Visit Venice outside the beaten paths

Discover Venice, the Sérénissime, outside the beaten paths! Discover the countless wonders of Venice far from the crowd.

To avoid the crowd of tourists investing the city from the beginning of the summer, go rather in autumn or spring. Some cut-file reservations can sometimes avoid a lot of waiting. Don’t hesitate to explore Venice in an unusual way , follow the deserted streets and you may find a small place where to drink quietly a glass on the terrace or a garden where you can sit for a short time. Surprise guaranteed!

Meanwhile, here is a selection of 8 unusual places to visit Venice outside the beaten paths.

1. The Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

You will be pleasantly surprised by its semi-circle roof and almost pastel colors of its facades. In Renaissance style, this church is distinguished from others by its charm and its finesse. The interior consists of a unique nave and a dome, the walls are covered with polychrome marbles. The wooden ceiling is decorated with paintings representing patriarchs and prophets.

The entrance is 3€ per person and free for children under 10 years of age. The church is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday after the office. To access it here plan

2. The Church of the Madonna dell’Orto

This time, you have an appointment with pointed roofs, erected straight towards the sky. It is a beautiful Gothic church. There is a cloister and Tintoret’s paintings inside.

The entrance is 2.5€ per person. The church is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm (Sunday, December 25, January 1, Easter and August 15). To access it here plan

3. The church Santi Giovanni e Paolo

This basic church typical of Venetian Gothic style is one of the most imposing religious buildings in Venice. Unique thanks to its red brick facade and white marble, it houses the burials of about 20 Doges that all compete in beauty.

The entrance is 3.5€ for an adult and 1.5€ for a student. The church is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00. To access it here plan

4. The Palace Contarini del Bovolo

Go to the famous spiral staircase outside the Venetian palace to admire the magnificent white arches (Gothic and Byzantine architecture). This famous staircase gave its name to the Contarini del Bolovo Palace (Bovolo meaning Venetian snail).

The entrance is 5€ per person. The palace is open every day except Monday from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays, August 15, November 1, December 25 and January 1. To access it here plan .

5. The Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is the largest church in Venice, built in a Gothic style. It houses the heart of the painter Titien.

The entrance is 3€ per person. The basilica is open every day from 09:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 13:00 to 18:00. To access it here plan .

6. The Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is a former Palmieri-Pesaro palace of the 13th century. For the joy of children and the greatest, this museum welcomes remarkable collections. It is a place full of history and modernity.

The entrance is 8€ per person. The museum is open from 1 April to 31 October from 10am to 6pm – from 1 November to 31 March from 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Friday and from 10am to 6pm, on Saturday and Sunday. (Closed on Monday, 1 January, 25 December and 1 May). To access it here plan .

7. Ca’ Pesaro

It is a baroque palace that houses the Musée d’Art Oriental and the Galerie d’Art Moderne. It contains works by Klimt including his "Salomé", Kandinsky, Matisse and Rodin among others.

The entrance is €10.5 per person. You can book here your ticket in advance. The museum is open every day except Monday, January 1, May 1 and December 25. From 1 April to 31 October from 10:00 to 18:00 and from 1 November to 31 March from 10:00 to 17:00. To access it here plan

8. The bookshop Acqua Alta di Frizzo Luigi

The bookshop Acqua Alta is one of the unusual addresses of Venice that deserves the detour. When we go back to the bookstore, we go back to a strange world of boats filled with books! To visit if you pass by!

The bookstore is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To access it here plan

Transportation to Venice

To get to Venice, you have several air links via the Marco Polo airport from France (Bordeaux, Paris, Marseille) and the Venice-Mestre train station is served by urban buses and a connection with the Venice International Airport (6€). Boats also connect between the airport and the City of Doges: departure from St. Mark’s Square with Alilaguna Company. Duration: 1h30. Price: about 15€.

To move to Venice, there are different public transport systems even if the best solution is to move on foot. You can use the vaporetti , the boats of the ACTV network. You also have the famous Venetian gondolas, but the rates are quite excessive. We can only advise you to walk out of Venice from the beaten paths and its different neighborhoods.

Some tips to visit Venice in an unusual way

The Museum Pass , which gives access to the Querini Stampalia Foundation and the Jewish Museum/Valable 7 days, it only authorizes an entrance per museum. Possible reductions in partner hotels and restaurants – see the map description.

The ACTV : cards valid between 1 and 7 days of transport (limited access to buses and vaporetti). It’s a smart way to save money!

Rolling Venice Card for youth aged 6 to 29, it offers discounts on public transport ( vaporetti ). 6€ card valid until the end of the calendar year.

N.B.: Transport for children up to their fifth year is free.

Small pocket lexicon: a few practical words

Buongiorno – Hello
Ciao - Hi
Mi chiamo - My name is
Grazie – Thank you
Per favore – Please
Arrivederci – Goodbye.
Buonasera – Good evening
Buona giornata - Good day
Buona notte - Good night
Potreste aiutarci – Could you help us?
Quanto? - How much?
Sì/No – Yes/No

Good unusual visits to Venice!

Main photo credit: Pixabay