16x Venice Museums

An overview of the best museums in Venice Italy

Venice is a city with many museums, such as the famous Peggy Guggenheim. An overview of the 16 best and most visited museums in Venice Italy:

Visit one of the museums in Venice

In addition to the famous Venetian museums that are in every travel guide or the ones that are visited during almost every tour, there are also museums and palaces that are not in the top 10. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Museo Correr and the Museum Scuola Grande di San Rocco are frequented by many tourists. But, Venice has much more to offer.

1. Galleria dell'Accademia

This museum should not be missedif you are a lover of old paintings. In the Galleria dell'Accademia you will find most of the world's Venetian art. The works date from the period 13th century to 18th century. There are 37 different rooms in the museum, 13 of which are on the ground floor and 24 on the first floor. The works of art are, among others, by the following artists: Vittore Carpaccio, Giorgio o Zorzi da Castelfranco detto Giorgione, Giovanni Bellini, Jheronymus Bosch and Johann Liss.

By the way, did you know that one of the most important works of art by Leonardo da Vinci is in this museum? It concerns the Vitruvian Man, which was a study object for the measurements and proportions of the human body. You see this painting as a poster in quite a few people's homes, so in this museum they have the original. Unfortunately it is not always on display, in order to preserve the quality of the work. Both daylight and temperatures can affect a painting and you absolutely want to prevent that with an important work of art like this. The origin of this museum is also interesting, because despite the fact that many Venetian works of art have ended up in other countries (with or without cooperation) or have been sold on the market, the collection that you see in the museum has been preserved. They were intended as study objects for student artists.

• Location: Campo della Carita, 1050, 30123 Venezia
• Opening hours: Monday 8:15 am - 2:00 pm (last entry 1:00 pm) and Tuesday to Sunday 8:15 am - 7:15 pm (last entry 6:15 pm)
• Tickets: Tickets, from 12 € / Under 18s free and 18 to 25 years 2 €

^{Entrance of the Galleria dell'Accademia}

^{A Venice museum full of paintings}

2. Ca'Rezzonico

This museum of Venice is located in a palace in the district Dorsoduro and is located on the Canal Grande. If you arrive by boat and look across the canal, you will see the beautiful facade of the palace. However, you can also head to Campo San Samuele if you want to reach the Venice museum by foot. Especially you want to see this former palace because of the 18th-century art and old furniture collection. In addition to an impressive facade, the many colors and materials used are particularly striking. From the bright gold on the ceilings to the wooden decorations, and from checkered floors to heavy curtains. That's only the building and not yet the furniture, paintings and statues. The art in the museum is by Tiepolo, Crosato, Brustolon and Piffetti, among others. The collection of works of art on display includes the names of Molinari, Bellucci, Lazzarini and Longhi (a famous Venetian portrait artist). Also good to know: behind the Venice museum is a beautiful garden (Giardini di Ca' Rezzonico), which is also worth a visit. Here you can withdraw from all the hustle and bustle.

• Location: Dorsoduro 3136, 30123 Venezia
• Opening hours: Friday to Sunday, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm)
• Tickets: Tickets 10 € / Under 6 years free / 65+, 6 to 14 years and students up to 25 years 7.50 € (Book your tickets)

3. La Biennale di Venezia

If you're into art, it's a good idea to check your calendar before booking your trip to Venice. Every other year, La Biennale di Venezia takes place. There's more to La Biennale, so if you're going specifically for the arts, be sure to look closely at Art Biennale. This is an exhibition of modern and visual art. This art event is visited by many art dealers and is located in a park called Giardini and near the Arsenale. The organization of La Biennale is located in Ca' Giustinian palace, also known as Palazzo Giustinian.

Website La Biennale

^{The Biennale art event in Venice}

^{A temporary work of art from the Biennale}

4. Venice Museums: Museo Correr & Archaeological Museum

These two Venice museums are located at Saint Mark's Square and with your ticket for the Doge's Palace you also get access to these museums which actually a combination of three museums, namely the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and Bibliotheca Nazionale Marciana. When you enter the Museo Correr, you automatically make a route through the three different museums. The Correr Museum contains a collection of works of art and antiquities dating all the way back to the 13th century. What is interesting is the fact that not long ago the museum was expanded with 9 rooms, which used to house municipal offices. The rooms have been completely restored and you can see elements from the period of Napoleon and Hapsburg. The Archaeological Museum is fascinating for anyone interested in Greek, Roman, Babylonian and Egyptian archaeological finds. A fun fact is that almost all objects on display come from private collections and have been donated to the museum over the years. The classic marble statues have a serene appearance and the vases and other objects give you a good idea of what it was like centuries ago. The furnished rooms show you which materials were used in a palace. You will also visit the beautiful monumental room of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.

• Location: Saint Mark's Square
• Opening hours: Daily from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm (last entry 5:00 pm)
• Tickets: The 3 museums are included in the ticket for the Doge's Palace

5. Natural History Museum of Venice

This Museum of Natural History (Museo di Storia Naturale) is located at the Canal Grande, on the corner with the Rio del Megio. The museum shows you everything about plants and animals from the past and present, with stuffed animals, skins, tusks and skeletons. You will also find stones and fossils. The Venice museum does it's own research, but are also sharing their passion for natural history with children and other museum visitors. There is even a 5 meter long aquarium, which simulates the habitat of the fish and other animals. Not only the subject of this museum, but also the interior and the way in which it is exhibited is different. Visitors often find the Museo di Storia Naturale – after seeing all the churches and palaces – a very refreshing environment.

• Location: Santa Croce 1730, 30135 Venezia
• Opening hours: Friday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Tickets: Admission 8 € / Under 6 years free / 65+, 6 to 14 years and students up to 25 years 5.50 €
• Official website

6. Museo Ebraico (Jewish Museum)

In the Museo Ebraico di Venezia you will learn more about how this Jewish ghetto has developed over time and how the Jewish community in Venice has lived. The Museo Ebraico is a small, but certainly beautiful museum with interesting collections and exhibitions. Also visit the synagogues, get some goodies from the Jewish bakery and look around the shops with Jewish souvenirs. You can take a guided tour in the museum, or start the afternoon with a kosher lunch in the museum café. The museum is located on the Rio del Gheto in the Cannaregio neighborhood.

• Location: Campo di Ghetto Nuovo, 2902, 30121 Venezia
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (Thursday until 6:30 pm) and Saturday closed
• Tickets (museum + 2 synagogues): Admission 12 € / Under 18s and students up to 26 years 10 €
• Official website

^{The Campo del Ghetto with the Museo Ebraico on the right}

^{Museums in Venice: the Museo Ebraico}

7. Palazzo Mocenigo

The Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo – Centro Studi di Storia del Tessuto, del Costume e del Profumo is a 17th century museum, that teaches you more about perfume and clothing from that period. The museum is located in a former palace, which means that you can admire several stylish rooms. There is also a collection of paintings and the walls, floors, ceilings and furniture are also worth admiring. In addition to your eyes, you can also put other senses to work here, because you can smell perfumes in the perfume area in the museum.

• Location: Santa Croce 1992, 30135 Venezia
• Opening hours: Friday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Tickets: Admission 8 € / Under 6 years free / 65+, 6 to 14 years and students up to 25 years 5.50 € (Book your tickets)
• Official website

8. Museo Storica Navale (Maritime Museum of Venice)

This maritime museum in the Castello district startd in the early 20th century and you will learn more about the maritime life and history of Venice and its shipping. It is near the Canal Grande and in the museum are not only models of ships on display, but also weapons used at sea at the time, such as cannons and pistols. The decorations on the ships are really admirable. During your tour through the museum you will see how much time and labor was spend into building these ships. Every boat lover must have been here once.

• Location: 2126,Fondamenta Rio della Tana, 30122, Venice
• Opening hours: Friday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Tickets: Tickets 8.25 €

9. Palazzo Fortuny

This Gothic palace Palazzo Fortuny in the San Marco district used to belong to the Pesaro family, but Mariano Fortuny later set up his photography, painting and textile studio here. What you can see in the museum today is the spaces as they were in Mariano Fortuny's time. Everything that was related to his work and way of working has been given a place in this museum. Fortuny is known for a special silk dress (Delphos), but has also developed the “cupola”, which gave lighting a whole other dimension. Later Fortuny started painting again and these works have also become famous. The Palazzo Fortuny is also called Palazzo Pesaro Orfei or Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei.

• Location: S. Marco, 3958, 30124 Venezia
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Tickets: Admission 12 € / Under 6 free / 65+, 6 to 14 years and students up to 25 years 10 €
• Official website

10. Palazzo Grassi

Those who love modern art or Pinault should visit Palazzo Grassi in the San Marco district during a stay in Venice. In addition to some permanent works by Pinault (and some of his works in Punta della Dogana), there are also temporary exhibitions. The special thing about this museum is that works of art and objects are often made especially for a room in this museum. Artists are inspired by the various spaces that are not embellished or decorated, so that their work comes into its own. The Frenchman Pinault himself bought this palace in 2005 to be able to exhibit his collection of art.

• Location: Campo San Samuele 3231, Venice
• Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (closed Tuesdays)
• Tickets (incl. Punta della Dogana): Adults 15 € / Under 20s free / 65+ and 20 to 25 years 12 €
• Official website

11. Ca' d'Oro

In this museum Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro in the district Cannaregio you will find various antiquities from the Renaissance era. You can view works by Titian and Van Dyck, among others. The building is a former palace from the 15th century, so the building is also special to observe in terms of construction and decoration. Don't forget to look at the walls, floors and ceilings before turning to the collection of artworks. What is particularly striking in this museum is the combination of modern art and older works. And when the sun has set and the lights turn on, the facade on the waterfront is also very beautiful.

• Location: Calle Ca' d'Oro, 3934, 30121 Venezia
• Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 am - 1:45 pm / Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30 pm - 7:00 pm / Closed on Monday
• Tickets: Tickets 6 € / Under 18s free / 18 to 25 years 2 € (Book your tickets)
• Official website

^{The former palace of Ca' d'Oro}

^{The ground floor of Ca' d'Oro}

12. Museo Leonardo da Vinci

Attention, because there are two museums in Venice about Da Vinci in Venice. One is only an exhibition of some of his works in the 'Chiesa di San Barnaba', the other in the 'Campo S. Rocco' is a more interactive museum with workshops and where you will find replicas of his inventions that you can touch and try. This last museum covers two floors, where you learn about the life of Leonardo Da Vinci on the ground floor. On the next floor you will find attributes – large and small – with design drawings and explanations of the design. It is not a very big museum and especially children, fans of Da Vinci and designers like to visit this museum.

More info & tickets

13. Ca'Pesaro Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna

The Ca' Pesaro museum is located on the Grand Canal in Venice. The museum is housed in a palace that dates back to the 17th century. The palace was designed by Badassarre Longhena, who was responsible for several designs in Venice. Construction started in 1659 and unfortunately the top floor was unfinished in 1682 when Longhena died. Gaspari then took over his job and completed the construction of the palace. This was eventually in 1710. In this building you have more to see than just the art collection, because there is so much to see in the walls, floors, columns and ceilings. You will find works of art by Rodin, Rosso, Balla and others. Besides modern art, you will also see many Asian sculptures and paintings.

• Location: Santa Croce, 2076, 30135 Venezia
• Opening hours: Friday to Sunday, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm)
• Tickets: Tickets 10 € / Under 6 years free / 65+, 6 to 14 years and students up to 25 years 7.50 € (Book your tickets)
• Official website

14. Museo della Musica

Do you play a musical instrument yourself or are you curious about old instruments? Then this free museum in Venice in the San Marco district is recommended. You will find a wide collection of old, baroque musical instruments. Sometimes you don't even notice that these are ancient instruments. You will see a lot of flutes, violins, cellos, harps, mandolins and other string instruments. The exhibition is in the Chiesa San Maurizio, a church that is also worth a visit in itself.

• Location: Campo San Maurizio, 30124 Venezia
• Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Entry: Free

^{The free museum 'Museo della Musica'}

^{The Museum of Musical Instruments}

15. Palazzo Grimani

The Palazzo Grimani of Santa Maria Formosa is a state museum, located in the Castello district of Venice, near Campo Santa Maria Formosa. The palace was once occupied by one of the most distinguished families and is the only Renaissance-Roman Mannerist house in Venice. Do not expect a spectacular palace for this big entrance fee, it does have a number of beautiful frescoes on the ceiling, but the rooms are decorated quite soberly.

• Location: Ruga Giuffa, 4858, 30122 Venezia
• Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Tickets: Admission 13 € / Under 18s free / students 18 to 25 years 2 € (Book your tickets)
• Official website

16. Fondazione Querini Stampalia

The Querini Stampalia Foundation Museum is a fine example of a well-preserved house. The beautiful residence of the Querini Stampalia family has been recreated with the traditional reception rooms and living quarters of a Venetian palace, covered with frescoes and stucco decorations. Rare collections of precious furniture, paintings, porcelain, spheres, fabrics and sculptures are arranged in the house. The museum offers a glimpse of the daily life of the era in which it was inhabited, reflecting Venetian culture and traditions over the centuries. It displays a significant art collection, especially masterpieces of Venetian Baroque and Rococo, including paintings by Giovanni Bellini, Pietro Longhi and Giandomenico Tiepolo.

• Location: Ruga Giuffa, 4858, 30122 Venezia
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Mondays)
• Tickets: Admission from 14 € (Book your tickets)
• Official website

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