Venice is a city that never ceases to amaze. When we think of this lagoon pearl, the images that come to mind are those of the most iconic places: Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge, the islands of Murano and Burano. However, there is another Venice, more intimate and secret , made up of hidden corners, curious stories and details often ignored by mass tourism. Venice is an inexhaustible treasure of beauty and history.
Exploring its lesser-known places is the best way to get to know the true soul of the city, far from the crowds of the more famous places. If you are planning a short rental or a weekend in Venice and want to discover a city off the beaten track, this guide is for you: you will discover a side of the Serenissima that you don't expect and that will make your stay unforgettable.
Here is a selection of lesser-known but equally fascinating places that tell the authentic face of the Serenissima.
The Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Hidden among the streets of the San Marco district, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo is a small architectural jewel. This cylindrical tower, adorned with a helical spiral staircase, rises to a viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of the city's rooftops and domes.
Palazzo Contarini is located near Campo Manin with a recognizable Gothic style façade which inside contains the Corte del Maltese and the famous Scala Contarini del Bovolo, a 27 meter high cylindrical tower which is one of the hidden treasures of the San Marco district.
bovolo derives , which in Venetian dialect means snail , is wrapped in elegant curves that combine Venetian-Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. The particularity of the architecture of this structure is precisely the tower which plays with a refined contrast of empty and full spaces. By climbing its 80 helical steps , you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the roofs of the city, a panorama not to be missed for those who love photography and want to admire the Serenissima from one of the best points where you can see the San Marco bell tower.
The Pescheria experience between taste and tradition
In the city of canals, culinary tradition is deeply rooted in the freshness of fish. The fishmongers, scattered among the streets, are true temples of Venetian gastronomy . Here, fishermen bring fresh catches every day, rigorously traced by origin and fishing method.
Walking among the stalls, admiring the riot of colors and scents of fruit, vegetables and fish, is an experience worth the trip . During hot days, you can stop to sip a glass of local wine, called “ ombra ” in Venetian dialect, or to enjoy some fresh fruit. It is a moment of pause that combines authentic flavors and thousand-year-old tradition.
The submerged crypt of San Zaccaria and the Jewish Ghetto
In the heart of the Castello district, a little peripheral to the city centre, there is the crypt of the church of San Zaccaria , a magical and evocative place. Perpetually submerged by water, it houses the tombs of eight doges of the Serenissima. A place where time seems to have stopped, perfect for immersing yourself in the thousand-year history of Venice. The Crypt of San Zaccaria, with its perpetually flooded waters, is one of the most evocative places for those seeking an experience out of the ordinary. Here, among water reflections and ancient doge tombs, you can breathe an atmosphere of sacredness and mystery.
In the Cannaregio district, the Jewish Ghetto tells a story of resilience and culture. Surrounded by canals and accessible via bridges, this neighborhood retains the charm of a bygone era, with its tall buildings and narrow streets that seem to whisper the stories of those who lived there. The Ghetto is the ideal place if you are looking for a journey between spirituality and historical memory.
Acqua Alta bookshop
A refuge for lovers of books and photography , this bookshop is one of the most original in the world and perhaps too well known by now, but it is still worth including it in your tour of hidden Venice. Here the volumes are kept in gondolas, canoes and tubs to protect them from frequent floods, they are stacked on top of each other with no way out and there is often not much time to sift through as the bookshop is small and crowded.
In the outdoor courtyard, a staircase made of old encyclopedias leads to an enchanting view of the canal. The Acqua Alta bookshop is in any case the dream of every reading lover who wants to find himself wrapped up in books, among colors and suggestions. If you want to take a tour of the most beautiful bookshops in Venice in addition to the Acqua Alta one, don't miss Toletta , the kingdom of the Adelphi, in Dorsoduro and the Libreria Linea d'Acqua which collects illustrated books from the eighteenth century but also some gems of architecture and eroticism.
Chiodo Bridge
One of a kind, the Ponte del Chiodo is the last bridge in Venice without parapets . Located in the Cannaregio district, it is a small piece of history that tells how Venetian bridges looked in the past. Today, only two bridges have remained faithful to this ancient structure: the Chiodo Bridge and the Devil's Bridge on the island of Torcello, which dates back to the 15th century.
The Chiodo Bridge is a hidden pearl, far from the usual tourist routes. This small bridge, which leads to private properties, owes its name to the noble Chiodo family, who once owned it. Walking up here is like taking a step back in time, immersed in a corner of authentic and quiet Venice, far from the crowds . A few steps away, the majestic Scuola Grande della Misericordia, designed by the architectural genius of Jacopo Sansovino, offers a further reason to explore this area, making the discovery of the Chiodo Bridge an unforgettable stop on an itinerary to discover the secret Venice.
Squero di San Trovaso
In the Dorsoduro district, or rather the university district, there is one of the last shipyards still active in Venice. The Squero di San Trovaso is a place where gondolas are still built and repaired using artisanal methods passed down for generations. You can book a guided tour to discover the secrets of these iconic boats.
Discover the secret Venice
Venice is not only the city of great monuments and romantic gondolas, but also a mix of stories, traditions and hidden corners. Exploring its secret places will allow you to capture the essence of a city which, despite always being in the spotlight, knows how to preserve its most authentic charm far from the tourist routes.
To do this it is therefore important not only to know how to get around but also to book an apartment in advance to live the local experience without stress or inhibitions.
