The allure and fading charm of Venice, Italy, have captivated artists, writers, and filmmakers for generations. Perhaps your parents have an image of themselves feeding pigeons in Piazza San Marco (an activity not permitted today), or maybe your grandparents shared cherished tales from their gondola rides along the city’s waterways. Nonetheless, as travel expert Rick Steves points out, the popular tourist areas only tell part of Venice’s story.
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, Steve informs us that our focus should extend beyond just the well-known parts of
Venice — a city gradually subsiding
— If you’re aiming for the ultimate experience, consider straying from the typical route. On his previous visit, he avoided Piazza San Marco for two whole days and explored lesser-known areas instead. “The true charm of this captivating city lies hidden within its side streets,” he remarks. Throughout his journey, he discovered an unusually broad thoroughfare that used to be a canal and stumbled upon a closed-off inverted angle near a beautiful church; reportedly, they installed a gate here to prevent people from using it as a restroom.
Certainly, there is far more to discover about the lesser-known aspects of Venice. All you need to do is engage in a little exploration—whether by wandering through neighborhoods less frequented by other visitors or taking
vaporetto, or water taxi, the cheapest way to get around Venice
. You have the option to explore the place on your own, or go for an extravagant experience instead.
Steves often suggests, a local, professional tour guide
If you start your vacation this way, you might pick up some pointers on spots that aren’t typically visited by most travelers.
Read more:
The Most Overcrowded Destinations in Europe
A Few Suggestions for Exploring Less-Traveled Spots in Venice
Strolling through the city streets or riding the vaporetto will reveal a plethora of intriguing spots and sights. Just under half a mile from Piazza San Marco lies the Libreria Acqua Alta, a distinctive bookstore where numerous volumes are stored inside gondolas, canoes, boats, and various items designed to protect them from moisture. However, be cautious as both the shop and large parts of Venice may experience flooding during periods of acqua alta—extremely high tide levels. The store is home to several feline residents who roam freely; additionally, it features an exit leading right to the canal and a stairway constructed from recycled old books awaiting repurposing. Note that there’s no car parking available nearby, making walking your ideal approach here. Closeby stands the Chiesa di San Zaccaria, a stunning church whose crypt has faced inundation over hundreds of years. This eerie yet captivating site certainly merits exploration.
An additional place worth exploring is the Ghetto Ebraico in Cannaregio, where you can meander around or join a Cannaregio and Jewish Ghetto food tour to savor the local cuisine. While strolling through the Venetian streets, you may come across places such as the Sotoportego de la Corte Nova—a passageway connecting Calle Zorgi with Corte Nova. Dating back to the 1600s, this location boasts stunning artwork, an intricately adorned ceiling, and a small votive chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Legend suggests that it was initially erected by someone fearful of the plague. Just be sure not to tread on the orange tiles when passing through; doing so is considered unlucky.
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