Short answer: More than you think. Long answer: Keep reading, because Sunday in Venice can either be heavenly calm or unexpectedly frustrating — depending on what you plan to do.
Whether you’re looking for museums, restaurants, shops, or scenic strolls, this guide (from a Venice local) will help you make the most of your Sunday in the city of canals. We’ll bust a few myths, recommend what to do, what to avoid, and even give you tips on how to spend your Sunday like a real Venetian.
📌 Quick Overview: What’s Typically Open on Sunday in Venice?
| Category | Open on Sunday? | Local Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Museums & Attractions | ✅ Yes (most) | Some close earlier |
| Restaurants | ✅ Yes | Book in advance |
| Cafés & Bars | ✅ Yes | Smaller spots may close early |
| Churches & Basilicas | ✅ Yes | Limited hours due to Mass |
| Supermarkets | ⚠️ Limited hours | Avoid Sunday evening |
| Shops & Boutiques | ⚠️ Mixed | Souvenir shops yes, artisan stores often no |
| Pharmacies | ⚠️ Rotation system | One per district always open |
| Public Transport | ✅ Yes | Runs on a reduced schedule |
🖼️ 1. Museums & Major Attractions Open on Sunday
If you only have a Sunday in Venice, you’re in luck: most museums and attractions stay open, though some have shorter hours or require advance booking. Here’s what’s open and worth seeing:
🔹 St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Open: Sunday, but access may be restricted during religious services.
Local tip: Don’t miss Mass if you want a free peek inside (no photos, though).
🔹 Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Open: Daily, including Sunday
Hours: Usually 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry 1 hour before)
Why Go: One of the best museums in Italy. Secret itineraries, dungeons, Tintoretto.
🔹 Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Open: Yes, every day except Tuesday
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Why Go: Modern art in a canal-side palace. Bonus: small, so not overwhelming.
🔹 Museo Correr, Biblioteca Marciana, National Archaeological Museum
Open: Yes (part of the St. Mark’s Square museum circuit)
Local tip: Combo ticket with Doge’s Palace is a great deal.
🔹 Gallerie dell’Accademia
Open: Yes, including Sunday
Why Go: The largest collection of Venetian painting. Bellini, Giorgione, Tintoretto…
🔹 Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Open: Daily
Why Go: It’s Tintoretto’s Sistine Chapel — and it’s breathtaking.
🔹 Ca’ Rezzonico & Ca’ Pesaro
Open: Yes
Tip: Check updated hours on Venice Civic Museums’ site (MUVE) as Sunday hours can change seasonally.
⛪ 2. Churches Open on Sunday
Venice has over 100 churches, and many are open on Sundays — primarily for Mass. Some also welcome visitors outside of services.
Important Notes:
- You can attend Mass even as a visitor, just be respectful and quiet.
- Photography is often not allowed during Mass.
- Dress modestly (shoulders covered) — especially for major basilicas.
⛪ Notable Churches Open on Sunday:
- St. Mark’s Basilica – Mass every hour from 7 AM to noon.
- Santa Maria della Salute – Beautiful and spiritual. Open for Mass and silent reflection.
- San Giorgio Maggiore – Take the vaporetto and enjoy the views from the bell tower.
- Basilica dei Frari – Open for Mass and visits. Amazing Titian paintings.
- San Zaccaria – Underrated gem near San Marco with a crypt that sometimes floods.
🍝 3. Restaurants, Trattorie, and Osterie Open on Sunday
Food is sacred in Italy. But not all restaurants open on Sunday, especially the smaller family-run ones.
🍷 Good News:
- Most restaurants in tourist areas stay open.
- Sundays are great for a long Venetian lunch.
- Many bacari (wine bars) operate until early evening.
❌ Watch Out For:
- Monday closures – many restaurants take Monday off instead.
- Late reservations – Some kitchens close by 9:30 PM, even on Sundays.
🥂 Recommended Places Open on Sunday:
| Name | Type | Area | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antiche Carampane | Trattoria | San Polo | Authentic, locals love it, book ahead |
| Osteria alle Testiere | Seafood | Castello | Small & refined |
| Al Timon | Bacaro | Cannaregio | Wine + meat platters on a boat |
| Trattoria da Gigio | Classic | Cannaregio | Reliable, family-run |
| CoVino | Modern Bistro | Castello | Cozy, refined |
| Osteria Bancogiro | Contemporary | Rialto | Amazing views |
Reservation tip: Book online or via WhatsApp. Even locals reserve on Sundays.
🛍️ 4. Shops, Markets & Souvenirs: What’s Open?
Venice isn’t a 24/7 shopping city like London or New York. But you’ll still find plenty open, especially around San Marco and Rialto.
🏬 What’s Usually Open:
- Souvenir shops
- Murano glass showrooms (especially larger ones)
- Mask shops (in tourist zones)
- Tabacchi (tobacco + convenience stores)
- Supermarkets (see below)
❌ What’s Often Closed:
- Small artisan stores (especially in Dorsoduro, Castello, and Cannaregio)
- Bookshops (some are open, but often only in the afternoon)
- Specialty food shops (like bakeries, cheese shops, etc.)
Local tip: If you want real, handmade Venetian souvenirs, shop on Saturday or early Sunday before lunch. Many artisans take Sunday and Monday off.
🛒 5. Supermarkets & Pharmacies on Sunday
🛒 Supermarkets
Yes, they’re open — but not all day.
| Store | Open on Sunday? | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Coop | Yes | Usually 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Conad | Yes | Some locations open until 7:30 PM |
| Despar | Yes | Some open all day |
| Supermercato Punto Simply | Yes | Limited hours |
Caution: Don’t wait until 6:55 PM to buy wine and snacks. You might find the shelves bare.
💊 Pharmacies
Italy uses a rotating system for pharmacies. That means:
- One pharmacy per district is always open, even at night or on holidays.
- Others may be open on Sunday mornings only (until noon or 1 PM).
Need one urgently?
Google “farmacia di turno Venezia” or ask a local or hotel staff.
🛶 6. Tours, Boats & Experiences on Sunday
🚤 Boat Tours: YES ✅
Private boat tours, gondolas, and lagoon adventures are all running.
- Gondola rides: Open every day (price regulated by city)
- Vaporetto (public boat): Runs on Sunday, just less frequently
- Private transfers: Still available — but book in advance
🚶 Walking Tours: YES ✅
Most walking tours and guides operate on Sundays. In fact, Sundays can be great for quieter crowds.
Try:
- Off-the-beaten-path walking tours
- Food & wine experiences
- Artisan visits (call ahead – some workshops close Sundays)
- Church-focused tours (especially early in the day)
Need a Sunday tour?
📞 Tour Leader Venice runs daily tours, including Sundays — we’re always ready with an umbrella, snacks, and a smile.
🧭 7. Ideal Sunday Itinerary in Venice (Local Style)
Want to spend your Sunday like a savvy traveler? Here’s a perfect mix of sightseeing, eating, relaxing, and avoiding the classic “everything is closed” moment.
🕘 Morning:
- Start early with coffee at a local bar (try Bar Tiziano or Torrefazione Cannaregio)
- Visit St. Mark’s Basilica before 10:30 AM
- Walk to Rialto Market (closes around 1 PM)
🕛 Lunch:
- Sit down at a trattoria like Osteria La Zucca or Trattoria da Fiore
- Or, do a bacaro crawl: grab cicchetti + spritz at Cantina Do Mori, Al Merca, and Osteria Al Squero
🕓 Afternoon:
- Visit Scuola Grande di San Rocco or Peggy Guggenheim
- Take a walk through Dorsoduro or Castello — fewer tourists, charming alleys
🕖 Evening:
- Sunset aperitivo on Fondamenta Zattere or Fondamenta della Misericordia
- Dinner by the water (book ahead!)
- Optional: Night gondola ride or scenic night photo walk
🤔 FAQ – “But Igor, What If…”
“What if it rains?”
It might! Pack a small umbrella. Most attractions are indoors. A rainy Sunday = empty St. Mark’s Square = magic.
“What if everything’s closed?”
Unless you’re trying to buy designer shoes in a side alley of Castello, it won’t be. Venice is alive on Sunday — just not all night.
“Can I shop for souvenirs on Sunday?”
Yes — but stick to central areas (Rialto, San Marco). For authentic, local-made crafts, better go Saturday or early Sunday.
“Can I visit Murano/Burano on Sunday?”
Yes! Vaporetto lines run every day. Some glass shops in Murano close Sundays, but it’s still worth going. Burano is always colorful, even if quiet.
📝 Final Thoughts: Sunday in Venice Can Be the Best Day of the Week
Sunday in Venice doesn’t mean shutters down and silent alleys (well, okay, a little). But it does mean:
- Fewer crowds in museums
- Morning Mass in incredible churches
- Long, lazy lunches and wine-fueled people watching
- Golden-hour walks in peaceful campi
- And if you’re lucky… that magical silence only Venice has after dark.
So breathe in the lagoon air, charge your phone, and say yes to a Sunday well spent.
🧭 Need a tour, transfer, or emergency travel advice on a Sunday?
Tour Leader Venice is always open — even when your pharmacy isn’t. Reach out for bespoke tours, boat rides, or just a local’s advice on where to find a gelato at 10 PM.
