Day trip from Florence to Venice: How to Spend one day in Venice

When traveling through Italy, you might find yourself staying in Florence as your “hub” for day trips and short weekend getaways. Within a few hours, you have access to plenty of cities. Some of my favorites are Milan (2 hours), Bologna (40 minutes), and lastly, Venice (2.5 hours). On my recent 6 night stay in Florence, I decided to take a quick trip to the “city of bridges,” aka Venice.

Know before you go:

So, you want to spend one day in Venice. Let’s talk about it! I’m going to be blunt – you’ll really want to spend at least one night in Venice (2 days). One of the joys of the city is having the time to get lost down the little streets, meander into little shops, and enjoy a long lunch on the canal. But if you’re short on time like I was, you can still see a lot in one day. The trick is to take the earliest train available!

About the city: The capital of the Veneto region, Venice is unique due to being built on 100+ small islands. There are no official “roads” and the city is connected through a series of canals and bridges. In fact, the main form of public transportation is a “Vaporetto” (a boat that operates as a bus). But we’ll get to that in a bit.

Getting to Venice & around the city:

From Venice: The high-speed train takes about 2 hours, and you’re looking at ~50€ roundtrip. This price varies based on the season and when you buy your tickets. Typically, the earlier you book, the better the price.

Note: there are two stations in Venice, make sure to get off at the Venezia Santa Lucia, which is the main station.

Getting around Venice: Most people visiting Venice walk from the station to the main attractions. You’re looking at a 40-minute walk to Piazza San Marco (one of the main attractions). This is a good option if you have a lot of time. If you’re only spending one day in Venice, you’ll want to take advantage of the Vaporetto. A one-way ticket is 9,50€, or a one-day pass is 20€. This will allow you to hop on and hop off, and cover more ground.

Things to see during one day in Venice & Itinerary:

Start your day with the “vaporetto” ride around the grand canal. Instead of picking it up at the station, walk a few minutes to the Piazza Roma stop. You’ll want to take bus 1, and wait until you see the older boats (these are the ones with seats at the front). Opt for the front seat outside- it has the best views on a budget. Get off at Piazza San Marco (the last stop).

Hang out in Piazza San Marco:

First, you’ll want to stop for coffee at Caffe Florian. Opened in 1720, Caffe Florian is considered the oldest cafe in the world. The interior is a work of art on its own and you can expect to pay a steep price for the history + fame. That being said, if you’re like me and you love a nice ambiance, it’s a must. (If you don’t care about that and are on a budget, head down one of the little side streets and stop for a quick coffee at “the bar.”)
Pop inside Saint Mark’s Basilica. Tickets are 3 euros for adults and free entrance for children under 6. An important note: the basilica and the square are a hub for pickpockets. Watch your stuff and be aware of your surroundings!
Skip: The Doge’s Palace. While a top attraction in Venice, it is extremely expensive and the reviews are all pretty negative.
Skip: “Riva degli Schiavoni.” Named after the Slavic ships who used to bring cargo to Venice, nowadays it is an extremely crowded and touristy waterfront. You’re better off skipping it and getting lost down a few streets for better views.

Visit the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo:

This 15th-century palace isn’t at the top of the list of “things to do in Venice,” but its uniqueness is at least worth a quick stop! The scala, which you can see from the outside, is a unique work of art that was featured in the film adaption of Othello by Shakespeare. The entrance is 8 euros if you’d like to tour the inside.

Pop by Ponte dell’Accademia for a quick photo:

This has one of the best views of the canals and is worth a quick stop to check out the views.

Lunch, Libreria Acqua Alta & Ponte Rialto:

Here’s the thing with Venice and food. Every Italian you run into will likely tell you that the food in Venice is awful and expensive. They’re not wrong. I did plenty of research to figure out where to go and there isn’t anything cheap unless you’re getting a slice of pizza on the street. That being said, we did find a pleasant little spot (note: still expensive) that was off the tourist track and perfect!

Have lunch at Ai pie del ponte. This little osteria is a one-man show operated by owner and chef Andrea. The menu is ever-changing and there are a few tables outside and inside. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a long lunch and relax.

After lunch pop into Libreria Acqua Alta. You might have seen this instagrammable spot on Pinterest or Instagram. It’s most known for the pile of old books out back that makes for a great photo. A few notes:

It is one photo per person. Have your camera and pose ready as you’ll only have about 30 seconds to snap your photo.
This is a good spot to grab a souvenir if it isn’t too crowded.

Head over to Ponte Rialto. This is also an incredibly touristy spot (but isn’t all of Venice?). I actually prefer getting lost and finding small canals like the one below. But it is a must-see, so you can’t exactly skip it! If you’re feeling the need for a dessert or pick me up you can find a little spot in the piazza nearby or along the water if you want to pay a premium.

End the day with some exploration

If you have time before your train back to Florence, aimlessly wander and pop into shops, pick up some souvenirs, or people watch on the piazza. If you booked the day pass for the Vaporetto, you can also get back on the water bus and check out the views one more time before heading to the train station.

Tips for Visiting Venice:

This guide for how to spend one day in Venice is sprinkled with tidbits. Here’s a recap for reference:

Start your day early. This always my travel mantra, but especially important with only one day in Venice.
Watch for pickpockets in Piazza San Marco and especially in the Basilica.
Instead of a gondola tour, opt to get on the Vaporetto early and sit outside for a great view of the canals.
Public bathrooms can be expensive (1,50€). Opts to grab a coffee at “il bar” to drink at the bar instead and then use the bathroom for free.
Saver tip – get a slice of pizza or sandwich at a bakery and enjoy it in a piazza or by the grand canal if you’re on a budget.