Venice is one of Italy’s most picturesque cities. This charming floating city of tiny islands sewn together and hundreds of bridges is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Europe if not in the whole world. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and when you’ll see it you’ll understand why! And if you are looking to explore all this beauty in a peaceful atmosphere seeing Venice in November is your best choice.
Looking for spectacular activities, things to do, and places to visit in Venice in November? Search no more! Here are 40 Best & Unmissable Things to Do, a perfect balance between secret spots, majestic sites, and vibrant nightlife.
Venice has been around for enough time to be considered one of the best historical and cultural destinations in Europe. All 12 million every-year travelers may feel the same! Made up of 118 islands linked by 453 historic bridges, impressive canals, and pavements, make’s it the perfect destination for couples, as well as solo travelers looking for stunning spots.
It’s a place where you can get lost, in many senses. The beautiful tiny streets, the famous colored canals, and all the vibrant culture the city has to offer will truly steal your heart.
While there are endless things to do in Venice, this guide narrows down the absolute epic and the unmissable ones, whether you’re on a weekend getaway or you’re planning an entire week trip to Venice.
So, if you are going to Venice for the first time, the third time, solo, on a city break, or traveling with all your family and kids, you’ll be sure to find something unmissable to do in this list!
While you are crossing things off this list when planning out your next holiday, use Expedia’s Price Tracking tool to check the best flight prices for your 2023 trips!
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Venice in November! Iconic Sights to See
Venice is an extremely popular destination with a very long list of sites to visit. So long, in fact, that it would take days to see all of them, and as a consequence, there are a few unmissable things you should do and see especially if this is your first time here!
Take in the Piazza San Marco
St. Mark the Evangelist is Venice’s patron saint and Piazza San Marco is the main public square and the social heart of the city. From here you can easily visit most of the other main sites.
Visit the Doges' Palace
If you only visit one museum in Venice, then the vast Palazzo Ducale must be! Build in Venetian Gothic style, the Doges’ Palace served for centuries as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Now, it is a museum and without a doubt, this is a must-have experience in Venice.
Go to Saint Mark's Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica is another landmark of Venice that is not to be missed. The most famous of Venice’s churches and the cathedral of the Patriarchate of Venice is easily seen in St. Mark’s Square.
Take a walking tour of Venice
Walking tours are perhaps the greatest way to explore and cover the major highlights of the city. Moreover, this can be customized for how much time you have and what you want to see and do in Venice.
Attend Venice Carnival!
The iconic Venice Carnival holiday lasts for two weeks in February, and all the parades, concerts, private parties, and people dressed up in elaborate costumes are part of this epic experience.
Ride A Gondola In Venice
For some, this may be a cliché. But are you the type of person to visit Egypt and skip the pyramids? If so, go ahead and skip the gondola. But if you’re genuinely curious about history jump in a traditional gondola propelled by a professional gondolier and explore Venice in a big way.
History in Venice
If you are a history lover, you will definitely enjoy taking a tour end exploring Venice in a time gone by.
Visit Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
This Basilica is dedicated to Our Lady of Health and besides being beautiful, both inside and out, the views from the cupola are one of the best in the city.
Climb the steps at Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Famous for its spiral staircase that leads to an observation terrace, the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small palace, in Venice extremely Instagramable!
Marvel at San Giorgio Maggiore church
Although a small island, San Giorgio Maggiore is a must-visit! The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is a focal point when looking across the lagoon from Riva degli Schiavoni and the views from the island and the bell tower are wonderful.
Immerse in world-class art at the Accademia
One of Italy’s finest art museums, the Gallerie dell’Accademia tells the story of Venetian art in the process starting with Paolo Veneziano, Carpaccio, Mantegna, Bellini, and the finest works of Tintoretto, Titian and Veronese.
Take in the modern Querini Stampalia museum
The Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a fascinating space that combines a museum, gallery, library archive, and a modernist garden in the same location.
Stare in wonder at Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
If you want to explore a beautiful building, with a spectacular facade featuring several stone columns, ornate sculptured statues of religious figures, and a huge bronze door, head straight to Santa Maria Assunta Church.
Walk around the Jewish Quarter
If you find yourself in Cannaregio, Jewish Quarter is a great place to visit. Here you can explore Museo Ebraico or the Jewish Museum among many other landmarks
Traditions and Culture in Venice
Whether you simply want to stroll Venice alleys or dive deep into the local culture, there is no way to skip these cultural spots out of your itinerary.
Attend the Giardini della Biennale
If you are an art and architecture lover The Venice Biennale Art Festival, hosted annually is definitely something you want to consider before booking your trip! You also can take a guided tour through the exhibitions and see all prototypes and concept models from a variety of years of artists and festivals.
Explore Venice’s finest churches
Is so well known that some of Venice’s best art lies in its churches. But in a city which, as legend says, has a church for every day of the year, how do you know where to start? All are worth seeing, but Santa Maria dei Miracoli and San Sebastiano are the most famous pieces of art.
See Venice’s birthplace on Torcello
Torcello is a haunting place of around a dozen inhabitants just across the water from Burano. But most importantly this is where Venice began!
Day Trips from Venice in November
The charms of Venice are legendary, and no matter how much time you allocate to the city, it’s never going to be enough. But if you can tear yourself away, there are some wonderful day trips from Venice you can do whether you choose magical little islands, sandy beaches, picturesque lakes, or mountains!
Take a day trip to Burano
Burano is famous for its colorful buildings and lacemaking which make it a great spot for some Instagramable photos with its gorgeous candy-colored cottages.
Get to know glass on Murano
Famous for its glass-making, the elegant Murano is a mini Venice with opulent waterfront palazzos, knockout churches, and even its own Grand Canal.
Escape to Lido di Jesolo
If you are looking to escape the crowds then Lido di Jesolo is the place to go. With a much calmer, laid-back, and relaxed vibe, Lido di Jesolo provides a stark contrast to the busy streets and waterways surrounding Venice and is a great way to spend some hours sunbathing.
Shopping in Venice
Making use of my motto again: No holiday without shopping! At least a bit! Whether you want to buy souvenirs, gifts, or some handmade crafts, shopping is an essential part of your trip.
Buy A Venetian Carnival Mask
Even if you’re not visiting Venice during their annual Carnival in February, it’s still possible to buy one of the famous Venetian Carnival masks! There are many local shops where you can easily buy one of your own as a souvenir or even take a class and learn how to make your own mask!
Shop your way through Rialto Market
No visit to Venice would be complete without visiting the Rialto Market, which plays an important part in the day-to-day lives of Venetians. From fruits, and vegetables, to fresh fish in the food section, and countless souvenirs in the tourist section there are endless things to buy and try.
Dress up with Venetian Carnival costumes
The Venetian Carnival dresses are handcrafted models made by following a careful implementation with excellent quality materials and attention to detail. These unique pieces require months of work so if you plan to rent or buy a costume for the next Venice Carnival you should get active a few months in advance.
Food and Sweets in Venice
If you really want to explore Venice, then food, sweets, gelato, and wine are a must! Venetian distinguished cuisine history is based on its unique geographical position on the Adriatic Sea and its cosmopolitan past as the hub of a trading empire.
Eat A Traditional Tramezzino
The Traditional Sandwich of Venice, Tramezzini is a famous snack, part of the delicious local cuisine. Mainly famous for being stuffed fuller than most of their counterparts, with either ham or tuna these sandwiches are great, particularly for people who want something substantial.
Cool off with a Gelato
A must-eat in Venice is definitely gelato! There are plenty of places with freshly made gelato and a variety of pronounced flavors, including Fior-di-latte, white chocolate, dark chocolate, pistachio, hazelnut, salted caramel, dark forest cake, and many more to choose from. So take your gelato and venture through the historic canals of Venice!
Try Cicchetti
Cicchettis are small bites, similar to tapas, that are eaten as a snack or a small meal. They can be found throughout Venice and is a great way to fill your energy while exploring the city.
Enjoy Tiramisu
If there is an Italian famous cake all over the world, this is definitely tiramisu! So, don’t leave Venice without tasting one of many different flavors, including the classic, pistachio, strawberry, mint, chocolate, and Nutella.
Have a Glass of Wine at Bar All’Arco
Try authentic Venetian afternoon with local wine from their wonderful selection, a refreshing Aperol spritz, or a famous Prosecco.
Follow your taste buds on a Venetian Food and Wine Tour
For a better way to explore the local cuisine, you must take a guided food and wine tour through the most essential highlights of Venice whilst nibbling on sipping on traditional dishes and drinks.
Relax in Venice
No trip to Venice is complete without exploring the city in a peaceful and relaxed vibe while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Sail down the Grand Canal in a Vaporetto
What is a Vaporetto? Basically, an easy and accessible way to travel between the main sites. You can take Vaporetto from Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco and as this Vaporetto travels all the way to Lido Island, you also can spend a few hours on the beach.
Peruse the Libreria Acqua Alta
The Libreria Acqua Alta is a bookshop in Venice great to relax while breathing in the idyllic vibe. With its many colorful books stacked against the walls and a gondola running down the center of the store, this sight has become recently a very popular Instagram spot.
Enjoy the view from Ponte dell’Accademia
Ponte dell’Accademia, this old, wooden bridge is not one of the prettier bridges in town but the view from here is stunning. You will be able to see the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and spectacular romantic scenery of gondolas, drifting up and down the Grand Canal.
Top Fun Activities in Venice
Fun activities may not be one of your major reason to visit Venice but there are plenty of things to do to have a lot of fun and you definitely don’t want to miss it!
Climb the Campanile di San Marco
Looking for more great spots with amazing views in Venice? Then head straight to The Campanile, the tallest structure in Venice that dominates the skyline of Venice.
Venture over the Rialto Bridge
The Ponte di Rialto is Venice’s most popular bridge from where you can enjoy another fantastic, iconic view of this city, experience a beautiful sunrise, or sunset scenery, or join the crowds of tourists in the middle of the day.
Go to bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is another famous landmark in Venice. If you want a perfect Instagram spot, go for a stroll along Riva degli Schiavoni, a wide promenade that runs along the Venetian Lagoon and as you cross Ponte della Paglia look down the canal and admire this iconic bridge.
Get a Bird’s Eye View at the T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace
If you want another great location for an amazing view from a different perspective, head straight to T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a high-end retail chain and mall with a wonderful rooftop terrace. This place offers a panoramic view of the Grand Canal and everything behind and between, including the various Bell Towers and Basilicas.
Get Lost In Venice’s Narrow Alleys
The Narrow Alleys of Venice are some of the fun ways to explore one of the most romanticized cities in the world. So find some, start walking, and see what hidden places you can find!
Watch A Gondola Being Made
Boatyard Squero di San Trovaso is one of the last remaining Venetian gondola boatyards, where you see how these famous boats are made. Although not open to the public you can still watch from the canal and if you are looking to dive into the complete process, there are many workshops to choose from.
Things to Do at Night in Venice
As the night falls in Venice and the crowds start to disappear, makes it the perfect time to discover some of the stunning hidden gems of the city. If you want to make the most out of your holiday, be sure to include the following night experiences on your itinerary.
Have Dinner at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero The Michelin-rated
This is Venice, so is all about romance, therefore Trattoria Al Gatto Nero located right by the waters of Burano is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious dinner! Try homemade pasta and seafood among many other local dishes made with the highest quality, in a comfortable ambiance, and in a picturesque environment.
Watch a show at La Fenice Opera House
The La Fenice Opera House, considered one of the best theatres in Europe, is right in the middle of Venice, not far from St. Mark’s Square. Each year, La Fenice hosts more than 100 opera performances, dance shows, live orchestra performances, and other cultural events making it a great way to relax and spend a spectacular night in Venice. If you don’t have time to watch the show, the beautiful setting is just as fascinating as the great music.
Go on a evening tour
Do you want to learn more about the city and have a deeper understanding of its history, culture, and lifestyle? Very few experiences compare to walking around Venice and taking in the beautiful atmosphere, especially at night.