Discover Venice, the Serenissima, off the beaten track! Discover the countless wonders of Venice away from the crowds.
To avoid the crowds of tourists that descend on the city at the start of summer, you’re better off going in autumn or spring. You can sometimes avoid long waits by taking advantage of special reservations. Don ‘t hesitate to explore Venice in an unusual way: follow the deserted streets and you may find a small square where you can enjoy a quiet drink on a terrace, or a garden where you can relax for a brief moment. Surprise guaranteed!
In the meantime, here’s a selection of 8 unusual places to visit in Venice off the beaten track.
1. Santa Maria dei Miracoli church
Photo credit: Flickr – Gary Campbell-Hall
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its semi-circular roof and the almost pastel colors of its facades. This Renaissance-style church stands out from the rest for its charm and finesse. The interior features a single nave and a cupola, with walls covered in polychrome marble. The wooden ceiling is decorated with paintings of patriarchs and prophets.
Admission is €3 per person and free for children under 10. The church is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Sundays after the service. To get there, here’s the map
2. Madonna dell’Orto church
Photo credit: Flickr – Shann Yu
This time, you have a rendezvous with pointed roofs, erected straight up to the sky. It’s a beautiful Gothic church. It features a cloister and paintings by Tintoretto.
Admission is €2.5 per person. The church is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm (closed on Sundays, December 25, January 1, Easter and August 15). Here’s the map to get there
3. Santi Giovanni e Paolo church
Photo credit: Flickr – Fif’
This typical Venetian Gothic church-basilica is one of Venice’s most imposing religious buildings. Unique for its red brick and white marble facade, it houses the tombs of some twenty Doges, all of whom rival each other in beauty.
Admission is €3.5 for adults and €1.5 for students. The church is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00. Here’s the map to get there
4. Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Photo credit: Flickr – Fif’
Visit the famous spiral staircase outside the Venetian palace to admire the magnificent white arches (Gothic and Byzantine architecture). This famous staircase gave its name to the Contarini del Bolovo palace (Bovolo meaning snail in Venetian).
Admission is €5 per person.
The palace is open every day except Monday from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays, August 15, November 1, December 25 and January 1.
Here’s the map to get there.
5. Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Photo credit: Flickr – London Road
The Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is the largest church in Venice, built in Gothic style. It houses the heart of the painter Titian.
Admission is €3 per person. The Basilica is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00. Here’s the map to get there.
6. Natural History Museum
Photo credit: Flickr – Venice Wiki
The Natural History Museum is a former 13th-century palace of the Palmieri-Pesaro family. For the enjoyment of children and adults alike, this museum houses remarkable collections. It’s a place steeped in history and modernity.
Admission is €8 per person. The museum is open from April 1 to October 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – November 1 to March 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (closed on Mondays, January 1, December 25 and May 1). Here’s the map to get there.
7. La Ca’ Pesaro
Photo credit: Flickr – Shann Yu
This baroque palace houses the Museum of Oriental Art and the Gallery of Modern Art. It contains works by Klimt, including his « Salome », Kandinsky, Matisse and Rodin, among others.
Admission is €10.5 per person. You can book your ticket in advance here. The museum is open every day except Monday, January 1, May 1 and December 25. From April 1 to October 31 from 10:00 to 18:00 and from November 1 to March 31 from 10:00 to 17:00. Here’s how to get there
8. Acqua Alta di Frizzo Luigi bookshop
Photo credit: Flickr – Stefano Montagner
The Acqua Alta bookshop is one of Venice’s most unusual addresses and well worth a visit. When you enter the bookshop, you enter a strange world of boats filled with books! A must-see if you’re passing by!
The bookshop is open every day from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm. Here’s how to get there
Transport in Venice
To get to Venice, there are several air connections via Marco Polo airport from France (Bordeaux, Paris, Marseille), and the Venice-Mestre train station is served by city buses and a link to Venice international airport (€6). Boats also run between the airport and the City of the Doges: departure from St. Mark’s Square with the Alilaguna company. Duration: 1h30. Price: approx. €15.
To get around Venice, there are various public transport systems, although the best solution is to get around on foot. You can use the vaporetti, the water buses of the ACTV network. You can also take the famous Venetian gondolas, but the fares are rather excessive. We can only recommend walking to discover Venice off the beaten track and its different districts.
A few tips for an unusual visit to Venice
The Museum Pass, which gives access to the Fondation Querini Stampalia and the Jewish Museum/ Valid for 7 days, it authorizes only one entry per museum. Discounts available at partner hotels and restaurants – see card description.
The ACTV Pass: cards valid for between 1 and 7 days of transport (unlimited access on buses and vaporetti). A smart way to save money!
The Rolling Venice Card: for young people aged 6 to 29, it offers discounts on public transport(vaporetti). The €6 card is valid until the end of the calendar year.
N.B.: Transport for children up to the age of five is free of charge.
Pocket glossary: a few handy words
Buongiorno – Bonjour
Ciao – Salut
Mi chiamo – Je m’appelle
Grazie – Merci
Per favore – S’il vous plait
Arrivederci – Au revoir
Buonasera – Bonsoir
Buona giornata – Bonne journée
Buona notte – Bonne nuit
Potreste aiutarci – Pourriez-vous nous aider?
Quanto? – Combien?
Sì/No – Yes/No
Enjoy an unusual visit to Venice!
Main photo credit: Pixabay