12 must-see museums to visit in Venice

Want art and culture in the Serenissime? Discover the best museums to visit in Venice

With its canals, gondolas, carnival, islands by dozens, architecture, and history, the city of Doges is a full museum.

But if you want to discover more in depth the history of the city, nothing like exploring other museums in Venice.

If you do not know which to choose, Wanderlix has concocted you a special guide to discover the Venetian culture.

1. Correr Museum

A must-see museum in Venice, the Correr Museum is not to be missed. Located on the famous Place Saint-Marc, the building is home to a collection of works and art objects that retracing the History of the City of Doges .

You will discover Venice at different times, and in particular, the fourth crusade that marks the apogee of the Venetian city.

In addition to these works, the building is of interest to itself. During your exploration of this museum in Venice, you can visit the apartments of Sissi, the Bal room or the Loggia of Napoleon .

2. Doges Palace

A true institution in Venice, the palace of the Doges not only attracts lovers of history and architecture. Named Palazzo Ducale in Italian, the building is also located on Place Saint-Marc near the Grand Canal.

Originally, it was built in the 9th century as a fortress. The Palace was of great importance in the history of the city, including the residence of the Doges and the prison of the Venetian Republic.

Today, the Doge Palace is a combination of several architectures tracing the different eras of his life. Byzantine style, gothic and Renaissance blend to give birth to this surprising building.

Also inside, the palace is impressive, with its works by Bellini, Titien, Veronese and Tintoret.

Start your visit to Venice by the Scala d’Oro (also known as the golden staircase). He will lead you to the second floor that houses the Doges' residence halls, the polling rooms, and even the prison where Casanova was imprisoned.

By visiting the Ducs apartment, you can admire the magnificent paintings of the Italian artists of the time.

3. Galleria dell’Accademia

The Galleria dell’Accademia gathers an impressive collection of Venetian works from the 14th to the 18th century.

Among the masterpieces of this museum in Venice, you will find the drawing of Leonardo da Vinci; the Man of Vitruve . In addition to this work, the museum also houses paintings by Bellini, Tiepolo, Giorgione, Tintoretto, Veronese, as well as the latest painting by Tiziano.

Located in the Dorsoduro district, the Galleria dell’Accademia dates from 1817. It was at that time that all the works of art of Venice were grouped together. Progressively, the museum expands its collection to accommodate today no less 800 tables .

To facilitate the visit, the museum is divided into three religious buildings: the church of Santa Maria della Carità, the Scuola Grande and the monastery of Canonici Lateranensi.

4. Peggy Guggenheim Museum

Also known as the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, this museum in Venice presents a collection abstract art . In total, they are no less 200 artists European and American who exhibit their works in the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

During the second half of the twentieth century, the patron Peggy Guggenheim resided in this palace and gathered his art collection to give birth to this unique palace in Italy. The museum was inaugurated in 1980 after the death of the collector. Today his ashes are buried in the palace garden.

In addition to presenting these surreal works, the museum offers a panoramic view of the Grand Canal. From there you can admire the gardens with a pavilion with coffee, bookshops and temporary exhibitions.

The museum opens its doors between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and close Tuesdays . If you want to visit it at the end of the afternoon, know that the last tickets don’t sell after 5.30 p.m. .

5. Ca’ Rezzonico

Built in the 17th century, the palace was the place of residence of several families of notable in Venice, and especially of Pope Clement XIII.

Today, the Ca’Rezzonico hosts the museum of Settecento Veneziano . For your visit to this palace in Venice, know that the building is spread over three floors. Each presents objects of art and objects of the daily life of the nobles of old.

The palace is relatively small, but has very majestic rooms.

Among the things to see at the Ca’ Rezzonico Palace, do not miss the gondola with a feize located in front of the building’s staircase, as well as the old pharmacy located on the second floor.

6. Ca d’Oro

Located on the banks of the Grand Canal, the Ca d’Oro is one of the most impressive monuments in the city of Doges. Also nicknamed the gold house, the palace once presented a façade decorated with gold leaf .

Today made of marble, the façade always presents a majestic shiny aspect. The Ca’ d’oro dates back to the 1450s and has a gothic and renaissance style.

Inside you will discover the Giorgio Franchetti Museum. The collection comes from the baron bearing the same name and began in the 19th century.

The entrance ticket is combined with the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Oriental Museum . This allows you to visit the largest museums in Venice at great rates.

7. Ca’ Pesaro

Ca’Pesaro is one of the Baroque palaces to visit in the city of Doges. The building was built in the 17th century by architecture Baldassarre Longhena which was also at the origin of the construction of the church of Salvation, as well as another emblematic palace of the city, the Ca’Rezzonico.

The palace welcomed the Pesare family and other families of Venetian nobles, including the Gradenigo or the Bevilacqua who handed over the palace to the city.

Within the building you can admire the frescoes of Bambini, Pittoni, Crosato or Brusaferro.

The Palais Ca’Pesaro welcomes the international gallery modern art . This museum in Venice presents numerous paintings and sculptures dating from the 19th and 20th century.

Among the works not to be missed, admire the magnificent Table Guiditta II by Klimt . On the third floor of the palace is the Oriental Art Museum, which houses Chinese and Japanese crafts.

8. National Archaeological Museum

The archaeological museum of Venice is located on St Mark's Square near the Correr Museum and the Marciana Library. In total, the building has sixteen rooms.

Inside, you can admire magnificent bronzes and sculptures dating from the Greek and Roman eras. These works always belong to families of Venetian collectors.

This museum was inaugurated in 1523 by Cardinal Domenico Grimani. Originally, the collection gathered about 200 sculptures dating from Antiquity.

Progressively, the collection is expanding and now hosting a great diversity of art objects including pottery, coins (such as parts of Egypt or Babylon) and precious stones.

9. Marciana Library

The Marciana library is one of the largest in the city of Doges. With its impressive collection of Greek, Latin and Eastern manuscripts, the library is more like a museum in Venice.

This library has several names: Library of Saint Mark, Sansoviniana Library, Vecchia Library or simply Marcianna.

Originally, the idea came from Petrarch himself, as he proposed to create a public library in the city. Although this project could not see the day before his death, he decided to leave his manuscripts to the Venetian city.

Progressively, other collectors made donations to the library to give birth to the current Marciana.

10. Palais Mocenigo

After the Second World War, the last descendant of the Moncenigo family left the palace at the town hall of Venice. The objective was that this building became an art gallery to complement that of the Correr Museum. The rooms and furniture of the building became the property of the museums of Venice.

In 1985, after several renovations, the museum opened its doors to the public. In total, the museum's journey takes place over 20 rooms.

The works present evoke the life of the noble Venetians from the 17th to the 18th century. You can also observe some of these period costumes , as well as a section entirely dedicated to perfumes , in which you will have the opportunity to experience sensory experiences.

11. Naval History Museum

Thanks to its strategic position, Venice is known for its merchant and military naval fleet. To pay tribute, the Maritime History Museum of the Military Navy was inaugurated in 1923.

Distributed on five levels, the building presents you with collections of weapons, ex-voto or ship models.

During your visit to this museum in Venice, go to discover the Navire Pavilion. This is the place where weapons were manufactured and stored.

12. House of Carlo Goldoni

Last museum to visit in Venice on our list, the house of Carlo Goldoni. Built in the 15th century, it is the perfect example of the Gothic architecture of the time.

Today, the Venice Museum is mainly dedicated to Italian dramatic art. In addition to finding many literary works , the Carlo Goldoni house welcomes a center of Theatrical studies .

The museum opens its doors to Friday to Sunday between 12h and 17h .