Most people picture Venice as gondolas, St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
But behind the crowds and postcard views, the city hides another side: quiet cloisters, forgotten monasteries, chapels glowing with sacred art, and neighbourhood churches still used by Venetians far from the tourist rush.
If you’re new here, welcome… I’m Maddy and this 3 day Venice itinerary is perfect if you’re seeking a slower rhythm. It takes you through off-the-beaten-path churches, monasteries and sacred corners that tell centuries-old stories.
Expect Tintoretto’s masterpieces, Bellini’s glowing altarpieces, Veronese’s frescoes, Byzantine mosaics, and encounters with friars who still live in monastic seclusion.
Along the way, you’ll also enjoy traditional Venetian meals in tucked-away osterie.
Venice hidden churches itinerary
With my Venice hidden churches and sacred spaces itinerary you’ll visit:
- Iconic churches like Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria della Salute
- Hidden gems like Tintoretto’s parish church Madonna dell’Orto and San Giacomo dell’Orio with its Gothic columns
- Masterpieces by Bellini and Veronese in their original settings
- Peaceful corners in Castello, Giudecca, and Venice’s lagoon islands
- Memorable meals in local osterie and reflections by the water at sunset
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Important note: you can purchase the Chorus Pass and visit 18 churches around Venice (including some mentioned in this guide) for just 15 euros!
You can see the full list here before making a decision.
This itinerary includes a few eataries, but if you want to get access to more of my favourites, get my Venice Unlocked Visitor Map with 250+ pinned locations.
Day 1
Hidden Gems in Cannaregio & Castello
Morning
📍 Cannaregio’s Quiet Corners
Start your journey in Cannaregio, a neighbourhood that still feels lived in by locals. Your first stop is Madonna dell’Orto, Tintoretto’s parish church. It’s home to some of his most dramatic canvases, filling the space with energy and light. The church also has peaceful cloisters where you can pause before continuing your walk.
From there, head to Santa Maria dei Miracoli, one of Venice’s Renaissance jewels. Its façade, clad in coloured marble, has earned it the nickname “the jewel box of Venice.” Inside, the harmonious proportions and gentle play of light make it one of the most intimate churches in the city.
☕ Coffee break: Stop at Bar Pasticceria Ballarin, a neighbourhood café where you can sip an espresso and enjoy a pastry while watching Venetians start their day.
Lunch
🍴 Osteria da Alberto serves traditional Venetian dishes with a warm, family-style atmosphere.
Want to explore Cannaregio further? My Cannaregio walking map highlights even more hidden gems in this authentic sestiere.
Afternoon
📍 Castello’s Sacred Retreats
After lunch, wander into Castello, Venice’s largest district. Begin with Santi Giovanni e Paolo, a grand Gothic church where many Doges are buried. Just next to it, you’ll find the Scuola Grande di San Marco, today a hospital, with an impressive façade worth admiring.
Continue to San Pietro di Castello, once Venice’s cathedral before St. Mark’s took the role. Its island location offers a tranquil atmosphere, away from the crowds.
On your way back toward the centre, visit San Zaccaria, home to Giovanni Bellini’s luminous altarpiece. The church also has a mysterious crypt, which floods during high tide, adding even more charm to it.
Evening
📍 Reflection & Dinner
End the day at Corte Sconta, near the Arsenale, known for its excellent food and hidden courtyard. Afterwards, take a slow stroll along Riva degli Schiavoni, gazing across the water towards San Giorgio Maggiore. The view at twilight, with the dome glowing against the lagoon, is one of Venice’s most iconic and peaceful of the city.
If you are looking at more traditional restaurant options, then make sure to get my best traditional restaurants map!
Day 2
Artistic Masterpieces & Monastic Spaces
Morning
📍 Santa Croce, San Polo & Dorsoduro
Begin at San Pantalon, where the ceiling is covered by one of the largest painted canvases in the world. The illusionistic Baroque painting feels alive, as if the figures might tumble from the heavens.
The Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of Venice’s most renowned churches, home to stunning paintings by Titian. If you have the chance, it’s well worth a visit.
Next, step into San Giacomo dell’Orio, one of Venice’s most characterful parish churches. Its Gothic columns, medieval floor, and lively community atmosphere reveal a more local, everyday side of Venetian worship.
Lunch
Head to La Zucca, a much-loved spot that focuses on inventive vegetable-based dishes, an interesting change from the usual seafood focused menus.
Afternoon
📍 Dorsoduro’s Sacred Art
Cross the Grand Canal to Dorsoduro. Visit San Sebastiano, decorated almost entirely by Paolo Veronese. His frescoes, altarpieces, and canvases fill the church with vibrant colour, it’s sometimes called “Veronese’s Sistine Chapel.”
From there, make your way to Santa Maria della Salute, one of Venice’s most iconic churches. Built after the plague of the 17th century, it’s a vast Baroque basilica with a striking dome visible across the lagoon. Entrance is free, and its side chapels offer quiet spaces to sit and reflect.
Take a vaporetto across to La Giudecca to visit Il Redentore, another church built after the plague, designed by Palladio. The island’s slower pace makes it the perfect late-afternoon stop.
Evening
📍 Quiet Contemplation
Dine at Al Redentor, close to the church itself. The menu includes Venetian classics as well as pizza, making it a relaxed but meaningful way to end your day on Giudecca. Take the vaporetto back across the lagoon, watching the lights of Venice shimmer on the water.
Day 3
Lagoon Islands & Sacred Escapes
Morning
📍 Ancient Faith
On your final day, leave the city behind for the lagoon islands. Begin at Torcello, one of Venice’s earliest settlements. Here you’ll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639 AD. Inside, its Byzantine mosaics, especially the Last Judgement, are among the oldest in the Venetian lagoon.
Climb the bell tower for panoramic views across the wetlands, a perspective that feels far removed from the bustle of Venice. If you want to visit the other nearby islands, check out my guide on visiting Murano and Burano for more tips.
Afternoon
📍 Monastic Life & Serenity
From nearby Burano, take a small boat to San Francesco del Deserto, a still-functioning Franciscan monastery. Friars lead guided tours (to book the visit in advance, it’s free but you can leave a small donation), sharing the history of the monastery and the legend of St. Francis himself. It’s a place of quiet gardens, cypress trees, and birdsong.
If you prefer to return to Venice, visit San Francesco della Vigna in Castello. This church, designed in part by Palladio, is surrounded by monastic gardens and a vineyard that the friars still cultivate today. Inside, you’ll find an austere interior decorated with works by Bellini, Veronese, and Vivarini. The combination of sacred art and serene courtyards makes it one of Venice’s most contemplative spaces.
Evening
📍 Farewell Reflections
To conclude your journey, head to San Giorgio Maggiore. The view from its bell tower at sunset, with Venice spread out before you, is one of the most breathtaking and spiritual sights you can experience. Return to Venice for a final dinner at Osteria alle Testiere, an intimate restaurant with a reputation for beautifully prepared seafood.
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Venice hidden churches 3 day itinerary
This 3-day Venice itinerary of hidden churches and sacred spaces takes you far from the crowded squares to uncover the city’s quieter, more spiritual side.
From Tintoretto’s masterpieces at Madonna dell’Orto to Bellini’s altarpiece at San Zaccaria, from Veronese’s frescoes at San Sebastiano to Byzantine mosaics on Torcello, you’ll explore sacred art that spans centuries.
You’ll also discover tranquil cloisters, crypts that flood with the tide, and monasteries still active today. Balanced with memorable Venetian meals in local osterie, this journey offers both cultural depth and moments of calm reflection.
More useful Venice guides:
- Best 4 Star Hotels in Venice
- The Venice Unlocked (Visitor Map)
- What to wear in Venice
- Venice water bus (routes + prices)
- 9 Must eat foods in Venice
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