17 Best Non Touristy Things to Do in Venice, Italy
Are you looking for some fun, non touristy things to do in Venice? If so – you’re in the right place! Even though Venice is a super touristy city, there are still quirky and different things you can do during your time there.
That said: if you’ve never been before, you can’t overlook the main Venice tourist attractions. Places like the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge are iconic for a reason so don’t leave them off your Venice bucket list.
However, if you HAVE visited before or you have extra time to explore, this post is for you! From finding the best art and performances to rowing on the canals – here are my favourite non tourist things to do in Venice this year!
Best non touristy attractions + places to see in Venice Italy
1 Explore the city before the crowds
As a busy city, Venice is always better first thing in the morning or late at night. So whether you’re specifically looking for non-touristy things to do in Venice or you just want the best experience – this first point applies!
To get the most magical and authentic experience in Venice, I always recommend starting your day as early as possible. This is when the streets will be much quieter, you’ll see more locals than tourists and you’ll be able to capture some beautiful photos.
Places like St Mark’s Square get busy as the day progresses, so it’s always nice to explore a little before the crowds arrive.
2 Visit the Rialto Market
Following on from the previous point – if you’re up and about early, I highly recommend heading to the Rialto Market. This produce market is close to the Rialto Bridge and is great to visit first thing in the morning for the most authentic experience.
This market is where residents as well as restaurant owners get their fresh produce so it’s a nice place to mix with the locals. You’ll find a good variety of fruit and veggies as well as a fresh fish market (except Sundays and Mondays).
The fruit and veg market is on every day except Sunday and opens around 7:30am.
3 Visit Cannaregio + the Jewish Ghetto
The Cannaregio district isn’t as visited as places like San Marco so it’s good to explore if you want a more local feel.
Within the Cannaregio neighbourhood, there are several sites to visit including Ponte Chiodo, Church of Madonna dell’Orto and the Ca d’Oro Museum.
It’s also well worth exploring the Jewish Quarter. This is where Venice’s Jewish community were forced to live between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Today, this part of the city is vibrant with a lot of history so it’s a good option if you love soaking up the culture. Throughout the streets, you’ll find synagogues, kosher restaurants and bakeries as well as art galleries.
If you can, I recommend joining a local walking tour to learn more and experience as much as possible in this area. There are plenty of walking tours around the Venetian Ghetto and Cannaregio neighbourhood that you can book in advance.
4 Find free art around the city
Venice is known for its museums and galleries but the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So if you want to skip places like Gallerie dell’Accademia or Peggy Guggenheim Collection for something a little different, you could hunt for art and pretty sites all around the city.
Many of Venice’s churches are home to artworks that you can see without the queues and high entrance fees.
The 16th-century church designed by Andrea Palladio on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore contains two canvases by Tintoretto. You’ll also find beautiful art in the church of San Zaccaria by St Mark’s Square, Madonna dell’Orto in the Cannaregio district, and San Giovanni Crisostomo (among many others!).
5 Head to the outer islands
If you have at least 3 days in Venice, it’s a good idea to visit some of the city’s outer islands. Most visitors travel to Murano or Burano but these aren’t the only ones.
I still recommend visiting Burano because it’s super pretty, but some other options to consider include Torcello and Sant’Erasmo.
Torcello is a small island that feels peaceful with a historic vibe. The main things to see are the Devil’s Bridge as well as the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.
Sant’Erasmo is known as the “Garden of Venice,” and is where locals grow vegetables and grapes. You’ll be able to rent bikes and cycle through vineyards and rural scenery.
6 Take in the views from the Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop
The Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop is no longer as much of a hidden gem, but I still wanted to include it because it offers some of the best views of the Grand Canal.
This historical building, which is right by the Rialto Bridge, is now a luxury department store with a rooftop terrace that offers panoramic views.
It’s free to access the rooftop but you need to reserve a ticket online for a 15-minute slot. Tickets get booked up in advance, so make sure you reserve your space early enough.
7 Try authentic cuisine + cicchetti
You might have heard that Venice is full of low-quality, tourist trap restaurants, but it can still be a great place for foodies. Finding non-touristy places to sample the best Italian food is one of my favourite things to do!
Typically, the best and most authentic places to eat are away from the San Marco / St Mark’s Square area. For example, in neighbourhoods like Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, it’ll be easier to find tasty eateries and the best non touristy restaurants in Venice.
Venice is also known for cicchetti, which is similar to tapas and served in bars across the city. For a fun non-touristy thing to do in Venice, I recommend a Venetian bar crawl, trying the best wines and cicchetti.
If you’re not sure where to go, this well-rated tour could be a fun option. It’s around 3 hours and takes you to several bars, restaurants and foodie hotspots around Venice.
8 Take a Venetian rowing class
Fancy trying some traditional Venetian rowing? Joining a Row Venice lesson is a fun and non touristy thing to do in Venice!
By signing up for a class you’ll get first-hand experience aboard an authentic, traditional boat. You’ll get to learn some of the basics of rowing the canals, all while enjoying a unique perspective of Venice away from the busy tourist areas.
As well as being an off-the-beaten-path experience in the city, what I love is that Row Venice is a non-profit organisation so you’ll also be supporting a company that’s dedicated to preserving this Venetian tradition and empowering local women rowers!
9 Explore San Giorgio Maggiore
Even though the island of San Giorgio Maggiore is just across from Piazza San Marco, it’s not as busy as other places in Venice.
Admittedly, there’s not a ton to do on the island, but it’s known for its 16th century church and bell tower that offers beautiful views over Venice.
The island is also home to the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, which is a cultural centre set within a former monastery. The space often holds exhibitions, concerts and events, but you can also explore the complex and the monastery’s cloisters with a guided tour.
10 Spend an evening at Musica a Palazzo
If you want to see an opera in Venice, most people visit Teatro La Fenice. However, Musica a Palazzo is also a brilliant option that offers an intimate and unique Venice experience.
What’s special about Musica a Palazzo is that the concerts take place at Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto on the Grand Canal in Venice and each act is set in a different hall. This historic palace is known for its rich interiors, magnificent frescoes and Baroque furnishings, so it’s a gorgeous setting.
11 Climb the staircase at Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small 15th-century palace that’s known for its spiral staircase (scala contarini) that wraps around the exterior of the building.
If you visit, you can climb to the top of the spiral staircase for panoramic views over Venice’s rooftops and bell towers. You can book your tickets in advance here.
12 Soak up the history at Ca’ Rezzonico
Ca’ Rezzonico is a magnificent Venetian palace located along the Grand Canal. It’s now home to a museum which showcases 18th-century Venetian art, furniture and opulent pieces from the Rococo period.
Even though Ca’ Rezzonico is a significant cultural destination, it’s a lot less crowded than some of the other tourist attractions in Venice. So if you love art and history, it’s definitely one to add to your non-touristy Venice list!
13 See flamingos at Lio Piccolo
Did you know you can see flamingos in Venice?! Lio Piccolo out in the Venetian Lagoon is known for being a nature paradise. It’s a great place for bird-watching and spotting pink flamingos!
Renting a bike is a fun way to explore the area and I recommend joining a small guided tour like this one for the most hassle-free experience.
14 Visit Lido di Venezia
Venice Lido is a peaceful island that’s easy to reach by vaporetto from the main city. It’s easily accessible but is generally much quieter than the busyness of Venice’s streets.
The Lido is known for its beaches so it’s a great place to visit during the summer. There are a number of beaches you can choose from, but two popular options include San Nicolò and Blue Moon Beach.
If you want somewhere a little quieter, Alberoni Beach on the southern tip could be a good option. It’s a popular spot with locals and a great place for more of a nature retreat.
Lido di Venezia also has a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere so it’s a fun place to rent bikes and explore.
15 Explore the city by kayak
Think a gondola ride is too touristy? How about kayaking? Although kayaking is banned on the Grand Canal and main waterways in Venice, it’s possible to kayak on the smaller canals with a guided kayaking tour.
This tour takes you through the canals of Venice while learning about the history and culture of the city. You don’t need any kayaking experience and it can be a fun way to see the city from a different perspective.
It’s also possible to kayak out into the Venetian lagoon with other tours. What I love about this specific tour is that you can visit islands that are only accessible by kayak so it’s a perfect way to escape the crowds and visit lesser-known places.
16 Visit the Venetian Arsenal
Arsenale di Venezia is a notable historical site in Venice but is not usually as crowded as major tourist attractions. The Venetian Arsenal is located in the Castello district and was one of the largest shipyards in Europe during the Venetian Republic.
Part of it is open to the public and it’s also home to the Naval History Museum. If you’re interested in Venice’s maritime history, it can be a great place to explore.
If you’re visiting during the Venice Biennale, this part of the city will be much busier. However, on other occasions, it’s a spot that’s often overlooked!
One of my favourite things about Venice is that it’s compact, walkable and car-free. I love a city where I don’t have to worry about navigating public transport and I can simply wander. In Venice, I could lose track of time exploring this way!
Because the only ways to get around Venice are by walking or taking a boat, it’s easy to rack up your step count here. However, not everyone gets that far off the beaten track.
If you’re visiting Venice and want non touristy things to do – you’ll obviously want to explore the lesser-known places! To do this, I recommend deliberately trying to get lost because that’s where you’ll stumble across the hidden gems.
It’s not possible to get truly lost in Venice so this is a safe way to explore. However, I’m also a huge fan of walking tours which can be fun for finding more local and authentic areas.
If you want a free walking tour, I recommend using this site to browse and book your space on a free tour that catches your eye. The site has lots of options across Venice so you’ll find tours that are less touristy and away from the crowds. You’ll also find reviews to help you pick the best one for you.
Unique things to do in Venice: FAQs
What is the least touristy part of Venice, Italy?
In central Venice, the Cannaregio district is usually considered less touristy than other places. It’s an area that’s a little less visited and it has a more local feel so it’s one of the best places to visit in Venice for a more authentic experience. You could also head to the outer lagoon islands if you want to get away from some of the crowds.
Is Venice worth it or too touristy?
Venice is a touristy place but in my opinion, it’s absolutely worth visiting – there’s a reason why it’s so popular! I’ve visited a few times and would love to go back again. It’s a magical destination and it’s still possible to have an authentic experience away from the beaten path.
Are there any areas of Venice to avoid?
If you’re worried about safety, I wouldn’t say there are specific areas of Venice that you need to avoid – it’s a city with a low crime rate. That said, it’s always worth taking precautions. In the central and most touristy areas, like San Marco, as well as around Santa Lucia railway station there can be a higher risk of pickpocketing.
What shouldn’t you miss in Venice?
Even if you want non touristy things to do in Venice, I still recommend taking in the main attractions (especially if you’ve never been before!). Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica are absolute must-sees and top places to visit in Venice. However, I recommend getting skip-the-line tickets for these attractions and starting your day as early as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds.
You also can’t go to Venice without wandering aimlessly through the maze of streets. It’s one of the best things to do in Venice to find hidden gems! For more ideas, you can check out my 3-day Venice itinerary here.
What are the best free things to do in Venice?
Venice can be expensive, but there are still free things you can do across the city. My favourite is to explore everywhere on foot – either independently or with a free walking tour. This is the best way to take in the city’s beauty and stumble upon places you might not otherwise find.
Some of the churches in Venice are free to visit, and there’s free entry to some of Venice’s museums on the first Sunday of the month, too.
Non touristy things to do in Venice: Conclusion
Despite being a popular tourist city, there are still unusual things to do in Venice. This beautiful city has so much to fall in love with and I truly believe it’s possible to have a great time – even if you’re worried about crowds!
Of course, parts of Venice will be busy, but it’s possible to find gems in this magical city. Whether it’s visiting quieter museums and attractions or heading further afield for some respite – there’s something for everyone.
I hope this post has shown you what’s possible and given you inspiration for a more authentic trip to Venice. If you’re still wanting ideas, make sure you check out my 3-day Venice itinerary, too – it has even more suggestions and covers all the main things that you won’t want to miss.
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Want to visit more of Italy after Venice? Check out the most romantic places to add to your itinerary.
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