A fascinating culture, delicious food, friendly people and usually bright sunshine. Italy is without a doubt my favorite European travel destination. We have traveled there several times with the family, but as a teacher, I have also been able to visit the country about ten times. Every year, the sixth-year students take a cultural-historical tour of Italy, visiting all the unmissable highlights and I am happy to help with the organization.
That organization sometimes requires a bit of patience. Italians are often chaotic. Opening hours that applied last week might not apply this week. If a website states that you can make reservations from a certain date, it is a good idea to try a few days or weeks in advance. I know from experience that there is a chance you will be told on that specific date that reservations opened a bit earlier and that everything is fully booked in the meantime. But… with a good dose of patience, you can put together a fantastic trip to ‘la bella Italia’.
I would like to provide a brief overview of cities we consider worthwhile and activities we have already done there. The information I provide was checked in the spring of 2026.
It is not my intention to elaborate extensively on all the activities and locations, but rather to briefly give ideas about the various possibilities.
Would you like more information? Feel free to send me a message and I will be happy to help you further. I would also love to hear about any other experiences or tips you may have.
ROME
Rome is one big open-air museum. Simply walking through the city is an attraction in itself, and it is also cheap. You don't necessarily have to go inside anywhere to see a lot.
It is best to plan your walks in advance so that you are sure not to miss anything. Here are a few suggestions for possible routes.
Here is one tip to start with: In Rome, you will find churches on every street corner. If you want to enter, you must be dressed ‘decently,’ in other words: no bare shoulders or shorts.
Walk through the ancient times, optionally including the Colosseum and Forum
You must book a visit to the Colosseum in advance. Do so on time, especially if you are traveling during the high season. Tickets become available about four months in advance. You must also choose a time slot. It is convenient to plan your visit to the Colosseum for the morning so that you do not have to constantly keep an eye on the clock throughout the day. Moreover, even with a reservation, you often still have to wait in line. At the warm midday hours, this is not very pleasant. Allow at least 1.5 hours for your visit. If you also want to visit the arena, you need an extra ticket.
Most ticket packages for the Colosseum also grant access to the Roman Forum. No time slot applies to this. After your visit to the Colosseum, you can take a leisurely stroll into the Forum. The entrance is located close to the Colosseum's exit. If you wish to visit the Forum, allow at least 1.5 hours for this as well, although you could easily spend half a day here.
After your visit to the Forum, walk towards the ‘Circus Maximus’, nowadays a somewhat dull sandy area but in antiquity the place for excitement and entertainment. The Romans came here to watch horse races. The building itself has unfortunately disappeared, but you still get a good idea of the size and shape of the imposing structure.
If you look towards the Tiber from the Circus Maximus, you can walk up a slope on your left, the Clivo dei Publicii. At the top of the slope is the Basilica of Santa Sabina, next to which is the famous ‘keyhole’ in the gate of the Priory of the Knights of Malta. There is usually a line of people, so it is hard to miss. On a clear day, you get a spectacular view when you look through that keyhole. I won't reveal any more just yet... Before you walk back down the slope, a visit to the Giardino degli Aranci is also worthwhile, a peaceful spot in this busy city.
Back down below, you can continue walking towards the Tiber. You will then come to a small square with a beautiful church, the Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The long line at the entrance is mainly intended for the ‘Bocca della verità’. However, the interior of the church is also worth a visit; the floor, in particular, is impressive. On the square stand two temples: the Temple of Portunus and the round Temple of Hercules Victor (Not the round Temple of Vesta, though! That stands in the Roman Forum.)
Walk a short distance along the Tiber and be sure to cross the bridge to the Tiber Island. Nowadays, a hospital is located there, but it was formerly a temple to the god of medicine, Asclepius. The theme of health is therefore still present. When you also cross the bridge on the other side of the island, you arrive in Trastevere, literally ‘across the Tiber’. A cool neighborhood to go for dinner in the evening. However, our walk returns towards the center, back along the bridge we came to, the Ponte Fabricio, also known as the ‘Ponte Quattro Capi’.
Cross the main road along the Tiber and immediately take the first side street; you will pass the Jewish synagogue and go through the Jewish quarter. You will then immediately come across the Porticus of Octavia, a remnant of a much larger building from classical antiquity that housed several temples. If you walk under that porticus, you will see the Theatre of Marcellus on your right, an ancient theatre dedicated by Emperor Augustus to his deceased nephew and son-in-law.
Continue walking uphill, turning left onto Via del Teatro di Marcello. After about five minutes, you will see a large staircase on your right leading to the top of the Capitoline Hill. The square at the top of the stairs, featuring an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, is certainly worth a visit. Here you will also find the Capitoline Museums, with many relics from classical antiquity and an impressive view of the Roman Forum from the basement. Also worthwhile: turn immediately right at the top of the stairs and follow the path for about two minutes. You will then reach a courtyard where the colossal statue of Emperor Constantine was reconstructed. Original parts of that statue can be found in the Capitoline Museums. The reconstruction is particularly interesting for estimating the true size of the statue.
To leave the Capitoline Hill, there are two options. Either you return via the stairs you just took. You can then continue along the Capitoline Hill and take a look at the large, white structure in Piazza Venezia: the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. If you follow the path from there, around the Capitoline Hill, you will arrive at the Via dei Fori Imperiali. You can also take another staircase on the Capitoline Hill, on the left side of the building located opposite the first staircase. If you go down there, you will immediately arrive at the Via dei Fori Imperiali, so you do not have to go all the way around the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
Along the Via dei Fori Imperiali are the Imperial Forums, ‘market squares’ of several emperors. Closest to Piazza Venezia is the Forum of Trajan, with its impressive column. This column commemorates the emperor’s victory over the Dacians, present-day Romania. You can follow the Romans’ adventures on the column in comic strip form. The forum, more specifically the Market of Trajan, is also open to visitors and provides a great deal of interesting information on large panels. The entrance is located at the rear of the forum.
As you continue your walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, you pass other forums, including those of Emperor Augustus and Julius Caesar. Beyond the last one, you have a view of the Roman Forum. Just before you finish your walk back at your starting point from this morning, it is worth taking a look at the wall on your right. There you can see old maps depicting the evolution of the Roman Empire.
You are now close to the Monti district, a working-class neighborhood with plenty of nice restaurants.
Renaissance and Baroque walk, optionally including the Pantheon
This walk takes you past several famous sights in the center of Rome. The monuments are all located quite close together, so you can start wherever you like. Most of the buildings and squares date from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, although even on this walk we cannot ignore the remains of classical antiquity.
One option is to start at the Spanish Steps, an impressive staircase connecting Piazza di Spagna with the higher-situated church ‘Trinità dei Monti’. The steps have nothing to do with Spain (they were even paid for by the French), but are named after the nearby Spanish embassy.
From the Spanish Steps, it is about a 5-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. Due to the crowds in this part of the city, it can easily take a bit longer. The square around the famous fountain is also extremely busy. Watch out for pickpockets! You can admire the fountain from a distance and take photos. If you want to get close to the fountain and perhaps throw a coin into the water, you have to pay an entrance fee at certain times: 2 euros. This is usually from 9 am to 10 pm, but there are changes on some days. Check the website.
Cross the Via del Corso and follow the small streets towards the Pantheon. Along the way, there are a few sights to see, including the Column of Mark Aurelius, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (with an impressive ceiling).
The Pantheon is certainly worth a visit. The gigantic dome (the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world) has a hole at the top through which light enters. A ticket for the Pantheon costs 5 euros and can be purchased on site. However, please note that on busy days there is often a long queue and tickets may no longer be available. Booking in advance is recommended, but you must take your timing into account, as you are buying a ticket for a specific time slot.
After visiting the Pantheon, it is only a five-minute walk to Piazza Navona with the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, one of the masterpieces by the artist Bernini. The square itself is lively, and in the evening, there is a pleasant atmosphere. The restaurants on the square are on the expensive side, though. It is better to head down one of the side streets if you want to eat in the area.
Piazza Navona is located not far from Campo dei Fiori, a charming little square where a market takes place every morning. Pause for a moment at the statue of Giordano Bruno and then take the street to Piazza Farnese. The palazzo you see there, now the French embassy, belonged to the Farnese family and is one of the city's most impressive Renaissance palaces; the famous artist Michelangelo contributed to its construction. In the square, you will see two fountains made from bathtubs from the baths of Emperor Caracalla.
Take the street to the left of Palazzo Farnese and you will soon arrive at Galleria Spada, a museum best known for Borromini's gallery with its trompe l'oeil effect. You can reach the small courtyard from where you can view the gallery for free, but if you want to enter, you have to buy an admission ticket. In my opinion, this is not really worth the cost.
You can continue walking through the small streets to Piazza Mattei. Not a real ‘must’, but very beautiful: the turtle fountain in this square. Here you are close to the Area Sacra del Largo Argentina, also known as ‘the cat forum’. You can visit this forum (for a fee), but you already have a nice view of what there is to see from above. And above all: this square gives a good idea of what lies beneath the ground in Rome. There is still a lot to excavate and discover in this ancient city.
St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, possibly with the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Even for those who have no connection to the Catholic faith, St. Peter's Square is certainly worth a visit: Bernini's beautiful colonnade, the Egyptian obelisk, the two fountains… A magnificent example of architectural symmetry. Be sure to go inside the basilica as well. Michelangelo's famous Pietà stands immediately to the right of the entrance. You cannot miss the large canopy above the altar. And, a fun fact… The dimensions of other famous churches in the world are displayed on the floor of the nave, indicating that St. Peter's Basilica is indeed one of the largest religious buildings on earth. Apart from all the sights, St. Peter's Basilica is simply an impressive structure. Walk around, look around and let yourself be overwhelmed by all the lavish decorations. The basilica is free to visit. The line sometimes looks very long, but usually moves quite quickly. If you don't want to waste too much time here, come very early in the morning when it is still quiet. Do bear in mind that this is a ‘sacred place’, so you must be dressed respectfully. You will not be admitted with bare shoulders, a low neckline or shorts.
It is also possible to visit the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. However, there is a fee for this. The cost is 8 euros and you can buy tickets inside the basilica. There is an elevator for the first part, after which you have to continue up the stairs. At a certain point, you walk between the two layers that make up the dome (not recommended for people with claustrophobia). We found it very interesting to see how the structure is put together. After the long climb, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the city.
When you leave the basilica and walk back onto the square, you can immediately go to the right through the colonnade. There you can visit the ‘Campo Santo dei Teutonici e dei Fiamminghi’. You must ask permission from the Swiss guards, who will then let you through along the wall surrounding St. Peter’s. You will then arrive at a small cemetery where mainly German and Flemish people who had a connection to Vatican City are buried. An oasis of peace in this busy city.
From the square, a wide avenue, the Via della Conciliazione, runs directly to the Castel Sant'Angelo. That building was originally the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian but over the centuries it was used for various other purposes, including as a fortified stronghold to protect the popes. A passageway, the corridoio, was constructed between the building and the papal residence in Vatican City. The bridge opposite the Castel Sant'Angelo bears the fitting name ‘Bridge of the Angels’ and offers a beautiful view of the building.
museums
In Rome, you have an abundance of choices if you want to visit museums, so you will have to make choices. Three recommendations:
Galleria Borghese
My absolute favorite! To start with: the location. A magnificent building in a large park. After your visit, you can stroll around the park to find some coolness in the shade of the trees. We rented a rowboat on the pond. Furthermore, the art collection in the museum is also very varied. There are paintings by numerous famous artists (Titian, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Rubens, to name a few). I found the sculptures to be the highlight, especially those by Bernini. They are made so finely, detailed and precisely that they look lifelike. You can hardly imagine that these are marble figures.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Reservation is always required. Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month, but even then you must make a reservation and pay the reservation fee.
Capitoline Museums
These museums are located on the Capitoline Hill, near the Roman Forum. The museum consists of two buildings connected by an underground passage. Inside the museum, you will find primarily sculptures from classical antiquity and the Renaissance. When you go from one building to the other via the basement, you can access the terrace from which you have a magnificent view of the Roman Forum. For that alone, this museum is more than worth a visit.
The museum is open every day, except May 1 and December 25.
Vatican Museums
There is always a long queue at the entrance. It is certainly advisable to book tickets in advance via the website here. The price is around €25. Make sure you book in good time and ensure you book via the official website. Other sites sometimes charge much higher prices. It is helpful to prepare your visit in advance and decide which artworks you definitely want to see, otherwise you might get a bit lost once you arrive. In any case, you will pass by the Sistine Chapel with its magnificent ceiling by Michelangelo.
The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of every month. On that day, you can enter for free in the morning, but naturally, there are even more people than usual. Reservations for that time are not possible.
OSTIA
In antiquity, Ostia was the port of Rome. Today, you can go there for a day at the beach or for a visit to Ostia Antica. The latter is an enormous archaeological park where you can easily wander around for a whole day: a theater, the forum, public toilets, eateries and much more. Here, you get a good picture of the life of the ancient Romans. If you never make it to Pompeii, this is a nice alternative.
Ostia Antica is closed on Mondays. It is easily accessible by public transport from Central Rome: metro and train.
ORVIETO
After a few busy days in Rome, it is nice to seek out some peace and quiet. Just under a two-hour drive away, in the Umbria region, lies Orvieto, an ancient Etruscan town. The city is situated on a hill and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Are you up for a brisk walk? A walking path, the ‘Anello della Rupe’, runs around the city walls, which will easily keep you busy for an hour and a half to two hours. It is not so much the distance that makes it tough, that is only a little under 5 km, but there is some climbing and descending involved.
After the walk, there is a short climb towards the city center. There you will find plenty of artisan shops as well as cozy terraces where you can sample ‘Orvieto Classico’, a white wine from this region. The beautiful Duomo with its impressively decorated facade draws the attention. When the sun falls on the golden ornaments, it creates a very special effect.
In Orvieto, there is also plenty to experience underground. Near the Duomo, you can visit underground caves, but even more special is the old well on the edge of the city, the ‘Pozzo di San Patrizio’. The well dates back to the 16th century and is 62 meters deep. You descend all the way to the bottom via a spiral staircase, only to return to the surface via another set of stairs. The system is ingeniously constructed.
ASSISI
Another option to escape the hustle and bustle of Rome: Assisi. Also located in Umbria, this small town is about a 2.5-hour drive from the capital. Here too, you will find yourself in an oasis of tranquility.
The Basilica of Saint Francis is much more austere on the outside than the cathedral in Orvieto. Inside, you can admire beautiful frescoes by the artist Giotto, in both the upper and lower churches. There is also a crypt where Saint Francis is buried.
The city itself has cozy little streets, lots of shops and here too: outdoor cafes!
Outside the city, you can visit the Monastery of San Damiano, one of the most important places in the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to this place. It is very quiet and simple there and offers beautiful views of the valley.
There are also opportunities for hiking around Assisi. You are on Monte Subasio and there is the option, among other things, to hike to Eremo delle Carceri, a place in the mountains where Saint Francis retreated to rest and be alone with God. The round trip hike from Assisi is just over 8 km. The paths are easily walkable but naturally, you will have to ascend and then descend. Allow at least 2 hours to complete the hike.
SIENA
In the Tuscany region, there are quite a few small towns worth visiting, all perfect for a day trip. In Lucca, we rode a go-kart along the city walls; in San Gimignano, we walked among the tall residential towers and ate an ice cream in the central square. Volterra and Arezzo are still on my list.
Siena remains my favorite in this region. The city is known for the ‘Strade Bianche’ cycling race or the James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’, and is heavily visited due to the annual Palio (horse races in July and August). Yet, it is simply the city itself that attracts me. The shell-shaped square, the small streets, the cathedral. You can stroll around here for hours or enjoy the sun on a terrace. The city has something magical about it in the evening as well.
As in many small towns in the region, it is best to park your car on the outskirts of the city and then walk into the center. In Siena, there are even car parks from which you can reach the city by escalator.
Florence
When driving to Florence, Piazzale Michelangelo is a beautiful stop before truly entering the city. From here, you have a view of the Arno and the famous dome. If you are coming to Florence by public transport, you can of course also walk to this viewpoint. Be sure to walk through the rose garden, the Giardino delle Rose.
Florence itself is much smaller and more manageable than Rome. You can actually get quite a lot done in a single day if you mainly want to wander around and don't really have the ambition to go inside anywhere. If you do want to visit museums, be prepared for long queues, especially during peak season. Buying tickets in advance is a good idea then. Often, you can even skip the line.
Walk along the highlights
Because all the sights are quite close together, you can actually start the walk anywhere. We begin at the most famous bridge in Florence and perhaps even in Italy: the Ponte Vecchio. Nowadays, almost exclusively jewelry shops are located on this bridge; in the bridge's early days, there were butchers. Also, take a look above the houses: there runs a passageway, the Vasari Corridor, which was intended to connect the Uffizi Gallery with the Palazzo Pitti, once the residence of the wealthy Medici family.
When you cross the bridge towards the city centre, it is nice to duck into a small street on your left and soak up the atmosphere of medieval Florence. Here you can still see a few residential towers from the 13th and 14th centuries.
The Mercato Nuovo was already a marketplace in the past, and you can still find stalls there today. Be sure to take a look at ‘Porcellino’, the bronze wild boar on the south side of the market. If you stroke his nose, you can be confident that you will return to Florence again.
The next stop is Piazza della Signoria, a large square with the Palazzo Vecchio as the main focal point. A copy of Michelangelo's David stands in front of the entrance. Numerous famous statues stand beneath the loggia near the building. Inside the gallery that runs down to the Arno you find the most famous museum in all of Italy: the Uffizi.
Take the wide shopping street, the Via dei Calzaiuoli, which leads to the Cathedral. Along the way, you will come across the Orsanmichele, originally a monastery, then a grain hall and now a church. The entrance is located at the rear. You can also simply walk around the building to view all the statues in the niches.
Continue walking towards the Duomo but just before you reach it, make a brief stop at the large square on your left, Piazza della Repubblica. In Roman times this was the forum, the central market. It remained a marketplace in later times as well, until a grand and ostentatious square was laid out here at the end of the 19th century. When you walk under the triumphal arch, you will arrive after a few minutes at Palazzo Strozzi, the most impressive palazzo in Florence.
Now you can walk back towards the Cathedral, the Santa Maria del Fiore. The most striking feature here is, of course, the immense dome. The building forms a beautiful unity with the campanile, the bell tower next to the church, and the baptistery, the baptistery opposite the facade. You can visit the cathedral itself for free, but there is always a very long queue. However, it moves quite quickly. Please keep in mind that you must be dressed decently here as well, with covered shoulders and upper legs. If you wish to climb the dome or the bell tower, you need a paid ticket.
Continue your walk along Via de’ Martelli (the street that is an extension of the street you took to reach the cathedral). If you take the first street on the left here, you will arrive at the Church of San Lorenzo. From here, there is a lively but busy market where you can buy a lot of leather goods. Via dell’Ariento leads to a large food market where you can eat all kinds of tasty treats. It is also often quite crowded there, so finding a seat is not always easy.
museums
Just like in Rome, you have to make choices in Florence when it comes to museum visits.
One important note right away: almost everything is closed in Florence on Mondays.
Galleria degli Uffizi
In this enormous museum, you will find several masterpieces known all over the world: The Birth of Venus by Botticelli or The Head of Medusa by Caravaggio. Masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and many others can also be found there. The Uffizi spans 45 galleries, spread over two floors. It is therefore best to plan ahead exactly what you want to see, especially if you do not want to spend your entire day in this museum.
The museum is open every day, except Mondays. It is best to order tickets online in advance. If you still need to buy a ticket on the day itself, expect queues of around 2 hours.
Galleria dell’Accademia
Most people visit this museum only for the famous David by Michelangelo. While this is indeed the main attraction, there are other things to see here as well. On the way to the statue, for example, you pass four statues of slaves, also by Michelangelo. The statues are unfinished and you see the slaves seemingly crawling out of the marble. Impressive!
This museum is also closed on Mondays, and here too: buy your tickets in advance to avoid long queues and to be sure you can get in.
Santa Croce Basiliek
Okay, this isn't a real museum but a church. However, there is so much to see that you can safely call it a museum. Important people are buried here, such as Michelangelo, Niccolò Machiavelli, the composer Rossini and Galileo Galilei.
The church is open every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. From May 2026, entry on Sundays will only be possible from 2:00 pm to 5:45 pm. An admission ticket costs €10 but discounts are available. Take a look at the website.
San Marco klooster
This monastery is a very pleasant, quiet place in the middle of the city, especially known for the frescoes by the Dominican painter Fra Angelico (late 14th century). You first walk into a beautiful courtyard. Surrounding this courtyard are two accessible spaces: the chapter house and a museum room. After visiting these, you can take the stairs upstairs. At the top of the stairs, you will see one of the artist's most famous works: The Annunciation to Mary. Afterwards, you can take a look at the cells of the monks.
The monastery is closed on Mondays. On other days, you can visit in the morning.
Bologna
Bologna is known as ‘la grassa, la rossa, la dotta’, a reference to the delicious cuisine, the red roofs (or political history) and the university. It is a smaller city, but certainly worth a visit. All sidewalks are covered with colonnades, so you can get dry from A to B even in rainy weather.
The two leaning towers, Torre degli Asinelli, are the symbol of the city and are impossible to miss. You will also undoubtedly pass by the large square, Piazza Maggiore, on your walk. Several palazzi are situated on this square, as well as the church of San Petronio. This 14th-century church, dedicated to the city's patron saint, was never fully completed. Inside, you will find artworks by famous Italian artists. Adjacent to this square is Piazza del Nettuno, featuring a gigantic statue of, yes indeed… Neptune.
An interesting visit is the centuries-old ‘Anatomical Theatre’. Here, students could observe anatomical analysis of human (and sometimes animal) bodies. The teacher took place in the instructor's chair to lead the session. The Anatomical Theatre was built in 1637. The wooden walls with artistic decorations are impressive. The statues refer to famous figures in medicine, such as Hippocrates. You can find the Anatomical Theatre in the palazzo of the ‘Archiginnasio’, a few minutes' walk from Piazza Maggiore. Admission costs €10, including an audio guide.
Verona
Verona is a nice stopover on the way to Venice. It is not a big city, so you can easily do everything on foot. One day is certainly enough here.
It is always interesting to start a city visit with a view of the city. In Verona, you can walk over the Ponte Pietra Bridge and take the stairs up to the Castel San Pietro. This gives you an immediate view of the River Adige and the city center. You can also end your city visit here at sunset.
If you follow the river for a while, you come to the Castelvecchio, the old castle. Nowadays it is a museum and can be visited.
Walk towards the city center and try to choose a route past the Porta Borsari, a city gate dating back to classical antiquity that still provides an impressive passage to the inner city. Via several beautiful squares, such as Piazza delle Erbe or Piazza dei Signori, you can walk on to the ‘Casa di Giulieta’. Shakespeare set his ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in Verona. Although the story is pure fiction, the inhabitants of Verona have been only too happy to capitalize on it. There is a house where Juliet is said to have lived and you can also visit her balcony. If you want to enter the house, you have to pay an entrance fee. Actually, that is not really necessary. From the courtyard, you already have a beautiful view of what there is to see and you can take some lovely photos there.
The 'top attraction' for most visitors is the Roman amphitheater from 30 AD. The building is very well preserved and can be visited during the day. In the evenings, events often take place, especially during the summer months. Impressive opera performances are given as night falls over the city. A special experience.
Venice
There is no nicer way to end this trip than in Venice: beautiful canals, cozy squares, charming winding streets… That is the romantic image many have of this city. And it can be like that, but mainly early in the morning or late in the evening. During the day, Venice is flooded with massive crowds. To experience the peace and quiet, it is worth the effort to stay in the city itself. But that is, of course, not cheap. Mestre or Lido di Jesolo are more interesting choices if you want to keep an eye on your budget.
In Venice, the main message is: wander around and see where the streets lead you. Setting off with a city map is rather pointless. There are so many small roads that aren't even on the map or that are suddenly interrupted by a canal, that you constantly have to look for an alternative route. The easiest way is to simply let yourself be guided by the signs hanging in the city center: 'to San Marco' and 'to Rialto'. That way, you will eventually always end up where you want to be.
You must definitely visit San Marco: the large square with St. Mark's Basilica, the famous campanile or bell tower and the Doge's Palace. Just around the corner from that palace, a little further along the quay, is the Bridge of Sighs. The story goes that prisoners had to cross that bridge when they were brought back to prison for their execution after their trial. Through the windows of the bridge, they could cast a last glance at their beloved lagoon.
The Ponte Rialto is also a well-known attraction in the city. This bridge with a somewhat unique shape is lined with shops. If you want a bit more peace and quiet, it is a good idea to cross the Ponte Rialto and go for a walk in the city district on the other side of the Grand Canal, San Polo. You won't be alone there either, but it is considerably less crowded.
