My first time ever stepping foot in Italy was in the city of Venice back in 2017. I vividly remember skipping down the streets, dancing in pure and utter bliss. Nearly ten years later, I would be brought back to Venice just for a day when a work opportunity arose. While I fully stand by the fact that there are more “authentic” travel experiences to be had in Italy, like visiting the underrated gems of Marche or exploring “Scottish” towns in Tuscany, there’s something truly enchanting about Venezia and its hyper-romantic canals.
Best of all? Venice is incredibly easy to see in just one day. If you only have 24 hours in the dreamy Italian city, here’s how to spend it.
Breakfast at Pasticcieria Rio Marin (or included in your hotel)
When I say to just spend “one day in Venice,” I’d still recommend getting a hotel, even if for a night. This is because in 2025, Venice is enforcing a “tourist day-tripper’s tax,” meaning if you come JUST for the day, you’ll be charged. Plus, staying at a hotel will allow you to not entirely rush your singular day in Venice, and waking up on the canals is something that really can’t be beat. My preferred hotel is Avani Rio Novo Hotel for a few reasons: the location is ideal, being located right next to a dreamy canal, without being in the center of the tourist action. Plus, they have an incredible included breakfast that runs until 10 a.m. each morning.
Check out Piazza San Marco
Arguably the singular most popular attraction in the city is Piazza San Marco. Here, you’ll find plenty to do and can easily spend several hours just roaming. Check out Doge’s Palace, where you’ll want to reserve your tickets ahead of time to avoid long wait times, especially since you only have one day here. St. Mark’s Basilicata is another must, where you’ll also want to buy a “skip-the-line” ticket. Alternatively, you can book this tour that will allow you to experience both Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilicata. For some free art, head to the church of San Zaccaria.
Try cicchetti at a “bacaro”
There’s one word you need to know when it comes to Venetian cuisine: cicchetti. Think of “cicchetti” as a term that literally just means “snacks.” When you see a menu for “cicchetti,” you will then choose which cicchetti (“snacks”) you would like. This could include an array of crostini, polpette (“balls”), meat and/or veggie fritters, and mini sandwiches. My absolute favorite place in Venice to get cicchetti is Adagio, where I had a fried square filled with mortadella and pistachio, a “polpette di bacala” or fried cod ball, and a crostino with salami and carciofi, but you will see “bacaro” all over the city.
- To fully learn the importance of cicchetti in Venice, book a cicchetti tour with a wine tasting here.
Ride a gondola
Come on–this is mandatory! Did you really go to Venice if you didn’t ride a gondola? Gondolas can be booked ahead of time with a designated tour, but otherwise, you can basically walk up to anywhere along the water in the city center and you will see signs that say “gondola ride.” These rides are 90 euro flat, meaning if you’re a party of one, or a party of six, the price is 90 euro for the BOAT, not per person. Obviously, as a solo traveler, this hurts the wallet a little more, but there’s something quite freeing about riding a gondola by yourself in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Aperitivo at Bacaro al Ravano
Now that you’ve enjoyed a romantic gondola ride, it’s time for a spritz! Bacaro al Ravano is a cute local bar near the city center with prices that won’t hurt as much as other nearby spots (fun fact: Venice is quite expensive compared to the rest of Italy). Here, you’ll also have the chance to try more cicchetti, and they make a great anchovy crostino.
Grab dinner at Adriatico Mar
If you want a great wine bar with quality local cuisine to match, Adriatico Mar is a stellar option. This restaurant is tiny, so getting a table can be tough. However, if you can manage to get a seat, there’s great reward–the staff is incredibly friendly, the wine list is small but thoughtful, and their menu frequently rotates, with different offerings of cheese, meat, pasta, grilled meats and veggies, and more. If you’re having trouble deciding what to eat, simply ask a staff-member to help you with a wine and food pairing, and they’ll be happy to do so.
Nightcap at Cafe Noir
If you want another drink before calling it a night, CafĂ© Noir is a great cocktail bar. They make a really good passion fruit mojito (don’t worry, guys, I do this tough field research for you so I can give you tips!), and if you’re lucky, you’ll see their resident cat hanging out.
Alternative: Burano Islands
If you have a day to spare in Venice, and want to get out of the main city, Burano is a nearby small, colorful island that makes for a great day trip. Check out some popular Burano and Murano tour options here.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Avani Rio Novo Hotel Venice hosted me for two nightsÂ