Venice Museum Guide
Venice Museum Guide. This post contains my “Top 25 Recommendations” and is one of the most comprehensive guides to the city’s finest museums.
This introductory guide features a direct link, to each of my 25 Individual museum posts and includes everything you need to get full information and any current health requirements for entry.
To gain the most benefit and enjoyment out of your visit and to maximise your time each day; I have included links to my other posts, that give you information about each of Venice’s six districts and their main attractions. You will be able to choose museums and other main attractions, that are reasonably close together.
I hope you find this introductory post containing “My Top 25 Museum Recommendations”; very worthwhile and useful.
- Introduction
- A few further questions answered
- My Top 25 recommendations
- Please read this section before booking/visiting for any Museum
- LINKS (internal-external)
Venice Museum Guide – Introduction
Venice is one of those cities that steals your breath from the moment you arrive. This unique and wonderful aquatic city and its many islands, rising out of its own lagoon; is overflowing with beauty, history and culture. Most visitors will agree, that it’s a city that leaves an everlasting and unforgettable imprint.
Although you could easily spend an entire vacation simply wandering the streets, you’ll want to visit Venice’s museums, to fully appreciate its history and culture. With many museums to choose from, I’m sure that you’ll find something that sparks your interest.
What sets Venice aside, is that many of these museums, are situated in palaces or buildings of immense beauty, architectural and historical significance.
Apart from the main museums, the route westwards out of St Mark’s Square, leading to the Academy Bridge in San Marco district and from the other side this bridge down to the “Salute” church, in the Dorsoduro district; has many a number of smaller retail galleries and high-end boutiques. An experience not to miss – Venice has it all!
Also, do consider visiting the “Scuole Grande” (Schools) of Venice. These are amazing institutions, both from an architectural, cultural and art perspective – wonderful historic buildings with some of the finest decoration and collections of Venetian paintings. One is still active today. There is also one minor Scuola (degli Schiavoni) included, as it is an absolute jewel box, that must be seen.
You can get online entrance tickets from many other tourist websites, ticketing agencies or via your hotel reception. However, I have given direct links to every museum’s website; which gives you the best and up-to-date information; regarding every aspect of your proposed visit, including any current health regulations, required for entry. Remember inflation may push prices upwards and health regulations may rapidly change – so always check the website.
I would suggest that if you book online; it may be worth considering going through the official websites. You may find it easier to get refunds, (especially if you cannot comply with their regulations on entry).
A FEW FURTHER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
How many free museums are in Venice? While there are very few free museums in Venice, you can still visit some of the city’s top attractions for an affordable price. All government-run museums, are also free during the first Sunday of the month. It’s best to arrive early during free admission days, as the lines can be long in the high season.
What are the hours of the museums in Venice? Most museums in Venice, open between 8 or 9 in the morning and close between 7 or 8 in the evening. While some museums are open 7 days a week, it’s not uncommon for some to be closed on Monday or Tuesday. Even though I have given the opening hours for each museum, please double-check the official websites for exact hours. I have indicated those, that have a cafe/restaurant and a bookshop.
What can I bring in Venice Museums? While photography is usually allowed in Venice Museums, you may be prohibited from using flash, tripods, or selfie sticks. There are some museums that don’t allow large backpacks or suitcases. When visiting religious monuments or churches, make sure to dress appropriately. That means not exposing your shoulders or too much leg!
My Top 25 recommendations
Select your museum and click on the link.
Check further below for the 11 museums in the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE).
1 – Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Palace)
2 – Peggy Guggenheim Collection
6 – Scuola Grande di San Rocco
7 – San Servolo Mental Health Asylum Museum
8 – Palazzo Grassi (Francois Pinault Collection)
11 – Fondazione Querini Stampalia
16 – Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia
18 – Museo Storico Navale di Venezia
20 – Fondazione Emilio e Annabianca Vedova
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello
25 – Museo Archeologico Nazionale
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION BEFORE BOOKING / VISITING FOR ANY MUSEUM*
*** Many attractions are subject to rising costs, so please check as prices quoted are likely to have been changed
The Civic Museum Foundation below offers a “Museum Pass”; covering all its associated eleven museums below; at a significant reduction in cost.
As of Feb 2024 – The Venice Museum Pass. (11 museums). Cost. Full: Euro 40 Reduced: Euro 22. Valid for 6 months on date of issue.
1. Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE)
- The Doge’s Palace
- The Museo Correr
- The Torre dell’Orologio
- Ca’ Rezzonico – Museum of the eighteenth-century Venice
- Palazzo Mocenigo – Centre for the History of Textiles, Costume and Perfume
- The Casa di Carlo Goldoni
- Ca’ Pesaro – International Gallery of Modern Art
- Palazzo Fortuny
- The Museo del Vetro di Murano (Murano glass museum)
- The Museo del Merletto di Burano (Burano lace museum)
- The Natural History Museum of Venice Giancarlo Ligabue
Please see link to the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE) website, at bottom of page
Foundation / Museums / Exhibitions – Events / Catalogue / Libraries / MUVE Education / Contacts / Tickets
Piazza San Marco 52 – 30124 – Venezia / Phone: +39 041 2405211 / Fax: +39 041 5200935
Cost. Full: Euro 41 Reduced: Euro 24. Valid for 6 months on date of issue.
2. Integrated ticket for St. Mark’s Square Museums. (Doge’s Palace – Correr Museum – Archaeological Museum – Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana)
Cost. Full: Euro 31 Reduced: Euro 19 Valid only on the date booked. Check for price updates.
LINKS (internal–external)
SCUOLE GRANDI OF VENICE
Please also consider my series of posts; regarding the “Scuola Grandi of Venice”. The first post is an introduction, that covers the history and origins of the “scuola system”, followed by comprehensive and illustrated guides to each individual school. These are amazing institutions, both from an architectural, cultural and art perspective – wonderful historic buildings with some of the finest decoration and collections of Venetian paintings. A few are still active today. There is also one minor scuola (degli Schiavoni) included, as it is an absolute jewel box, that must be seen.
Click on the links below.
Scuole Grandi of Venice – Introduction
Scuola Grande della Misericordia
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
Scuola degli Schiavoni (Minor School)
DISTRICTS AND MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Introduction – Districts and Attractions
Cannaregio – District and Attractions
Castello – District and Attractions
Dorsoduro – District and Attractions
San Croce – District and Attractions
San Marco – District and Attractions
San Polo – District and Attractions
A link to an index of all all my current blog posts You will be surprised by the breadth and depth of information available!
Link to the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE) website
Venice Museum Guide Venice Museum Guide