With almost 30 million tourists a year, Venice is one of the tourist destinations suffering most from mass tourism. These tourists, who outnumber the local population two to one every day, cause a great deal of damage to the city of the Doges: pollution of the canals, damage to the lagoon caused by cruises, incivilities that overwhelm the locals... However, the city has much more to offer, and it is possible to visit Venice in a different way, and discover it off the beaten track.
1. Visit the Cannaregio district
Cannaregio is a district in the north of Venice. It's by far the most authentic part of the city. Yet this area, historically the Jewish quarter, is not short of places to discover: Ponte dei Tre Archi, Santa Maria dei Miracoli church, Museo Ebraico di Venezia..
Beyond its tourist attractions, Cannaregio is a lively place for Venetians. Every evening, the district is lit up by the glow of street lamps, and Venetians share a few drinks on the quayside. A magical atmosphere, to be discovered without disturbing the lives of the locals!
2. Admire the Palazzo Grimani
Most tourists completely miss out on this sumptuous palace. It was built by Antonio Grimani, 76th doge of Venice. The Palazzo Grimani, now a museum, features a fine collection of rooms dating back to the 16th century. Frescoes, ornaments, period decorations, gilding, painted ceilings and other treasures from the great Venetian era await you.
3. Take a guided tour with a local
Discovering the City of the Doges through the eyes of one of its inhabitants is an excellent way to see Venice differently. In addition to the traditional historical tour, there are many themed guided tours: gastronomic tours, discovering "the Venice of the Venetians", a visit to the market with a local chef, wine tasting at wine merchants... What's more, your local guide will be able to give you all the addresses you need to visit Venice like a Venetian.
4. Discover the lagoon by bike
Taking a scenic bike ride along the lagoon not only gives you a different way of seeing Venice, away from the tourists, but also reduces your carbon footprint when traveling. You'll be able to observe the flora and fauna, including many birds, but also pass through fishing villages, eat in osterias known only to a few locals, and much more. Lido Island is a good starting point, as is San Erasmo Island. Bicycle rental is available on site.
5. Explore the sights early in the morning
The future, or rather Venice, belongs to the early bird! Visiting Venice differently doesn't mean depriving yourself of its major tourist sites, which are often wonders to be missed. However, to enjoy them without the crowds, you'll need to get up early! Burano, St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal and other Venice must-sees will be all the more beautiful if you visit them at dawn, empty of tourists.
6. For a different way to visit Venice, dine with local people
There's nothing like meeting the locals to discover the real Venice. There are a number of services of this type, organized either by the locals themselves or by tourist agencies. They include either a meal accompanied by your host, who will have cooked you local specialties, or even the preparation of the meal, during which your Venetian friend for an evening will teach you how to make his specialties: pasta, seafood, or the famous cicchetis, the Venetian tapas. Your host will even be able to share with you his best addresses in Venice.
7. Take an Italian cooking class
There's no better way to visit Venice than to immerse yourself in its culture by taking an Italian cooking class. Accompanied by a chef or a local, you'll learn the secrets of traditional Venetian gastronomy, and can even treat your loved ones on your return from vacation. There are several offers on the market, sometimes accompanied by a tasting of Italian wines.
8. Stock up on local produce at the Rialto market
Venetians have been shopping at the Rialto market forcenturies. This vast covered market on the banks of the canal offers a wealth of local produce scattered around its stalls. As well as buying food on the spot, you'll also be able to take home some beautiful, authentic souvenirs.
9. Replace the gondola with a kayak
A number of service providers offer a different way to visit Venice's canals - not by gondola, but by kayak! This unusual, zero-carbon means of transport means you won't have to spend the astronomical sum of €80 for a 30-minute gondola ride, and you'll be able to try an activity off the beaten track, and even go at your own pace. Be warned, however, that the canals in the heart of the city can be very busy at times! Fortunately, in addition to visiting Venice's historic streets, you can also choose to discover its lagoon by kayak, and admire it from a completely different angle, with almost no traffic!
10. Admire the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
It's a secret known to a growing number of visitors, but one that remains far off the tourist trail. The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is most famous for its incredible spiral staircase. In Italian, bovolo means snail, in reference to this characteristic. If you pay the entrance fee and climb to the top of the staircase, you'll enjoy a superb, little-known view over the rooftops of Venice, as well as St. Mark's Basilica, its dome and campanile.
11. Enter the Fondazione Querini Stampalia
Many travelers miss out on the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, yet it has more than one trick up its sleeve. This museum offers visitors the chance to admire the rich art collection of a Venetian noble family, housed in its former palace. On display are works from the Venetian school, by artists such as Giovanni Bellini, Jacopo Palma le Vieux and Sebastiano Ricci. All this, with far fewer tourists than in other art museums in Venice! In addition to these historic collections, the foundation also exhibits a number of contemporary artists. In short, a superb address for visiting Venice off the beaten track!
12. Avoid the Carnival period
Suffering greatly from mass tourism, Venice naturally attracts large crowds all year round. However, certain periods, particularly Carnival and summer, are particularly popular. Avoid traveling during these periods, both to avoid the crowds and to reduce the pressure on the city. During peak periods, the use of resources increases tenfold, as does pollution and pressure on the lagoon. Travelling outside the peak season, for example in autumn or spring, allows you to travel with peace of mind, and spare Venice!
13. Visit the Palazzo Ca' Zenobio
In the heart of the Dorsoduro district, the Palazzo Ca' Zenobio, built in 1690, once belonged to the eponymous family. Admire its ballroom, where the grand parties of the Venetian aristocracy were held. But if you're familiar with this palace, it's not because you've seen it on a tourist agency brochure, as it's not very well known, but rather because you've caught a glimpse of it in the video for Madonna's Like a Virgin! But it's not just its Baroque architecture that's striking, it's also its hidden garden, one of the largest in Venice.
14. Learn local crafts to visit Venice differently
Visiting Venice in a different way starts with taking an interest in its culture and people. To this end, there are a number of workshops where travellers can learn about Venetian traditions from local people: Carnival mask-making, Murano glass-blowing, watercolour or painting classes, an introduction to gondola sailing, Venetian dance lessons... These workshops are the guarantee of a sustainable trip, in harmony with the locals rather than at their expense.
15. Take a step back in time on Torcello Island
The island of Torcello, once one of the most densely populated in Venice, has retained its authenticity. Even though it has lost most of its inhabitants, it remains an interesting place to discover and a great way to visit Venice. Vegetation and built heritage combine to create a landscape that is little-known to tourists, yet very beautiful. Enjoy the island's tranquil atmosphere, and admire the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose bell tower offers a view of neighboring Burano. From Venice, you can reach Torcello by vaporetto 12.
16. Sunbathe on the Lido island
While the beaches of the Lido are no longer a secret to anyone, the fact remains that a surprisingly small number of tourists take the time to visit. Many forget that Venice is first and foremost an island, making it the perfect place to soak up the sun and relax. Don't expect to be the only one to enjoy its long beaches, but the fact remains that Lido Island is not on the agenda of most tourists. Yet it's only a 15-minute vaporetto ride from Venice.
17. Discover the secret island of San Francesco del Deserto
A real treasure, the secret island of San Francesco del Deserto is a big secret to everyone. It's even more of a secret because it's not served by vaporetto, so it remains largely untouched by tourism. Fortunately, there are scheduled bragozzo departures from Burano. It would be a shame to miss this incredible island, which is home to a Franciscan monastery that is still active today.
18. Replace Burano with the island of Pellestrina
Burano is one of the most beautiful islands in the Venetian lagoon. Unfortunately, it's a victim of its own success, and often overcrowded with tourists. For a different way to visit Venice, replace Burano with the much quieter island of Pellestrina. This 11 km-long strip is home to some 4,000 inhabitants. It is in fact one of two islands that form a wall facing the Adriatic Sea, protecting the Venetian lagoon. Like Burano, it boasts pretty, colorful houses, but unlike its cousin, it remains very authentic and peaceful.
19. Watch gondolas being made at Squero di San Trovaso
The Squero di San Trovaso is the oldest and most famous of Venetian shipyards. Here, for 400 years, small boats, especially gondolas, have been repaired and built. Visiting Venice in a different way is often an opportunity to unearth a few gems, as is the case with this incredible place, where you can watch gondolas being built and repaired. Guided tours lasting around half an hour are provided by the shipyard itself, to tell the history of the place, as well as the technical processes, to the most curious tourists.
20. Stop off at the San Michele cemetery
The San Michele cemetery, sometimes known as the Isle of the Dead, is an unusual place to visit in Venice. Accessible by vaporetto, thanks to the line leading to Murano, it's an unusual visit that many don't take the time to discover. For 200 years, many Venetians have been buried here, and even a few celebrities, such as the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky.
