Discover 12 unique things to do in Venice that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
🪄 Get inspired with hidden gems, local tips and iconic must-do experiences – that capture the real magic of Venice.
Contents
- Introduction to Venice
- Responsible Tourist Tips
- 1. Glide Through the Canals on a Gondola Ride
- 2. Experience a Night at the Venetian Opera
- 3. Hop on a Vaporetto (Water Bus) Like a Local
- 4. Shop for Authentic Murano Glass
- 5. Pick Up a Handcrafted Venetian Mask
- 6. Take a Day Trip to Colourful Burano
- 7. Visit Murano for Its Glassmaking Heritage
- 8. Sip a True Venetian Spritz in a Canal-side Bar
- 9. Indulge in Authentic Venetian Cuisine
- 10. Wander Through a Quirky Venetian Bookshop
- 11. Off- the-Beaten-Path Walking Tour
- 12. Lose Yourself Along the Canals (Without Google Maps)
- Conclusion
Introduction to Venice
Venice is often described as the most beautiful and romantic city in Italy. This floating city is like nowhere else I have even been.
On our first visit, we took the water taxi from the airport to the stop by our hotel in Cannaregio and we immediately fell in love with Venice’s unique way of life and character.
It is brimming with history and even getting from A to B feels like a magical experience.
Venice consists of hundreds of islands built on a lagoon. There are no cars, vans, mopeds or bikes – so even deliveries are made by boat and cart. Venice offers a wealth of unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences that you simply won’t find anywhere else in the world.
In this guide, I’ll share 12 unforgettable things to do in Venice that go beyond the usual sightseeing. From drifting along hidden canals in a gondola to sipping traditional Venetian spritz by the water’s edge, these are activities that capture the true spirit of the city.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, these local experiences and cultural gems will help you see Venice in a new light.
This post is part of my complete Northern Italy Travel Guide, where I share itineraries, tips and DIY planning advice for visiting Northern Italy.
Full Disclosure: I have become an affiliate partner with Venice Explorer – You will find recommended trips throughout this blog. Should you decide to book any of my recommendations I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps me to keep producing free travel content like this!
| 🌟 Responsible Tourist Tips Venice has been plagued with over tourism over the years and has a declining population. The local government is doing its best to overcome these issues and you can help too by being a responsible tourist. I have sprinkled tips from the Venice Tourism website throughout the article to give you a helping hand. |
1. Glide Through the Canals on a Gondola Ride
I start with the most obvious unique experience to do in Venice, to take a ride on a gondola.
When I first came to the city we decided to give it a miss. However, I always regretted not having a go and so on my second visit we tried it out and we were really glad we did.
I found the experience to be peaceful and magical and definitely a unique way to see the hidden canals.
Why is the Gondola so Iconic and Unique to Venice?
The gondola itself is a handcrafted wooden boat that is skillfully constructed using traditional techniques. Centuries ago, there were around 10,000 gondolas in Venice now there are only 400.
A Skilled Profession
The gondoliers are governed by the Gondolier’s Guild. They are highly trained and regulated and have to undergo an intensive apprenticeship – in order to be able to maneuver the gondolas skillfully and navigate the complex canal network.
The gondoliers work incredibly hard and you will see them late in the evening polishing their gondolas in preparation for the next day.
| 🌟 Responsible Tourism Tip: Taking a gondola helps to keep this centuries old tradition alive. |
You will see lots of gondola stops where you can just turn up and wait for the next one or you can pre-book. The cost of a gondola ride is quite steep. If you are on a budget, an alternative is to take a shared gondola ride.
👉Click here to book a shared gondola ride for your visit!
2. Experience a Night at the Venetian Opera
Our most memorable experience in Venice was our night at the Venetian Opera at the Teatro La Fenice, where we watched the opera Semiramide.
This stunning historic venue was originally built in 1792 and has risen from the ashes two times since. It is open to visitors during the day and if you don’t get the chance to watch a performance there, it is definitely worth visiting to take a look at its magnificent interior.
🔗 Blog to read: You can read about our visit to the opera, what to expect, how to buy tickets and what to wear here!
3. Hop on a Vaporetto (Water Bus) Like a Local
As I explained earlier, there are no cars in Venice so the only way to get around is by foot or water. Water buses are like the Venetian metro and a great way to see the Grand Canal.
We paid 9.50 Euros for a single ticket which lasts 75 minutes and there are 1 -7 day ticket options. You can buy tickets at most stops or tobacconists.
4. Shop for Authentic Murano Glass
Murano glass is crafted by a glass master using traditional techniques. They create hundreds of different types of glassware and each hand-blown piece is a beautiful work of art.
It is important when buying the glass to ensure that you are buying a genuine article and not a fake. Authentic Murano glass is only made in Murano. It will have a signature of the glass master on the piece, a sticker and certificate of authenticity.
The easiest way to make sure it is a genuine piece is to buy it from the Murano Glass Factory.
5. Pick Up a Handcrafted Venetian Mask
The Carnival of Venice is an annual festival and is famous throughout the world. Masks were traditionally worn so that people could escape the strict hierarchical class structure and mix with other people. A mask enabled them to socialise freely but in disguise .
The traditional Venetian masks were originally a simple design but have become flamboyant over the years. They are amazing – hand-painted, adorned in gem stones, gold leaf and feathers.
Genuine, hand crafted Venetian masks are sold in historical costume stores and it is very easy to tell them apart from the ordinary souvenir shops. They are masterpieces and very expensive but make a fabulous souvenir – if you have that kind of budget.
| 🌟 Responsible Tourism Tip: Buying genuine authentic Venetian handmade goods helps sustain the local economy and supports the continuation of these traditional skills. |
6. Take a Day Trip to Colourful Burano
If you remember the children’s tv show Balamory – you will love the colourful island of Burano. The houses here are all painted different bright and bold colours – and are extremely instagrammable.
Only a short ride away by waterbus, Burano is a nice place to stop for lunch and purchase handcrafted lace.
7. Visit Murano for Its Glassmaking Heritage
Murano is a tiny island famous for its glass making. It only has a population of 5,000. This is where you can visit the Murano Glassmaking factory and see a glass making demonstration by one of the glass masters. you can also buy a genuine Murano Glass piece.
One of the easiest ways to visit Burano and Murano is to take a combined trip. You will get to visit the factory and spend time on the island of Burano too.
| 🌟Responsible Tourism Tip: Explore the islands of the lagoon. |
👉Click here to book at half day tour to Murano and Burano!
8. Sip a True Venetian Spritz in a Canal-side Bar
The first time I ever tried an Aperol Spritz was in Venice. I saw all these people enjoying large orange cocktails and I had major drink envy!
Aperol Spritz originated in the Italian city Padua in 1919 and became popular during the 1950s. It has become the sunset cocktail of Italy. The Venetian spritz (spritz veneziano) is a delicious variation, also created in Venice in 1920.
We were asked if we would like to try the Venetian spritz, whilst in our favourite bar Cupido Venezia and we never went back to Aperol.
Why not try the Venetian spritz with some cicchetti (Venetian tapas) alongside?
| 🌟 Responsible Tourism Tip: Taste the local products and typical Venetian cuisine. |
9. Indulge in Authentic Venetian Cuisine
Venetian food is like the city itself – rich in history, full of character and completely unique. Although you will find class Italian staples, don’t miss out on the chance to try some Venetian dishes.
Seafood is central to Venetian cuisine because of its lagoon location. Dishes to try – grilled cuttlefish, spaghetti alle vongole (with clams) and monkfish (delicious).
A local favourite is sarde in saor – a sweet and sour dish -sardines marinated with onions, raisins and pine nuts. Or risotto al nero di seppia – black risotto with cuttlefish ink.
👉Why not try out a food tasting tour - click here!
For dessert, treat yourself to bussolai, buttery biscuits from Burano, or gelato from one of the many artisan parlours.
Don’t forget to try the Venetian tapas (cicchetti) with your spritz!
You will find great authentic and price friendlier spots in Cannaregio (our favourite area), Dorsoduro and Castello.
10. Wander Through a Quirky Venetian Bookshop
Libreria Acqua Alta
My daughter told me about this cute hidden book shop. Situated along a side street, it has a huge collection of new and used books. They’ve created alternative ways to house the books in gondolas and bathtubs. You can even climb a staircase made out of damaged books to see a lovely view. Meet the resident cat and take some great photos.
🗺️ Google Maps Link to Libreria Acqua Alta
11. Off- the-Beaten-Path Walking Tour
Learn about Venice’s rich heritage and culture on a walking tour with a local. Explore tranquil canals, secret courtyards, narrow passages and quiet squares.
On this tour we discovered a new side to Venice with our extremely knowledgeable guide, who told us many stories and fascinating insights. We were the only people in the group so it ended up being a private tour.
| 🌟 Responsible Tourist Tip: Book tours with qualified tourist guides able to recount Venice’s thousand-year-old history. |
👉 Book the Off-the-beaten-path, Guided Walking Tour of Venice tour here!
12. Lose Yourself Along the Canals (Without Google Maps)
Our favourite thing to do in Venice is just to aimlessly wander. Away from the crowds, especially in the evenings. Venice is such a peaceful city – it’s easy to find a quiet corner and enjoy having the whole place to yourself.
Find Venice’s Hidden Bridges & Secret Corners
Away from the main areas you will find many hidden gems – charming tiny canals and bridges with no one else around. This is the dreamy, romantic side of Venice, where you feel like you’re in another world.
| Plan Your Trip 🌍 Ready to start planning? You can search flights, hotels and activities using my travel portal. It’s the same system travel agents use, so you can easily compare prices and build your trip in one place. ✈️ Compare flight prices 🏩 Find hotels and apartments 🚗 Book your transfer or hire car 🎉 Browse activities 👉Search Flights, Hotels & Deals This will take you to my travel search page where you can access my booking portal. |
Conclusion
Venice gets a lot of flack for being touristy and crowded but I feel Venice offers so much more than just the main tourist sights – it’s about the atmosphere and the unique activities you can’t experience anywhere else. To me Venice’s historic beauty is other worldly.
The best way to enjoy Venice is to slow down, escape the busy crowded areas and soak in the city at your own pace.
Have you been to Venice? Please recommend your favourite Venice hidden gems and unique things to do – in the comments.
✨ This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Venice.
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