Ahh pretty Venice! The capital of northern Italy’s Veneto area is crammed with romantic canals, elegant squares, and well-preserved historic structure making it one of the vital lovely cities in Europe – possibly even the world!
Everybody needs to see the gondolas and the grand bridges, however I rapidly found that the watery metropolis had a lot extra to supply. Past the postcard-perfect sights I found a a lot quieter and extra intimate aspect – hidden courtyards, secret eating experiences, fascinating locals, and even an island crammed with vibrant homes. Listed below are my 9 favorite hidden gems within the metropolis that I believe each curious traveller ought to learn about….
1. Burano Island – Venice’s Most Vibrant Secret Gem
I found this island positioned within the northern a part of the Venetian Lagoon round 4.3 miles northeast of the town Venice. It had a really totally different vibe to the remainder of the world – it felt peaceable, laid-back and however with welcoming, quirky vibe!
I discovered myself gazing in awe on the cobbled stone pavements lined with brightly painted homes which superbly mirrored within the mirror-like lagoon. Each got here in daring shades and I noticed postbox reds, lemon yellows, and good turquoises and the boats gently bobbing within the island’s canal have been equally as vibrant!
I additionally learnt about Burano’s well-known lace-making custom, and I discovered it simply as fascinating as Murano’s well-known glasswork custom. I used to be even welcomed in a lace-making store by aged native girls who instructed me her household had labored in the identical place for a number of generations!
I stumbled throughout fairly cafés and trattorias, stopping at a number of for an espresso to individuals look ahead to some time after which my final cease was the island’s very personal leaning tower, the Campanile of San Martino which belonged to the Church of San Martino. I learnt from the locals that the unusual tilt was on account of land subsidence (which was not surprisingly a standard situation within the Venetian Lagoon)!
At a Fast Look: Visiting Burano Island
- Location: 45-minute vaporetto experience from central Venice
- Recognized For: Brightly colored homes, lace-making and glass-blowing traditions, and a peaceable native vibe
- My Should-Do: The lace retailers, strolling alongside the canals, consuming an espresso at a waterfront café, seeing the leaning tower
- My High Tip: Go to within the early morning for those who can and even late within the afternoon to keep away from the noisy tour teams.
2. A Conventional Sailor’s Supper In The Venetian Lagoon
As an alternative of reserving a desk at a restaurant I made a decision to check out a extra genuine Italian expertise, so I booked a personal eating expertise hosted in lovely native dwelling as an alternative!
The expertise was booked by means of EatWith and the night was hosted by the charismatic Massimo within the fabulous backyard of his massive and really ornate Venetian dwelling! He instructed us that he was proudly carrying on an extended household custom as a Venetian sailor and after only a few minutes spent in his firm I came upon he was a kind of fascinating and enjoyable characters I didn’t meet fairly often!
We have been served with a particular three course meal of old-school Venetian consolation meals, crammed with freshly made meals and dishes who recipes had been handed down by means of a number of generations.
Being a vegetarian I used to be served a divine Risotto al Limone, which was made with contemporary native citrus and topped with a small spring of parsley. Dessert was simply as heavenly, it was a Torta Veneziana al Pistacchio, which was very wealthy and dusted with powdered sugar.
We sipped on Soave Classico, a lightweight, crisp white wine from the Veneto area that had hints of inexperienced apple and almonds. To me, it wasn’t simply dinner – it was a beautiful and immersive night out!
At a Look: A Conventional Sailor’s Supper
- Host: Massimo, a proud Venetian sailor with deep household roots in maritime custom
- Setting: A standard massive home
- What’s Served: A house-style dinner that includes conventional Venetian dishes
- Expertise Kind: Cultural eating expertise with storytelling, historical past, and a robust native really feel
- My Highlights: Contemporary native delicacies cooked the Venetian manner and assembly different travellers
- Length: Roughly 2.5–3 hours
- My High Tip: Costume sensible informal
- E-book It: Accessible on Tripadvisor
3. The Island of Sant’Andrea
I found that again within the Sixteenth century, Venice was such a rich and highly effective metropolis that it wanted some severe safety from pesky pirates and rival powers – in order that they constructed the spectacular Forte di Sant’Andrea on the small, principally uninhabited island of Sant’Andrea to maintain watch over the lagoon and chase away any undesirable guests!
I visited the island which was positioned close to the doorway to the lagoon on an early afternoon journey. The fortress was nonetheless principally in tact, however a lot of the encircling island had grow to be overgrown and wild, which I assumed added to its barely eerie environment.
I introduced a picnic and located a quiet spot which had beautiful views over the lagoon – I personally thought it was the proper off-the-beaten monitor vacation spot to flee the vacationer crowds, watch the boats sail by, and simply decelerate for a number of peaceable hours.
At a Look: The Island of Sant’Andrea
- Location: Venetian Lagoon, close to the island of Vignole
- Historic Significance: Dwelling to the Sixteenth-century Forte di Sant’Andrea, a Renaissance army fortress designed by architect Michele Sanmicheli
- Present Standing: Partially restored; the façade and central tower have been stabilized
- Entry: Accessible by non-public boat excursions
- Expertise: Splendid for historical past followers and people looking for a tranquil escape from Venice’s bustling vacationer spots
4. Libreria Acqua Alta
I stumbled throughout place tucked away in a quiet nook of the town and it rapidly turned one of the vital memorable locations I found on my journey!
I learnt from the pleasant homeowners that the entire retailer had been formed by its very difficult surrounding, particularly the frequent metropolis flooding so as an alternative of giving in, they tailored as an alternative! I noticed books stacked in bathtubs, waterproof bins, and even outdated gondolas.
Slim pathways skilfully wound by means of towering stacks of books—every part from dog-eared novels and uncommon volumes to shiny journey guides, classic magazines, and vibrant maps. I actually favored that it had the musty scent of well-loved pages, blended with a faint salty sea breeze.
I additionally discovered a staircase made completely of water-damaged books within the courtyard (sure actually – you possibly can climb it!), a gondola parked proper in the midst of the shop, and a content-looking store cat who had taken up residence between the journey memoirs and philosophy texts! I actually loved this very quirky little escape which gave me a welcoming respite from the crowds!
At a Look: Libreria Acqua Alta
- Location: Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa, Castello district, Venice
- Title Which means: “Library of Excessive Water” (named after Venice’s seasonal flooding)
- What Makes It Distinctive: Books saved in bathtubs, gondolas, and waterproof bins
- Environment: Cosy, quirky and stuffed with character
- What You’ll Discover: New and second-hand books (Italian & English), classic maps, postcards, and a resident cat
- My High Tip: Climb the staircase within the courtyard for a novel picture (and canal view)
- Web site
5. A Secret Wine Tour – Sipping Like a Native
A “Native Secrets and techniques of Venice” Wine Strolling Tour, turned out to be certainly one of my favorite experiences! Our information took us down slender alleyways and throughout hidden bridges and into the guts of the great bacaro tradition (that are conventional Venetian wine bars, for the uninitiated)!
At every cease, we sipped totally different wines and paired them with cicchetti – small, tasty snacks that jogged my memory of Italian tapas. The cicchetti got here in a mixture fried bites, seafood skewers, polenta with cheeses, and even little open sandwiches topped with seasonal veggies and herbs.
I liked how the wine was served in small glasses known as ombre, which have been have been instructed by our information was a Venetian custom relationship again to when wine was bought from carts that adopted the shade (ombra means “shadow” in Italian). We additionally tasted spritzes, which have been gentle and fizzy. It was the kind of expertise that made me really feel extra like a neighborhood and never similar to I used to be passing by means of!
At a Look: Secret Wine Tour of Venice
- Expertise Title: Native Secrets and techniques of Venice: Wine & Cicchetti Strolling Tour
- Led By: Native meals and wine skilled
- Environment: Informal, social, off the vacationer path
- Length: ~2.5–3 hours
- My High Tip: Ensure you go hungry and ask for wine pairing ideas at every cease!
- The place to E-book
6. Hearken to Vivaldi – A Goosebump-Inducing Baroque Expertise
I liked experiencing Vivaldi in Venice, as a result of truthfully, it gave me severe goosebumps! I booked a seat at a live performance by the Venice Baroque Orchestra, which I discovered was held contained in the Church of San Vidal. The venue was a superbly atmospheric Seventeenth-century church-turned-concert corridor which had excessive ceilings, nice acoustics and an atmospheric candlelit glow.
The orchestra carried out a really passionate rendition of Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons, and to me, it sounded precisely how I imagined it might within the metropolis the place the composer was born.
It was a energetic, expressive and really emotive efficiency and the setting made it much more particular – San Vidal sat proper on the sting of the Grand Canal. I arrived because the solar was setting and casting an unimaginable golden gentle over the traditional stones which made the entire thing much more atmospheric!
At a Look: Listening to Vivaldi in Venice
- The place: Church of San Vidal, close to Campo Santo Stefano
- What You’ll Hear: Baroque masterpieces, together with Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons
- Environment: Intimate, candlelit, and acoustically great!
- Length: ~1 hour
- My High Tip: Arrive early for good seats and in addition to absorb the vibes of the outdated church earlier than the music begins
- Tickets: E-book on-line or on the door (however they do promote out in peak season)
7. The Waterside Bars – the Metropolis’s Greatest Views with a Glass in Hand
Certainly one of my favorite issues to do on this metropolis was merely simply sit with a drink in my hand, watch the boats glide previous, and take in the fantastic thing about the canals—and fortunately I discovered a lot beautiful waterside bars the place I may do exactly that!
El Chioschetto was a splendidly low-key spot on the Zattere which had gorgeous views of the Giudecca Canal. I liked the ver laid-back and low-key vibe there – there was only a kiosk, a number of seats, but additionally a severely Insta-worthy view!
One other favorite of mine was Vincent Bar, the place I caught one of many prettiest sunsets of my journey with a glass of prosecco in hand. To me, it felt romantic and peaceable however with out making an attempt too arduous.
I additionally stumbled throughout the extra hidden Taverna del Campiello Remer – a little bit of a extra secret spot tucked away in a quiet courtyard. I discovered it had a fantastic comfortable hour, a very cosy jetty over the canal, and felt like a complete escape from the vacationer buzz.
Osteria Bancogiro close to the Rialto Bridge was nice too and each these locations I may sip wine whereas watching all of the motion on the Grand Canal whereas sitting on the terrace tables. And on my remaining day, I handled myself to a drink on the surprisingly inexpensive L’Ombra del Leone, positioned inside Ca’ Giustinian – the views of Venice from the terrace overlooking the Chiesa della Salute and Punta della Dogana have been severely gorgeous!
At a Look: Venice’s Greatest Waterside Bars
- El Chioschetto: Relaxed kiosk bar on the Zattere with canal views
- Vincent Bar: Nice prosecco and good spot to observe the sundown
- Taverna del Campiello Remer: Hidden gem with canal-side jetty and comfortable hour
- Osteria Bancogiro: Vigorous vibe with a terrace close to Rialto Bridge
- L’Ombra del Leone: Beautiful terrace views with out the splurge
- My High Tip: Head to those locations round golden hour for the perfect gentle and environment (and fewer crowds!)
8. Corte del Volto Santo – A Peaceable Sq. Steeped in Thriller
I stumbled throughout this little courtyard referred to as Corte del Volto Santo completely accidentally – and I’m so glad I did! I discovered it tucked away from all of the craziness of the remainder of the town and it had a really calming environment!
After some analysis I found that this modest trying sq. had an fascinating previous which dated all the way in which again to 1360. This was when it was dwelling to the Confraternita dei Lucchesi, who have been rich silk retailers who had migrated from Lucca making an attempt to flee political upheaval.
It’s well-known for its “Volto Santo” which is (a now a really weather-beaten) stone carving of a bearded face mysteriously embedded within the wall of the courtyard. Nobody actually is aware of the place it got here from however its steeped in Venetian folklore with some locals even saying its a illustration of Christ!
With all of the thriller surrounding it, in addition to that ghostly outdated face which peeked out at me, I’ve to confess it did have an intriguing and a haunting appeal!
At a Look: Corte del Volto Santo
- Location: Hidden courtyard within the San Polo district
- Historic Significance: Former website of the Confraternita dei Lucchesi (est. 1360)
- Named After: “Volto Santo” (Holy Face) crucifix from Lucca
- Vibe: Quiet, atmospheric, and crammed with an understated magnificence
- Why It’s Particular: A mysterious secret nook away from the crowds
- My High Tip: Deliver a espresso and simply sit for a couple of minutes – it made a tranquil respite from the town!
9. Ca’Zappa – A Curious Slice of the Netherlands within the Venetian Lagoon!
I discovered Ca’Zappa – a putting and really intriguing red-brick constructing – positioned on a small non-public island within the lagoon. To me, it regarded rather more like a Dutch dwelling than an Italian and that’s what actually peeked my curiosity!
I later came upon it was really designed within the Nineteen Twenties by a Dutch architect, Mario Malvezzi. He had designed a novel gem that regarded really regarded very totally different to the remainder of the structure in Venice with it vivid pink and white facade, fairly gabled roofs, lengthy home windows, and even its very personal watchtower.
Though it was privately owned, I visited on a guided tour and I explored the ornate-looking fundamental villa, the tower and gardens which have been crammed with barely overgrown shrubs and bushes. The views of the encircling lagoon from the highest of the watchtower have been unimaginable!
Contained in the interiors have been lovely with ornate colour-themed rooms, fireplaces adorned with Venetian proverbs, and vaulted painted ceilings.
Though my favorite spotlight was discovering out from my information that Ernest Hemingway and Salvador Dalí had as soon as visited and stayed in a single day as company – all of it simply added to the constructing’s intrigue and quirky aura!
At a Look: Ca’Zappa
- Location: Within the Venetian Lagoon, close to Chioggia (accessible by boat)
- Constructed By: Mario Malvezzi, between 1923–1928
- Why It’s Distinctive: It’s a uncommon Dutch-style dwelling positioned within the Italian lagoon
- Well-known Guests: Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dalí
- The best way to Go to: E-book a guided tour (non-public entry solely); greatest explored by boat
- My High Tip: Climb the tower for beautiful panoramic views and convey a digicam – the sunshine was magical there!
My Closing Ideas
Venice will at all times be one of many world’s most well-known cities however after making it my mission to unearth the quieter corners, secret locations and extra under-the-radar locations it gave me a really totally different perspective – the journey felt rather more genuine and ‘actual’ and rather more like I’d skilled as a neighborhood relatively than a vacationer. It additionally gave me some a lot wanted respite from the summer time cruise ship crowds!
My Sensible Suggestions for Exploring Venice
- ️Greatest Time to Go to: Late April to June and September to early October are very best as that is when there are fewer crowds, extra comfy temperatures, and a beautiful gentle which is ideal for pictures. I at all times keep away from peak summer time as that is when it’s highly regarded and humid (and never each place has air conditioning) and it will get very crowded (the cruise ships mooring within the harbour make it very busy within the metropolis)!
- Getting Round: I personally assume Venice is greatest explored on foot and by vaporetto (water buses). For scenic canal rides, the No. 1 line alongside the Grand Canal is nice worth. I’ve additionally employed non-public traghetto and boat taxis however these are dearer.
- Money or Card: Playing cards are extensively accepted, however some hidden gems like small cafés or bacari choose to take money—particularly within the much less touristy areas. I at all times carry each, simply in case.
- My Etiquette Suggestions: Costume modestly when visiting church buildings (preserve shoulders and knees coated). Maintain noise down in residential alleyways, and take a look at to not block slender streets when taking pictures – locals do actually recognize it!
- ️The place to Keep: Base your self in Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, or Castello, they’re quiet and atmospheric locations, however they’re nonetheless near all of the motion.
- Connectivity: Venice’s Wi-Fi could be hit or miss particularly in older buildings so I at all times additionally obtain offline maps and use an eSIM for journey.
