Venice's Most Iconic Landmarks

Oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal, where the bustle of Venetian commerce through the centuries lives on in the constant flow of people and boats today.

Few places let you feel Venice in motion quite like the Rialto.

Boats weave through the Grand Canal, below, while locals and visitors stream across the bridge. This lively scene feels like a natural continuation of the bridge's centuries-old role at the heart of Venetian life.

And, while crossing it is part of the experience, it's just as rewarding to seek out different angles of the bridge, with Venice unfolding around it.

Some of its most memorable views are found nearby, in places you might otherwise walk right past.

Grand square and gathering place, the social, religious and political center of Venice.

There's a reason most first-time visitors head straight here: with monumental architecture on every side and cafés spilling onto the square, it offers the quintessential Venetian scene.

But this is only the starting point. The landmarks and museums in St. Mark's Square can easily fill hours, while the square itself takes on a completely different atmosphere at sunrise, sunset, and after dark.

There's also a quieter side to the square that most visitors don't get to experience, and that's exactly when the magic happens.

Grandiose cathedral whose interiors are covered in an astonishing expanse of golden mosaics.

As soon as you enter, you can't help but look up: the mosaics high above you seem to open onto a celestial realm, where golden light, vivid colors, and biblical scenes unfold across the vast domed ceilings.

The sheer scale and beauty of it all can leave you genuinely awestruck.

St. Mark's Basilica becomes even more extraordinary when the crowds are gone and the basilica falls completely silent on an exclusive evening tour.

Prominent museum in an opulent setting, showcasing Venice's treasured artworks and rich history.

Included with your Doge's Palace ticket, the museum takes you through the elegant rooms of the grand buildings flanking St. Mark's Square while revealing how Venice grew into one of Europe's most fascinating cities.

There's plenty to discover inside, from Antonio Canova's exquisite marble sculptures to the monumental halls of the Biblioteca Marciana, one of Italy's oldest public libraries.

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.

There are also several ways to experience the palace, from a standard visit to guided tours such as the Secret Itineraries tour, which takes you into rooms otherwise closed to the public, including the torture and Inquisition chambers.

Enclosed bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the prisons, named for the sighs of convicts crossing it on their way to their cells.

Most visitors see it from Ponte della Paglia, but you can also walk through the bridge itself, along its two narrow passageways.

Looking out through the tiny barred stone windows offers the same bittersweet final view of Venice that prisoners saw as they crossed to the palace prison. It is said that this final glimpse of the city prompted the sighs that gave the bridge its name.

There are two ways to see the bridge from a different angle, away from the usual crowds.

Grand opera house, faithfully rebuilt after fire and restored to match its original 19th-century design.

This historic, richly decorated opera house was reborn twice after fires burned it to the ground - just as its name (The Phoenix) foretold.

Island famous for centuries of Venetian glass craftsmanship and artisan tradition.

Just a short water bus ride from Venice, immerse yourself in all things glass: its production, history, artistry, and indulge in souvenir shopping right at the source.

Striking Baroque votive church with a distinctive octagonal design and panoramic views over the entrance to the Grand Canal from its dome.

La Salute is a combination of experiences.

On one side, there's a vast church with a distinctive interior and an impressive collection of art.

On the other, the views from the dome are truly breathtaking.

And then there's the location, right at the mouth of the Grand Canal.

Venice's main waterway winds through the heart of the city, lined with grand palaces, churches, and historic facades that reflect centuries of wealth and power.

One of the few places in the world where magnificent palaces and historic architecture rise directly from the water, allowing you to glide through the heart of the city amid a vibrant mix of gondolas and boats.