Venice is a city of museums – there’s something for every taste, from those dedicated to contemporary art to those that tell the story of the life of the Serenissima at the height of its splendour. And then there are the art galleries, the museum of perfumes, and every museum in Venice is housed in a wonderful palace, which alone is worth the price of the ticket.
Having said that, since the number of museums in the city is high, here is a selection of the ones we consider “unmissable”, no matter if you come to Venice for only 2 days or more!
Correr Museum
The Correr Museum is one of the city’s most representative museums, its entrance overlooking St Mark’s Square. Room after room, this museum tells and presents the history, culture and art of Venice.
On the first floor, among the things to see, there is the Napoleonic Wing, wanted by Napoleon, where you can admire a large and majestic ballroom, with decorations typical of the Empire style.
Also on the first floor is Sissi’s flat, which dates back to the Habsburg years. Empress Sissi lived here for a few months, the first time between 1856-and 57 and the second time between 1861*1862.
On the second floor are some 140 paintings from the collection of Teodoro Correr, from whom the museum takes its name.
Ca’ Rezzonico
One of the most famous museums in Venice, dedicated to the 18th century period of the Republic. An incredible place to immerse yourself in the life of the nobles of the time, discovering their furnishings and habits. Inside is a ballroom that occupies two floors in height.
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s house, the place where the Serenissima administered justice, is the building that most represents the power of Venice. The Doge’s Palace is not only a museum to see, but one of the symbols of the city.
Inside you can visit the Doge’s flats, the hall of the Maggior Consiglio, where all the Venetian nobles met when important decisions had to be made. Foreign guests were also welcomed here, and it is no coincidence that the walls are decorated with paintings of battles and victories.
This room also houses Tintoretto’s famous 84-metre-long painting, Paradise, which replaced Guariento’s painting after the fire of 1577.
You can also admire the Armoury area, the loggias, the courtyard and even some secret areas of the palace if you choose to follow the Secret Itineraries route.
Accademia Galleries
Famous all over the world, the Accademia Galleries are located in front of the Accademia Bridge, a strategic point to enjoy the colors of the sunset over Venice and a breathtaking view of the Basilica della Madonna della Salute.
Inside you will find a collection of paintings typical of Venetian and Veneto art, mainly related to the period between the 14th and 18th centuries.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the last museum in Venice not to be missed, not only because of the incredible works of art inside, selected by Peggy Guggenheim herself but also because of the palace itself, which is very different from all other noble palaces overlooking the Grand Canal.
Legend has it that the palace was never finished because of a dispute between families, but that’s a story for a future article!
