Explore the Hidden Gems of Venice

There is so much more to Venice than its quintessential romance and gondolas. On your next visit—whether it’s the first one or not—dare to go beyond its famous canals to discover all the treasures that this beautiful, unique northern Italian city has to offer. Here are some must-see things to do in Venice when you venture past the expected.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

If you’re into 20^th century art—particularly cubism, surrealism, abstract expressionism, and avant-garde sculpture—then you’ll love seeing the works of Picasso, Dalí, Mondrian, and Pollack up close at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. This private art collection in the Dorsoduro district of Venice is housed in a one-story unfinished palace. When you’re ready to step outside for some fresh air, the museum’s sculpture garden will provide the perfect green-space break.

Murano Glass Museum

Glassmaking has been around for a thousand years and it all began right here, on the Venetian island of Murano, which still produces glass to this day. To learn the history behind this unique and beautiful Italian craft, take a short day trip to the Murano Glass Museum. Here, you’ll marvel at everything from chandeliers and beads to mosaic glass and intricate techniques dating back to the 15^th century.

And if you’d like to walk through an open studio, visit the Fornace Ferro Murano glass factory, where you’ll see how jewelry, light fixtures, and glass vases are made.

Burano

Wondering what else there is to see beyond the Grand Canal? Nearby Burano island makes a great complement to Murano. Give yourself at least a few hours to get wonderfully lost walking through this quieter side of the Venetian Lagoon.

Burano welcomes you to a slower pace of life, with its vibrant houses painted in contrasting bright colors so that fishermen can spot them in the fog. It may be hard to believe, but life on this island still revolves around the rise and fall of the tides. You can enjoy a super fresh seafood meal in Burano after a day of exploring the island’s lacemaking and fishing traditions.

Carnevale

An especially fun time of year to visit Venice is during Carnevale, which coincides with Mardi Gras during the two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. Honestly, no other city does it quite like Venice. Imagine larger-than-life costumes, elaborate handmade masks, boat parades, street fairs, and formal balls, and what you’ve got is the most festive time of year in Venice. If you plan to visit during Carnevale, glam it up with an over-the-top getup and have a blast doing as the locals do when partaking in the big party.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in the romantic canals and gondola rides of Venice… But we hope these out-the-ordinary ideas will help create an even more immersive experience of this very special place in Italy.

Can’t wait to start planning a unique vacation to Venice? Connect with your Liberty Travel consultant and we’ll take care of all the details.