Traveling to Venice on a low budget

Known for being a romantic getaway destination, Venice attracts millions of visitors every year who come to explore the canals and lively atmosphere. After visiting the city more than seven times now, we finally feel ready to put together this guide on how to travel to Venice on a budget, featuring the best things to do, where to stay, what to eat, and more.

Let us start by saying that Venice is not a cheap city overall. Especially with the overtourism that has hit the city in the past one or two decades. In this travel guide, we have gathered our best tips and tricks to make your visit to Venice as budget-friendly as possible, but it is wise to manage your expectations.

Traveling to Venice on a budget – Money-saving tips

Venice is an expensive destination, so if you will be traveling on a tight budget but still want to fully experience the city, you will have to be mindful of your itinerary. Planning ahead is the best thing to do in this situation, as you will be able to make choices on what to visit and organize your schedule to take advantage of the free attractions.

To get you started, we have gathered some practical tips on how to save money for your budget-friendly visit to Venice:

• Walk everywhere – transport in Venice is expensive!
• Avoid bringing large and heavy luggage with you, if you can.
• Take advantage of the dates and times when the attractions have free admission (more on that later on).
• Avoid overpriced restaurants that are clearly going after tourists, with big menus outside and people calling you out on the street. Eat at local rotisseries instead.
• Make one big meal for the day, and buy snacks on the market or in small shops to keep you satiated through the remaining hours.
• Don’t waste money buying water bottles – Venice has several drinkable water fountains.
• If you want to experience Venice by the water, buy a Vaporetto ticket instead of a Gondola ride.
• Consider staying in Mestre (on the mainland) and taking the bus/tram to the city. Accommodations in Mestre are considerably cheaper and the bus ride is very quick and affordable.
• Avoid traveling to Venice during the high season or important holidays, such as the Carnival in February. Read more about when to go to Venice.
• Wander a lot through the canals. The best thing to do in Venice is entirely free: getting lost in the picture-perfect alleys, and discovering unique shops, and art galleries.

Free attractions in Venice to make your trip budget-friendly

Venice is one of the cities that has the highest density of museums, galleries, and churches per square meter. One thing is certain: you will not be bored. In order to make this trip to Venice fit into your budget, here is a short list of things you can do for free:

• St Mark’s Basilica – The visit to the iconic Basilica of Venice used to be free, but as of April 2022 when this article is being written, the admission is now charged 3 €. Entrance is still free for those attending prayers, mass, and services through the side door (Porta dei Fiori).
• Rialto Bridge – Another iconic spot in the city of canals, visiting the Rialto Bridge and the Rialto Market is entirely free and a great experience.
• Enjoy the best views of the Grand Canale from the rooftop at Fondaco dei Tedeschi – You will need to book a visit ahead and be there on time but trust me, it is worth it. During a 15 min visit, you will have the most amazing views from the top of the Rialto Bridge. They are usually fully booked, and can’t accommodate walk-ins. Use this link to book your spot. 
• Bridge of Sighs – The best view of the Bridge of Sighs is from the Ponte della Paglia and is entirely free of charge. Crossing through the Bridge of Sighs is possible if you pay for the full visit to the Doge Palace and the dungeons. 
• Basilica Santa Maria della Salute – Located almost at the old customs buildings, this remarkable church is free to visit. Admission to the sacristy costs 4 €.
• Explore the Jewish Ghetto – Located in Cannaregio, this is one of the most interesting areas of Venice. If you feel hungry, make sure to stop for a tasty delicacy in one of the shops.
• Libreria Acqua Alta – Tucked away in the Castello neighborhood, this not-so-hidden gem is a must-go if you seek unique locations.

Best 3-day itinerary for visiting Venice on a budget

Now that you already know what are the best free things to do in Venice for your budget trip, let us help you plan them through a perfect 3-day itinerary. We have put together an optimized travel itinerary where you will be able to visit the best locations in a smart way.

Day 1 of the Budget Venice Travel Itinerary

Kick-off this Venice budget trip by crossing off the most touristic spots from your list: head to St Mark’s Square early in the morning to catch it still empty. Take your time to explore the buildings in the square, as there is so much to see here – St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge Palace, St Mark’s Campanile, the Correr Museum, the Florian Café, the Astronomic Clock, the Bridge of Sighs and the columns of St Mark and San Todaro.

If you would like to visit the Doge Palace, we recommend buying your ticket in advance using this Get Your Guide link. The full price is 28 € and the visit is very much worth it, in our opinion.

After spending the morning checking these attractions, head to the Contarini del Bovolo staircase, an architectural masterpiece tucked away in the Venice alleys. Checking the stairs from the outside is free, but going in will cost you 8 €.

Next, make a stop to see the famous La Fenice Opera House. This is the most iconic theatre house in Venice, built on 1792 to replace the old San Benedetto Theatre that burned down. In fact, this is the reason for its name – which means “the phoenix” in Italian – referring to the bird that rises from the ashes. It is possible to visit the La Fenice in two different ways, via the theatre tour or when watching an opera performance.

Stop for lunch at Rosticceria Gislon, a very local place with honest local food and affordable prices. If you want to try something local, don’t miss out on the carrozzas. If you are up for a gelato, stop just around the corner at Gelatoteca Suso.

You can make a stop to check out the unique bookshop called Libreria Acqua Alta, then head towards the Rialto Bridge to explore this side of the city. From the Rialto Bridge, you will have some of the most beautiful views of Venice’s Grand Canale. Take the time to get lost in the alleys of this region as they are some of the most beautiful ones. If you time it just right, you can book the visit to the rooftop at Fondaco dei Tedeschi right at sunset time to enjoy it even more (see the view you have from the rooftop in the picture below).

For the evening, we recommend stopping for bites and drinks in the Dorsoduro neighborhood. Around Campo Santa Margherita you will find a lot of options of bars and restaurants to choose from.

Day 2 of the Budget Venice Travel Itinerary

On this second day in Venice, we recommend visiting the neighbourhoods and attractions located a bit outside the mainstream tourist path. Start the day in the Cannaregio neighbourhood, making your way to the Jewish Ghetto. Even though the ghetto takes only a small part of town, it is incredibly important to Venetian history. You can visit the Jewish Museum to learn more about it or get a guided tour.

Cross the Grand Canale through the Ponte degli Scalzi bridge and you will arrive at the sestieri of Santa Croce. Wander the small alleys towards the south, going in the direction of the Accademia bridge. Stop by the Ca’ Pesaro on your way, a renowned Venetian art gallery. Even if you do not want to pay for a visit, the building itself is worth checking out. You will see this is one of the most local regions of Venice, with many quiet streets, without too much touristic buzz – which is amazing to see!

Make a stop at the Rialto Market before noon to see it in full bloom. The fish market in Rialto is quite unique, with many typical catches from the Venetian Lagoon. For lunch, however, we recommend avoiding this region around the Rialto Market since most restaurants are very overpriced and made for tourists. Instead, we recommend getting a bite at a small restaurant in this region of Dorsoduro – you will cross many options along your way.

This side of the river is filled with students and young people due to the presence of the Ca’ Foscari University.

There are also a few interesting museums you will want to check out on this side of the river – the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection are two that deserve a mention. The first has an extensive collection of Italian artwork and the second is a well-curated collection of modern art pieces.

Walk until the end of the Dorsoduro until the old customs house called Dogana. From here, you will have a great view of the Venetian Lagoon. Make a stop at the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute on your way back. Cross the Accademia Bridge back to the St Mark’s neighbourhood or catch a traghetto.

Don’t know what a traghetto is? Discover all transport options available in Venice.

Go back to St Mark’s square and through the Riva degli Schiavoni in the direction of the Venice Arsenal. Take some time to check out the entrance of the Arsenal, which holds strong importance to Venice’s history. During their golden days, the Venetian Arsenal used to build one ship per day, which is super impressive!

Grab an Aperol Spritz to enjoy the end of the day and way for the sunset. The best place to watch the sunset in Venice is right here, in front of Hotel Bucintoro.

Day 3 of the Budget Venice Travel Itinerary

For the last and final day in this Venice Travel Itinerary on a Budget, we recommend purchasing a daily Vaporetto ticket and going for a day trip to Murano and Burano. During the summer, another alternative is to visit the Lido instead and check out their beach bars.

Continue reading: The perfect day trip to Murano and Burano from Venice.

Costs breakdown of a 3-day Venice trip

If you’ve read this far, you already understand that Venice isn’t a cheap destination but there are many things you can do to make your trip more affordable. To help you plan the budget for your upcoming Venice trip, here is our cost breakdown:

Where to eat in Venice

Finding a good place to eat in Venice is not as easy as one would assume so. The number of restaurants that are basically overpriced tourist traps is outstanding, and it may be hard to navigate to find local and good places to eat. Here are a few places we recommend eating in Venice:

• Rosticceria Gislon: A small rosticcerie where local venetians go to eat. I have learned about this place from my family, who are used to coming here for generations. They serve very honest, affordable, and authentic Venetian dishes. Try the carrozzas and the fish or nero di seppia risotto.
• Ostaria A La Campana: A very discreet and authentic place located in the middle of St Mark’s chaos. This place is such an amazing find, the food is delicious, well-priced, and extremely local.
• Muro San Stae: Located in Santa Croce, this place had a very good value for the price. The food was very nice, the service was effective and the restaurant itself had a very nice ambiance.
• Osteria Giorgione da Masa
• Osteri ai piè del ponte
• Bottega ai Promessi sposi
• Birreria la Corte (for pizzas)

How to get around Venice?

The best way to get around Venice is by foot. Not only is it free, but walking around is the only way you will be able to explore the little alleys and feel the true vibe of this city. We strongly recommend taking some time to wander outside of the main touristic paths to explore the hidden corners of Venice.

Since there are no cars in Venice, the public transport system uses the waterbuses called Vaporettos. You can purchase single, two-way, or daily tickets, depending on how much you intend on using them.

The famous Venetian Gondolas are also available at almost every corner. The gondolas can’t exactly be classified as a transport method since they are mostly offered for touristic purposes. The price for a gondola tour starts at 80 €.

Now, if you are wondering about the best way to get to Venice, flying is probably the best choice if you are coming from abroad. The closest airport to Venice is Marco Polo Airport, but there are several others you can consider when buying your ticket. Check out our guide on the best airports in Venice.

Where to stay during your budget trip to Venice?

Accommodation in Venice will take up the largest portion of your travel budget. You can choose to stay in Mestre, which is on the mainland, to save some money on accommodation. However, we prefer to stay on the island because it does have a different feeling to wake up here and not have to plan our way back and forth to the mainland.

If this is also your case, we recommend staying in the San Polo or Cannaregio neighborhoods. San Polo is where the Rialto Market is located, and you will have many affordable options of places to stay there. The Cannaregio neighborhood is still very local and, therefore, also offers many affordable accommodation options. 

If you want to save on accommodation costs, it is probably smart to stay away from accommodations too close to St Mark’s Square, which are often overpriced. The only exception is if you find a good deal, which is exactly what happened to us when we last visited Venice in 2022. We ended up staying in a hotel only 5min from St Mark’s square for a bargain on the price because we travelled during the low season.

Check our extensive guide on where to stay in Venice with hotel tips for each neighbourhood.

Ideas for day-trips from Venice

Will you have extra days in the city of canals and don’t know where to go? There are many destinations located only a boat or train ride away from Venice that you can go for an amazing day trip.

Here is a short list of destination ideas for a day trip from Venice:

• Murano & Burano
• Chioggia
• Verona
• Dolomites

Check more options for tours in Venice

We believe you are now fully equipped to plan the most amazing budget trip to Venice! If you have any other money-saving tricks for exploring Venice without breaking the bank, leave them in the comments below so we can help other travelers too.

Fe & Edo