Venice is a beautiful city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Because of this it can get extremely crowded, and there will be times when you want to get off the beaten track. Fortunately there are lots of lesser known things to do in Venice: here are ten of them.
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1. Flooded Crypt Of San Zaccaria
As you might expect, water is a bit of a theme in Venice. The basements of many buildings are permanently flooded, and one place – the Church of San Zaccaria – has decided to make a feature of this flooding.
With its ornate interior and original artworks, San Zaccaria is worth a visit in its own right. However you should not miss the undercroft, where several notable Venetians were buried. The surface water combines with the columns and archways to create a beautiful space of light and reflections.
Access to the crypt is via a door to the right of the church entrance and there is a small entry charge. There is a raised walkway through the crypt but it is a good idea to have suitable footwear in case it is more flooded than usual!
2. Dorsoduro District
Dorsoduro is the university area of Venice: full of places to visit and things to see, but less crowded than other parts of the city. This is a place where people live and work, and it has a local feel, with busy piazzas, markets, cafés, and waterfront promenades.
But Dorsoduro is also packed with churches and artworks. Here you will find world class galleries – including the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection – and historic churches with masterpieces by Venetian artists including Tintoretto and Veronese.
Read more: Exploring The Dorsoduro District, Venice.
3. Cloister Of Santo Stefano
Many of Venice’s palazzi and other grand buildings have now been converted to a more everyday use. Some function as hotels or apartment blocks, and others have been taken over by the university or by government offices. But there are opportunities for the curious tourist to peek inside and appreciate their former glory.
One such building is the Cloister of Santo Stefano, adjoining the church of the same name in the Campo Santo Stefano. Rebuilt in 1529 and painted with frescoes, this was part of a medieval Augustinian monastery. Today it is occupied by the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian tax agency) but you can walk around during office hours. Most of the frescoes have now been removed but several ancient tombs remain.
When you leave, walk round to the other side of the building and look at it across the water from Campo Sant’Angelo. Here you will get a glimpse of Rio del Santissimo, a canal that goes right beneath the Church of Santo Stefano, the only underground canal in Venice.
4. The Islands Of Giudecca And San Giorgio
Located just across the Giudecca Canal from San Marco, the islands of Giudecca and San Giorgio offer a different perspective on the city. Take the vaporetto to the largely residential district of Palanca on Giudecca for attractive waterfront walks, local cafés and restaurants, and impressive views back towards Venice. Highlights include the Palladian Church of Il Redentore, canal side streets lined with old warehouses, and the creative spaces of the Giudecca Art District.
The neighbouring island of San Giorgio is small but there is plenty to see. The centrepiece is the magnificent Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, whose bell tower offers some of the best views in Venice. Visitors can also explore parts of the former monastery complex and browse exhibitions of contemporary art.
Read more: Visiting The Islands Of Giudecca And San Giorgio.
5. Scuola Grande Di San Marco
The Scuola Grande Di San Marco is really two sights in one. First there is the building itself, created to house the Confraternity of San Marco in 1260, and now used as a hospital. From the grand marble facade to the ornate interior, visitors can marvel at the architecture. In particular, the Chapter Room has a carved and gilded ceiling, and the walls are covered with Renaissance paintings.
The Scuola is also home to one of Venice’s many small museums, the Library of San Marco. This is an exhibition of medical treatises and instruments in use during the 19th and 20th centuries. Marvel (or shudder) at tools once used for amputation, gynaecology and more.
There is an entrance charge for the museum. Note that information is shown in Italian, and that some of the exhibits may be gruesome!
6. Shakespeare’s Venice
It is very unlikely that William Shakespeare ever visited Venice, but that didn’t stop him from setting two of his plays – The Merchant of Venice and Othello – in the city. Even if he had no firsthand knowledge, he would have been well aware of Venice as one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan trading centres of his day.
Today’s visitors can get a glimpse of some of the places and influences that would have been familiar to Shakespeare, even if only by repute. The historic Jewish Ghetto would certainly have been home to Shylock, and “Desdemona’s House” on the Grand Canal is said to have belonged to the man whose story inspired that of Othello.
Read more: Discovering Shakespeare’s Venice.
7. Rialto Markets
While the Rialto Bridge is certainly not off the beaten track, the markets that take place on the nearby canalside are more frequented by locals than by tourists. There are two markets: one selling fresh fruit, vegetables and groceries, and the Pescheria, full of locally-landed fish and seafood.
The markets are open every morning from Tuesday to Saturday. It is a great place to shop if you are self catering or just want to pick up some picnic food. Even if you aren’t buying, visit to soak up the atmosphere before stopping in one of the many local bars.
8. Palazzo Fortuny
The 15th century Palazzo Fortuny was originally a private dwelling. It was purchased by Mariano Fortuny, a Spanish fashion designer and art collector, in 1898. When he died he gifted the palace and its contents to the City of Venice.
The Palazzo Fortuny is now a museum and cultural centre. You can see Fortuny’s workshop, as well as his collections of artworks, including paintings, fabrics and fashion accessories. Temporary exhibitions showcase contemporary art and design, and there is also a programme of cultural events.
9. Giardini Reali
You might not expect to find a peaceful garden just a few minutes away from St Mark’s Square. But when I visited the Giardini Reali (Royal Gardens) – admittedly on a wet morning in November – there was no-one else there!
Built by the Emperor Napoleon on the side of the Grand Canal in 1806, the gardens were later opened to the public, and a greenhouse and coffee house were added. However, they were gradually forgotten and the site was abandoned. It was not until 2019 that the site was reclaimed and renovated: today visitors can enjoy the gardens, the pergola and the greenhouse, and even buy a drink in the very smart Coffee House.
10. Tours Off The Beaten Track
One way to get off the beaten track and to find places you might not have discovered for yourself is to take a tour with a local guide. Here are just a few possibilities:
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Walking Tour
- Secret Alleys and Legends Guided Walking Tour
- Secret Venice & Gondola Tour
- Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride
- Mysterious Tales of Ghosts and Murders
More Inspiration For Lesser Known Things To Do In Venice
Don’t be put off the city by tales of overcrowding. Measures such as the Venice Tourist Tax or the recent cruise ship ban are not designed to deter tourists, but to encourage them to explore more meaningfully, to get beyond the obvious tourist sights. It is very easy to get off the beaten track: there are literally dozens of lesser known places I could have included in this list.
And, for longer visits, you have the whole region of Veneto to explore: there are lots of choices for day trips from Venice.
