Venice Top Ten Free Sights

Basilica di San Marco
Located on the Piazza San Marco, this visually stunning cathedral is an unforgettable sight housing an incredibly detailed and well kept collection of ancient mosaics. Although well worth the wait, backpackers should expect to queue for up to five hours on the busiest days!

Venice Carnival
Taking place in the ten days running up to Lent, the carnival is packed full of locals dressed in unusual period costumes and concludes in a masked ball. Private palaces are also opened to the public offering a rare glimpse into Venetian antiquity.

Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo
A huge Gothic church heralding from the 14th century, it also serves as the final resting place for many of the city's Doges – ancient rulers of the former independent state.

Frari
Its exterior may not be particularly impressive, but the interior of the affectionately known Frari church more than makes up for it. In particular, the Titian altar piece is a beautiful example of extravagant Venetian design.

Torre dell'Orologio
The impressive Saint Mark Square clock tower has been carefully reconstructed after it fell down in the early part of the 20th century. Visible from some Hostels in Venice, this impressive 15th century feature is a must see.

Rialto Bridge
One of three bridges over Venice's Grand Canal around which lucky travelers can find some of the best placed Venice hostels. The bridge may be free, but the expensive flanking shops and restaurants most certainly are not.

Bridge of Sighs
This romantic hidden treasure is famed for its stone barred windows. Historically however, the bridge is so named because prisoners were said to sigh at their last sight of Venice before being put in the cells of the connecting prison, now an exclusive hotel.

Arsenale
This huge dockyard is located in the Castello district of Venice and has been used since the 8th century. Regimented pillars hark back to the once proud maritime state's cultural past.

Campanile di San Marco
An impressive 325-foot tower visible from hotels and hostels in Venice, the Campanile becomes ever-more impressive the closer you get to it.

Ponte della Paglia
This popular tourist destination connects the impressive Doges Palace and the Palazzo dei Prigioni, but is also the best place from which to photograph the Bridge of Sighs.

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for Hostelbookers, Paul Scottyn did a backpacking tour of Italy. He checked out a variety of the country's budget accommodation, including a number Hostels in Venice.