What’s a Good Gift to Bring Back from Venice? 🎁 A Local’s Guide to Authentic Venetian Souvenirs
Venice is a city like no other — elegant, enchanting, and full of soul. But after the gondola rides and the candlelit dinners, one question always lingers:
What’s a good gift to bring back from Venice?
Whether you’re after a meaningful keepsake, a luxury collectible, or something small yet authentic, the lagoon city offers far more than postcards and plastic gondolas. In this guide, we reveal the most authentic Venetian souvenirs — with insider tips on what to buy, where to shop, and how to tell the real from the fake. From Murano glass to handmade paper, artisan jewelry to gourmet treats, every item here carries a story of Venice itself.
Before we begin, you might enjoy our related stories: 👉 How to Spot Real Murano Glass 👉 Venetian Cicchetti 101
🛍️ Why Venice Is a Paradise for Unique Gifts
Long before Amazon, Venice was the original marketplace of the world — a place where glassblowers, goldsmiths, perfumers, and silk weavers crafted treasures for emperors and explorers. Those traditions still exist today, hidden behind narrow alleys and humble shop doors.
The trick? Avoid the souvenir stands selling magnets and plastic gondolas. The real Venice is found in artisan workshops, family-run boutiques, and studios where craftsmanship is still a living art.
💎 #1 Gift from Venice: Authentic Murano Glass
When people ask what Venice is famous for, Murano glass always tops the list. Handmade on the island of Murano for over a thousand years, it’s a masterpiece of color, fire, and precision — part science, part poetry.
What to Buy
- Glass jewelry (necklaces, earrings, cufflinks)
- Candleholders and vases
- Decorative sculptures or bowls
- Murano glass wine glasses or carafes
How to Tell It’s Real
- It’s made on Murano Island (ask to see the furnace or workshop)
- Comes with a Vetro Artistico® Murano certificate
- Has subtle imperfections — a hallmark of hand-blown work
- Never mass-produced or molded abroad
For deeper insight into this art, see our story Authentic Murano Glass: How to Spot the Real Thing.
🎭 Handmade Venetian Masks
Venetian masks are more than Carnival souvenirs — they’re wearable art. Each has a story, a symbolism, and a craftsmanship that goes back to the Renaissance.
Types of Masks
- Bauta: Full-face, gilded, traditional mask of intrigue
- Volto (Larva): White ghostlike mask used in classic masquerades
- Colombina: Half-face, jeweled or feathered
- Medico della Peste: The long-beaked “Plague Doctor” — Venice’s darkly iconic design
How to Choose an Authentic One
- Look for papier-mâché, not plastic
- Check for hand-painting and the artist’s signature
- Buy directly from studios using real tools and pigments
Recommended workshops: Ca’ Macana in Dorsoduro (used by Hollywood productions), Tragicomica in San Polo, and Carta Alta in Cannaregio (which also offers painting classes).
Read more about this tradition in Create Your Own Masterpiece: Venetian Mask Workshop.
🍝 Gourmet Gifts: Bring Venice to Your Table
The taste of Venice makes the best souvenir of all. From lagoon seafood flavors to sweet treats, you can take a piece of Venetian cuisine home — or gift it to fellow food lovers.
- Prosecco DOCG: From the Prosecco Hills.
- Torrone and Zaleti: Classic Venetian nougat and raisin cookies.
- Bigoli pasta & polenta flour: Staples of lagoon kitchens.
- Venetian spice blends: Hints of cinnamon and clove, just like in sarde in saor.
Where to shop: Drogheria Mascari near Rialto for spices and liquors, La Bottega del Gusto for gourmet baskets, and Casa del Parmigiano for vacuum-sealed cheeses.
For a taste-first approach, explore Venice’s best restaurants and foodie tips.
👗 Fashion & Jewelry: Venetian Elegance
Venice’s fashion scene whispers rather than shouts. It’s silk, gold leaf, and handmade shoes — quiet luxury shaped by tradition.
- Murano glass jewelry with modern design flair
- Fortuny silk scarves and textiles
- Hand-stitched leather handbags from local artisans
- Classic furlane slippers from Piedàterre
Want to understand how Venice weaves beauty into fabric? Discover Inside Tessitura Bevilacqua — one of the city’s last silk workshops.
📚 Handmade Paper, Books & Stationery
Venice was once the printing capital of Europe — and that legacy lives on in its marbled papers and hand-bound journals.
- Artisan notebooks and calligraphy sets
- Watercolor maps and prints
- Handmade bookmarks or travel diaries
Shop at Il Papiro for classic Florentine marbling, Plum Plum Creations for local prints, or Lineadacqua for artist-made books. Curious about how it’s made? Read Traditional Marbled Paper Making Workshop in Venice.
🎨 Art & Prints from Local Creatives
Forget mass-produced canvases — real Venetian art lives in the small studios of Dorsoduro, San Polo, and Giudecca.
- Original watercolors and etchings
- Limited-edition prints and handmade maps
- Mini canvases of Venice’s canals, painted plein air
Support local artists you can meet in person — often painting just outside their doors along the Zattere. For inspiration, read Venice Beyond the Biennale.
🌿 Perfumes, Soaps & the Scents of Venice
Did you know Venice was once Europe’s perfume capital? Centuries ago, spices from the East fueled a booming fragrance trade.
- Handmade soaps scented with lagoon herbs
- Perfumes from niche Venetian perfumeries
- Natural skincare from island botanicals
Top picks: The Merchant of Venice for classic blends, Mavive for family-run elegance, and Naya Venice for eco-conscious formulas.
🎶 Musical Memories & Cultural Keepsakes
Venice’s soundtrack isn’t just gondoliers singing “O Sole Mio.” This city gave the world Vivaldi, La Fenice Opera House, and a legacy of music that still fills the air.
- Mini violins and decorative sheet music
- Opera-themed prints and vintage posters
- CDs or vinyl of Venetian composers
For classical fans, stop by La Fenice’s gift shop or explore our guide to Vivaldi concerts in Venice.
🌍 Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts
Venice is fragile — and the best souvenirs respect that. Choose items made locally, with love and low impact.
- Jewelry from recycled Murano glass
- Upcycled accessories from gondola fabrics
- Zero-waste skincare and bamboo brushes
Want more eco ideas? Read How Venetians Are Embracing Sustainability.
🎨 Fun & Creative Gifts for Kids
- Paint-your-own mask kits
- Venice puzzles or memory cards
- Children’s books about the lagoon (bilingual editions available)
💶 Thoughtful Gifts Under €20
- Mini Murano pendants or keychains
- Handmade bookmarks
- Local spice packets or chocolate
- Ombra wine glasses or espresso cups
For budget-friendly inspiration, check out Venice on a Budget.
🚫 What NOT to Buy in Venice
- “Murano-style” glass made abroad
- Plastic masks or factory-made souvenirs
- Anything labeled “3 for €10”
- Fake antiques without documentation
If it looks too perfect (or too cheap), it’s probably not Venetian.
📦 How to Pack or Ship Gifts
- Ask for protective wrapping (especially for glass or ceramics)
- Ship directly from artisan shops that offer insured delivery
- Never put liquids in carry-on bags
- Declare food items when flying internationally
💫 Final Thoughts: Gifts That Carry the Soul of Venice
The best souvenirs from Venice don’t just fill a suitcase — they tell a story. A glass bead from Murano, a handmade mask, or a journal bound in marbled paper isn’t just an object. It’s a piece of the lagoon, shaped by centuries of craft and creativity.
Because Venice doesn’t really let you leave — it just finds new ways to stay with you.
🛍️ Discover Venice’s Hidden Artisans & Local Shops
FAQs
What are the best authentic souvenirs to buy in Venice?
The most meaningful Venetian gifts come from centuries-old crafts — Murano glass, handmade masks, Fortuny silk, and marbled paper. Each reflects the city’s artistic heritage and makes a timeless keepsake. Visit artisan workshops like those featured in our Murano Glass Workshop Tour or Venetian Mask Workshop to see the real artistry behind the souvenirs.
How can you tell if Murano glass is authentic?
Genuine Murano glass always comes with a Vetro Artistico® Murano certificate and is made on Murano Island. Look for subtle imperfections, hand-blown details, and the artist’s mark — never plastic molds or “Murano-style” imports. To go behind the scenes, try our Create Your Own Glass Bead Experience.
Where can I find unique, non-touristy gifts in Venice?
Skip souvenir stalls near St. Mark’s Square and head to local ateliers in Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, or Murano. You’ll find treasures like bespoke eyewear, handmade paper, and custom jewelry. For inspiration, explore our Venetian Hands-On Workshops Collection — each experience connects you directly with the artisans who keep Venice’s creative spirit alive.
