Venice · MUSEUMS
13 ways to explore
These 13 museum visits cover the strongest choices in Venice, with prices, timings and the kind of day each one creates.
Skip the line for St. Mark’s Basilica with a phone audio guide, then time-travel via VR at the Venice History Gallery.
“Our tour guide was Francesco and he was very knowledgeable and passionate about Venice. Very informative and we learnt a lot on our tour about the history of Venice and the significance of St Mark to the city. Highly recommend”
Interactive Leonardo museum in Venice for about 1 hour, with working replicas, four-element sections, and hands-on puzzles for $10.
“Wonderful experience for all ages. Lots of hands on exhibits. So amazing to see so many ideas that were so ahead of his time.”
Skip lines at St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, then glide by gondola with commentary and VR history in a small group.
“Make sure you watch the virtual tour at the touring office. It was cool and gave interesting info about the history”
A day in Venice with Museo della Musica instruments and a live Interpreti Veneziani Vivaldi Four Seasons concert in San Vidal.
“Venue is beautiful and the orchestra is fantastic !! Impressive and dreamlike experience. A must when you visit in Venice.”
Skip the queue for a shared Grand Canal gondola, then enjoy VR and in-app commentary at the Gondola Gallery near St Mark’s Square.
“Here’s the deal…we set up a gondola experience because we were worried that we would not be able to find a gondola on our own. The truth is, you can do this on your own. We didn’t gain anything from this experience that we would would not have gleaned on our own. It’s was nice having set plans, so we recommend if you feel better knowing you get to do a gondola in Venice!”
Skip-the-line St Mark’s Bell Tower ticket plus the History Gallery and VR timeline, with 98-meter panoramic views over Venice.
“It was nice to be able to skip the line. The virtual tour was not what I expected, but it was good. Beautiful views, and a nice breeze at the top of the tower. Warning the tower bells go off on the hour, which was cool, but it hurt some peoples ears.”
Venice Museum Pass with Doge's Palace and Correr Museum access, valid 180 days after pickup, designed to help you skip queues.
“Murano and Burano were my favourite part of the trip. Museums were smaller venues. A bit of chore to get to the islands. Kinda fun riding the vaporetto... but it was way to busy. Standing room only. Doges Palace was alright. Not so busy. I didn't get a guide and probably would have got more our of it. Idk... just came from the Uffizi on Florence... and Doges palace pales by comparison Didn't use the pads for any other venues. No time.”
Skip-the-line Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and St Mark’s Basilica, with optional Campanile views and a VR History Gallery in 2-3 hours.
“Tour guide was very informative and kept our attention with humorous commentary. The tour showed us everything we could have hoped for and more. We appreciated that this agency had their own storefront where we met just around the corner from the basilica. We would highly recommend”
Venice Natural History Museum ticket ($11). Dinosaurs, a Sarchosuchus skull, fossils, and 2 million objects in a Grand Canal palazzo.
“Excellent attraction. Interactive and informative. Modern displays for ancient and old artifacts and specimens. Great views of grand canal. Lovely calm garden and internal courtyard. Very helpful and friendly staff. 100 years old this year. They have a dinosaur and lots of great fossils. I always come here for a wander and break from thecrowd's when in Venice”
Entry ticket to Murano Glass Museum in Venice, self-paced visit to the world’s largest Murano glass collection, from $11.
A small, family-friendly Leonardo da Vinci museum in Venice with hands-on replicas, backlit art copies, and interactive machine displays.
“Not to bother going. What a waste of time. Huge disappointment. Supposed to be interactive and immersive. We imaginged an exhibition similar to the Klimt exhibition in Paris which we attended a few years ago. It should state that it is for ffamilies with childrenat least to give them exposure at a young age to an aspect of history and the genius that Da Vinci was. If you are an adult, just go buy a gelato. The advertising blurb is misleading and deceptive. Truly, the only benefit to going was the adjacent stunning La Scuola Grande di San Rocco. It was wow!!!! Da Vinci exhibition.....forget it”
Skip lines at Ca' Pesaro for modern art and Edo-era Japanese pieces, inside a grand Baroque palace on Venice’s Grand Canal.
Priority entry to St Mark’s Basilica with a mobile audio guide, VR journey, and Venice Gallery history circuit, plus optional live guide.
“So, I thoroughly researched to find the right tour. This was not it. You would thin the title says it all, well not true. One, u got the ticket for the Cathedral, but what they don’t tell you is: You need your own headphones AND u have to download another app to hear the audio guide - NOT GOOD! Then, there r no signs to the History Gallery, BUT we found the Museum. What we thought was the gallery - it was not and they tried to charge us. There were too many “tours” going on which caused the whole place to get crowded, NO AC or air flow, and…”
Ride the Cold War submarine Enrico Dandolo in Venice Arsenal, then explore MUNAV naval museum for two days. Small groups, audio guide.
“Fascinating place, especially the submarine. Buildings very cold though so wrap up warm!”
Vivaldi Baroque concert at Venice’s Music Museum, with free museum time and original instruments, plus Stradivari violin-making insight.
“The music was absolutely beautiful!! Everyone of my family loved this concert. Highly recommend”
