How to spend a weekend in Venice

There are days when visitors to this exquisite jewel box of a city outnumber locals two-to-one, and when getting from the station to St Mark's square is a battle. But despite this, Venice never loses its capacity to enchant: stepping out of the station to be greeted by a glittering canal with the dome of San Simeon Piccolo beyond remains heart-stopping, whether you're doing it for the first time or the 100th.

Even at peak visitor periods, the worst excesses can be avoided and you're never more than a bridge away from secluded Venice with its quiet campi (squares), churches concealing luminous Madonnas, handsome Gothic palazzi – and bustling neighbourhood hangouts.

Because there's more to Venice than peerless artistic riches from centuries past: it's also a hive of contemporary activity. Beyond the alternating Art and Architecture Biennale shows which showcase all that's cutting edge internationally, the city's dwindling population works hard to keep contemporary Venice creative, productive and very vibrant.

Explore our interactive map below for all the local highlights, and scroll down for our suggested day-by-day summary of the best things to see and do... while here are more Venice guides providing inspiration for hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, attractions and free things to do. 

Day one

Morning

Start the day in Da Bonifacio, a tiny café with a lovely crazy-paving mosaic floor, hidden away behind the Doge's Palace (Castello 4237, calle degli Albanesi; closed Thurs). The coffee's good – ask for the very Venetian macchiatone if you like the idea of a cappuccino with less milk – and it's difficult to resist cakes like the pasta con le mandorle (almond slice).

The wondrous, mosaic-studded interior of Venice's mother church, St Mark's Basilica doesn't open to visitors until 9.30am, but anyone is welcome to attend morning mass. Take your pick between the 8am and 10am slots. The advantage of the latter, apart from the lie-in, is that it's sometimes a sung Lauds mass, and there's nothing like plainsong to bring out the magic of St Mark's. Afterwards, visit the Museum of St Mark's, which affords spectacular views over the piazza; entry is €7.

Afternoon

If you are looking for a properly Venetian lunch experience, with traditional dishes such as bigoli in salsa (thick spaghetti in anchovy and onion sauce) or sardine in saor (sweet and sour sardines), Al Portego will deliver. There are only a handful of tables – so book – plus space to perch at the bar and graze on a wide selection of ciccheti (bar snacks), which is what locals do.

Take a stroll through the Castello district, leaving the tourist hordes behind, until you reach the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni. After the opulence of St Mark's, indulge in one of the city's most charmingly intimate cultural draws: an early 16th-century cycle of paintings by local artist Vittore Carpaccio narrating episodes from the life of Dalmatia's three patron saints, George, Tryphon and Jerome.

Late

Head back west towards the Rialto Bridge. For a breathtaking view, pop into the glitzy new Fondaco dei Tedeschi shopping mall (Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi) and take the escalator up to the roof terrace. Afterwards, cross the Rialto Bridge to the market area, and join the fun by grabbing a spritz at hole-in-the-wall bar Al Mercà, and munching on a few cicchetti – go for baccalà mantecato (creamed salt cod), mantis prawns, or schie (small grey shrimps). 

Wrap the day up by hopping back on vaporetto 1 towards piazzale Roma, and disembark at San Marcuola. From here, wend your way through narrow alleys to the delightfully untouristy northern stretches of Cannaregio, where funky trattoria Anice Stellato does excellent creative Venetian cuisine, along with good-value house wines.

Day two

Morning

Enjoy a morning stroll along the scenic Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront promenade and hop on the number 2 vaporetto at the San Marco – San Zaccaria stop. Get off at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, and take the lift to the top of the church's 18th-century campanile to enjoy a spectacular view of Venice and its lagoon.

Take the number 2 again and get off at Zattere, from where it's a short walk to the Accademia gallery, a vast repository of magnificent Old Masters. Look out for Vittore Carpaccio’s frantic Miracle of the Cross at the Rialto. The bridge has changed but the water-borne confusion beneath is instantly recognisable.

If the Tintorettos and Bellinis don't do for you, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection offers a more modern roster of works by mostly European artists from Picasso to Matisse, assembled by the eccentric American heiress in the mid-20th century. The gallery's pretty, artsy café is a sophisticated spot for a tea or coffee break.

Afternoon

When hunger calls, make a beeline back to the Zattere and chalet bar El Chioschetto, where you can sit outside watching the boats ply the Giudecca Canal while munching on a piadina – a sort of flatbread pizza – or a salad.

No Venetian day would be complete without an hour or so of downtime where you just wander without a real destination. Dorsoduro is a good place to indulge the habit. This artsy, studenty district is full of quirky shops such as mask-making workshop Ca' Macana, where Stanley Kubrick went to get the masks for his film Eyes Wide Shut.

A short walk away in campo San Polo, the Gothic I Frari church contains truly sumptuous artworks. Titian's dramatic, intensely spiritual Assumption of the Virgin (1518) over the high altar dominates.

Late

The area between Frari and Zattere – in particular campo Santa Margherita and the narrow streets behind San Pantalon – is a fashionable but secluded evening favourite for those in the know. Favourites include aperitivo haunts Malvasia all'Adriatico Mar and Estro Vino e Cucina, run by a young group with a passion for natural wine and a Slow Food approach to eating.

Insider tips

Neighbourhood watch

When monumental Venice overwhelms, head for the gloriously residential Sant’Elena district. Sip a spritz at Vincent Bar, watching children in the park and boats chugging across the lagoon to the Lido.

City hack

Avoid hassle and save (a little) money by pre-booking your airport transfers, vaporetto travel pass and entry to galleries and attractions through Venezia Unica.

Attractions

Behind the splendour of the Doge’s Palace lie inquisitors’ courts and drear dungeons. Visit them on a 'secret itineraries' tour.

Did you know?

The Rialto market is Venice’s number one venue for fresh produce but there are also two boat-market-stalls in this watery city. Fresh produce floats in campo San Barnaba and at the far eastern end of via Garibaldi.

Hotels 

Aperitivi at the Hilton Molino Stucky's Skyline roof bar are not cheap but the superb sunset view that goes with them comes absolutely free.

Where to stay . . . 

Luxury living 

Gritti Palace, a 15th-century palazzo, is situated on the most eye-catching stretch of the Grand Canal, looking across the water to Santa Maria della Salute and to the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. The entire building, including the rooms, house hundreds of precious paintings and other artefacts. Staff are charming and there's a small spa. The Club de Doge restaurant has one of the most beautiful dining rooms in this or any other city.

Boutique bolthole

An effortlessly elegant mix of antique and modern, the five-room Cima Rosa is the extremely stylish creation of an Italian architect and American decorator couple. Rooms and suites are all beautifully decorated in Farrow & Ball pastels that pick up Venice's water colours and enhance the classic-contemporary elegance. The sateen bed linen is luxurious; the well equipped bathrooms are delightful. Three rooms have Grand Canal views.

Doubles from €145 (£129). Santa Croce, 1958; 00 39 373 749 5041

Budget beauty

Rooms in the main part of the Al Ponte Mocenigo cluster around a delightful courtyard with ancient columns and a lovely antique well head. The look is classic Venetian with a contemporary twist; the feel is laid-back and very friendly. An annexe has eight more rooms but has less of the affable air generated by the outdoor space, Turkish bath, and bar and front desk facilities next door.

What to bring home . . .

Every Italian region has its signature pasta, and in Venice it's bigoli. This fat spaghetti was originally made with buckwheat and duck eggs and is served with anchovies and onion ('in salsa'). Pick up brightly coloured boxes of Bigoli de Bassan at Drogheria Mascari (San Polo 381, ruga degli Spezieri; 00 39 041 522 9762).

Those soft velvet-topped slippers worn by gondoliers are called furlane. At Piedàterre, beneath the arches at the foot of the Rialto bridge, the tradition has been preserved and updated. Take home a brightly coloured pair for around €50 (£45).

When to go . . .

Venice is a unique, magical place 365 days a year. But much of the time you'll be sharing that magic with thousands of other visitors. Numbers peak in summer, despite the heat, humidity and swarms of mosquitoes. Spring and autumn are much more pleasant months. I especially like late autumn (mid-October to mid-November) when, if you're lucky with the weather, it can still be warm enough to eat outside. But my favourite season of all is winter, a time of misty vistas when tourists are few and far between, rooms are cheap and the city is reclaimed by Venetians.

An exception is Carnevale, in the two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday (February/March), which brings in hordes of revellers and sends accommodation prices through the roof. Other regular annual events include the June-November Art Biennale (odd years) and Architecture Biennale (even years), the Film Festival (10 days end of August to early September) and local festivities like the Festa del Redentore on the third weekend in July, when the city and lagoon are lit up by fireworks.

Know before you go . . .

Basics

Currency: Euro. Most cashpoint machines work with international cards, via the Cirrus circuit

International dialing codes: Dial 00 39 041 for Venice numbers from abroad, 041 from inside Italy. Dial 00 to get an international line, followed by the country code

Time difference: Venice is one hour ahead of GMT/BST

Flight time: London to Venice is around two hours

Essential information

British Embassy in Rome: (00 39 06 4220 0001; ukinitaly.fco.gov.uk). There is no longer a British consulate in Venice. The Milan consulate (via San Paolo 7) is open 9am-12.30pm, 2-4pm Mon-Fri, or call during office hours on 00 39 02 723 001

Emergency services: 112 (Carabinieri); 113 (State Police)

Author bio

Anne has lived in Italy for more than 30 years – first in Rome, now deep in the Umbrian countryside. But her first love is Venice, home to the perfect Bellini – both in a glass and in a gallery. 

Telegraph Travel's best hotels, tours, cruises and holidays in Venice, tried, tested and recommended by our Venice experts.