Hidden Gems in Venice: How To Get off the Beaten Path

While the crowds wait for hours to ascend St. Mark’s Bell Tower, you can enjoy virtually the same view just a short walk from the square at the 14th-century Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo—one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

The Bovolo Staircase winds its way up inside a cylindrical tower along the palace’s facade, offering glimpses of the city through the arches that line the steps all the way to the observation platform at the top. Admire Venice’s landmarks across the rooftops from this bird’s-eye perch on your own, or add it to a personalized itinerary on a private Venice walking tour.

The lion’s share of visitors to Venice stick to the attractions clustered in the San Marco sestiere (neighborhood), so cross the Grand Canal to explore the winding lanes and placid canals of nearby Dorsoduro. By day, you can take a museum tour to explore the spectacular collections in the Accademia Gallery, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Ca’ Rezzonico, or pop into the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Church of San Sebastiano to marvel at Venetian masterpieces on the fly.

As the sun sets, head to Fondamenta delle Zattere for a truly local experience in Venice—residents and university students come here to mix at the canal-side bars and cafés.

Murano and Burano top the list of must-see Venice Islands, but these lagoon outposts heave with large group tours all day long. Instead, take a private water taxi or public vaporetto (water bus) to one of their sleepier neighbors.

Just opposite Burano, the island of Mazzorbo is home to Venissa, the city’s only winery that offers vineyard and cellar tours, wine tastings, and gourmet meals. To the north, Torcello is said to be where Venice was founded, and history buffs can explore the Byzantine–era Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Museo Provinciale di Torcello before tucking into a plate of lagoon fish at one of the island’s traditional restaurants.

One of the most unique things to do in Venice may surprise you. The Floating City is not often considered a seaside resort, but it sits right on the sunny Adriatic coast, and its Lido island is lined with beach clubs that rent umbrellas and loungers for a day of basking and bathing.

Join the locals (and guests of the island’s high-end hotels) to relax along the waterfront, or explore by bike or on foot on a cycling tour or nature walk. Either way, you’ll enjoy a respite from the crowds and a glimpse of another side of Venice on this under-the-radar island just a 30-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square.

The Correr Museum tops the list of quiet spots in Venice, though it sits directly opposite the churning crowds visiting St. Mark’s Basilica. Admission here is included with tickets to the Doge’s Palace—along with entry to the city’s National Archaeological Museum and Marciana Library—but few tourists cross the square to explore its collection of documents, artifacts, and artworks that illustrate Venice’s history.

After a city tour or gondola ride, wander the silent galleries to take in works by Canova and other Venetian artists, leaving time for a quick stop at the even quieter archaeological museum and library just around the corner.

No authentic Venice travel guide would be complete without a mention of the city’s most important—and most overlooked—feature: the Venetian Lagoon. While boat tours through the Venice canal neighborhoods are among the most popular experiences for visitors, these narrow waterways are often packed with gondolas and motorboats.

Instead, put some distance between yourself and the heavy boat traffic by striking out farther afield into the lagoon by boat or on a guided kayaking trip. Pass by pristine islets, thick with waterfowl and other marine animals, and learn more about the local ecosystem and its relationship with the city.

Much of central Venice has been entirely taken over by hotels and other tourist-focused services, but that doesn’t mean that no residents remain. To experience what day-to-day life looks like for locals, head to the Giudecca neighborhood, made up of an undulating group of islands south of the city.

This relaxed area offers a handful of sights—including San Giorgio Maggiore—but most visitors are here for the authentic atmosphere. By night, the northern waterfront promenade, or fondamenta, is where Venetians head for cicchetti (local small plates) and drinks or dinner in one of the many restaurants.

Day-trippers and cruisers have just enough time to visit St. Mark’s Basilica, leaving the city’s lesser-known churches and scuole (religious confraternities) out of the spotlight. This is good news for art lovers looking for less-crowded sights in Venice.

Heavy hitters such as the Frari Church and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco attract a significant number of visitors; however, you’ll enjoy a far more peaceful experience when viewing works by Paolo Veronese in the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo and Tintoretto masterpieces at the Madonna dell’Orto. You can also admire the facades of sleeper hits such as the Church of San Zaccaria, Santa Maria Formosa, and Santa Maria dei Miracoli on a private architecture tour.

Venice was once one of the wealthiest maritime republics in the world, and fine textiles and perfumes from across the world were traded here. Delve into this rarified history at the Study Centre of the History of Textiles, Costumes and Perfume within the Mocenigo Palace.

This unique collection highlights Venice’s fashions and perfumes in the 17th and 18th centuries, filling 20 rooms with historic clothing and accessories, plus a hands-on perfume exhibit. Most tourists miss this unique palace and its collection, despite the relatively central location in the Santa Croce neighborhood; you can peruse the intricately embroidered gowns and glass perfume jars without constant jostling.