3 days in Venice...what to do? Staying in Castello neighborhood

A bit of an indulgence, on a sunny day go and have a coffee sitting at one of the outside tables at Cafe Florian on Piazza San Marco and just watch the world go by and enjoy the orchestra and the surroundings. The coffee will be outrageously priced but the experience is priceless and you can sit there forever, include a visit to San Marco Basilica. Take a Vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal and gawk at the palaces that line the Canal, especially if you do it at dusk as the lights come on in the buildings.

I enjoy the Guggenheim Gallery and its sculpture garden. Walking through the markets at Rialto or just walking around Venice and hopping on a vaporetto to one of the surrounding islands for a visit to the glassworks on Murano, or to the colourful island of Burano, for example. The park like setting of the Biennale is a nice break from the crowded streets. Aside from the Guggenheim there are is the Accedemia and many churches full of paintings. The Jewish Ghetto area is interesting. Or the gondola workshops, the Bridge of Sighs….

Walk away from the crowds. Just head down any walkable street or alley that has few people and wander. Before you know it you'll be in the back areas of the real Venice. Don't worry about getting lost, you're on an island. We love the place and make it a point to just wander every trip.

The biggest site is Basilica di San Marco and it is definitely worth seeing - and add on the museum supplement - both because it is interesting but you get to see the famous horses up close and walk out on the roof over looking the San Marco and the Grand Canal. Get timed tickets ahead of time and just show up and line at your time.

The Doge's Palace is the second biggest site but let your interest level dictate whether you want to see it. I think without the historical context of a Venice dark and crazy politics I think Palace is less impressive than other big city sites. If you are into history I would recommend a tour but otherwise just balance your time versus your interest.

Other than that getting lost in the city is one of the most interesting things to do. Take a Traghetto across the canal for some of the gondola experience for only a couple of euros and see what's on the other side. Take the vaporetto over to San Giorgio Maggiore tour the cathedral and climb the tower for a great view of Venice.

If you're into art check out what's happening in Venice - there is always something going on during the season.

You can tour the outlying islands of Burano (lace) and Murano for the famous glass (you won't be alone - many people do) so go early for best results.
Check out the original ghetto in the old Jewish Quarter - interesting and quiet experience.

Long term vaporetto passes can actually be a good deal so check out getting a longer term pass and then you can grab the "bus" whenever and wherever you like which is great for exploring. Always tap in when you line or enter the boat even with a long term pass.

You should be entering a time of lower crowds - get out early to see San Marco with no one in it and have it yourself. Italians are not early risers and day trippers won't be in yet. Check out Rick's guide and watch his segments on Venice and decide what interests you.

Enjoy Venice, it's a unique thing in the world,
=Tod

hey hey JMGermany
so many things to see and do, depending what you want to do. we roamed around, got "lost" and just backtracked since many alleyways deadend into the canals. start early before the crowds "invade", many go to piazza san marco and rialto bridge.
your days are short, pick what's important to you, @hiredman gave info to research. we walked the back canals of canareggio with lesser crowds, lunch at outside cafe on canal, stopped in small wine shop that you bring your own container and pick the wine you want filled up, saw a yard sale with 3 nonna's selling stuff, communicated with hands and bought couple things. it was fun and funny to just enjoy & they were surprised at first but was great and happy, took a vaporetto to the lido to roam around and have a glass of wine at outside cafe watching families & kids playing.
if riding a gondola, go down the back canals to get one. the grand canal is the main "highway" for every boat, big/small/police/rescue/water taxis
gpsmycity.com/ venice
self-guided walking tours to download on the app. scroll down to see what tours they have, since you are staying in the castello area check that one out. not many travel to that area so less crowds & quieter.
guruwalk.com
look at the free tours (you tip) offered, choose english.
of course we went to harry's bar for their famous drink, bellini. not cheap (mid to high $20) but just worth the experience
schezzini.it
alessandro does a "bar crawl/cichetti tour". wine, local appetizers, & history of venice. press contact to send a message for more info.
europeforvisitors.com
lots of info for venice. whatever you decide to do enjoy it, been 4 times and can't enough. you won't see it all. eat gelato:)
aloha

My favorite thing in Venice was taking a water bus to Murano and window shopping all of the glass stores. Also loved wandering around in the evening when things quieted down.

Have a bellini. If you want a splurge meal with a view go to Cip's Club. They'll pick you up by boat (near Bridge of Sighs) and take you over to the hotel, and you will eat on the water facing St. Mark's. We loved it. Very pricey though.