{"id":11316,"date":"2019-09-19T11:07:45","date_gmt":"2019-09-19T09:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=11316"},"modified":"2025-07-08T15:32:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T14:32:02","slug":"alternative-things-to-see-in-venice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice","title":{"rendered":"The Top Non-touristy Things to See in Venice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">When it comes to European destinations, Venice is instantly recognisable. You could show even the most unseasoned traveler an outline of its landscape and they\u2019d likely identify the Italian city at a glance!<\/p>\n<p>Comprised of more than 100 small islands separated by a network of canals, the capital of the Veneto region is ranked among the most beautiful cities in the world.<\/p>\n<p>But while it\u2019s certainly famous for its canals and gondolas, Venice is also comprised of intriguing little pockets\u2014<strong>things to see in Venice<\/strong> that those dreamy Instagram snaps don\u2019t always capture. There are plenty of <strong>alternative things to see in Venice<\/strong> that the guidebooks often overlook, ensuring every kind of traveler can find something special.<\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/venice-gondola.jpg\" alt=\"People riding on a gondola guided by two gondoliers in the Venice canal.\" \/><\/h2>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#6_Hidden_Highlights_Alternative_things_to_do_in_Venice\" >6 Hidden Highlights: Alternative things to do in Venice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#1_Visit_the_Artisti_Artigiani_del_Chiostro\" >1. Visit the Artisti Artigiani del Chiostro<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#2_Spend_time_on_the_sand_in_Alberoni\" >2. Spend time on the sand in Alberoni<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#3_Check_out_the_Liberty_Villas_of_Lido\" >3. Check out the Liberty Villas of Lido<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#4_Go_back_in_time_at_the_M9_Museum_in_Mestre\" >4. Go back in time at the M9 Museum in Mestre<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#5_Go_nautical_at_the_Naval_History_Museum\" >5. Go nautical at the Naval History Museum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#6_Visit_Rialto_Fish_Market_and_shop_like_a_local\" >6. Visit Rialto Fish Market and shop like a local<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#Take_a_Tour\" >Take a Tour:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/alternative-things-to-see-in-venice\/#Sites_visited_on_this_unforgettable_journey_include\" >Sites visited on this unforgettable journey include:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Hidden_Highlights_Alternative_things_to_do_in_Venice\"><\/span>6 Hidden Highlights: Alternative things to do in Venice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Avoiding typical tourist traps<\/strong> is something we all attempt to do when exploring a new city, but without the help of some pro travel tips, it can be a little tricky!<\/p>\n<p>Luckily for adventurous explorers, we chatted with <strong>local Walks guide Mos\u00e8<\/strong> to get his insights on the things to do and the places to see if you want a &#8216;non-touristy&#8217; plan when visiting the Floating City. If you\u2019re searching for truly unique <strong>things to see in Venice<\/strong>, this is the perfect place to start.<\/p>\n<p>From the <strong>Liberty Villas of Lido<\/strong> to local-led <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/venice-tours\/venice-food-tour\/\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Venice food tours<\/a>, here&#8217;s some of the best:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Visit_the_Artisti_Artigiani_del_Chiostro\"><\/span>1. Visit the Artisti Artigiani del Chiostro<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dmslwr07t9k.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<p>If art is your thing, then the <strong>Artisti Artigiani del Chiostro<\/strong> is an absolute must-see while visiting Venice.<\/p>\n<p>The ancient cloister of the former Convents of Cosma e Damiano, located on <strong>the island of Giudecca<\/strong>, is home to the workshops and studios of artists who specialise in an abundance of crafts. It offers visitors a <strong>unique insight into the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/venetian-palazzo-architecture-venice-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Venetian art<\/strong><\/a><strong> scene<\/strong>, along with the extraordinarily talented artists who populate it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a very interesting place to explore&#8221;, Walks guide Mos\u00e8 tells us. &#8220;And it can be a good excuse to explore the rest of the Giudecca Island, which is full of interesting sights!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Whether you fancy a casual browse or are looking for a more in-depth exhibition, a visit to the Artisti Artigiani del Chiostro during your time in Venice will no doubt be a rewarding one and is often overlooked among the well-known <strong>things to see in Venice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Spend_time_on_the_sand_in_Alberoni\"><\/span>2. Spend time on the sand in Alberoni<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/macondo-alberoni-venice.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<p>If you plan to visit Venice during the summer months then it\u2019s well worth making your way to the small town of <strong>Alberoni<\/strong>, located at the southern end of <strong>Lido Island<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Popular with locals who want to steer a little clear of the crowds, its beach is usually quite peaceful and comes as welcome respite from the more overcrowded areas of the Italian city.<\/p>\n<p>According to Walks guide Mos\u00e8, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dunealberoni.it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oasi WWF <strong>naturalistic resort<\/strong><\/a> is a good spot for seeing some wild animals. If bars are more your thing, <strong>Macondo<\/strong> (pictured above) on the Southern tip is worth a stop off for a cooling beverage or two.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Check_out_the_Liberty_Villas_of_Lido\"><\/span>3. Check out the Liberty Villas of Lido<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019re not done with the <strong>Lido Island<\/strong> just yet, folks!<\/p>\n<p>Before you gather your belongings and depart after an idyllic day on the sand, it\u2019s worth taking some time to wander through the island\u2019s central residential area.<\/p>\n<p>Why? Well, if you&#8217;re interested in the various forms of architecture which can be seen throughout Venice, it&#8217;s here you will find some truly wonderful examples of <strong>Stile Liberty architecture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t leave the island without ambling through the area and admiring its nod to the <strong>Art Nouveau era<\/strong> of architectural design\u2014another one of those less-heralded <strong>things to see in Venice<\/strong> for lovers of history and design.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/x3nsxldvo9o.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Go_back_in_time_at_the_M9_Museum_in_Mestre\"><\/span>4. Go back in time at the M9 Museum in Mestre<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re fascinated by Italy\u2019s complex history and keen to delve into its intricacies, there is perhaps no better way to do this than by a visit to the <strong>M9 Museum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The museum, which opened its doors in December 2018, is located in central Mestre &#8211; the city on the mainland right next to the lagoon. Designed by Berlin-based architectural firm Sauerbruch Hutton, its <strong>unique exterior<\/strong> ultimately gives way to a vast selection of interactive installations <strong>documenting the evolution of Italy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe museum has a bar, a restaurant and a shop, and it&#8217;s located within a <strong>newly restored area of the city<\/strong> that is surprisingly pleasant to explore!\u201d says Mos\u00e8.<\/p>\n<p>The permanent exhibition concerns the history of the 20th century and English explanations are available in every section. For more information, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.m9museum.it\/en\/welcome-m9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">m9museum.it\/en\/welcome-m9<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/flooding-acqua-alta-tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Venice&#8217;s Aqua Alta: A Survival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Go_nautical_at_the_Naval_History_Museum\"><\/span>5. Go nautical at the Naval History Museum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>History buffs, we have another gem in store for you, and it comes in the form of the <strong>Naval History Museum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Naval Museum is probably the lesser-visited museum of the city, but the power of the Republic of Venice in the past was all about the sea!\u201d Mos\u00e8 explains.<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, it\u2019s only logical that a visit to the Naval Museum should rank pretty high on your <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/budget-dining-in-venice-italy-with-cicchetti-at-bacari\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Venetian itinerary<\/a>, right?<\/p>\n<p>Located in the Castello <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/where-to-stay-in-venice-sestieri\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">district of Venice<\/a>, near the Venetian Arsenal, Mos\u00e8 urges visitors to make the most of their experience, advising: \u201cYou can &#8211; at certain times &#8211; enter the <strong>padiglione delle navi<\/strong>, a section of the Arsenal, [which is] the <strong>ancient shipyard of the Republic<\/strong>!\u201d<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/vlk6g2yfv7c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Visit_Rialto_Fish_Market_and_shop_like_a_local\"><\/span>6. Visit Rialto Fish Market and shop like a local<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the most universal areas we all try to avoid the &#8216;tourist traps&#8217; is when it comes to our food. But many of us find ourselves getting roped in to overpriced restaurants serving not-so-fresh dishes.<\/p>\n<p>Foodie spots such as <strong>Rialto Fish Market<\/strong> and the neighbourhood of <strong>Cannaregio<\/strong> are ideal for getting a feel for how the Venetians eat &#8211; and buy &#8211; their best food.<\/p>\n<p>Another good way to avoid tasteless menus and getting a more &#8216;authentic&#8217; experience? Find out where the locals eat by taking a local-led <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/venice-tours\/venice-food-tour\/\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">food tour!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Venice is often massively under-rated when it comes to cuisine, and that&#8217;s simply because people aren&#8217;t looking in the right places!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/get-ripped-venice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visiting Venice on a Budget<\/a><\/p>\n<p>So whether history and architecture floats your boat, or food and culture is more to your taste, going <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/day-trips-2\/best-day-trips-from-venice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>off the beaten track in Venice<\/strong><\/a> is always an enriching experience. With so many unusual and memorable <strong>things to see in Venice<\/strong>, what are you waiting for?!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_a_Tour\"><\/span>Take a Tour:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re eager to explore beyond the city\u2019s main attractions and discover Venice\u2019s enchanting outer lagoon, don\u2019t miss our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/venice-tours\/murano-burano-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premium Lagoon Excursion: Murano Glass Making, Burano<\/a>. This small-group experience whisks you away by private boat to the vibrant islands of Murano and Burano\u2014famous for their centuries-old glassmaking and colorful fishermen\u2019s houses. Highlights include a private Murano glassmaking demonstration without the crowds, a guided stroll through picturesque Burano. Here\u2019s what you can expect:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Private boat ride across the Venetian Lagoon<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>\u00a0Glassblowing demonstration in Murano<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Guided walk through colorful Burano<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Lace-making demonstration or lace museum visit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>\u00a0Free time on both islands to explore or shop<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sites_visited_on_this_unforgettable_journey_include\"><\/span>Sites visited on this unforgettable journey include:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>The island of Murano and its celebrated glass factory<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The storybook island of Burano<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>A hidden vineyard on Mazzorbo island<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/DSC_0700-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"The main canal of Burano\" \/>\n<p>Ready to make your Venice trip truly memorable? Book your spot on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/venice-tours\/murano-burano-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premium Lagoon Excursion: Murano Glass Making, Burano<\/a> for the ultimate off-the-beaten-path adventure and discover even more <strong>things to see in Venice<\/strong> that most visitors miss!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to European destinations, Venice is instantly recognisable. You could show even the most unseasoned traveler an outline of its landscape and they\u2019d likely identify the Italian city at a glance! Comprised of more than 100 small islands separated by a network of canals, the capital of the Veneto region is ranked among [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":11419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[65,61,136],"ppma_author":[167],"class_list":["post-11316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-act-like-a-local","tag-off-the-beaten-path","tag-venice"],"authors":[{"term_id":167,"user_id":60,"is_guest":0,"slug":"niamhwalks","display_name":"Niamh McClelland","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1440ec21dbbb99710386f92548527ac4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"McClelland","first_name":"Niamh","job_title":"","description":"Niamh McClelland is a Dublin-based writer. Marrying her interest in other cultures with her love of travel, she completed an MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology in Vienna in 2012, and went onto work in digital media, focussing predominantly on - yes, you guessed it - lifestyle, culture and travel. When she's not on the job, you'll find her planning her next trip, downloading yet another podcast, and wondering whether there exists a single dish which cheese can't enhance."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11316"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11316"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23737,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11316\/revisions\/23737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11316"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=11316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}