Virtual Tours
Exploring Venice's Civic Museums
Civic Museums
Venice's civic museums (Musei Civici di Venezia) offer many different ways to discover the city, revealing its art, history, traditions and everyday life through a diverse range of collections.
Part of their appeal lies in the places themselves, with museums housed in grand palaces, former residences and iconic landmarks such as the Doge's Palace.
The rest of their appeal comes from the variety of themes they explore, from costumes and perfumes to arts and design, from natural history to Venetian theatre, not to mention traditional crafts from the lagoon islands, such as glass and lace.
One of the best ways to experience these museums is through the city passes, which make visiting multiple locations significantly more affordable and encourage you to discover more than just one.
We will explain the different options at the end of the page, but first, let's explore the 11 museums themselves, each with its own dedicated guide.
01 |Doge's Palace
Grand palace of power, ceremony, and justice, the political heart of Venice for centuries. Behind its ornate facade are vast painted halls, intricate chambers of government, and even prisons connected by the Bridge of Sighs.
It's one of the rare places where you can experience both the elegance and the severity of Venetian power in a single visit. You move from majestic halls filled with art into the quiet weight of the old prisons. It is this contrast of beauty, power, and justice in one place that makes the Doge's Palace visit unforgettable.
02 |Museo Correr
Prominent museum in an opulent setting, showcasing Venice's treasured artworks and rich history.
Included in the ticket to Doge's Palace, exploring the opulent interiors and rich collection is not to be missed.
03 |Clock Tower
Only by stepping inside can you truly appreciate this half-millennium-old technological wonder, crowned by superb panoramic views from the upper terraces.
04 |Ca' Rezzonico
Magnificent palace museum revealing the art, luxury, and daily life of Venice's aristocratic golden age.
Step back in time to Venice's Age of Decadence with a visit to this opulent residence, one of the few open to the public.
05 |Fortuny Museum
In the warm and inviting ambiance of Mariano Fortuny's former residence, the array of art is beyond words. With each display suggesting that the artistic work is still unfolding, you'll feel as though the artist could step into the room at any given moment, ready to continue his creative journey.
06 |Palazzo Mocenigo
Museum that transports visitors into the everyday world of Venetian nobility during the Republic's golden age.
Immerse yourself in a bygone era through richly detailed décor, lavish historic garments, and an interactive fragrance exhibition.
07 |Ca' Pesaro
Two contrasting art collections inside a grand canalside palace, accessible with a single ticket.
From modern art to one of Europe's most important Oriental collections, Ca' Pesaro offers enough depth to justify a visit beyond its grand canalside palace setting.
08 |Natural History Museum
Museum of natural history exploring millions of years of life through fossils, rare specimens, and discoveries from Venetian expeditions.
An excellent choice for families with older children and anyone curious about nature, science, or the history of exploration.
09 |Carlo Goldoni's House
Museum dedicated to Venetian theatre, set in the former home of the renowned playwright Carlo Goldoni.
Explore the history of Venetian theatre and admire the unique puppet theater, along with its displayed marionettes.
10 |Glass Museum
Museum exploring the history of glassmaking, featuring works from ancient times to contemporary Murano craftsmanship.
You get to appreciate the artistry and decorative applications of this captivating material in the world's largest historical collection of Murano glass.
11 |Lace Museum
Step inside the original 19th-century Lace School to explore a delicate world of handmade lace, where hundreds of historic works reveal the beauty born of the painstaking work behind this disappearing art.
Consider an official tourist pass
Except for the Clock Tower, the other 10 museums are included in the MUVE Museum Pass, making it a convenient and cost-effective way to visit them all.
It is valid for six months from the date of purchase, and you can visit at any time without an advance reservation.
The Venezia Unica Pass includes all the benefits of the MUVE Museum Pass while adding access to additional attractions across the city, such as Scuola Grande dei Carmini and Fondazione Querini Stampalia.
You can also add a public transport pass, creating a convenient all-in-one option for exploring Venice.
Beyond the Civic Museums
The civic museums offer an excellent and varied introduction to Venice, but there is one important story they barely touch: the rise of Venice as one of Europe's greatest naval powers.
For that, don't miss the Naval History Museum.
Here, you can see full-size historic Venetian ships, examine richly detailed ship models and discover naval artefacts that reveal the evolution of Venice's naval power over the centuries.
You can even step aboard a Cold War submarine, located within the historic Venetian Arsenal.
For art lovers, there is even more Venice-specific art to discover at the Accademia Galleries, home to one of the world's most important collections of Venetian painting.
Spanning the 14th to the 18th centuries, the collection includes masterpieces such as Veronese's monumental Feast in the House of Levi.
Other art spaces across the city showcase everything from private modern art collections to contemporary exhibitions in historic buildings.
Find your Venice
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