Are you planning to visit Venice? Well done to you, trust me, you will love this city full of charm, antiques, mystery, and history. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about what to buy in Venice, from gifts for your friends and family to authentic Venice souvenirs.
If you love shopping, do a favour to yourself and leave some room inside your luggage to be able to purchase everything you will fall in love with (I am sorry but unfortunately you won't be able to take home with you a fascinating "Gondoliere").
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Read 20 Unmissable Souvenirs You Should Buy in Venice Below
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1. Venice Handmade Mask:
Venice Carnival Masks are probably the most famous things to buy in Venice. They can be crazy expensive (I'm talking about thousands of euros), or they can cost you only 5 euros. The most important thing is to buy original ones made in Venice.
And you will see so many beautiful masks in Venice you won't know which one to buy.
They made them in many colours, shapes, and prices, so don't worry if you are on a budget. There are some beautiful for as little as 10/15 Euro each.
At the shop Tragicomica Venezia (pictures above) you can attend a Carnival mask creation or create a mask for yourself.
If you fancy wearing a fabulous Venetian Carnival dress (the perfect idea for a photoshoot alone or with your family and friends) to live the famous experience of the Venice Carnival, they also provide this service.
One of the most famous shops where to buy Venice Carnival Masks in Venice is La Bottega dei Mascareri,
Opened in 1984 and located close to the famous Rialto Bridge, this family-run shop is known among Hollywood celebrities thanks to the excellence and creativity of their masks.
If you wish to create your own Carnival Mask, check here the Carnival Mask Workshop.
Some of them have even been used for films or featured in the prestigious California Shakespeare Festival.
Its owners, brothers Sergio and Massimo Boldrin, make sure to create artworks masks, putting into each mask all their knowledge and creativity for their design and creating genuine masterpieces that vary in all sorts of prices.
Address: Calle dei Saoneri, 2720 f, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
Open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
Did you book your entrance to Venice?
Don't forget about the tourist fee! Learn everything you need to know about this fee and how to pay it in this guide.
Plan Your Vacation in Venice in the Best Way
Check out all my articles in the "Most Complete Guide of Venice" and get all the information you need to make your next travel a success.
2. Murano Glasses:
The world-famous Murano glass that every one of us has seen in tourist places.
Well, Murano Island is where these famous jewels have been made for the first time and where you are going to find only the originals at an excellent price.
From chandeliers, vases, glasses, necklaces, bracelets, and so much more, you will wish to afford to buy so many of them to redecorate your home completely (So be careful with it if travelling on a budget).
Is a Murano Glass Factory Tour Worth it?
Absolutely yes! I advise you to book a Murano Glass factory tour with a blowing demo and workshop where you will assist every detail behind the incredible art of Glassblowing and an additional 20% discount on any Glass purchase in the factory shop.
Trust me. It is worth it because I did it, and I loved it.
Do you want to see everything Venice has to offer and save money at the same time?
Check here all the activities and tours available. You won't regret it!
3. Burano Lace:
Burano lace, needle lace made on the island of Burano, has a long-established tradition of needle-lace making, though precise historical records are lacking.
Real Burano lace takes a long time to make, and even the smallest piece of lace could take weeks to finish. Just one tablecloth may cost up to $500 or more.
My advice is to book in advance a Tour of Murano and Burano where you will see both Murano Glass and Burano Lacemaking, two incredible experiences reserved in advance that will make you save time and money.
4. Buranei/Bussolai cookies:
This delicious Burano's cookie is a typical doughnut-shaped cake of the island, also known as buranelli.
The sweet has a combination rich in nutrients, such as eggs, flour, sugar and butter, which, after having been cooked, have long durability. In the past, these Burano's cookies were prepared by the fishermen's wives when they were moving away from home to go fishing for long periods.
If the sailors couldn't have good nutrition, the bussolà could give them all the energy to deal with the sea life.
You will find artisan sweets in Venice, so be prepared to walk a lot to burn all the calories.
5. Baicoli di Venezia:
Baicoli (English: golden oval) is an Italian biscuit originating in Venice. Baicoli gains their name because their shape resembles a sea bass, which in the local dialect is called baicoli. Today, Baicoli are served with coffee and zabaglione, in which they could be dipped.
These dry, delicious desserts were particularly suitable for efficiently storing during the Venetian merchants' long trips afloat, with a delicate and straightforward taste.
They are ideal for dipping in chocolate, coffee, tea, zabaglione and dessert wines (of course Italian Wine).
6. Handmade Shoes:
Venetian handmade shoes have better strength and durability as compared to machine-made shoes.
The craftsmen who make these shoes spend a lot of time making a pair, where machine-made shoes are produced in a larger quantity which makes the difference.
A couple of shoes go through several stages of manufacturing that make them so unique. Have a look at them in Venice and if you like shoes, see them as a very comfortable souvenir to take back home.
Venice is beautiful and a perfect place to taste all the delicious food and Wine that its region offers.
Why not have an unforgettable experience to remember for the rest of your life?
I have some great ideas for you:
Do you like Wine?
Have a look at this: Venetian Wine Tasting
With so many different wines to choose from, will try only the best ones!
If you are a cooking lover like me, always looking to try different recipes, try this fabulous Cooking class and tasting in Venice.
You will feel so satisfied that you will feel like a local.
How can I plan my trip to Venice?
Check out all my articles in the "Most Complete Guide of Venice" and get all the information you need to make your next travel a success.
7. Venice Fabrics:
Master artisans still weave the fabrics in Venice on 18th-century wooden looms, and the front-room display here is just a sample of their artistry, so if you would like to buy some, you will be in the perfect place.
Do you like Wine?
If the answer is Yes! Check out the wine tasting available in Venice here.
8. Leather Bags and Gloves:
One of the reasons Italian leather is highly appreciated is its quality. Italy is famous for producing high-quality leather, and artisans use only all-natural vegetable and plant-based extracts to manufacture Italian leather.
Because it isn't mass-produced, it takes much longer to make than the cheaper factory made alternatives. That's why if you are looking for a nice gift for yourself or a friend, an authentic handmade leather item could be perfect.
What better occasion than your Venetian holiday?
A good idea is to find the perfect glove shade to look super stylish next winter.
9. Gondolier's Hat:
This can be a lovely gift to take home for your loved one or your father. There is only one store in all of Venice, and it is located in the Campo San Maurizio area.
In Campo San Salvador, near Rialto and Campo San Bortolomio, there is the Millinery of Giuliana Longo, the only producer of all the hats of the gondoliers of Venice.
If you are looking for a cheap option (that is not made in Venice and is not artisan), you can opt for the cheaper ones that you will find available at the stalls in many streets and squares of Venice.
Giuliana Longo Modisteria: Calle del Lovo, 4813, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
10. Handmade Wooden Puzzle:
Wooden Puzzles are an excellent gift for the puzzle enthusiast and lover of folk art.
They feature a printed canvas that is installed on wood.
You will see several options to choose from. Experience the personality and charm of these historic and scenic places with a one-of-a-kind wooden puzzle.
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11. Handmade Wooden Boats and Ships:
Hand made wooden models of all kinds of Venetian boats, made using the same wood types and following the same technique, with a long reconstructive study behind.
About them, I would like to name one of the best you can find in Venice. His name is Gilberto Penzo. His models have been bought by private collectors and from Museums of naval history, such as the ones in Rome, Como, Chioggia, Rovigo.
Once this model was used to define the actual boat in advance, you can now buy one and have a great and original decorative object.
Gilberto Penzo
Calle Seconda dei Saoneri, 2681, 30125 San Polo, Venezia.
12. Doorknockers:
The beauty of Venice is in its details.
There are so many fascinating doorknobs you will see that add mystery and charm to the Venetian houses.
You will instantly question why the owner chose a specific figure and what it expresses.
Enjoying so many little details in an ancient city like Venice can be fun, so always keep your eyes open and look around if you see a little alley that doesn't look attractive at first sight, go and explore.
You never know what beauty is hidden in every corner of Venice.
13. Italian Perfumes:
Who doesn't like a fragrant, expensive exotic Italian perfume? You are going to Italy so what could be the best souvenir than an Italian perfume to take home with you?
It could also be an expensive gift for your loved one or friend that is going to be appreciated.
14. Second-Hand Books:
There is a famous shop in Venice that looks like every tourist passes by at least once during their visit to Venice, and its name is Acqua Alta. It is worth a visit, with so many books to choose from and the perfect Instagrammable stairs at the back made entirely with books.
You will find it full of tourists trying to take the best picture (I went there in the afternoon and to take this picture above I had to queue for 10 minutes).
The shop was full of people in line waiting. Suppose you wish to take a great picture without feeling the pressure of the owner telling you to speed up and pushing other people in front of your camera (I had to kindly ask the owner to stop pushing other people up the stairs to be able to take this picture above without anyone else in it). In that case, you should go there early when they open at 9 am.
Most tourists go there just to take pictures, so look at the books too. I am sure you will find something exciting to take home as a souvenir.
Address: Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, 5176b, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy.
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Carnival in Venice!
One of the most amazing cities in the world will surprise you with its elaborated masks,
expensive handmade dresses and district water parades.
Check when Carnival will be (the date changes every year, but it is one week from February to March) and book your unforgettable Venetian holiday when you will discover all the beauty that Venice has to offer.
Check prices and availability for your next Venetian holiday here, and don't miss the opportunity to see this wonderful city dressed up as a beautiful Venetian dame.
Do you need help finding a good Hotel in Venice?
Check out my article Best Hotels in Venice with a Canal View, where I listed the best Hotels for every budget.
Check The Most Complete Guide of Venice, where you will find everything you need to know before visiting this amazing city!
15. Pasta:
Do you like pasta? Who doesn't?
Good for you my dear traveller, because in Venice you will have the chance to buy real handmade Italian pasta and take it home with you.
You will find it made in so many shapes and different colours (made with the addition of a natural colourant, it can be tomatoes, spinach, beetroot etc.).
So leave some room in your luggage and take home some real Italian delicacy.
16. Prosecco and Bellini:
Prosecco hails from Northeast Italy, though its heartland is a small region in Veneto called Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
While consumers often equate it with widely available commercial-quality fizz, access to Italy's finest sparkling wines is rising.
The Bellini cocktail was invented sometime between 1934 and 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of the famous Harry's Bar in Venice.
He named the drink the Bellini because its unique pink colour reminded him of the toga of a saint in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini and consisted of fresh peach juice and sparkling wine Prosecco.
17. Cured Meat:
Italy makes some of the best-cured meat on the planet. Do you like prosciutto crudo, mortadella o salame?
If the answer is Yes, you will be in the perfect place to buy everything you like the most and take it home with you.
Enjoy!
18. Olive Oil:
The Italians produce some of the best olive oils and extra virgin olive oils globally.
Olive oil is known for its health benefits. According to Dimitrios Boskou, author of Olive Oil Chemistry and Technology, Italian virgin oil has a higher cycloartenol level than Spanish virgin olive oil.
Hence, you are in the correct country to buy some.
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19. Italian wine:
Of course, I added Wine to this list. You are going to Italy after all, and Venice is in the region of Veneto, a highly productive wine region in northeastern Italy.
The broader area comprises Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (where I am from), and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. These are known collectively as the Tre Venezie, after the Republic of Venice.
In Veneto, two different wine areas are distinguishable:
An eastern part, close to the Venice Lagoon between the hills of Treviso. The plain of the Piave river and the Adriatic coast is typical to produce the famous Prosecco (Glera).
Other varieties are grown like Merlot, Carmenere, Verduzzo, Raboso Piave, Refosco, Tocai, Verdiso, Marzemino; and the western part, close to Garda Lake and the city of Verona, famous for the wines based on the varieties Corvina, Rondinella, Garganega, Trebbiano of Soave, and Oseleta.
In the central part of Veneto, the winemaking transitions between the varieties and styles of the Eastern and Western regions.
In that area, you can find the Colli Euganei, the hills close to Padua, a special Mediterranean microclimatic zone; it is even famous for the Moscato fior d'arancio production, a sparkling dessert wine.
Another area in the North-center of Veneto, close to Asiago, is Breganze, where the dessert wine Torcolato is produced with the Vespaiolo grape.
After everything I just told you about the wine regions around Venice, don't you fancy a good glass of wine?
Want to see what Venice has to offer and save money?
You won't regret it!
20. Grappa:
The distilled pomace obtains Venetian Grappa, and it is fully enclosed in the Atlas of the traditional Agricultural Products of Veneto.
It is always the guest of honour at the end of dinner at the Italians' table. Grappa is a traditional product thanks to its long history tied with its native territory and the vast success that delights the most polished palates for centuries.
While in Venice, check out the Poli Distillerie Shop where you will find all the best grappa and other Italian liquors. Learn more about Poli Distillerie here.
21. Swiss dark chocolate with grape syrup center:
In the same shop where I highly recommend you buy local Grappa and other Italian liquors, The Poli Distillerie, they also sell these very delicious chocolate filled with grappa.
I bought one and I must say that it was absolutely delicious (obviously you have to like liquors to like it too).
This could be a great souvenir or a gift for someone who loves chocolate and grappa.
22. Limoncello:
Traditionally, Limoncello is made from the zest of Femminello St. Teresa lemons, also known as Sorrento or Sfusato lemons. Lemon zest (peels without the pith) is steeped in rectified spirit until the oil is released.
The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with simple syrup (water and sugar). In Venice, you can find it in many shops and supermarkets, but my favourite shop is Nino and friends, where they sell different kinds of Limoncello and other delicious Italian sweets.
23. Italian cookies:
Italian cookies are absolutely delicious. And the best shop where to buy them is the Nino and friends shop. There you will find every kind of sweets. They also sell chocolates, spreadable creams like chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio (my favourite) and much more.
I sugar you to buy some Limonoro dragee selection, made with almond and flavoured with cappuccino, lemon, chocolate and much more.
Or the Limonoro cookies, filled with lemon cream (my favourite), chocolate, coffee, pistachio and other delicious creams that you will surely love. Inside the shop, they also offer some free tasting of the products they sell, like these cookies. So go ahead and try some.
24. Photo paintings:
If you are looking to purchase some fabulous Venice prints, this is the right shop. He is not the artist, but he sells the works of five other Venetian artists. These prints are unique, the perfect souvenirs to keep on your living room wall to never forget your great travel to Venice.
Shop: Dinamo Manufatti
Address: San Polo 2599/a 30125, Rio Tera' dei Nomboli, 2768/a 30125 Venice
Website: www.dinamovenezia.it
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