Wander Venice's Culture from Anywhere

Virtual Tours

As impressive as they may look, you might be wondering whether these 15 museums and galleries are truly worth your time.

Thankfully, many offer virtual tours, so you can peek inside before deciding.

Perfect for enjoying Venice's culture even when you're relaxing back at your accommodation.

01 |Accademia Galleries

Art museum tracing the evolution of Venetian painting from the 13th to the 18th centuries, home to some of the city's most important masterpieces.

Accademia Galleries : The somewhat modest entrance hides spectacular halls filled with monumental paintings

Immerse yourself in one of Italy's great collections of Venetian art, with more than 800 paintings spanning six centuries.

From Bellini and Giorgione to Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Tiepolo, the galleries offer a remarkable journey through the evolution of Venetian painting, with masterpieces celebrated for their color, light and drama.

02 |Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Modern art collection assembled by Peggy Guggenheim herself and displayed in her former home on the Grand Canal.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection : From the setting of an unfinished palace to modern art by some of the world's greatest masters, this is a fascinating side of Venice you might not expect

For a change of pace from Venice's Baroque churches, lavish palaces, and Renaissance art, this collection brings together works by Picasso, Dalí, Kandinsky, and other modern masters in the intimate setting of Peggy Guggenheim's former home.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection : It offers a great close-up view toward the mouth of Grand Canal

Besides the art, you can wander through the peaceful sculpture garden, admire the Grand Canal from the terrace, and discover the intriguing story behind the palazzo known as the 'unfinished palace'.

03 |Palazzo Grimani

Unusual palace with theatrical frescoed halls, intricate grotesque decorations, and rooms beyond imagination.

Palazzo Grimani : The Tribuna is also known as the 'Chamber of Antiquities' because it once housed over 130 ancient sculptures

Get a sense of how the ultra-rich Venetians adorned their palazzos with out-of-the-ordinary decorations.

04 |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.

Doge's Palace : Whether you admire it from the outside or enter inside, it's simply impressive. Yet behind its grandeur lies a darker side.

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.

Doge's Palace : At the summit of the Giants' Staircase, which served as the gateway to the Doge's throne, stand two imposing marble statues of Mars and Neptune

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.

05 |Museo Correr

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

Museo Correr : In the Napoleonic Wing of the museum complex, the opulent ballroom reigns as one of the most exquisite chambers

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.

06 |Ca' Pesaro

Two contrasting art collections inside a grand canalside palace, accessible with a single ticket.

Ca' Pesaro : The first floor is reserved for modern art, such as this cast of 'The Thinker' by Auguste Rodin

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.

07 |Fortuny Museum

Gothic palace and former home of Mariano Fortuny, now a museum celebrating his eclectic work in art, fashion, and design.

Fortuny Museum : The Winter Garden is remarkable for its unexpected painting cycle on the wall, meticulously crafted by Fortuny over 25 years

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.

08 |Glass Museum

Museum exploring the history of glassmaking, featuring works from ancient times to contemporary Murano craftsmanship.

Glass Museum : The spacious central room, also known as the portego, situated on the first floor

You get to appreciate the artistry and decorative applications of this captivating material in the world's largest historical collection of Murano glass.

09 |Palazzo Mocenigo

Museum that transports visitors into the everyday world of Venetian nobility during the Republic's golden age.

Palazzo Mocenigo : To evoke daily life as it was back then, rooms contain mannequins wearing ancient garments and accessories

Immerse yourself in a bygone era through richly detailed décor, lavish historic garments, and an interactive fragrance exhibition.

10 |Ca' Rezzonico

Magnificent palace museum revealing the art, luxury, and daily life of Venice's aristocratic golden age.

Ca' Rezzonico : The throne room is draped in luxurious red velvet and it derives its name from the ornate gilded wooden throne adorned with cherubs, sea-nymphs, and sea-horses

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.

11 |Palazzo Grassi

Contemporary art museum inside a grand 17th-century Venetian palace, blending modern exhibitions with historic architecture.

Palazzo Grassi : Picture yourself arriving by gondola — just as guests once did. This would be the first thing you see inside the palace — wow!

Step inside Venice's last great palazzo to experience contemporary art in a striking dialogue with historic Venetian interiors.

12 |Punta della Dogana

Contemporary art museum in a former customs house, set at the tip of Venice where the Grand Canal meets the open lagoon.

Punta della Dogana : The former customs house sits at the entrance of Grand Canal, next to Santa Maria della Salute (visible on the right side of the photo).

Enjoy rotating contemporary art exhibitions inside a beautifully restored historic customs house, along with some of the finest views over the Venetian lagoon.

13 |Natural History Museum

Museum of natural history exploring millions of years of life through fossils, rare specimens, and discoveries from Venetian expeditions.

Natural History Museum : During the early 1700s, the 'rooms of wonders' became popular for showcasing collections of creatures rarely seen by Venetians at that time

An excellent choice for families with older children and anyone curious about nature, science, or the history of exploration.

14 |Le Stanze del Vetro

Dedicated gallery showcasing the artistic possibilities of glass through rotating exhibitions of contemporary glass creations.

Le Stanze del Vetro : Glass bowls and vases in a variety of shapes and colors

With free entry, a premium setting and constantly changing exhibitions, Le Stanze del Vetro is an easy stop for anyone curious about what artists can do with glass.

15 |Scuola Grande San Giovanni

Beautifully preserved confraternity building known for its richly decorated Chapter Hall, precious fragments of the True Cross, and atmospheric candlelight concerts.

Scuola Grande San Giovanni : The monumental Chapter Hall welcomes you with a unique display of grandeur and beautiful paintings

The Scuola is a wonderful place to slow down and take in some of Venice's most impressive historic interiors, with a breathtaking Chapter Hall at its heart.

Its grandeur stands comfortably alongside that of the city's better-known Scuole.

Add the adjoining church, and there's more to discover here than you might expect.

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