The Venice I See—Now in Your Pocket

After months of scouting, shooting, and quiet observation, I’m excited to share The Venice I See, a new visual guide to Venice now live on Rexby. It’s my personal take on a city too often reduced to postcards and clichés.

This isn’t your typical checklist. It’s not a photographer’s technical guide, and it’s certainly not a tourist brochure. It’s an invitation—to slow down, to look differently, and to feel Venice.

From quiet bridges in Cannaregio to secret campos in Castello, the guide shares personal, visual insights into the city I’ve photographed and lived in for over two decades. Each location is chosen not for fame, but for feeling.

What You’ll Find Inside

• 📍 Handpicked locations with emotional and photographic significance

• 📷 Photo tips and compositions I love

• ☕️ Cafés and hidden corners where I actually spend time

• 🏡 Non-sponsored, authentic recommendations

It’s ideal for anyone who wants to experience Venice with intention—whether you’re holding a Leica, an iPhone, or a sketchbook.

🎒 Planning a trip? Or love seeing cities through a different lens?
Take a look at the guide on Rexby — and let me know what you see.

"What if you could step into the Venice I write about?"
My guided walks and tours are a way to experience the hidden rhythms of the city — quietly, creatively, and at your pace. Discover them here.

Next Up: Budapest

And next? The Budapest I See — a visual guide with the same quiet storytelling, this time in the city I now call home.

A Final Word

Whether you’re planning a trip or dreaming from afar, I hope this guide helps you see Venice a little differently. Not as a postcard, but as a feeling.

—Marco

Venice Unveiled: An Authentic Guide for a 2 and 3-Day Stay

Venice, the city of dreams and whispers of the past, invites you to wander its alleys and float along its canals. Whether you're there for 2 days or extending your stay to 3, this guide will ensure you live and breathe the city's essence beyond the usual tourist trails.

For the 2-Day Adventurer

Day 1: The Essence of Venice

Morning: Begin at Piazza San Marco early to beat the crowds. The tranquillity of the square, Doge's Palace, and St. Mark's Basilica in the early hours is something special. Afterwards, enjoy a morning coffee at a local café, soaking in the city's waking moments.

Late Morning to Early Afternoon: Head to the Rialto Market. Morning is the best time to visit when the market is bustling with life. Engage with local vendors, sample Venetian specialities, and perhaps gather some treats for a later snack. After your market adventure, lose yourself in the surrounding streets and discover the city's hidden gems.

Lunch: Visit a traditional bacaro for lunch. Standing up, enjoy cicchetti with a glass of local wine, embracing the authentic midday meal culture of Venice.

Afternoon and Evening: Explore the Cannaregio area with its magic reflections and authentic feel. For dinner, explore one of Venice's quieter neighbourhoods to find a trattoria where locals dine. Try traditional dishes, then cap off your evening with a walk along the Zattere promenade, dessert gelato in hand, as you enjoy the peaceful dusk.

Day 2: Culture and Color

Morning: Start with a visit to the Gallerie dell'Accademia, then contrast it with the modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The collection's garden offers a moment of tranquility.

Afternoon: Take the vaporeto to Burano. The island's vibrant houses and lace tradition offer a colourful escape and a deeper look into Venetian craftsmanship.

Lunch: While in Burano, enjoy lunch at a local eatery. This is your chance to try seafood freshly caught from the surrounding lagoon.

Evening: Back in Venice, end your day with a leisurely stroll to absorb the city’s evening charm. Consider an early evening spritz at a local spot as you reminisce about the day's discoveries.

Adding a 3rd Day for Deeper Exploration

Day 3: Hidden Venice

Morning: Explore the historic Jewish Ghetto, the first of its kind in the world. A guided tour in the morning can illuminate its profound history and culture.

Afternoon: Experience Venice with a gondola ride from the water, then head to the Dorsoduro district. Here, explore artisan shops and the striking Santa Maria della Salute church.

Lunch: In Dorsoduro, find a cosy café or bacaro for a light lunch. This area offers many options for enjoying local fare in a laid-back setting.

Evening: Conclude your Venice adventure with a cultural evening. Whether it's a visit to a local theatre or a classical music concert, immerse yourself in Venice's artistic vibrancy

Concluding Thoughts

Venice is a city that captivates not just through its visual beauty but through its rich tapestry of history, culture, and daily life. This itinerary is designed to guide you through an immersive experience, from the bustling markets to the quiet beauty of its lesser-known islands. Let Venice’s allure captivate you, leaving memories that beckon you back long after you depart.

🔍 Want More? Go Deeper with My Curated Venice Guide

If you’ve enjoyed this itinerary and want to explore beyond the obvious, I’ve created a curated Rexby Guide packed with over 230 handpicked locations across Venice — not just for photographers, but for curious travelers looking for authentic experiences.

Inside the guide, you'll find:

• 📸 Exact coordinates to hidden corners, peaceful campos, and striking photo spots

• 🍷 My favorite no-nonsense bacari and local restaurants (where the locals actually eat)

• 🚶‍♂️ Walking routes for slow, immersive exploration

• 🎯 Updates with real-time seasonal tips based on my time in the city

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the guide will help you see Venice with new eyes — like a local, not a tourist.

👉 Grab the Rexby Guide here and start exploring your own version of Venice.

20 Great Things to do in Venice 9/20 – Tour the Lagoon

If you're spending more than a few days in Venice, take time to visit the islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Explore the famous islands of  - Murano, Burano and Torcello - on a half-day or full day excursion. You'll see  glass-blowing display on Murano, shop for lace on Burano, be lost in the wonderful colours of Burano and visit Venice's first church on the tranquil island of Torcello. This tour is a great introduction to the magical islands of the Venetian lagoon

You'll reach the islands on water buses operated by ACTV, the Venice public-transportation company best place will be from Fte Nove. Allow a full day for the entire excursion, or half a day if you skip one of them.

ACTV's lagoon water buses can be crowded during peak season, on weekends, or if local groups of senior citizens or schoolchildren are travelling between the islands. If crowds bother you, or if you're unwilling to stand on a moving boat when seats aren't available, consider one of these alternatives:

• Take an escorted tour of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. This half-day tour is more expensive than a tour by public transportation, but it's worth considering if your schedule is tighter than your budget. The trip is offered by Viator, our sightseeing-tour partner.
• Hire a water taxi by the half-day or day, which could easily cost several hundred euros. If you want the services of a private guide, try a customized lagoon itinerary from WalksInsideVenice or the Venice Tourist Guides Association and let the guide arrange transportation.

Tips:

• Organized tours don't give you much time on the islands, so we'd recommend traveling independently unless you're in a hurry or have limited mobility.
• Instead of buying individual tickets for the boat trips between the islands, buy a 12-hour to 7-day  tourist card at any Hellovenezia or ACTV ticket booth. (See our Vaporetto Fares article.) Or order the tourist office's Venice Connected pass before you leave home, if you can figure out the byzantine pricing scheme.
•  If you have access to the Internet during your trip, you can check boat schedules at the official ACTV Web site.