Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world—and for good reason. With its gondola-filled canals, golden mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica, and legendary landmarks like the Doge’s Palace, it’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of the “must-sees.”
But what if you’ve already seen them? Or what if you’re the kind of traveler who wants more than just standing in line for a selfie on the Rialto Bridge?
If you’re asking “What are some non-touristy things to do in Venice?” — you’re not alone. And the good news is: there are plenty of hidden gems, quiet corners, and local experiences that let you explore the real Venice, far from the cruise ship crowds and souvenir stands.
At Tour Leader Venice, we specialize in helping travelers—especially Americans—connect with the authentic, human, and historical layers of the city. Below, you’ll find our guide to the best non-touristy things to do in Venice, including slow adventures, secret islands, local artisans, and immersive cultural experiences.
Let’s go beyond the postcards—and into the soul of La Serenissima.
1. Wander the Dorsoduro District
Dorsoduro is Venice’s bohemian heart—a quieter, artsy neighborhood with wide canals, leafy squares, student vibes, and fewer crowds.
Here, you can:
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Stroll along the Zattere waterfront, soaking up views of the Giudecca Canal
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Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of Europe’s top modern art museums
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Explore Campo Santa Margherita, a lively square with students, wine bars, and bakeries
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Cross the Ponte dell’Accademia for a stunning view of the Grand Canal
Locals live here. Artists live here. And the pace of life is deliciously slow.
2. Visit the Mercato di Rialto—Before 10:00 AM
While the Rialto Bridge is packed with tourists, the Mercato di Rialto (the local food market) is where real Venetians shop—especially early in the morning.
Arrive before 10:00 AM to see:
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Fishermen unloading fresh seafood
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Locals choosing fruits and vegetables by touch and smell
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The rhythm of daily life in full swing
Skip the touristy spritz at the bridge and head to one of the nearby bacari (Venetian wine bars) for a glass of wine and cicchetti like baccalà mantecato (whipped codfish). Or better yet—join one of our Venice food tours, guided by a local who knows the best stalls and stories.
3. Cross the Lagoon to Murano—and Go Beyond the Front Row Shops
Yes, Murano is famous for its glass. But many visitors stop at the first few shops near the boat stop, missing the authentic studios and historical soul of the island.
True Murano glass is not a brand—it’s a craft that’s been alive for over 700 years. Skip the tourist shops and visit real furnaces, where master artisans still shape glowing glass into art by hand.
Better yet, let us guide you on a Murano glass workshop or live demonstration with one of the island’s most respected studios—places you wouldn’t find on your own.
Explore narrow alleys, visit the Glass Museum, and see San Donato Church with its 12th-century mosaic floor. Murano has quiet charm if you know where to look.
4. Explore Burano for Color—and Lace
Everyone posts pictures of Burano’s colorful houses, but few take time to explore the island’s lace-making tradition.
This small fishing island northeast of Venice is a visual dream—but it’s also a living museum of one of Europe’s most delicate art forms: needle lace. Handmade Burano lace is an endangered craft kept alive by a few dedicated women and schools.
Visit:
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The Burano Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto)
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A local lace-maker’s home or studio (we can arrange private visits)
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A trattoria for freshly caught seafood risotto
Just be aware: many “Burano lace” souvenirs sold in tourist shops aren’t actually from Burano. We’ll show you where to find the real thing.
5. Attend a Vivaldi Concert in a Baroque Church
Forget large concert halls. In Venice, music comes alive in sacred spaces.
Antonio Vivaldi, the Baroque master behind The Four Seasons, was born in Venice—and many churches still perform his works using original instruments.
Look for evening concerts at:
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Chiesa di San Vidal
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Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà (where Vivaldi once taught orphaned girls)
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Scuola Grande di San Teodoro
The atmosphere is intimate. The music is powerful. And the experience is one of Venice’s best-kept cultural secrets.
6. Take a Venice Boat Tour—But Avoid the Grand Canal
Instead of a crowded vaporetto or a gondola along touristy routes, take a private boat tour through Venice’s back canals or across the lagoon.
With Tour Leader Venice, you can enjoy:
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A Venice tour of the canals with private boat
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A sunset Riva yacht cruise in the Venetian Lagoon
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Lagoon tours to forgotten islands like Sant’Erasmo, Torcello, or San Francesco del Deserto
This is Venice from the water, as it was meant to be seen—peaceful, personal, and far from the crowds.
7. Discover the Jewish Ghetto of Venice
The Venetian Ghetto (in Cannaregio) was the first “ghetto” in Europe, established in 1516. It’s rich in culture, memory, and meaning—and surprisingly quiet.
Today, you can visit:
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The Jewish Museum of Venice
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Several historic synagogues
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Kosher bakeries and restaurants
We offer guided walking tours through the area, sharing stories of art, persecution, resilience, and Jewish life past and present.
8. Get Lost on Purpose
This isn’t a cliché—it’s a strategy.
Venice rewards those who get away from maps and follow their instincts. Take a right where everyone else takes a left. Cross bridges without knowing where they lead. Duck into courtyards. Look up. Sit still.
Wander the sestieri (neighborhoods) of Castello, Santa Croce, and San Polo, and you’ll find:
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Laundry lines between buildings
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Artisanal mask shops with no signage
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Cats guarding doorways
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Whisper-quiet canals
In a city without cars, walking without a plan is the greatest luxury.
9. Visit the Squero di San Trovaso (A Real Gondola Workshop)
Tucked in a quiet corner of Dorsoduro, this is one of the last active gondola boatyards in Venice.
At the Squero di San Trovaso, you can:
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Watch gondolas being repaired and built by hand
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Learn how each boat is tailored to the gondolier
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Take stunning photos of a rare, working boatyard
We can organize private behind-the-scenes visits to this and other artisan workshops, including mask-makers, oar carvers, and glass sculptors.
10. Take a Daytrip to the Prosecco Hills or Padua
Looking for a break from the lagoon? Consider a non-touristy daytrip:
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Prosecco Hills (UNESCO site): Tour vineyards, meet winemakers, and taste the finest Italian bubbles just 90 minutes from Venice.
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Padua: Home to Giotto’s frescoes, the world’s oldest university botanical garden, and a beautiful café culture.
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Brenta Riviera: A slow cruise along the Brenta Canal past 18th-century villas once owned by Venice’s elite.
Tour Leader Venice can handle all logistics, including stress-free transfers and expert guides.
11. Join a Local Festival or Regatta
Venice still lives by the rhythm of its traditions. Depending on when you visit, you might catch:
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La Festa della Salute (November): A candlelit pilgrimage to thank the Madonna for saving Venice from the plague.
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Regata Storica (September): A colorful boat parade and race along the Grand Canal.
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Festa di San Martino (November): Kids banging pots and pans, dressed as St. Martin, collecting sweets.
These events aren’t tourist shows—they’re Venice being Venice, and they’re deeply moving to witness.
12. Taste the Lagoon: A Slow, Seasonal Venetian Lunch
Want to feel like a Venetian for a day?
We’ll take you to a real osteria or trattoria, far from the menu-touristico crowds. Eat what the lagoon and market offer that morning: maybe mołéche (soft-shell crabs), seppie al nero (cuttlefish in ink), or risotto di gò (goby fish risotto from Burano).
Pair it with local white wine from the Veneto, and finish with grappa or sgroppino (lemon sorbet and vodka).
13. Visit the Islands No One Talks About
Everyone knows Murano, Burano, and Torcello. But what about:
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San Francesco del Deserto: A monastery island with gardens and silence.
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Lazzaretto Nuovo: Venice’s former quarantine island, now an open-air museum.
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Sant’Erasmo: Venice’s vegetable garden, with artichoke farms and wine.
These require local knowledge—but that’s what we’re here for.
14. Explore Venetian Contemporary Art Spaces
Tired of Gothic arches and Renaissance altarpieces?
Explore:
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Punta della Dogana (contemporary art in a restored customs house)
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Fondazione Prada
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Venetian galleries hidden in palaces and private homes
Or come during the Venice Biennale and see cutting-edge art and architecture scattered across the city.
15. Stay in a Quiet Sestiere and Live Like a Local
Skip the hotel near San Marco. We help guests book authentic apartments or boutique stays in neighborhoods like Cannaregio, Giudecca, or Dorsoduro—where the bells ring, laundry dries, and locals say “ciao” as they walk their dogs.
Final Thoughts: Go Beyond the Tourist Trail — And Fall in Love with the Real Venice
So, what are some non-touristy things to do in Venice?
Plenty.
From Murano’s real glassmakers to Burano’s disappearing lace, from forgotten churches to secret gardens, from island vineyards to backyard boatyards — Venice is full of hidden treasures if you know where (and how) to look.
And that’s exactly what Tour Leader Venice does best.
Let Tour Leader Venice Help You Discover the Other Side of the City
Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, we’ll help you design a personalized Venice experience built around real life, not just tourist lines.
✅ Small-group or private Venice walking tours
✅ Visits to authentic Murano workshops
✅ Daytrips and excursions beyond the city
✅ Insider access to hidden churches, ateliers, and concerts
✅ Stress-free logistics with local advice and support
📩 Ready to explore Venice the way locals do?
Visit www.tourleadervenice.com or contact us today to start planning your non-touristy, unforgettable experience in Venice.
