25 Famous Landmarks in Venice, Italy (100% worth a visit)
Lovers favorite place, Venice is a city in northeastern Italy built on more than 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. The Venetian lagoon attracts millions of tourists every year, eager to discover the lagoon and the richly decorated palaces. This magical place fascinates with its history, the picturesque gondolas, the trattorias, and has always inspired artists from all over the world.
Wondering what are the most famous landmarks in Venice Italy?
Here are our top 25 best Venice landmarks you need to discover!
The Full List of the 25 Famous Landmarks Venice Has to Offer
We can divide the famous Venice landmarks into 2 main categories: the buildings, and all the other monuments.
🏛 Famous buildings in Venice:
- St Mark’s Basilica
- Doge’s Palace
- St Mark’s Campanile
- Procuracies (Museo Correr)
- Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
- San Giorgio Maggiore
- Teatro La Fenice
- Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco
- Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
- Venetian Arsenal
- Ca’ d’Oro
- Ca’ Rezzonico
⛪️ Other famous Venice monuments:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Grand Canale
- Rialto Bridge
- Bridge of Sighs
- Rialto Market
- Burano
- Murano
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Ponte Dell’Accademia
- Gallerie Dell’Accademia
- Lido di Venezia
- Venetian Ghetto (Cannaregio)
So, here’s the list of the 25 famous landmarks Venice Italy. To learn more about each of these landmarks, keep reading below 👇
Famous Buildings in Venice
Venice is full of architectural gems that reflect the city’s fabulous historical and cultural heritage. Indeed, although the city is on the water, Venice has incredible buildings that make the city famous worldwide.
Let’s discover 13 of the most famous buildings in Venice Italy! 🔥
1. St Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica is the most important church and definitely the most iconic landmarks of Venice.
Completed in the 9th century, this Byzantine-style church was built to house the relics of Saint Mark which were brought back from Egypt. But due to a great fire, the basilica was destroyed but quickly rebuilt in 1094.
This church was the first in Italy to have a central dome. The interior is richly decorated, with columns, mosaics, statues… Some elements were directly brought from Byzantium, such as the horses that adorn the exterior of the church.
2. Doge’s Palace
Located on the Grand Canal right next to the Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace is certainly one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. Accessible through the famous Bridge of Sighs, it’s one of the greatest monuments in Venice.
With its gothic architecture, it was the residence of the Doges who ruled Venice until 1789. Rich in history, the palace houses exceptional artworks such as those of Veronese, Bellini, Titian or Tintoretto.
Nowadays, the palace is a museum and also houses the Library of Saint Mark. It’s definitely a must-see if you’re in town!
3. St Mark’s Campanile
The Campanile di San Marco stands on the edge of the famous St. Mark’s Square and overlooks the entire city from a height of 98,6 meters.
First built in the 9th century on Roman ruins, this brick tower once served as a watchtower for the port of Venice, on the current location of Piazzetta dei Leoncini. Several times destroyed, rebuilt and renovated, the last reconstruction of the Campanile was in 1912.
Climbing to the top of this iconic tower is a must-do in Venice as you’ll have a breathtaking view of the city and its lagoon. It’s the best spot to take photos of Venice!
4. Procuracies (Museo Correr)
Also located in St. Mark’s Square, the Procuracies are easily recognizable thanks to their countless arches and windows that contribute to the charm of the square.
The Procuracies are the name of the buildings that used to be the offices and homes of the high dignitaries, whose role was to manage the property of the church, among others.
Now, these buildings house the Correr Museum which traces the history of the city of Venice since its foundation. The museum is considered one of the most beautiful in Venice thanks to its Empire style decorations. It’s the ideal visit for history lovers!
5. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is located at the southern end of the Grand Canal. The building is easily recognizable because it stands on a very narrow piece of land between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco.
Built between 1931 and 1687 in honor of the Holy Virgin Mary, the dome of the basilica quickly became a powerful symbol of the city and inspired many artists like Sargent, Turner or Guardi.
Nowadays, the basilica is one of the most impressive buildings to visit in Venice and defines the city’s skyline.
6. San Giorgio Maggiore
Located on the waterfront on an island of the same name, the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore faces the Doge’s Palace and is one of the most important churches in Venice.
Built in the 16th century by the architect Andrea Palladio, the basilica stands out by its facade, similar to an antique temple with a triangular pediment supported by 4 columns. The Latin cross-shaped interior is very large and bright and houses paintings by great masters such as The Last Supper by Tintoretto.
Right next to the church, there’s the Campanile di San Giorgio, a 63-meter high tower from which you can admire one of the most spectacular views of Venice.
7. Teatro La Fenice
Among the most important landmarks in Venice is the Teatro La Fenice, “the phoenix” in English. It’s the most famous theater in the history of Italian opera and the world’s most famous place for opera performances.
Built at the end of the 18th century to replace the San Benedetto theater which was destroyed by fire, La Fenice was also destroyed by fire in 1836 and later rebuilt. In 1996, it was again destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 2003.
Composed of 5 rows of lodges with beautiful gold decorations and paintings, it’s a wonderful building that has to be visited either during a performance or a tour.
8. Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Located in the square of the same name, the Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo is the largest church in Venice. Completed in 1430, its construction, carried out by the Dominicans, lasted almost a century!
Inside, you can visit the tombs of 27 doges including those of Pietro Mocenigo and Alvise Mocenigo, remarkable for their size. The basilica also houses paintings of great Italian masters such as Bellini or Veronese.
The exterior of the basilica made of red brick and marble is a beautiful example of the Venetian Gothic style. Definitely a must-see building, whether you spend only 1 day in Venice or more.
9. Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Comparable to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, La Scuola Grande di San Rocco is the most beautifully decorated building in the city.
Built in the 16th century, La Scuola Grande di San Rocco was an institution dedicated to fighting plague epidemics and helping the Venetian people.
Decorated by Tintoretto between 1564 and 1588, La Scuola is a huge 2-floor building with incredible ornaments on the walls and ceilings, but only 3 rooms are opened to the public. The interior of La Scuola is really worth a visit.
10. Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Although its facade isn’t particularly attractive, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari has a majestic interior that makes it one of the most impressive churches in Venice.
Built in the 15th century, it’s the 2nd largest church in the city. Among its points of interest: its campanile which is one of the highest in Venice, the painting “The Ascension” by Titian as well as the mausoleums of Antonio Canova and Titian.
11. Venetian Arsenal
The Arsenal is one of the most important historical landmarks in Venice, although the interior of this huge complex remains closed to the public.
Built on the initiative of Doge Ordelafo Faliero in 1104 to increase the maritime power of the city, the building now covers 15% of Venice’s surface!
Located in the Castello district considered the most authentic in Venice, visiting the exterior of this shipyard is a must.
12. Ca’ d’Oro
Bordering the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio district, the Ca’ d’Oro is one of the most famous palaces in the beautiful Venetian city.
Built in the early 15th century in a Gothic-Renaissance style by the architect Marco d’Amadio, the “Golden House” was decorated by the same artists as the Doge’s Palace.
Today, the Ca’ d’Oro is a museum that houses an amazing collection of art once owned by Baron Giorgio Franchetti, the one who donated the palace to the Italian State.
13. Ca’ Rezzonico
The Ca’ Rezzonico is one of the monuments that make the charm of Venice. Built in the 17th century, this stunning Baroque palace is located in the Dorsoduro district, along the Grand Canal.
The Rezzonico family bought this house in the 18th century from the Bon family who could no longer afford to complete its construction. It became the property of the city in 1935, and Venice decided to use it as an art museum to relieve the Correr Museum, which was running out of space. The Ca’ Rezzonico is now dedicated to the art and history of 18th century Venice.
Visitors can admire this architectural jewel from a vaporetto or from the opposite shore on San Samuele square. History and art lovers will love visiting it!
Other Famous Monuments in Venice
Besides buildings and palaces, Venice has many other landmarks including monuments, districts and bridges that are must-see attractions whether you spend only 2 days in Venice or more.
Let’s discover 11 of them now! 🚀
14. St Mark’s Square
St. Mark’s Square is certainly the most iconic place to visit in Venice: it’s the main square of the city and a meeting place for both locals and tourists.
This square is the hub of Venice: you’ll have to pass through it to visit the Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile of St. Mark and all the other must-visit monuments.
The Piazza San Marco is also famous for its many souvenir stores and cafés, including the renown Caffè Florian, where you can have a drink while listening to the symphony orchestra.
15. Grand Canal (Canalazzo)
The Canalazzo is the largest canal to cross Venice. Winding between the buildings for 4 km from the basin of San Marco to the Ponte della Liberta, the Grand Canal cuts the city in two.
The Grand Canal of Venice is undoubtedly the most beautiful avenue in the world. More than a hundred spectacular palaces and churches line the banks and bear witness to the glorious past of the city.
The canal is crossed by 4 bridges: Ponte Della Costituzione, Ponte Degli Scalzi, the Rialto Bridge and the Ponte Dell’Accademia. The best way to appreciate the beauty of Venice is to walk along the Grand Canal or to take a Gondola ride: you’ll get an overview of the city and you’ll be able to better guide yourself afterward.
16. Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of the symbols of Venice. The oldest and most famous bridge in Venice connects the banks of the Grand Canal between the districts of San Polo and San Marco.
Its construction, by the architect Antonio Da Ponte, dates back to the 16th century and was for a long time the only bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Now, there are 438 bridges in Venice spanning the 183 canals!
Easily recognizable with its curved silhouette, the Rialto Bridge is a true architectural masterpiece since it is built on marshy ground. Even if it’s crowded day and night, you can’t miss this spot especially because of the view you’ll have from it, which is simply stunning.
17. Bridge of Sighs
Like the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs was built by the Spanish architect Antonio Da Ponte in 1602 over the canal of the Rio del Palazzo.
The Bridge of Sighs connects the old prison to the offices where suspects and prisoners were interrogated. The bridge is completely closed in order to hide the prisoners from the eyes of the citizens. It was also to prevent the condemned from throwing themselves into the canal.
This bridge, one of the most famous monuments of Venice, can be visited from a Gondola, during a visit of the Doge’s Palace or from another bridge.
18. Rialto Market
Accessible from the Rialto bridge, the Rialto market is the oldest market in Venice with almost a thousand years of existence.
The picturesque market is divided into 3 main parts: the Erberia dedicated to fruits and vegetables, the Pescaria which is the fish market, and the Beccaria for meat.
Very lively and colorful, visiting this market is a true immersion into the Venetian local life. But you’ll need to go in the morning if you want to visit as the market empties around noon.
19. Burano
Located in the north of the Venetian lagoon, the island of Burano is famous all over the world for its lace but also for its beautiful small colored houses that line the canals of this fishing village.
Burano was founded by merchants and fishermen from the town of Altino to escape the Barbarian invasions. In order to recognize their home even in foggy weather, the fishermen’s wives painted the walls of their houses in bright colors.
Reachable by vaporetto in 40min from Venice, visitors can discover the Lace Museum, the church of San Martino with its leaning campanile and the fish market.
20. Murano
Located 1.5 km north of Venice, Murano, one of the largest islands of the lagoon, can be reached by vaporetto from Venice in 10 minutes only.
In the 13th century, following many fires, the Senate forced the glassmakers to leave Venice to set up their workshops in Murano. Today, there are still about a hundred of them and they are the main tourist attraction of the island.
You can’t leave the island without seeing a glass blowing demonstration! You can also visit one of the oldest churches in the lagoon, the Basilica Santi Maria e Donato.
21. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Also known as the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, this wonderful Venetian palace is a museum that exhibits works of surrealist, futurist and expressionist art by nearly 200 artists including Picasso, Magritte, Pollock and Dali.
In addition to offering a direct view of the Grand Canal, you can discover the palace’s gardens where there’s a pavilion with a café, a bookstore and temporary exhibitions that are definitely worth a visit.
The museum is named after the wealthy heiress Peggy Guggenheim, one of the greatest collectors of the 20th century.
22. Ponte Dell’Accademia
The Ponte Dell’Accademia is one of the 4 bridges that cross the Grand Canal. Built in 1854, this bridge that connects Campo san Vidal to Campo della Carita was the second one to cross the Grand Canal after the Rialto Bridge.
Composed of a single arch, the Ponte Dell’Accademia is one of the highest bridges and offers an incredible view of the canal and the palaces that border it. It’s also the most used bridge in the city.
Just like the Pont des Arts in Paris, lots of lovers come here to place a lock to seal their love in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
23. Gallerie Dell’Accademia
The Galleria Dell’Accademia is a fine art museum housing paintings of Venetian artists from the 14th to the 18th century including Carpaccio, Veronese and Giorgione.
The Galleria Dell’Accademia was once an art school established in 1750 where architecture, painting and sculpture were taught. In 1777, a new field of study was created: restoration. The institution was one of the pioneers in this field.
Today, it’s the most important collection of Venetian paintings in the world.
24. Lido di Venezia
The Lido is an upscale area in Venice and one of the locals’ favorite places during summer. It’s an island best known for its beaches with natural sand dunes and transparent water.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the heart of Venice, the Lido is a true little haven of peace. Only 10 minutes from the center by vaporetto, it’s the ideal place to relax and swim. It’s also here that you’ll find the best prices for hotels, much less expensive than in Venice center.
The island also houses some wonderful 19th-century palaces and a casino for those who like gambling.
25. Venetian Ghetto (Cannaregio)
The Cannaregio district is a popular and lively area of Venice. Located north of the city, it’s the place to be if you want to go off the beaten path in Venice!
This neighborhood has some sites worth visiting: churches, palaces, and especially the Ghetto, the cradle of the Jewish community of Venice. It’s also a pleasant area to walk around and enjoy the local food, but also to stay in cheap hotels.
Among the sites not to be missed: the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, the cathedral of the Madonna dell’Orto and the street of Strada Nuova for shopping. Don’t hesitate to sit down at a bacari to taste some delicious cicchetti and sip a Spritz!
Well done!👏
You’ve been through all the 25 landmarks! But wait before leaving, I have one more bonus below. Check it now!
Map of the Famous Landmarks of Venice
To get the free map of the famous landmarks Venice has to offer, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.
More Landmarks in Italy
Want to discover more exceptional landmarks in Italy? Great, I have other posts that will be useful to you!
Here’s the complete guide of all the very best landmarks of Italy 👉 The Very Best Landmarks in Italy
And you can also find other city-based landmarks guides:
- Famous Landmarks in Rome
- Famous Landmarks in Milan
- Famous Landmarks in Florence
- Famous Landmarks in Sicily
For more, you can also check all our Italy guides.
I hope you could’ve made your list of the must-see and do in Italy thanks to these guides. Don’t hesitate to comment below if this is the case, I would be very pleased to read your feedback!
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