Shopping in Venice is more than just souvenir shops. If you scratch the surface you can uncover some of the most elegant and perfect keepsakes and gifts.
Atelier Marega
Located in the heart of Venice, Atelier Marega specialises in opulent, handcrafted masks in modern designs, inspired by centuries-old Venetian customs. They also have a range of over 200 hand-sewn costumes and fashion replicas of 18th and 19th-century attire for men and women. Also on offer are a range of workshops in mask-making and painting and events.
Atelier Segalin di Daniela Ghezzo
It’s been reported that when Daniel Day Lewis wanted to learn how to make shoes he did it under the tuition of this Venetian expert. When you go in, you’ll find yourself in an old-fashioned cobbler’s store stocked with amazing footwear. These are high-end custom-made shoes, but they’ll make you feel like you’re wearing works of art. A pair of Ghezzo’s shoes can cost anything between €650 and €1,800.
Drogheria Mascari
This popular spice store has an atmosphere that transports you to another century. All prices are handwritten while jars of candy line the shelves. Aside from the array of spices, they also pretty packs of cookies, nuts, dried fruits and artisanal local alcohol; that all make ideal gifts.
Emilia Burano
Emilia Burano is a delightfully old-school linen and lace boutique based in Burano, Venice’s lace-making heartland. There are three levels . Expect to mingle with affluent locals and visitors trying to refill their linen closets downstairs. Their embroidered napkins and Egyptian cotton sheets are excellent keepsakes. There is also a tiny museum showcasing historic artifacts from the brand’s archives may be found upstairs.
Galleria Barcella
Menswear label Marco Nils and womenswear shop Nanà are among the ‘Made in Italy’ brands carried by Galleria Barcella. The Al Duca d’Aosta shop carries a variety of designer labels, including Burberry and Balenciaga, among others. On the website, you may get information about future activities such as art evenings and late-night shopping.
L’Angolo Del Passato di Naccari Giordana
L’Angolo Del Passato is a breath of fresh air in a city packed with vendors selling tourist tat expensive “glass art” to starry-eyed visitors. The owner has designed a pleasant paradise filled with antique glassware and work by modern local artists. You’ll most likely be browsing alongside stylish residents and guests searching for a unique hostess gift, wedding present, or too-cute-to-put-away addition to the bar cart.
Libreria Acqua Alta
This wonderful vintage bookshop is called after the flood tides that occasionally submerge Venice. The books on sale here are shielded from these high waters by displaying them in baths and gondolas. Without a doubt, it is a tourist trap, but also a true oddity in the neighborhood. The treasures here are guarded by two adorable cats. Local city guides and contemporary Italian literature is stacked beside vintage art monographs, magnets, trinkets and postcards are also on sale.
Martinuzzi
This homeware store is all about classic luxury Venice furnishings. Some of the treats on offer include the exquisite Murano goblets, Egyptian cotton sheets, lace-trimmed tablecloths, gilded masks, beautiful lamps and glass figurines.
Pied à Terre
Furlane, the stylish gondolier slippers can be found in this bijou boutique tucked under a market stand near the Rialto bridge. The shoes are available in a rainbow of colors, a variety of fabrics, and a few subtly varied styles, and the shelves are densely packed from floor to ceiling. The Salome is a classic, while the Rimbaud is more casual, with mismatched fabric linings and white-trimmed soles.
Rialto Market
This historic open-air market, which has been operating on the same site since 1097 A.D., is divided into two sections: the seafood market and the fruit/veg market. The old market structure was destroyed by fire in the early 16th century and was replaced in the 17th century by a neo-Gothic pavilion that still stands today. Tuesday through Saturday, from roughly 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the entire market is open; Mondays, only the produce market is open. Arrive early to observe the fishermen arrive on their boats to sell fish, eel, octopus, and other seafood to the market vendors.
Venini Glassmakers
On Murano, Dale Chihuly learnt to blow glass at Venini Glassmakers. That alone should entice you to explore Venini on the island (a 45-minute waterbus ride from San Marco). Although the factory has been producing glass since the 1920s, Murano has been producing glass since the 13th century. Keep in mind that the actual deal isn’t inexpensive. And the inexpensive stuff (the glass you see in shops surrounding San Marco) isn’t likely to be genuine Murano.
Vintageria Venezia
This Vintage stores stocks apparel and accessories for men and women from the 70s to 90s. Expect to find a mix of Italian designer labels including Armani, Fendi, Gucci and Prada, and foreign luxury names like Burberry and Chanel as well as mid-priced labels.