Somebody once said "it takes a life time to know Venice". We have spent about 20 weeks on Venice and have only scratched the surface.
I won't bother covering the obvious here; St Mark's, Ducal Palace, Scuola Grande, Acadamia, Murano, Burano etc but will touch on some of the less obvious.
Torcello
A visit to Torcello, The Church of Santa Maria Assunta and lunch at Locanda Cipriani is a must. Torcello is where it all started. The first island inhabited by the Veneti around 452.
Torcello is a delightful barely inhabited (just 12 permanent inhabitants) island, a world a way from St Mark's. We find it an enchanting, magical place.
For details of Locanda Cipriani please see my review on the restaurants page.
Cinema
The Multi Sala Rossini is less than 10 minutes from the apartment, often showing international films in the original language.
The What3Words location is native.belonging.awaiting.
Photo walks
Fabio Bressanelo offers photo walks for €150 up to 2 people (€50 per extra person)
Or photo tours in a boat at sunset for €400 for up to 12 people
See his web site for details fabiobressanello.com
La Fenice
If opera and music are your thing, they are ours, we would strongly recommend fitting in a performance at La Fenice during your stay. It is the most beautiful Opera House. The programme of performances can be found at teatrolafenice.it.
San Francesco del Deserto
San Francesco del Deserto was visited by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century and can be visited but only as part of a guided tour.
It is also possible to experience the prayer, reflection and life of the friars by staying for a few days.
For more details please their sanfrancescodeldeserto.it.
San Lazzaro degli Armeni
A visit to San Lazzaro degli Armeni is perhaps not something that you would first think of on visiting Venice, especially if it is your first visit but if you do you will be rewarded with a visit to a beautiful little church and the opportunity to view one of the most extraordinary libraries anywhere in the world. There are priceless manuscripts dating back to the first millenia; for example a portable copy of the Gospels dated 1065. There are countless artifacts including:
Visit is by guided tour only and can be booked by phone but if you don't speak Italian, email is probably better on visite@mechitar.org.
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is reached by vaporetto line 20 departing from San Marco - San Zaccaria, station B.
This is an excellent article on San Lazzaro degli Armeni educated-traveller.com.
Orto di Venezia
The vineyard of Orto di Venezia is open for visits and wine tasting from 10:00 - 12:30 and 14:30 - 18:00. Closed on Wednesdays. Reservation by e-mail. Cost is €20 per person or €50 for tasting 3 millésimes
See their web site ortodivenezia.com for more details.
Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
This delightful little church is one of the hidden gems of Venice and is well worth a visit, located in the southern part of Cannaregio, the church contains some beautiful art works and an exquisite interior.
Part if the chorus group of 19 churches, a pass can be pought for all 19 for €14.
See the Chorus Group Web Site for more details.
Kayaking
Kayaking around the canals of Venice can be a fun ativity, especially if you have teenager children that you want to keep engaged with the wonders of Venice.
We did this with our teenage son a few years ago and it was a lot of fun.
For more details visit venicekayak.com
Tennis
If you are looking to play tennis during your stay on Venice, there is a great facility on the Lido
For more details visit tennisclubcadelmoro.com
Monty Don did a wonderful program on the gardens (some public, some private) of Venice, which can be seen on the BBC iPlayer. Though it may not be available when you read this!
Here are a few of the gardens he featured.
Maze on San Giorgio Maggiore: tickets for The Borges Maze can purchased at visitcini.com.
Public Garden Giardini Real: This little green haven in the heart of San Marco is well worth a visit. Free to enter and generally over-looked by the tourist who flock to Venice each day. The What3Words location of the entrance is starter.chill.export.
Palazzo Nani Bernardo. Unfortunately the garden is private (unless hiring the palazzo for an event). The palazzo has a web site so you can get a peak here. Its What3Words location is happen.jetting.voltage.
Visit St Giorgio Maggiore towards sunset, take the lift up to the top of the campanile and watch the sun set over Venice.
Peronally we would suggest you don’t bother with a gondola ride (in 20 odd trips we never have but maybe we are tourist snobs!). Take the Traghetto from the Salute (Gondola Traghetto Dogna) to St Marco, just outside Harry’s. You experience a gondola for €2! There are at least 10 traghettos across the Grand Canal.
Finally do visit the Libreria Acqua Alta: A delightful book shop with books piled everywhere, including in a gondola. I defy anyone not to leave without buying a book!