Museums in Venice: 10+1 must-see museums
Venice and its cultural soul
Venice is not only calli, gondolas and postcard views: it is a city that has made art and culture a pillar of its identity. Beyond the most famous squares and iconic canals, it preserves a network of museums that tell centuries of history, creativity and collecting. Visiting the museums of Venice means immersing yourself in different worlds—from 18th-century Venice to contemporary art, from photography to natural discoveries. Here is a selection of 10+1 unmissable museums to visit during your stay.
Doge’s Palace
The undisputed symbol of the Serenissima, the Doge’s Palace is a casket of history and art. Its rooms recount the power of the Republic of Venice—from the Great Council Chamber to the Doge’s Apartments. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the palace to the prisons, is an experience that intertwines beauty with historical memory.
St Mark’s Basilica – Treasury and Pala d’Oro
The museum itinerary of St Mark’s Basilica includes access to the Treasury and the Pala d’Oro, a masterpiece of Byzantine goldsmithing. The collections reveal Venice’s spiritual and artistic dimension, with sacred objects, reliquaries and golden mosaics that make the basilica shine as one of the wonders of the world. In addition to daytime entry, evening guided visits are also available, allowing you to experience the basilica illuminated in a suggestive, romantic atmosphere.
Museo Correr
Overlooking St Mark’s Square, the Museo Correr preserves artworks, historical collections and testimonies of Venetian life. Its rooms retrace centuries of city history—from the splendour of the Serenissima to the transformations of the 19th century. Highlights include the Neoclassical Rooms and the Imperial Apartments, refined spaces that narrate the age when Venice changed face. The museum also hosts sculptures, maps, naval models and paintings that reveal daily life, ceremonies and trade routes. From the windows you can enjoy a spectacular view of the square and the Basilica: a visit that combines culture and one of the most iconic panoramas in Venice.
Ca’ Pesaro – International Gallery of Modern Art & Museum of Oriental Art
This sumptuous Baroque palace on the Grand Canal houses the International Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Oriental Art. Here, works by artists such as Klimt, Chagall and Kandinsky dialogue with fascinating Eastern collections. The rooms also host major temporary exhibitions, making Ca’ Pesaro a reference for anyone who loves art in all its forms.
Ca’ Rezzonico – Museum of 18th-century Venice
A noble palace that takes you back in time. Among frescoes, original furnishings and works by Tiepolo, you can breathe the atmosphere of 18th-century Venice, the age of balls, masks and great painting. One of the most evocative places to understand the artistic and social splendour of the Serenissima.
Palazzo Grassi
Part of the Pinault Collection, Palazzo Grassi is dedicated to international contemporary art exhibitions. Shows change periodically, bringing world-renowned artists to Venice. The elegance of the 18th-century palace meets the innovative force of today’s visual arts.
Giorgio Franchetti Gallery at Ca’ d’Oro
Ca’ d’Oro is one of the most refined buildings on the Grand Canal and houses the collection of Giorgio Franchetti. Among the most celebrated works stands Andrea Mantegna’s Saint Sebastian. The fusion between Renaissance art and the palace’s Gothic architecture makes the visit a double experience: both a gallery and a monument at the same time.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Located in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the heart of 20th-century art in Venice. Masterpieces by Picasso, Dalí, Pollock, Kandinsky and many others are on display. A museum that tells the visionary courage of Peggy Guggenheim, who created one of the world’s most important collections of modern art.
Gallerie dell’Accademia
The Gallerie dell’Accademia preserve the best of Venetian painting: Bellini, Carpaccio, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. The rooms gather centuries of pictorial mastery and allow you to follow the evolution of one of Europe’s most important schools of art.
Natural History Museum of Venice
Housed in the Fondaco dei Turchi, the Natural History Museum overlooks the Grand Canal and explores biodiversity through collections of fossils, skeletons and scientific specimens. Perfect for families and the curious, it intertwines natural history with the beauty of Venetian architecture.
The hidden gems: Casa dei Tre Oci & Museo Fortuny
They do not have the size or fame of the best-known museums, but their uniqueness makes them unforgettable. These are spaces that tell a different, more intimate and surprising Venice.
Casa dei Tre Oci (Giudecca)
On the island of Giudecca, Casa dei Tre Oci is an exhibition space devoted to photography. Its shows host internationally renowned authors and turn every visit into a visual journey. Reaching it by vaporetto is part of the experience: the route offers breathtaking views over Punta della Dogana, St Mark’s and San Giorgio.
Museo Fortuny
Housed in Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei, the Museo Fortuny is a uniquely fascinating place. Dedicated to Mariano Fortuny—artist and innovator—it brings together fashion, design, stagecraft and artistic experimentation. Its atmospheric rooms are a plunge into an eclectic universe that surprises even the most demanding visitors.
After a day among masterpieces and exhibitions, Albergo Marin is the ideal retreat. Just a few steps from the railway station and close to the historic heart of the city, it offers welcoming rooms, apartments and a dépendance. Thanks to its family management and strategic location, it is the perfect starting point for discovering Venice with authenticity and comfort.
