In a city as busy as Venice, I often find myself drawn to places far from the tourist crowds. Quieter neighborhoods, smaller museums, artisan shops, and unique spots that attract a more local or in-the-know crowd are my go-to.
This list of hidden gems in Venice captures all that and more – a collection of off-the-beaten-path sights that are still compelling enough to warrant a visit.
Here, you’ll find a mix of intriguing discoveries that highlight some of Venice’s more underrated destinations.
Tip: This 2-hour Secret Venice Walking Tour is a great way to visit a few of the hidden gems on this list with a local guide.
Hidden Gems in Venice, Italy
1. Squero di San Trovaso
Squero di San Trovaso, located in Venice’s Dorsoduro district, is a gondola-making and repair workshop that has been in operation since the 17th century.
The gondolas in Venice are all handmade and require frequent repairs, which also must be done by hand. This workshop, one of the last of its kind, plays a vital role in keeping the city’s gondolas afloat.
If you’d like a closer look, guided tours are available, but you’ll need to book in advance. Otherwise, you can watch from Fondamente Nani, just across the canal.
2. Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Built in the 15th century, the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is best known for its external staircase. This spiral staircase, enclosed by a series of archways, gives the building its name – “bovolo” meaning “snail”, a nod to its winding, snail-like design.
While the staircase is beautiful to admire from the outside, climbing its 80 steps to the top terrace is well worth it. From the top, you’re treated to wonderful views of Venice, framed by the arches of the covered terrace.
Read more: 25 Best Things to do in Venice
3. San Giorgio Maggiore
San Giorgio Maggiore is a small island located just across the water from St. Mark’s Square. The church, San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica, is the main draw to the island, but other events like Homo Faber (an international art exhibition) also pop up here.
For one of the best views in Venice, take the elevator up to the top of the basilica’s campanile (bell tower). You’ll get to enjoy 360° views of the entire lagoon, including St. Mark’s Campanile and the Doge’s Palace. Note: the entrance fee is cash only.
The island also features the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, a cultural center, and the Vatican Chapels, a cool contemporary architectural exhibit. To see the chapels, you must book a tour, which is available at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM.
Read more: 13 Best Views of Venice
4. Torcello
By some accounts, Torcello was the first island to be settled in the Venetian Lagoon. It is believed that humans populated the island as far back as the year 452 AD. Today, it’s home to just 17 residents.
Torcello sits on the far north end of the lagoon – not too far from Burano. It’s a quiet escape with beautiful grassy landscapes.
The highlight of the island is the 7th century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics. Another attraction is the Devil’s Bridge (Ponte del Diavolo).
5. Burano
Burano is a charming island famous for its brightly colored houses. According to legend, the vibrant hues were originally painted to help local fishermen navigate their way home through Venice’s thick fog.
The island is small and is easy to explore in just a few hours. Burano is known for its delicate lacework, which you can learn more about it at the Museo Merletto (the lace museum). You can also shop for lace at local stores like Dalla Lidia Merletti D’Arte or Emilia.
Plan your visit around lunchtime to enjoy a delicious seafood risotto at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero or Trattoria da Romano
Read more: Day Trip Guide to Burano & Murano
6. Flooded Crypt of San Zaccaria
A city built on water naturally faces its challenges, and over time, many underground structures in Venice have succumbed to flooding—including the crypt beneath the San Zaccaria Church.
The crypt is an often overlooked gem. While it is free to enter the church, there is a small fee to access the crypt, which may explain why it’s easy to miss. I recommend venturing down to see it, as the water amplifies the ethereal beauty of the crypt.
7. Scuola Grande di San Marco
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a remarkable Renaissance building, renowned for its extraordinary cycle of paintings by Jacopo Tintoretto, who spent over 20 years creating these masterpieces throughout the 16th century. The large canvases depict dramatic scenes from both the Old and New Testaments, showcasing Tintoretto’s mastery of light, shadow, and composition.
Tintoretto was commissioned by the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a prominent confraternity known for its charitable work and dedication to St. Roch, the patron saint of plague victims. The building also houses relics of St. Roch, which made it an important spiritual center.
Read more: 16 Best Museums in Venice
8. Jewish Quarter
Located in the Cannaregio district, the Jewish Quarter in Venice is believed to be Europe’s first ghetto. Established in 1516 by decree, it was the designated area for Jewish residents to live and work. Over the centuries, though, the neighborhood grew in wealth and transformed into a lively and hip part of the city.
Today, the Jewish Quarter is home to five synagogues, two of which are open to visitors. The Jewish Museum of Venice is another must-see, providing an in-depth look at the history of Venice’s Jewish community and the development of the ghetto.
While the Jewish population in Venice is now much smaller, the quarter remains an important place to reflect on the past.
To learn more, I recommend booking a guided walking tour.
9. Santa Croce
Venice is divided into six sestieri (neighborhoods), and Santa Croce is one of my favorites. It has an authentic feel, with small local grocers, bakeries, quiet squares, and quaint cafés.
Here, you can wander without the usual crowds that dominate other parts of the city. Santa Croce feels like a hidden pocket of traditional Venice, where daily life unfolds free from the gimmicky shops and touristy restaurants found elsewhere in the city.
Here’s a few of my recommendations for Santa Croce:
- Cima Rosa: A lovely boutique hotel that I recently had the pleasuring of staying.
- La Zucca: A small neighborhood restaurant with an excellent menu.
- Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art: One of Venice’s best museums.
- Boresso: A no-fuss cafe with great coffee and sandwiches.
10. Cannareggio
Cannareggio is another one of Venice’s more genuine neighborhoods. It’s home to the Jewish Quarter, as well as a plethora of restaurants, museums, and nightlife options.
Here are a few notable spots in the neighborhood:
- Despar Teatro Italia: A surprisingly beautiful grocery store housed inside of an Art Deco theater.
- Osteria Anice Stellato: A fantastic restaurant known for its creative small plates.
- Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro: A 15th-century palace with amazing views overlooking the Grand Canal.
Read more: 25 Best Restaurants in Venice
11. Ponte de Chiodo
Ponte de Chiodo, meaning “Nail Bridge”, is the last remaining bridge of its kind in Venice. This bridge is particularly unique because it doesn’t have side walls or hand rails, just steps.
Bridges like this were once common throughout Venice, but most have since been replaced with parapets, likely for safety and practicality.
12. Museo Fortuny
Housed in the Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei (also known as the Palazzo Fortuny), this museum is dedicated to Mariano Fortuny, a Spanish artist known for his work in fashion, art, photography, and textiles. The museum preserves his eclectic designs and inventions in his former home and studio.
The walls are draped in sumptuous fabrics and textiles, designed by Fortuny himself, along with his family’s personal collection of artworks and objects from their travels. This is one of my favorite hidden gems in Venice, and it is a fascinating visit for anyone interested in art and design.
13. Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro
This art gallery is housed in the stunning Ca’ d’Oro palace (Golden House) and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture along the Grand Canal. The museum is home to Giorgio Franchetti’s diverse collection of Renaissance art, sculptures, and tapestries.
The palazzo itself is stunning, with intricate marble mosaic floors in the inner courtyard and a balcony offering some of the best views of the Grand Canal.
14. Museo di Palazzo Grimani
The Palazzo Grimani Museum is a true hidden gem in Venice and a personal favorite. Once the residence of the influential Grimani family, this Renaissance palace boasts marble-clad rooms, intricate ceiling frescoes, and a remarkable collection of classical sculptures.
The Tribuna, inspired by Roman architecture, is the palace’s most breathtaking room, designed to showcase the Grimani family’s most prized sculptures and artifacts.
Another highlight is the Sala a Fogliami, with its spectacular ceiling frescoes by Camillo Mantovano, featuring lush foliage, exotic birds, and mythological figures. In addition to its historic rooms, the museum hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year.
15. Fondazione Querini Stampalia
Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a house museum, contemporary art exhibition space, and an architecture-lover’s dream. Not only does the museum house an impressive collection of art, with works by Bellini and Tiepolo, but also an incredible contemporary garden designed by architect Carlo Scarpa.
16. Torre dell’Orologio
Located on the edge of St. Mark’s Square, the most popular square in Venice, it may come as a surprise that this clock tower could be considered a secret spot in Venice. What many don’t realize is that you can actually enter and go to the top of the tower.
Visits must be booked in advance, as entry is only available through guided tours. During the tour, your guide will share details about the clock’s history and mechanics before leading you to the terrace at the top.
Note that access involves climbing stairs, so the tour is best suited for those comfortable with a bit of physical activity.
17. Libreria Acqua Alta
Venice’s regular flooding presents a unique challenge for this bookstore. Since books and water don’t mix well, Libreria Acqua Alta has embraced a creative solution: storing its books in gondolas, boats, and bathtubs to keep them safe from rising waters.
Read more: Best Artisan & Design Shops in Venice
18. Dorsoduro Vegetable Barge
Located next to the Ponte dei Pugni, this floating market known as “La Barca” was a fun discovery on a recent trip to Venice. This boat is piled high with fresh fruits and vegetables, functioning just like a regular market stand where locals shop for their daily produce.
If you find yourself in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, I highly recommend stopping by to check out this one-of-a-kind market.
19. Ca’ Rezzonico
Ca’ Rezzonico is an opulent palace on the Grand Canal, now a museum dedicated to 18th-century Venetian life. Originally designed by renowned architect Baldassare Longhena and later completed by Giorgio Massari, the palace is a prime example of Venetian Baroque architecture.
Inside, you can explore lavishly decorated grand halls and ballrooms filled with period furniture, frescoes, and artworks that transport you back to Venice’s aristocratic past.
Don’t miss the recreation of the Farmacia Ai do San Marchi on the third floor, an authentic 17th-century apothecary complete with original medicine jars and tools.
20. St. Mark’s Basilica Terrace
St. Mark’s Basilica is undoubtedly a must-see in Venice, but many visitors overlook one of its features – the terrace. Atop one of Venice’s most iconic attractions lies one of the city’s coolest hidden gem experiences.
The terrace offers one of the best views overlooking Piazza San Marco and the Doge’s Palace. To access the terrace, enter the basilica and then head to the entrance of the Museo-Loggia dei Cavalli inside. There’s an additional fee of €7 to visit the museum (the basilica costs €3), but the views are well worth it.
21. Arsenale di Venezia
Dating back to the 12th century, the Arsenale di Venezia was once Venice’s primary shipyard and naval center, playing a vital role from the Middle Ages onward.
During the Industrial Revolution, the Arsenale evolved into a massive factory employing up to 2,000 workers daily. Today, this historic complex has been repurposed as an exhibition space for the prestigious Venice Biennale.
The Arsenale also houses the Naval History Museum, where you can delve into Venice’s maritime legacy. Additionally, guided tours of the shipyards are available, offering a glimpse into their storied past.
22. Fondamenta della Misericordia
With affordable drinks and friendly bars, this lively canal-side street is one of the best places to go in Venice for local nightlife or for a classic aperitivo. Here are a few spots I recommend checking out:
The “Casino” stop on the Vaporetto along the Grand Canal is the closest stop to the Fondamenta.
Read more: The Best Time to Visit Venice
23. Giardini della Biennale
Venice may not be known for its green spaces, but Giardini della Biennale is one of the few the city has to offer. This man-made garden was created during Napoleonic times, when Napoleon ordered the marshlands to be drained to establish a public park.
The park is about a 30-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square, which means it sees far fewer tourists—except during the Biennale Art Exhibition, the world-famous art fair hosted here every two years.
More information for your trip to Italy
- 25 Best Things to do in Venice
- One Day in Venice
- 2 Days in Venice
- 3 Days in Venice
- 4 Days in Venice
- 15 Best Day Trips from Venice
- 8 Must-Try Spots for the Best Cicchetti in Venice
- 5 Best Gelato Shops in Venice
- Is Venice Worth Visiting?
ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE
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Italy Phone Plans – If your phone plan does not offer free coverage in Italy, then we suggest getting an eSIM. We used Airalo during our trip to Italy, and we had fantastic coverage the entire time. It’s easy to download and you can even top up via the app if needed.
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