20 Places with Free Entry

01 |San Pantalon

Behind the unassuming facade lies a breathtaking ceiling, alive with a vibrant celestial scene and a mesmerizing sense of depth.

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02 |Venetian Arsenal

Having fueled Venice's naval power for centuries, this historic shipyard now offers hands-on exploration for everyone: enter a Cold War submarine, get close to the giant sculpture of six pairs of hands atop a dock, and discover the stories behind the city's maritime legacy.

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03 |Music Museum

Museum dedicated to the art of Italian violin making, housed in a centuries-old deconsecrated church.

Few places in the world feature a church as the setting for a music museum, while also offering free entry.

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04 |La Salute

One of Venice's most recognizable landmarks, the church features a vast interior with notable artworks and balcony views over the Grand Canal.

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05 |San Giorgio Maggiore

Stunning panoramic views of Venice await you after a short elevator ride inside the bell tower of this island church, renowned for its radiant, spacious interior.

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06 |Libreria Acqua Alta

Charming bookshop complete with resident cats and its own gondola.

Step into a one-of-a-kind book lover's paradise, where books rest in gondolas and charming resident cats keep watch.

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07 |San Nicolò dei Mendicoli

Veneto-Byzantine church with a history of aiding the less fortunate.

It's a beautiful and tranquil church, nestled away from the crowds in a characterful part of Dorsoduro.

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08 |San Moisè

Just a short detour from St. Mark's Square, this church is well worth a visit for its dramatic altarpiece and over-the-top Baroque facade.

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09 |San Salvador

This monumental Baroque church houses the relics of Venice's original patron saint, beautifully restored art, and at least two hidden gems.

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10 |San Giacomo di Rialto

Possibly the oldest church in Venice, this charming Gothic gem - with its rare portico and large clockface - once drew bankers and money changers who did business right beneath its arches.

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11 |Rialto Market

Historic market with lively stalls providing a glimpse into authentic Venetian life.

A feast for the senses: delight in vibrant colors, immerse yourself in an array of intoxicating smells, and listen to the lively banter of stallholders speaking in Venetian dialect.

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12 |Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Often called a 'Renaissance jewelry box' for its exquisite polychrome marble panels, supposedly crafted from leftover marbles from St. Mark's Basilica.

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13 |San Zaccaria

Among the many treasures and curiosities of this Gothic-Renaissance church, none linger longer in the memory than its partially flooded crypt, where the water forms a perfect mirror, reflecting ancient columns and tombs in a haunting subterranean pool.

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14 |Santa Maria del Giglio

Beyond the Baroque splendor of the facade and its unique relief maps of Rome and other cities, step inside the treasury to uncover an unexpected painting from a distant land and style.

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15 |Santa Maria Formosa

With a name that raises eyebrows, this church invites you to admire two contrasting facades and a remarkable marble-framed polyptych inside.

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16 |Santa Maria dei Carmini

Step inside to experience an unusually slender nave, richly adorned with 24 large friezes that vividly bring Carmelite stories to life.

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17 |San Polo

Gothic church housing a series of evocative crucifixion scenes painted in an unconventional style.

After a peaceful break in the nearby square, curiosity may lead you inside to experience this unique take on a biblical scene.

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18 |San Giacomo dall'Orio

As you enter this beautiful Romanesque church, glance to the right: a painted miracle scene seems innocent - until you look closer.

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19 |San Sebastiano

This was the three-decade 'workplace' of one of Venice's greatest painters. His dramatic works, combined with the church's serene atmosphere, create a captivating sense of peaceful harmony.

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20 |Madonna dell'Orto

This graceful church, with its one-of-a-kind facade, preserves two of Tintoretto's greatest works and marks his final resting place.

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