Ah, Venice! The romance, the mystery, the sexy allure, Venice has it all. You have to be careful, or all of that mysterious romance will break the bank!
Venice is one of those cities that you will fall completely in love with, so we have several of our Venice experiences on our couple’s bucket list. It can be hard to visit Italy on a budget, but don’t worry; we’re here to help! That’s why we compiled a list of 50 things to do in Venice on a budget!
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Where to Stay in Venice on a Budget
Of course, hostels are always a cheap option, and honestly, the best hostels in Venice are surprisingly cheap and help you to do Europe on a budget.
Things to do in Venice on a Budget
- Get lost– Seriously, wander the streets of Venice and get lost. Everywhere you look, there are picturesque moments and areas just to chill, shop, or try some great Italian drinks and cocktails.
2. St. Mark’s Basilica- It’s free to go into the church itself. You will pay a small fee if you want to see the museums though.
3. St. Mark’s Square-The square outside of St. Mark’s Basilica is packed with pigeons and people. While this is a great place to people watch, beware of sitting at the tables in the square, they definitely aren’t cheap!
4. St. Mark’s Campanile- For 8 euros, you can go to the top of the campanile and have gorgeous views of the city.
5. Rialto Bridge- Meander across this beautiful bridge stopping along the way for great views of The Grand Canal.
6. Rialto Market- Visit this outdoor market that has been one of the city’s staples since the 11th century. Get yourself some amazingly fresh picnic supplies while watching the locals shop and exchange stories.
7. San Giorgio Maggiore- The church is free, but I recommend paying a small fee to go to the top of the church for a beautiful view of the city.
8. Campo Santa Marherita- Home to a fish market in the morning, this piazza is usually much less crowded than St. Mark’s Square, but still, a great place to people watch.
9. San Zaccharia- Visit this church that started in the 9th century and today houses beautiful artwork.
10. Vaporetto Tour- Taking a Vaporetto, a water taxi, is a great way to orient yourself with Venice, but at 7 euros per trip, you are much better off to buy a day or multi-day pass and then treat the Vaporetto as a “hop-on, hop-off”. The Vaporetto #1 and #2 are a great tour of the city.
11. Take a traghetto- For a couple of euros, you can board a gondola with the locals to cross The Grand Canal.
12. Lido- Spend a day on the beach in Venice. Your Vaporetto pass will get you there for free.
13. San Vidal- It’s free to visit this church during the day. While you are there, be sure to check out the gorgeous painting above the altar.
14. I Gesuiti- A grand baroque church that doesn’t charge admission is waiting for you. Dating back to 1715, I Gesuiti is home to an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures.
15. Tour Burano– Use your Vaporetto pass for transportation to the colorful island of Burano. Spend the day looking at the colorful houses, tasting the local shortbread cookies, and admiring the lace.
16. Burano’s Lace Museum- plan your visit on the first Sunday of the month, and you can visit Burano’s lace museum for free.
17. Tour Murano- Like Burano, your vaporetto pass will allow you to travel to Murano where you can see amazing glass blowing demonstrations and visit glass art studios.
18. Murano’s Glass Museum- The glass museum is also free on the first Sunday of every month.
19. Visit the Island of Torcello- Torcello was once a powerhouse of influence among the Venetian islands. Today, Torcello is home to a couple of 11th-century churches and a few dozen people.
20. Go to San Michele- San Michele is a peaceful escape, but rightfully so since it’s the cemetery island. The huge cypress trees and elegant chapels make it worth a visit.
21. Il Redentore- Il Redentore is a beautiful church that was built by Venetians who survived the plague.
22. Santa Maria del Miracoli- A couple of euros gets you to access to this 15th-century church that has been lovingly restored.
23. Santi Giovanni e Paolo- Venice’s second-largest church that contains the tombs of many doges as well as some impressive artwork
24. Photo-safari or photo scavenger hunt- Everywhere in Venice seems photo-worthy to me. Pick a theme and go around taking pictures based on your theme, or have a contest between you and your travel companion to see who can capture photos of all the items on your list first.
25. Find The Bridge of Sighs- Probably one of the most photographed spots in Venice, you have to take a selfie here.
26. Museo della Musica- Free music museum that focuses on the music and instrument makers of Venice.
27. Shop for Carnival attire- Whether it’s Carnival season or not, you can find handmade masks and amazing costumes year-round in Venice. It doesn’t cost a thing to window shop! We even spent time with a true Venetian mask maker during our 3 days in Venice.
28. Visit Venchi Chocolate Shop- Since 1878, this chocolate shop has been in existence. Come here to taste some wonderful chocolates and gelatos.
29. Eat Gelato!- Gelato is one of my favorite things about Italy, well, and wine of course. We enjoyed Suso Gelatoteca, where they create authentic Italian gelato with only natural ingredients. My favorites were pineapple and peach. YUM!
30. Grab a spritz or wine- Treat yourself to a delicious local drink, a spritz. The spritz is made with prosecco, Aperol, and soda. I thought they were delicious, but if it’s not your thing, grab a glass of wine instead. We found that often, the wine was cheaper than the water, so might as well get the wine.
31. Enjoy cicchetti- Cicchetti is small snacks (usually bite-sized) that are served all over Venice in the local bars. It’s fun to grab a few and join the locals.
32. St. Mary of the Friars Church- Awe at the beautiful gothic architecture of this historic church.
33. Pasticceria Tonolo- Grab a traditional meringue or any of the other wonderful treats at this historic pastry shop dating back to 1886.
34. Ca’ d’Oro- Ca’ d’Oro, also called “the golden house”, on the Grand Canal, can be visited for 1 euro. You can not only tour the house, which is currently a museum, but you can also access their balconies and enjoy amazing views of the Grand Canal.
35. Pala d’Oro- Located in St. Mark’s Basilica,you can pay 2 euros to see the bejeweled casket of St. Mark.
36. Visit Commercial Art Galleries- Commercial art galleries are free to visit and are a great way to amazing works of art.
37. Palazzo Franchetti- Often hosts free art exhibitions
38. Palazzo Grimani- This historic 16th-century home is now owned by the state and turned into a museum. You can visit for free on the first Sunday of every month.
39. Visit the World’s First Jewish Ghetto– Located in the Cannaregio region of Venice, the Jewish ghetto area houses synagogues and kosher food stores.
40. Take a walking tour- Venice Free Walking Tour are a great orientation to the city.
41. Libreria Acqua Alta- This unique library features books that have been turned into furniture. You will also find the books set on special shelves including gondolas, boats, and canoes.
42. Casino Venier- Casino Venier is an amazing piece of Venetian history dating back to the days of Casanova. Casino Venier dates back to 1750, and still today details true Venetian opulence.
43. Scala Contarini- Not far from the Rialto, but well hidden among the Venetian streets, the Snail Staircase as the locals call it, was added to the attached palace back in 1499.
44. Santa Maria della Salute- This church was built by plague survivors to thank the Virgin Mary for saving them.
45. Orsoni Color Library- The only working glass furnace still in existence in Venice. If you want to visit, be sure to call in advance to make a reservation.
46. Giardini Pubblici- Located on the east side of the island, this public park is a nice green space to visit while on the island.
47. Tour the Fenice Opera House- The tour of the opera house will cost you 10 euros, but it’s definitely cheaper than a ticket to an opera performance. On the tour, you’re invited to take your time to soak up this gorgeous gem.
48. Have Coffee in Correr Cafe- Arrive early to the Correr Museum, and head into the cafe. Grab a cappuccino and a biscotti and head for one of the window seats for great views of St. Mark’s Square. It’s definitely cheaper than the 16 euros you would pay to sit and have a cup of coffee in the restaurants located on the square.
49. Spend an evening in a campo with the locals- Find a campo, grab a glass of wine, and watch the locals gather to socialize.
50. Visit Doge’s Palace- This is the only item on our list of more than 10 euros, but at 19 euros, it is so worth it. Doge’s Palace is a piece of Venetian history that can’t be missed.
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Check Out Our Other Italy Posts:
Capri, Italy: The Ultimate Guide to the Isle of Capri
50 Italian Drinks and Italian Cocktails You Must Try
Venice Itinerary: 2 Days of Bliss
The Perfect 10-Day Italy Itinerary
3 Days in Venice: The Perfect Venice Itinerary
21 Things To Know Before Visiting Rome
25 Awesome Things To Do In Rome
The Perfect 2-Day Rome Itinerary
2 Days In Florence: The Perfect Florence Itinerary
Sorrento to Capri: All You Need To Know
Taking the Naples to Capri Ferry: All You Need To Know
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight:
We love using CheapOAir, Kayak, and Kiwi to search for the best flight prices. We love using these search engines because they search the web for airlines worldwide to ensure you get the best deal! In addition to flights, you can also find great hotel prices on Kayak and Kiwi.
Book Your Vacation Package:
If you want to book an entire vacation package, we suggest using Expedia. We love how easy Expedia is to use, and we always find good deals on entire vacation packages on their site.
Another great site for vacation packages is BookVIP. BookVIP offers super cheap vacation packages to incredible destinations. You are sure to save money using their site!
For full guided vacations, including hotels, some meals, transportation, and guides, then we book with Trafalgar. Trafalgar is a trusted tour company that will meet all your needs while ensuring a great experience.
Trip.com allows you to book flights, hotels, train tickets, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, and more all on one site. Owned by the parent company that also owns Skyscanner, this is a trusted resource for travel booking and a great “one-stop shop.”
Book Your Accommodations:
We always begin our search by checking out honest reviews on TripAdvisor hotels. This allows us to narrow our search for specific properties once we are ready to book. Of course, you can also book directly on the TripAdvisor site!
There are several accommodation sites that we like to use. One of our favorites is Booking.com because it offers a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses at a good price.
Another “go-to” hotel booking site for us is Hotels.com. We love their loyalty program that allows you to earn free nights, and their “secret prices” for members are fabulous deals!
HotelsCombined is another cool site. They allow you to compare all the top travel sites with one search to ensure you find the best deal out there. Kayak works in this way as well.
If you want a luxurious all-inclusive vacation, consider checking out the Sandals/Beaches properties. Sandals properties are for couples only and Beaches are for families. We have visited Sandals in the past and absolutely love the attention to detail and the service they provide.
Tour Companies We Trust:
We love taking guided tours when visiting new places. Our go-to tour companies are Viator.com and Get Your Guide. Both of these companies have been in business for years and provide excellent customer service. You can trust booking tours from their sites for sure!
For a guided city tour, check out City Sightseeing and BigBus Tours. These bus tours are so much fun and easy to hop on and hop off at top attractions in cities around the world.
CityPass is a great way to save money when visiting large cities. CityPass allows you to get free admission to major attractions once you buy their pass. The savings add up quickly with this pass, often saving 50% with combined admissions.
Another great pass to save money in larger cities is the Sightseeing Pass. This pass allows you to save valuable time and money by combining admissions to major attractions. They also have a handy app that keeps everything you need at your fingertips.
Looking to Save Time and Money?
Check out our resource page for all of our favorite vendors. These companies help us to save time and money on our travels!
About The Author
Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel. Her practical tips and suggestions help make travel dreams a reality while immersing her readers in the history, culture, and food of a region. She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.
Anja
Tuesday 31st of August 2021
Great post! I returned to Venice recently and although most churches now charge an Euro or two, its excellent value for money for the great art you can admire in situ. Also... stick to cafes and bars where they display a price list at the bar.
thattexascouple
Thursday 2nd of September 2021
I didn't know they were charging now. I do agree with you though, this is not much money for great history and artwork.
Nina Clapperton
Tuesday 17th of November 2020
I desperately want to visit Venice so I'll be saving this post for the future! I've heard it's extremely expensive there so free things are always appreciated.
thattexascouple
Tuesday 17th of November 2020
Thanks so much, Nina. It can get expensive quickly, but with these tips you will have a great time and save some money!
Gloria
Monday 16th of November 2020
What a great list! I’ve always wanted to go to Venice, some really good tips here for when I do go
thattexascouple
Monday 16th of November 2020
Thanks so much! I hope you get to go when all of this is over and the world opens back up! :)
Ashley
Monday 16th of November 2020
I loved Venice thanks for all the great ideas for the next time I’m there :) My favorite thing to do in Venice is to wander the streets and get lost too!
thattexascouple
Monday 16th of November 2020
That was my favorite also!!!
Jamie
Sunday 15th of November 2020
What a jampacked guide! I seriously can't wait to use this when I visit Venice