Best Museums to Explore in Venice

1. Exploring the Museums of Venice

Venice has an incredible variety of art in its museums, ranging from Renaissance paintings hung below elaborately carved ceilings to masterpieces of modern art. Following is a list of the biggest and best of Venice’s museums, along with highlights of what to see in each.

2. Doge’s Palace

Address: P.za San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Phone: +39 041 271 5911

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The Doge’s Palace, also known as the Palazzo Ducale, is located right on the Piazza San Marco. This grand building is a collection of smaller museums, a courtyard, and an array of ornate decorations, including frescoed walls and gilded ceilings. Visitors can explore the opulent apartments filled with works by Veronese, Titian, and Tintoretto, as well as the famous Bridge of Sighs leading to the prisons.

Tip: To avoid large crowds, visit the Doge’s Palace right at opening time.

Museo Civico Correr

Address: P.za San Marco, 52, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Phone: +39 041 240 5211

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The Museo Correr focuses on Venice’s civic history. It’s named after Teodoro Correr, who bequeathed many items in the collection, featuring paintings, copperplates, coins, and classical antiquities. Notable works include marble sculptures by Antonio Canova, offering insight into Venice’s rich heritage.

Ca’Rezzonico

Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3136, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

Phone: +39 041 241 0100

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Home to Venice’s most extensive collection of 18th-century art, Ca’Rezzonico displays three floors of paintings, sculptures, and stunning Baroque furnishings. Among the highlights are works by Giambattista Tiepolo, alongside picturesque views of the Grand Canal from its grand staircase.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Address: Dorsoduro, 701, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

Phone: +39 041 240 5411

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The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is among Italy’s premier museums for modern art. It features works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Alexander Calder. Located in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the collection also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year, stimulating vibrant engagement with contemporary art.

Galleria dell’Accademia

Address: Calle della Carità, 1050, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

Phone: +39 041 522 2247

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Do not confuse the Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice with its counterpart in Florence. The Venice location showcases masterpieces by Venetian painters from the 14th to 18th centuries, notably including works by Paolo Veneziano, Giovanni Bellini, and Titian, amongst others.

Venice Museums Pass

To save time, consider purchasing a Venice Museums Pass. This pass grants access to 11 museums, including the major sites on Piazza San Marco and two on Murano and Burano Islands. Valid for three months from the pick-up date, it allows visitors to explore the rich cultural heritage of Venice efficiently.