Two days in Venice - your must-sees?

The Frari is my favorite. the RS recommendations are excellent. But for me the best thing is the vaporetto - not just for getting around but taking an early morning and late night cruise up and down the Grand Canal. You'll see Venice waking up as a real city and Venice in all its majestic romanticism.

Agree with Robert
Frari Church, riding vaporetto

Burano but with just 2 days you might not have time

Rialto market fun in the am
Just wandering and getting lost

The best sites to see are the ones that you’ll see as you just wander around preferably far away from San Marco. Look for restaurants away from San Marco that have lots of customers...that’s how you’ll know it’s a good restaurant.

Best thing to do is walk down a random street away from the famous tourist sights. Make random turns as you go, enjoying a more quiet Venice. It’s really amazing how much the crowds thin out with even a 5 minute walk away from something famous.

If you are interested in St Mark’s Basilica, see if the Walks of Italy after hours tour is available. It’s a wonderful way to see the church lit up and uncrowded.

Restaurant - if you like small places with limited menus and somewhat modern takes on traditional food, look at CoVino. Absolutely wonderful. Reserve online ahead of time, there are only like 6 tables.

Thank you all. These sound like excellent ideas.

I love watching the ballet of boats in the Grand Canal and Saint Mark's basin. Especially from above, perhaps from the tower of S Georgio where very few people go.

Also catching glimpses of the leaning towers.

Agree with Mira, the best thing is to walk and get lost! You wont stay lost for long as you quickly get to the edge😁

I'll 3rd (?) the Frari Church. Also, on our 5th visit we finally got to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco - between the wooden carvings on the wall and the painted ceiling - spectacular.

If you want to go up a campanile/bell tower but the line at St Mark's is too long...jump on the vaporetto and head across to San Giorgio - you will prob get right in and your views include St Marks!

Hidden gems - just wander away from the crowds. Get up early one morning and head out before 7am to St Marks and Rialto - you won't regret it.

Restaurants - Vineria All'Amarone was a fav - we ate there once in 2014 and twice last year.

Gelato - La Mela Verde was so good - a little off the beaten path, but yum. And Il Doge gelateria was another fav- they actually had a small storefront near our B&B in San Polo - their Il Doge flavor was great - had them twice.

Hidden secrets in Venice, maybe not so much. But secrets hidden in plain sight are many.
The Frari, as others have suggested.
Café Paradiso in Castello for an evening spritz and to watch the sunset.
The sacristy of the Church of Saint Polo, a very moving Stations of the Cross by Tiepolo.
The Querini Stampalia Foundation. Museum and garden.
The Tre Oci photo gallery on Giudecca if serious photography is your thing. Great photographic exhibitions from significant photographers.

I would counsel against just getting lost; it can be most frustrating. But exploration, yes, go for it, but take a paper map as google can be a bit ordinary in Venice. Even Lewis & Clarke and Mason & Dixon knew how to retrace their steps.

And Venice can be like a rather aloof woman, not all that easy to get to know. But once you make the effort, do the discoveries, you will fall in love.

Paolo Sarpi, Venetian philosopher, said “I never ever tell a lie. But the truth, not to everyone”. Venice can be like that, ditto some guide books written for Venice.

Our hidden (and accidental) gem was Torcello. Beautiful peaceful island next to Burano, where the Romans first settled and Hemingway lived for a time.

Second the vaporettos but be very wary of pickpockets. We were warned about old men in hats and during a couple of vaporetto trips saw old men in hats get off and the a couple of minutes later tourists exclaiming about stolen phones. A cross body bag with a security zipper lock is a good idea.

If you like quirky shops look into: https://veneziaautentica.com/venice-bookshop-libreria-acqua-alta/

Do a Wine or Food tour with Alessandro: https://www.schezzini.it/. You'll see the backstreet sights from a fun local guide who obviously loves his city, and have great food and wine from family bars and restaurants along the way. The most fun we had in Venice.