Looking for the best things to do in Venice evening? Whether it’s a gondola ride or St. Mark’s Basilica, we’ve got you covered.
Discover how to enjoy your Venice evening night in Venice in this post by Bar Do Draghi.
1. Venice evening Gondola Ride
As the day gives way to night, Venice’s canals become the perfect place for an evening gondola ride. There’s no better way to experience the romantic side of the city than gliding through its waterways as night Venice comes to life. The Venice evening hours are peaceful and intimate, perfect for couples or anyone looking to soak up the city’s serenity.
To make the most of it, take your gondola ride during the blue hour, that magic moment just after sunset when the sky turns blue. This twilight transition bathes Venice in a soft light, making it the best time to see the city change. As you glide along, watch as historic palaces and theaters are gradually lit up, their reflections rippling on the water beneath you.
Exploring Venice by gondola allows you to see the city’s landmarks from a new angle. Under the Rialto Bridge you’ll see the Grand Canal and the palaces along its banks. Your gondolier may take you through quieter, lesser known canals, to get a glimpse into the heart of this floating city.
Before you take your Venice evening gondola ride, remember to keep in mind a few practical things. As of 2025, nighttime gondola rides cost around 110 Euros, a bit more than daytime rides. Don’t hesitate to negotiate the price beforehand, and make sure you know what’s included, like the duration of the ride and the number of passengers. While booking in advance isn’t necessary for a private ride, it can help you avoid long waits during peak season. With some forward planning you can fully experience Venice by night and create memories to last a lifetime.
2. Venice evening St. Mark's Basilica
As the sun sets and the crowds disappear, an amazing experience awaits at Venice’s most famous landmark. St. Mark’s Basilica, considered the most beautiful building in Venice, opens its doors for an after-hours tour that will be the highlight of your trip to the city. This rare chance to visit the basilica without the daytime crowds means a peaceful and intimate experience, so you can fully appreciate the grandeur and artistry of this architectural wonder.
As you enter the tranquil interior of Doge’s Palace the basilica’s beauty will leave you speechless, even more so in the dramatic nighttime lighting. The famous gold mosaics on the walls and ceiling come alive in the soft light, their intricate designs sparkling like magic. Without the crowds you’ll have unobstructed views and quiet time to contemplate masterpieces like the Pala d’Oro, a stunning Byzantine altarpiece with over 1,900 precious stones.
This exclusive tour goes beyond what’s available to daytime visitors, access to areas usually closed to the public. You’ll get to:
- Descend into the crypt, where legend has it that St. Mark himself is buried
- Explore hidden chambers and secret passageways
- See mosaics and artwork up close
- Learn fascinating facts about the basilica’s history and art
Throughout the tour an expert guide will share fascinating insights into the basilica’s history and art, bringing the centuries-old stories in the walls to life.
Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica at night will give you a deep understanding of this part of Venetian culture and spirituality, so your Venice evening will be memorable. Just a short walk from Mark’s Square, this beautiful church is a must-see.
3. Venice evening: Dine at a traditional venetian bacaro
After visiting St. Mark’s Basilica, dive into Venice’s food scene with a visit to a traditional bacaro. These tiny Venetian wine bars, hidden in narrow alleys and quiet corners, will give you an insight into local life and flavours. A visit to a bacaro is not just about having dinner; it’s an experience to explore Venice through its food and conviviality. At the heart of the bacaro experience is the cicchetti, small plates of food that are the Venetian answer to Spanish tapas. These little bits of food are served on slices of bread and often with a toothpick, so you can eat while mingling with locals and fellow travellers. Some cicchetti you might find are:
- Baccalà mantecato: a creamy cod spread that sums up the city’s seafood tradition
- Croutons with various toppings
- Stewed folpetti (baby octopus)
- Mozzarella in carrozza (fried mozzarella sandwiches)
- Sardines in saor (sweet and sour sardines)
These are a taste of Venice’s culinary heritage.
To really get into the bacaro culture join a food tour that focuses on these hidden gems. These tours will take you through the backstreets of Venice, introduce you to the best cicchetti and local wines and tell you about the city’s culinary history. The relaxed and informal atmosphere of bacari is perfect for:
- Unwinding
- Having a glass of wine
- Eating delicious food
- Soaking up the authentic Venetian atmosphere
As you hop from one bacaro to another you’ll find that these small bars are where the heart of Venetian cuisine beats, far from tourist traps and overpriced restaurants.
4. Venice evening: Attend a concert at Teatro La Fenice
As night falls, enjoy Venice’s cultural scene by attending a performance at the famous Teatro La Fenice. This iconic theatre is a symbol of the city’s artistic heritage, offering visitors a chance to experience world-class entertainment in a historic setting. The theatre’s name, which means “The Phoenix” in Italian, is fitting given its ability to rise from the ashes of multiple fires throughout its long history. Teatro La Fenice has a wide-ranging program to suit all tastes. Whether you love classical operas, ballets or concerts you’ll find something to delight you. The upcoming season promises to be big and will feature beloved classics like “Il barbiere di Siviglia,” “La Bohème” and “Mefistofele.” These performances, conducted by famous musicians like Hartmut Haenchen and Myung-Whun Chung, are a unique chance to experience the best of Italy’s theatrical tradition.
For more intimate music experiences the Musikàmera series at Teatro La Fenice offers chamber music concerts. These concerts give you a more personal connection to the music and allow you to appreciate the nuances of each instrument in the beautiful surroundings of the theatre.
Most concerts at La Fenice start at 8:30 PM so you have plenty of time to have dinner before being transported by the magic of live music. As you settle into your seat and the lights go down get ready to be swept away by the performance in one of Venice’s most beloved institutions.
5. Venice evening: Self-guided night walk
After the show at Teatro La Fenice continue your Venetian evening with a relaxed self-guided walk through the city. As night falls Venice becomes a magical world of shadows and light, a completely different place from the daytime crowds. This nocturnal stroll allows you to see the city’s iconic sights in a new light, quite literally, as they are bathed in the glow of streetlamps and moonlight. Some of the sights you can visit on your Venice evening walk are:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Rialto Bridge
- The Grand Canal
- The Bridge of Sighs
- The Doge’s Palace
- The Basilica di San Marco
Take your time and enjoy Venice. Enjoy the atmosphere and the beauty of Venice at night. Start at the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most famous landmarks. In the Venice evening it’s peaceful and stunning, free from the daytime crowds. As you cross the bridge stop and admire the Grand Canal before you, its waters reflecting the twinkling lights of the surrounding palaces. From there head to Piazza San Marco, the heart of the city. As you enter the square you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of live music, setting the romantic mood and the lights.
If you want to venture off the beaten path the side streets of the San Marco quarter are a treasure trove of discoveries. Here you’ll find affordable bars and restaurants hidden away from the main tourist areas and offering authentic experiences and local food. The best time for your night walk is around 9-10 PM after you’ve had dinner and perhaps a traditional Venetian spritz. As you wander through the narrow alleys and over countless bridges let the quiet of Venice at night envelop you and create memories that will last long after you’ve left.
6. Venice evening: Guided ghost tour
As the night falls and the shadows stretch consider uncovering Venice’s mysterious history with a guided ghost tour? The Cannaregio district with its hidden corners and quiet places is the perfect setting for an eerie adventure off the tourist trail. This 2 hour tour takes place entirely outdoors so you can breathe in the night air as you explore the city’s darker side.
Be captivated by stories that bring Venice’s mysterious past to life. Your knowledgeable guide will recount dramatic love stories, chilling crimes and spine-tingling ghost sightings that have become part of Venetian folklore. These stories offer a glimpse into the city’s hidden history and a side of Venice that few tourists get to see. To make sure you don’t miss a word personal headsets are provided if necessary so you can fully immerse yourself in the storytelling.
As the night falls the tour takes on an even more magical quality. The narrow alleys and dimly lit canals of Cannaregio are the perfect setting for these stories of mystery and intrigue. You won’t be going inside any buildings but the exterior views and the guide’s words will transport you back in time and allow you to see Venice through a different, slightly spooky lens. This ghost tour is entertaining and provides a unique perspective on the city’s cultural heritage so it’s an essential part of your evening in Venice.
7. Venice evening: Watch the sunset from Giudecca Island: almost obligatory
As your Venice evening comes to an end finish it off by watching the sunset from Giudecca Island. This often overlooked gem has some of the best views of Venice and its lagoon and is the perfect ending to your night.
The island is separate from the main Venetian archipelago so you get a unique perspective on the city’s skyline as the sun sets.
For the ultimate sunset experience head to the Hilton Molino Stucky Terrace. This elevated spot has sweeping views over Venice and the water creating a magical atmosphere as day turns to night. Alternatively if you prefer a more grounded experience the Fondamenta delle Zattere is equally enchanting. Here you can stroll along the waterfront and watch the sun’s reflection on the Giudecca Canal as the gondolas glide by.
To make sure you don’t miss a moment of this natural spectacle:
- Get to your spot well in advance
- Be in position at least half an hour before sunset
As the sky turns orange, pink and purple you’ll be treated to a visual feast that is Venice in all its glory. Venice is at its best during these moments.
This is the perfect time to reflect on your Venice evening and enjoy the last moments of your magical night in this famous city.
Venice evening in short
As our Venice evening comes to an end we’ve experienced a rich tapestry of activities that showcase the city’s many faces after dark. From the serene glide of a gondola through the moonlit canals to the ghostly stories in Cannaregio’s alleys, each activity has given us a glimpse into the heart of this eternal city. We’ve eaten authentic Venetian food in cozy bacari, been moved by world-class performances at Teatro La Fenice and admired the golden mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica at night.
Our self-guided walk has shown us the city’s iconic sights in the magical hour and the sunset view from Giudecca Island was the perfect ending to our Venetian adventure. These different experiences have made for an unforgettable evening and proved that Venice is even more enchanting after dark.
So as you plan your trip to this wonderful city remember that the magic of Venice doesn’t end at sunset – it’s just beginning.