Venice is probably one of the best-known cities in Italy and is rightfully nicknamed the “City of Canals”. Walking along the city streets feels magical, and you can spend all day strolling across bridges and exploring the 118 islands that makeup Venice. Other than its famous canals and gondola rides, this place is actually known for glassmaking and Venetian carnival festivals.
When vacationing in this spectacular city you will have to make the most of your time by trying to experience as much of its culture, history, and traditions as possible. We suggest looking for more to do beyond the main tourist attractions, which is why we’ve created this list of things that you will want to add to your bucket list.
Travel tip: To make the most of your trip of a lifetime, stop by a Venice luggage storage location to drop off your shopping purchases and large backpacks. Enjoy these experiences without the burden of bags!
Make Your Own Venetian Mask
Remember when we mentioned the Venetian carnivals? Historically, the people attending these events always wore a mask in order to hide their identities. This allowed people to mingle no matter what background they came from. If you want to get hands-on with the tradition you can sign up for a Venetian mask painting workshop to create your own version of these mysterious accessories!
Relax on Giudecca Island
A popular city like Venice is often filled with crowds of tourists, and sometimes you might want to get away from the business of the city centre for a while. There is a small island just a short boat ride away called Giudecca, and it will definitely help you relax with its laid-back atmosphere and picturesque landscape. The charming little villages and countryside filled with serene vineyards will make you fall in love with the quieter side of Venice.
Try to Find Banksy Street Art
Chances are that you’ve heard of Banksy, the anonymous British street artist. Nobody knows his real identity and he purposefully performs his work late at night to stay hidden in the shadows. Just a few years ago he added his own artwork right here in Venice. The powerful image is of a migrant child who is wearing a life jacket and holding a flare, and you can find it in the Dorsoduro district. See if you can spot it while you explore the city!
Go on a Nighttime Walking Tour
If you are already planning to see all of the main sites and landmarks of Venice we suggest that you consider visiting at night. Not only do the main attractions look completely different and much more imposing after dark, but they will also be less crowded! Some of the places that we suggest you stop by include Doge’s Palace and San Marco’s Basilica. If you want to sign up for an official tour, there are some companies that offer nighttime activities.
Visit the Flooded San Zaccaria Crypt
Located right next to Piazza San Marco is a stunning church that catches everyone’s eye with its gorgeous 15th-century exterior. You will see lots of tourists admiring the church both inside and out, but what most of them don’t know is that there is a crypt located underneath the San Tarasio Chapel and you can go inside it by making your way down the steps. This is where some important local figures were buried, like the city’s first Doges. The space is flooded now, giving it an eerie and entrancing new perspective with all of the reflections.
Escape the Borges Labyrinth
You could argue that the streets and canals of Venice are like a labyrinth, but if you head to the San Giorgio Maggiore island you will get to explore a real maze called the Borges Labyrinth. This complex network of hedges was created in dedication to Jorge Luis Borges, and in total, the route was made using 3,000 boxed plants spanning over half a mile.
See the Dragon Bones at Basilica di Santa Maria e Santa Donato
Make your way to the island of Murano to see the Basilica di Santa Maria e Santa Donato which, allegedly, has huge bones from a dragon’s vertebra hanging behind the high altar. According to the stories, the dragon was defeated by Saint Donatus and its bones were displayed in the church shortly after his own remains were buried there in the 12th century. The bones can be a little hard to spot behind all of the mosaics and detailing, but they are still there today!
Shop at Libreria Acqua Alta
There are plenty of quirky shops in Venice, but one of the most unique is the Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop. This hidden gem has become popular among visitors because, as the water level in the lagoon rises, it actually leaks into the shop. The store’s owner was able to adapt by using waterproof furniture, or just things that float! If you want to buy a book you can browse through the volumes kept in bathtubs or old boats. Some of the books are even used as part of the building; like the staircase made out of ancient novels. You can climb atop it to get a nice view of the surrounding area!
Seeing the Hidden Side of Venice
A city like Venice is full of hidden gems, and lots of them aren’t really known by tourists. You can get lost in the narrow streets of the city which might not be a bad thing since you just might stumble across something interesting! The things that we’ve mentioned can get you started on your adventure but there are even more places to discover, so don’t be afraid to step off of the beaten path and explore the hidden side of Venice.
