Things to do in Canton

Step into Venice’s most famous square and expect to be impressed by the opulence of St. Mark’s Basilica, the towering Campanile, and the gothic façade of the Doge’s Palace. This lively hub has been the focal point for Venetian life for over 10 centuries. Enjoy a drink in one of the cafés under the colonnaded arcade that lines the square or visit its most iconic buildings.

The Grand Canal is Venice’s famous S-shaped thoroughfare. On any given day you can hear the splashing of the oars of the gondolas that slowly traverse the city just as they have done for centuries. A trip in a gondola is almost unavoidable because there are very few sidewalks along the canal, and the backs of the Floating City’s buildings drop straight into the water. A more modern and faster way to see the Grand Canal, and the main tourist attractions alongside it, is by vaporetto (water bus). For a simple crossing, take a traghetto, a ferry on which you remain standing for the duration of the short trip.

When riding a vaporetto (water bus) or gondola along the Grand Canal, look up as you round the bend by the fish market: One of Venice’s most iconic sights appears before you. The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) has been a feature of the city since the late 1500s. It has a distinctive V-shape design, high stone arcades and balustrades from which tourists peek at the gondolas in the canal below.

Approach St. Mark’s Square from any angle and, on a fine day, you’ll see the golden spires of St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica San Marco) glimmer in the sunlight. This is why the locals call this the Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold). As you get closer, you’ll see the many sculptures, reliefs and mosaics of the ornate facade. This church is a spectacular example of Byzantine architecture.

The pink marble façade of the 14th-century Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a striking sight on St. Mark’s Square. The arched loggias and the fortress-like peaks on top of the walls convey a sense of wealth and power to those who approach Venice by sea. Every aspect of this building was designed to impress, from the imposing décor of the Hall of the Great Council, to the luxurious apartments.

The Piazza Mazzini is a wide, open plaza with picturesque trees and fountains that help to keep you cool during the intense summer heat. Cafés, shops and hotels overlook this busy square, where bars and bright lights create a lively atmosphere at night.