With its beautiful canals, stunning architecture, and rich history, it's little wonder that Venice has found its way onto so many people's travel bucket list. Understandably, most people also want to pick up a souvenir or two to commemorate their visit to the city. With souvenir shops, artisanal boutiques, and designer stores dotted throughout the city, shopping has become a key part of many a Venetian itinerary. As an added perk, exploring local markets and visiting artisanal boutiques can also be a great way to get to know the city beyond its famous landmarks.
Finding the best shopping spots, avoiding cheap knockoffs, and navigating the local language will be that much easier with a local in the know, so why not head out for your shopping expedition with one of our private guides? Here are the top 5 shopping spots in Venice to help get you inspired.
1. Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fondaco dei Tedeschi is a high-end shopping center which, true to Venetian standards, is housed in a beautiful Renaissance-era building. Looking over the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge, the structure was first built in the 1200s and later rebuilt during the 16th century. Today, the building is home to local and international luxury boutiques, including Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Max Mara, Manolo Blahnik, and many, many more.
Besides high-end shopping and cultural performances (including art exhibitions and musical acts), Fondaco dei Tedeschi also offers some of the best views in Venice from its famous rooftop terrace. Visiting the rooftop is free of charge, but due to limited space, a prior booking is highly recommended.
2. Rialto Market
Visiting local markets is often the best way to get a feel of the local way of life, and Venice is no exception. There are a few markets dotted throughout the City of Canals (ask your private guide to point out the best ones!) and out of these, Rialto Market is the most famous. It's best to visit this lively market first thing in the morning, when vendors are setting up shop and shoppers are arriving at the scene.
The stalls here are bursting with fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat. Venice is a coastal city, so it follows that there is also a large fish market attached to the main market. Granted, if you're staying in a hotel, it's unlikely you'll be doing much cooking while you're in town, but visiting Rialto Market is well worth it for the ambiance and setting alone. The market is located just a hop and a skip from the famous Rialto Bridge, and it seems safe to say that this is one of the most beautiful marketplaces found anywhere in the world.
3. Salizada San Moise & Calle Larga XXII Marzo
If you are a friend of high fashion and want to pick up some branded luxury goods during your stay in Venice, make your way over to Salizada San Moise. This street sits right off St. Mark's Square and is home to all the Italian and international luxury boutiques you could ask for, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Cartier, and more. From Salizada San Moise, continue your journey over the petite Ponte San Moise.
This small bridge will bring you to Calle Larga XXII Marzo which is lined with even more luxury stores, such as Chanel, Saint Laurent, Emporio Armani, and Gucci. All the stores are housed in beautiful historic buildings, with large display windows offering a taste of the wonders waiting inside. You can take your time and visit as many boutiques as you like along the way, as the two streets combined are only 300 meters from end to end.
4. Libreria Acqua Alta
Book lovers rejoice! The most famous bookstore in Venice is well worth visiting just for the photo ops alone - though we definitely recommend picking up some reading material while you're at it. Regularly touted as the most beautiful bookstore in the world, Libreria Acqua Alta (High Water Bookstore in Italian), has weather-proofed its impressive book collection against Venice's infamous floods by storing titles in waterproof containers - namely bathtubs and boats.
The tiny shop, which is in fact regularly flooded, is filled with books, magazines, and other paraphernalia for book lovers to enjoy. The collection features both new and used books, including many titles about the city of Venice itself. Libreria Acqua Alta also has a good selection of postcards and posters, which make for great souvenirs.
5. Murano & Burano
Beautiful glasswork and intricate lace are arguably the most famous Venetian handicrafts. If you're looking to bring some back home with you, why not go straight to the source? The cluster of islands known as Murano is, of course, the birthplace of world-famous Murano glass, so you can purchase items directly from the glass factories. Burano, on the other hand, is the place to shop for fine Venetian lace. The sheer volume of goods can feel overwhelming, and it can be tricky for a visitor to know which store or factory to choose.
That's why we recommend visiting Murano and Burano with a local guide who will guide you to the most reputable vendors and help overcome any language barriers which may arise. Even if you don't end up buying anything, the scenic boat ride over to these islands makes the outing well worth the effort.
Conclusion
Though most people come to Venice to admire the city's piazzas, palazzos, and gondolas, Italy's floating city also offers great shopping opportunities - from unique souvenirs to extravagant designer goods. If you're looking to buy authentic local goods, it's best to stay on your toes, as many of the seemingly local souvenirs and even products stamped with "Made in Italy" are nowadays imported from overseas.
A private tour with a local guide is the best way to ensure you're actually buying local goods. As an added bonus, this local insight will also introduce you to this beautiful Italian city beyond the beaten track. Happy shopping!