Venice - 2 or 3 nights?

Welcome!

2 nights is just 1 full day
I would stay in Venice 3 nights
Your second full day allows for a trip to the islands

I agree with Christine H. Just walking around Venice and stopping for a wine or coffee can take me an entire day. The 2nd day you can take the vaporetto to the islands. Venice is a place to relax and explore and just enjoy being there (if you can stay away from the crowds) and in March that may be possible.

Welcome Laura,

I have been to Venice twice in the last five years. The first time, I allowed 2 nights and I wished that I had more time. Last year, I added that extra night and it was just right for my husband, friends, and I. While Venice always has tourists, that extra day allowed us to find ways to find quiet time. Having that extra day also allows you to visit the islands.

At least 3 nights in Venice.
This year I spent 5 nights and it was my 3rd visit. There are small interesting museums besides the larger ones; same with churches: Pallazzo Mocenigo, Fortuny Museum, Chiesa di San Zaccaria. Murano and Burano are good to wander around (don’t waste time and money on a tour). Padua is a close day trip.
Don’t forget buy a vaporetto pass. Kiosk is at the dock outside the train station.

Because you are returning to Rome book a flight from FCO to Venice on March 1st then work your way back to Rome.
When you say spending a half day in Burano/Murano are you saying combining the two in a half day or a half day each in Burano/Murano? I’m assuming it’s the latter because the former cannot be done.
Venice deserves four nights if planning a day trip. On day one, follow the crowd and see the sights. On day two get lost. Day three Burano/Murano.
Have you bought your train tickets? If so, can you make changes?

+1 for 3 nights.

My last stay was for a week, and I probably could have stayed longer. Two whole days on the ground would be my absolute minimum. If you want to fit in Murano and Burano in half a day, then you will have to get an early start. Catch the line 12 vaporetto from the Fondemente Nove stop, it will take about 45 minutes to get to Burano, but go there first, and try to arrive at least half an hour before the shops open so you can wander empty streets before the crowds arrive. The island is small, so you can probably walk every street in less than an hour. Then pop into some lace shops before taking the the vaporetto back to Murano and wander the glass shops for a while. Murano is not as photogenic as Burano, so the attraction really is just the glass. Murano is only two vaporetto stops from Venice so it is a short trip back once you are done. But, even if you get an early start it will still be after lunch by the time you get back to Venice, even if you don’t stay too long on each island, due to how long it takes to get to Burano. Do buy a vaporetto pass, it will save you a lot of money.

We have been once for 5 nights -- not enough but enough on a first trip. two nights is one day -- that gets you a couple of key sights like San Marco. for us the best part of Venice was just walking as far we we could go. As you cross islands further and further from the center it gets more and more interesting and photogenic and uncrowded. You can't get lost -- if you do just ask for 'San Marco' and head in that direction. These day with google maps you can always get headed in the right direction.

With 3 nights you get 2 full days -- one for top tourist sites and one to wander.

Thank you to ALL who responded!! 3 nights it is! Thanks again for your tips, help and quick replies!