Shopping Tourism in Venice
From Isola San Giorgio towards Riva degli Schiavoni. Photo by: Giorgio Bombieri – Comune di Venezia
Shopping Tourism in Venice
Venetian finest craftmanship
Bridges and canals, Renaissance palaces and contemporary art museums. Who can resist the Serenissima, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its 1600 years of history? But Venice is not just about great art and beauty, as venturing into the maze of calli and campielli can also mean discovering the finest local craft masters.
They are glass masters, lace makers, bead-stringers and velvet weavers still using traditional wooden looms, as well as fashion designers and contemporary makers who create everything from jewellery to shoes, bags and hats, even clothing made from seaweed. They make unique handcrafted, artisanal products using their painstaking skills and knowledge.
Venice's artisans today work in much the same way as their predecessors centuries before, an exceptional craftmanship that is not found anywhere else in the world. Meeting the Venetian crafters, engaging first-hand with the process of turning high-quality materials into finely made goods, is one of the best experiences to enjoy in the City of Water.
Explore what makes Venetian way of life unique by leaving the beaten track behind to enter into the depths of the city.
Art galleries and antique shops, strolling from San marco to Castello
You can, for example, stroll around Campo Santo Stefano - in the San Marco district - in the area between Calle delle Botteghe and Campo San Samuele, overlooking the Grand Canal. Here is a succession of art galleries, design ateliers, small artisan workshops and antique shops. Alternatively, you can walk along Barbaria de le Tole to Campo Santa Maria Formosa, in the Castello district, and from here head towards the Arsenale crossing small squares and alleyways lined with small shops selling ceramics, goldsmith's art, masks and textiles.
Under the Rialto arcades, traditional craftmanship and contemporary design
The ancient goldsmiths' street, under the Rialto arcades, today is one of the best places to shop in Venice. We are in the San Polo district. Since March 23, 1331, the Serenissima had designated this as the city’s location for Venetian goldsmiths' workshops. Today, the Sotoportego dei Oresi, at the foot of the Rialto Bridge, is a true district of high craftsmanship and contemporary design in Venice, including shops and ateliers for jewellery, artistic glass, fashion and furnishings.
Haute couture, from St. Mark’s Square to Rialto bridge
For lovers of haute couture, a stroll along Calle Vallaresso, Salizzada San Moisè and Calle Larga XXII Marzo, is an absolute must. Calle Vallaresso is a renowned luxury shopping destination: it is home to the boutiques of the most famous Italian and other international brands, as well as designer shops. Calle Larga XXII Marzo is characterised by haute couture boutiques, from handbags to clothes and leather goods, but also by shops selling handmade local products such as glass beads, Murano glassware and textiles. Also not to be missed are the luxurious shop windows along the Mercerie, a dense network of alleys connecting St. Mark's Square to Rialto.
Top experiences
- Murano: Artistic Glass
The art of glassmaking is the oldest and most esteemed craftsmanship practised in the Venetian lagoon, and today stands as a symbol of Italian artisanal excellence globally. On the island of Murano, the glassmaking capital, visitors encounter ancient furnaces and historic workshops at every turn, and marvel at mosaics and blown glass, “lume” glass beads, “murrine,” mirrors, and crystal chandeliers.
- Cannaregio and Castello: Venetian Glass Beads
Cannaregio and Castello are the Venetian districts where the art of Venetian glass beads has deep historical roots. Since 2020, this tradition has been recognised on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, underscoring its cultural significance.
- Burano: Needle Lace
Burano is renowned for its lace, meticulously handcrafted using only needle and thread. The secrets of this noble and ancient craft, which is a candidate for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, are preserved by master lace-makers organised within an association. Beyond their workshops on the island, these artisans can also be observed at the Lace Museum, diligently engaged in their intricate work.
- Pellestrina: Bobbin Lace
Distinct from Burano’s needle lace, Pellestrina’s lace is crafted by intertwining threads wrapped around specialised wooden spools known as bobbins. This traditional technique produces delicate lacework, reflecting the unique craftsmanship of the island.
- The Arsenale: High-end Italian Craftsmanship Fair
The Arsenale hosts the Salone dell'Alto Artigianato Italiano, showcasing the finest works by artisans from across Italy. This event celebrates every autumn Italian craftsmanship, set against the historic backdrop of the Venetian lagoon.