Venice is a nook-and-cranny city. It’s full of twisting alleyways that spin you in circles and then suddenly stop at a brick wall. There’s an abundance of unusual things to do in Venice Italy, because of how historical the city is.
That’s because Venice, Italy, is unusual all on its own. The city is as old as a millennium, with legend claiming that settlers officially came to the lagoon on the 25th of March, 421 A.D. During this lawless time period, the early settlers desired a place fortified by natural surroundings. What better protection than to build upon a lagoon unreachable by the mainland?
The city consists of a chaotic system of alleyways. The city map is a big middle finger to the straight grid lines that give us modern travelers a sense of whereabouts. Those winding alleyways that abruptly drop off into canals are reminders of its ancient past, making it unequivocally unique and individual in its ways.
This article covers some of the unusual and historical things to see and do in the city of Venice.
18 Unique & Unusual Things to Do in Venice Italy
Beyond the iconic gondola rides and visits to St. Mark’s Basilica lie a plethora of hidden gems and unique experiences waiting to be discovered.
From exploring lesser-known islands and secret gardens to uncovering quirky museums and participating in local traditions, there are countless unusual things to do in Venice Italy that reveal a different side of this enchanting city.
Ponte delle Tete
Cue the schoolchildren’s snickers from those who speak Italian. Ponte delle Tete is essentially translated to “Boob Bridge,” because of its somewhat quirky history. Venice was once ruled by royal families led by a Doge, or King, who oversaw the area. Doges were known to rule with an iron fist and weren’t exactly forgiving when it came to offenses on the lagoon.
Criminal offenders were often thrown into jail for an undetermined period of time (see also, the Bridge of Sighs).
When the soldiers carried away prisoners – often men – to their potentially life-long incarceration, wives and girlfriends would give their lovers a parting gift by flashing their bare chests. The Ponte delle Tete bridge just so happened to have a great viewpoint of the prison entrance, and that’s where those women stood.
The Bridge of Sighs
Following the theme of imprisonment and the brutal reign of the Doge, visiting the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most popular historical places to see in Venice Italy. There’s usually a massive crowd of people who occupy each step of the bridge.
Still, the Bridge of Sighs is worth seeing. As the legend goes, prisoners walking along the bridge toward the prison would crouch down and look through the peepholes carved into the marble.
It’s said that the soon-to-be prisoners gave one last look to the outside world, sighed sadly, and kissed their freedoms goodbye.
Sotoportego de la Corte Nova
The Plague (also the Black Death) claimed at least 25 million European lives between 1347 to 1352, approximately 40% of the entire continent’s population. It hit huge metropolitan cities and impacted small farming communities. In the Venice Lagoon, where there is only about 140 square kilometers of space, disease spread quickly among its inhabitants.
Except for one little neighborhood. Despite the mass deaths throughout Venice, the neighborhood of Corte Nova remained untouched by the Plague. At this time, Italians were extremely superstitious, and residents of this area believed the Virgin Mary was watching over them.
A small portico divided Corte Nova from the rest of the city, and locals had thought that the Virgin Mary had come down to bless the alleyway so that the disease would not enter.
You can still visit this portico and find a red rock slab in the center of the walkway, commemorating the Virgin Mary’s blessing. Just don’t step on the rock, unless you want to risk bad luck!
Marco Polo’s Birthplace
There’s a nondescript building that’s ignored and walked by on a minute-by-minute basis. While many tourists flock to San Marco or the Rialto Bridge, they walk right by the birthplace of Marco Polo, the most significant traveler in European history.
In 1271, at the tender age of 17, a young Marco Polo left his home in Venice, Italy, to journey on the trade route established by his merchant father and uncle. The three of them journeyed on the Silk Road through the Middle East, across Persia, ultimately leading to China.
They reached the court of Kublai Khan (the Grandson of Genghis Khan) in 1275. Polo went on to serve the Khan for 17 years, learning insurmountable information about Eastern culture and establishing a trade relationship between the two regions.
Upon his return to Italy, Marco Polo wrote “Il Milione,” a seminal account of his journey to the East. It’s still considered the most prolific travel journal of all time.Â
Read this: Il Milione by Marco Polo, His account of traveling from Italy to Mongolia along the Silk Road.Â
Explore the hidden gardens
Venice is known for its canals, but it also hides beautiful, lesser-known gardens, often tucked away from the public eye.
Seek out places like the Giardini Reali near St. Mark’s Square, the lush gardens of Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection), and the serene Giardino Eden on the Giudecca island.
Visit the Libreria Acqua Alta
This quirky bookstore is a must-visit for book lovers. Libreria Acqua Alta (High Water Bookstore) is famous for its creative way of dealing with Venice’s frequent floods: books are stored in bathtubs, waterproof bins, and even a full-sized gondola. It’s a cozy and chaotic space filled with treasures.
Not your average walking tour: Ghost tours of Venice
Discover a different side of Venice with a ghost tour. These tours delve into the city’s eerie legends and haunted sites, like the story of the infamous Poveglia Island, known as one of the most haunted places in the world.
This 1.5-hour-long tour is highly rated and explains the ancient city’s mysterious ghost legends and murders.
Explore the Venetian Lagoon by kayak
Yes! You can rent a kayak in the Venetian canals! Instead of the traditional gondola ride, consider exploring the canals and the Venetian Lagoon by kayak.
This eco-friendly option offers a unique perspective of the city’s waterways and hidden spots that are often missed by tourists.
Take a mask-making workshop
Dive into the art of mask-making, a craft tied to Venice’s famous Carnival. Some local artisans open up their workshops (yearround, so you don’t have to go during Carnival season) and offer workshops where you can create your own personalized Venetian mask.
Visit the Jewish Ghetto
The Jewish Ghetto in Venice is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1516. Explore the area’s rich history at the Jewish Museum and visit the historic synagogues.
Walk into one of the bakeries and order Impade, a classic Venetian-Jewish biscuit consisting of eggs, sugar, and almond flour. Often considered a pass-through, the Jewish Ghetto is a fascinating stopping point that’s an overlooked part of Venetian heritage.
Explore the Secret Itineraries of the Doge’s Palace
While the Doge’s Palace is a must-see, its Secret Itineraries tour takes you behind the scenes to explore hidden passages, secret rooms, and the infamous prison cells where Casanova was held. This tour offers a deeper look into Venice’s political and criminal history.
Attend a Vivaldi Concert
Experience the music of Venice’s famous composer, Antonio Vivaldi, in an authentic setting. Many churches and concert halls in Venice host performances of Vivaldi’s works, including “The Four Seasons,” played on period instruments. Heighten the experience by renting ornate costumes to attend the concert with a tour guide.
“Venice hosts one of the most unique Carnival festivals each February when people walk the streets in baroque gowns and ornate face masks. Read about Venice Carnival.”
Visit the Natural History Museum
Housed in the Fondaco dei Turchi, a historic palace on the Grand Canal, the Natural History Museum of Venice offers an intriguing collection of fossils, taxidermy, and ethnographic exhibits. It’s a great way to explore the natural history of the Venetian Lagoon and beyond.
Explore the Lace Museum on Burano
The island of Burano is famous for its colorful houses and lace-making tradition. The Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto) provides insight into this intricate craft, showcasing delicate lace pieces and the history of lace-making on the island.
Discover the Museo della Musica
This small but charming museum, located in the Church of San Maurizio, is dedicated to the history of music in Venice. It features a collection of antique musical instruments and offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich musical heritage.
See modern art at Punta della Dogana
Located in a former customs house, Punta della Dogana is a contemporary art museum that, along with the Palazzo Grassi, hosts rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. It’s an interesting contrast to Venice’s historic sites.
Check out the Venetian Arsenal
The Arsenale di Venezia is a historic shipyard and armory that was once the heart of Venice’s maritime empire. While parts of it are off-limits to the public, you can still explore sections of the Arsenale and learn about its significance in naval history.
Venture off the main island for a day trip
While many people tend to stay on the main island, Venice actually consists of 118 small islands, each one showing different sides of life on the Lagoon.
Murano is also incredibly popular because of its long history of glassmaking. You’ll also see Murano hand-blown glass for sale in many different Venetian shops.
I also love Burano. Be sure to stop at Trattoria da Romano, a historical restaurant in Burano known internationally for the Risotto di Gò (Goby fish rosotto). Loved by Hemingway, Matisse, and Anthony Bourdain!
FAQs for Your Consideration
What are the best small hotels near Venice’s hidden attractions?
Short-term rentals, like Airbnb and VRBO, are negatively impacting the housing market in Venice. I highly recommend you stay in a locally-owned bed and breakfast instead. I LOVED the Bianca Cappello House, which is only a few minutes from the Rialto Bridge.
How many days in Venice is enough?
I recommend at least 4-5 days in Italy for the average trip, but one week or even longer could be great for a slow travel experience.
While Venice Italy is relatively small, there is so much to discover here. You could literally get lost for days in the hidden passageways, not to mention the other islands you can day trip to.
Is Venice walkable?
Yes! In fact, it has to be walkable. Besides gondolas and water taxis, the only way to move around this city is on foot. Bikes are not allowed, and of course, neither are cars. You can walk the full main island of Venice in under a day.
Is Venice worth visiting?
Yes, despite the challenges with overtourism, Venice is worth visiting at least once in your lifetime. While I was conducting interviews about global overtourism, a local of Venice admitted, “There is truly no other place in the world like it.”
