Italy, Venice

VENICE: 16 Completely Free Things to See and Do

There’s no city quite like Venice. The city of water has a certain elegance and charm about it, which makes it one of the world’s top tourist destinations. And as I’m sure you know by now, Venice is definitely not famous for being a ‘budget’ destination. However, that’s not to say that it can’t be done! Whilst living in Venice for just short of a year, I was always looking for new things to see and do that didn’t break the bank. I’m here to tell you – you absolutely can enjoy some of the city’s best sights without forking out a small fortune (or a large one). So, here I have comprised a list of 16 fantastic, completely free things to do in Venice!

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1. T Fondaco dei Tedeschi Roof Terrace

The T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi is a grand department store which stands next to the Rialto Bridge, and offers a stunning roof terrace! Entrance onto the terrace is completely free, all you have to do is book a 15 minute time slot on their website here. I’ve visited this roof terrace many times at different times of day!

View of Venice's Grand Canal from free roof terrace

2. Santa Maria della Salute Church

The Santa Maria della Salute, or simply ‘Salute’ for short, is an incredible church located in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood, in the southern part of the city. This enormous structure was constructed in the 1600s in thanks to the Virgin Mary for the city’s salvation from the plague. It is one of the city’s most important religious buildings – its domes can be seen from the Accademia Bridge, as well as the waterfront in St. Mark’s Square.

The Festa della Salute is an annual Venetian celebration on November 21st, held to remember the end of the plague in Venice. A temporary bridge is constructed across the Grand Canal near to the church. Venetians cross the bridge and make their way to the Salute to give their thanks to the Virgin Mary. The nearest bridge across the Grand Canal to access the church the rest of the year is the Accademia Bridge. There is no fee to enter the church, and to experience this magnificent building up close is one of the best free things to do in Venice.

3. Cross the Accademia Bridge (Ponte dell’Accademia)

The Accademia Bridge is one of the four bridges to cross the Grand Canal, and the only wooden one of the four. This bridge connects the neighbourhoods (sestieri) of San Marco and Dorsoduro, and offers a spectacular view of the Salute church mentioned in my previous point. The bridge also has gorgeous views of the Grand Canal in both directions, which is a great background to have your photo taken in front of. Crossing the bridge to enjoy the view before exploring the southernmost part of the city is a great free thing to add to your itinerary!

4. End of the Island at Punta della Dogana

The Punta della Dogana is a modern art museum on the southern part of the island. The museum itself is not free, however, in front of the museum the island comes to a triangular point. From here there are great views across St. Mark’s Basin, and you get to see the bell tower and Doge’s Palace from a different angle! To get to Punta della Dogana, continue walking after visiting the Salute Church mentioned above.

View of Venice's waterfront and Basin from Punta della Dogana

5. Browse Rialto Market (Mercati di Rialto)

Another fun free thing to do in Venice is to take a walk around the market at Rialto. This daily market takes place not far from the Rialto Bridge, alongside the Grand Canal. There are many stalls which sell fruit, vegetables and fresh fish, and the market is always bustling with both tourists and locals alike.

6. Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

The Rialto Bridge is another of the four crossing points over the Grand Canal, and is one of the most iconic sights of the city. It is a wide bridge which is lined with tiny souvenir-type shops, and offers a great view of the Grand Canal on both sides. It is the perfect spot to stop and watch Venetian life go by; taxis, buses, ambulances, police, delivery drivers – all in boats! For visitors it really is fascinating to see how the city functions completely normally without roads or cars. And of course you can enjoy this completely free, even better!

7. Sit on a Jetty Alongside the Grand Canal

You’ll probably see many wooden jetties along the Grand Canal as you explore the city. These are a great place to sit and relax for a while – perhaps to read a good book or just to watch the boats pass you by. Keep in mind that boats often stop at these jetties to make deliveries or pick up passengers. Make sure you move out of their way if they need to pull up next to the jetty!

8. Get Yourself Lost

No trip to Venice is complete without getting lost. This is one of the best ways to experience the city, and of course it doesn’t cost a penny! I challenge you to try and make your way around without using google maps for a while. Who knows where you’ll end up, but that’s part of the fun of it! Venice isn’t a very big city, so it’s not the end of the world if you get lost. You’ll probably end up somewhere you recognise from earlier, eventually…

Wander around Venice to find little streets like this - completely free!

9. Visit the Acqua Alta Bookshop (Libreria Acqua Alta)

The Acqua Alta Bookshop is a fascinating shop tucked away on a quiet street. Nevertheless, it’s easy to find with Google Maps on your smart phone. There are books, written in multiple languages, stacked to the ceiling on every wall. Not to mention the gondola full of books which runs down the middle of the tiny shop! There’s an outdoor area at the back complete with a staircase made of books. Carefully climb up to look out at the canal behind. You may even bump into the resident cats, who enjoy napping in amongst the books!

10. Enjoy Live Classical Music in St. Mark’s Square

In the summer months there are often small bands playing classical music on small stages outside the main cafe’s in St. Mark’s Square. Luckily you don’t have to be dining there to enjoy this. The music is really beautiful and a great free thing to enjoy in Venice.

11. St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

The Basilica, located in St. Mark’s Square, is another of the city’s most famous landmarks, and a must-see on any trip to Venice. It is truly an incredible sight to see, both from the outside and on the inside. The interior is completely covered with mosaics, mostly gold, which makes them glisten in the light. There are additional parts of the Basilica, such as the Treasury, which have an entrance fee. However, entry to the Basilica itself is a free attraction you must add to your Venice itinerary!

St. Mark's Basilica and bell tower in the beautiful St. Mark's Square

12. See the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)

The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed corridor which connects the Doge’s Palace to the former prison on the other side of the canal. It was named after the supposed sighs of the prisoners as they crossed the bridge, knowing the misery that awaited them on the other side. The Bridge of Sighs is a fascinating piece of architecture and history in Venice, which you can admire for free! It can be seen from the first bridge you come to after walking along the waterfront in front of the Doge’s Palace.

The Bridge of Sighs

13. Look Out Across St. Mark’s Basin

From the waterfront next to St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace is where you will look out across the Basin. Directly opposite you have a great view of the small island of San Giorgio Maggiore. On a sunny day I like to sit on the waterfront in front of the gondolas.

St. Mark's Basin - some of the best views in Venice you can see for free, like this one

14. Stroll Around the Royal Gardens

The Royal Gardens (Giardini Reali di Venezia) are located between St. Mark’s Square and the waterfront. The gardens have been closed for the past 15 years or so, but recently reopened to the public. The gardens are enclosed by a canal, and have lots of benches to sit on. This is a really lovely green space, which is very rare to come across in the centre of Venice! When you’re in need of a break to rest your legs after so much walking, why not sit on a bench in this gorgeous park? This is another great free thing to do in the city, particularly as the coffee shops in the St. Mark’s area are very pricey!

15. Explore the Quieter Residential Areas

With so many fantastic things to see and do in this city, you’ll soon realise that everyone wants to see and do them! When you’ve had enough and need a break from the crowds, wander off down one of the side streets. Wandering aimlessly is one of the best free things to do in Venice. Residential areas such as Cannaregio and Castello have countless beautiful buildings, canals, churches and squares to be discovered. Just remember to be respectful as these areas are where many local Venetians live!

16. Wander the City After Dark

So, you’ve seen the city in all its glory in daylight. Now it’s time to get back out there after dinner, and see the city in a different light (…dark). Taking a walk around Venice at night, when the streets are quiet and empty, reveals a totally different side to the city. I find it so relaxing to wander the streets at night, particularly to see all the most famous spots without swarms of people. One of my favourite spots to visit without the crowds is the Rialto Bridge!

For more ideas of what to do in the city after dark, read the full post here: 20 Things to Do in Venice at Night

The Rialto Bridge lit up at night - free from tourist crowds

I hope you enjoyed this list of 16 free things to do in Venice, and that it helps with planning your own budget-friendly trip to my favourite city. Thanks for reading!

Abbey x