local currency is the euro; ATMs and foreign exchange bureaus are clustered around St. Mark’s Square. 

 Of the many historic opera houses in Italy, few are more legendary than Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. Opened in 1792, the theater quickly became a major venue for opera and ballet. Today you can view the sumptuous 19th-century-style interiors during a musical or dance performance, or join a guided tour of the theater.

La Fenice has a rather understated facade that belies the opulence within, and it’s an impressive sight whether or not you’re a fan of opera or ballet. A tour of this famous opera house is a must for any music lover, so consider joining a walking tour of Venice’s highlights that includes a stop at the theater to learn first-hand about its fascinating history and architecture. Of course, you can also soak in the elegant atmosphere by enjoying a concert, ballet, or opera during the performance season.

Teatro La Fenice is located on the Campo San Fantin square in the heart of Venice. Take Vaporetto (public ferry) line 1 or 2 to the Rialto stop; from there, it’s a short walk to the theater.

Performances at the Teatro La Fenice run year-round. The theater is open for tours daily, though opening times may vary when there’s a rehearsal or performance scheduled. 

The theater’s name, La Fenice—or “The Phoenix”—pays tribute to an earlier theater, owned by the same company, that burned down. Unfortunately, the name proved prescient—La Fenice burned down twice, first in 1836 and again in 1996. Both times, though, it was rebuilt. 

Sitting high above St. Mark’s Square and visible from the Grand Canal, the remarkable clock in St. Mark’s Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio) has served as Venice’s official timepiece for more than 500 years. Touring this historic symbol of the city is a highlight of any visit, not least for the sweeping views from the top of the tower.

A unique landmark of Venetian architecture, St. Mark’s Clock Tower is part of a 15th-century building featuring the central tower thought to be designed by Mauro Codussi flanked by two shorter wings on either side. The clock mechanism has changed over time, with a later addition of panels with Roman numerals and Venice’s winged lion symbol, but the two large bronze figures that strike the hours on a bell, the copper statues of the Virgin and Child, and the clock face are all original. The clock displays not only the time of day but also the current zodiac sign and phase of the moon.

A visit to the clock tower is generally included in tours of the highlights of St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), including St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and the bell tower; skip-the-line tickets are a must for these popular sights. Tours include an explanation of the internal clock mechanism and a climb to the top of the tower.

St. Mark’s Clock Tower is located on the north side of St. Mark’s Square, in the center of Venice. The nearest vaporetto (water bus) stop is San Zaccaria.

Venice is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, and can be very crowded in the summer. The best time to visit is from October through March, when the sights around St. Mark’s Square are more pleasant to tour.

One of the most unique features of St. Mark’s Clock Tower is the procession of the three Magi—statues of the three Wise Men led by an angel that emerge from a small doorway to pass in front of the Virgin and Child statues. This happens only twice a year, on the Epiphany (January 6) and on Ascension Day (40 days after Easter Sunday).