Venice, the enchanting city of canals, masks, and timeless beauty, offers a plethora of unique shops that reflect its rich cultural heritage and artistic legacy. Wander through the narrow alleyways and across the charming bridges to discover boutiques and artisan workshops that capture the essence of Venetian craftsmanship.
Nardi - Jewelry
The Nardi family has crafted exclusive jewelry in the arcades surrounding Piazza San Marco for nearly 100 years. These arcades, which have housed shops since the trading days of the Most Serene Republic, feel more like a sumptuous baroque salon, adorned with ornate Murano chandeliers, marble statuettes, antique furniture, and velvet brocades. While pieces like the iconic lapis lazuli gondola brooch, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires, come at a high price, window shopping is still a worthwhile experience. Just next door is the historic Caffè Florian, established in 1720, where you can sip an espresso alongside the locals. The address is Piazza San Marco, 69.
Spezeria all'Ercole d'Oro
Visitors strolling along Strada Nova, the main route between Venice’s train station and the Rialto Bridge, often walk right past a hidden gem of the Settecento era in Casanova’s Serenissima: the ancient apothecary known as Spezeria all’Ercole d’Oro (Pharmacy of the Golden Hercules). Dating back to the 17th century, this pharmacy is now divided into a regular pharmacy and an adjoining salon that has been beautifully restored to its original grandeur, featuring sumptuous wood paneling, walnut cabinets, lustrous lamps, gilded scales, and delicate ceramic jars. Here, you can find Murano glass bottles from the local artisan perfumery, The Merchant of Venice, along with natural wellness products such as herbal teas, mustard seeds, and blueberry essence. The pharmacy is located at Salizada Santa Fosca, 2234.
Jesurum Venezia 1870
For over a century, Jesurum has been at the intersection of ancient artisan tradition and 100% Italian sartorial excellence. Each of our products results from a meticulous search for exclusive materials, refined design, and the study of unique embroidery techniques. Our aim is to provide beauty and quality that endure over time. The canestrello is a shell collected from the coast of eastern Veneto, identifiable by its elegant shape that cradles the fruit inside. As a symbol of protection, it often appears as a decorative element in architecture and monumental works. We have chosen this symbol to honor our Venetian origins and have embraced its natural and refined shape as a hallmark of our identity. In our collections, this figure is transformed into hand-painted embroidery and motifs, enriching our designs with a distinctive touch. Jesurum transforms visions into tailor-made creations, offering an exclusive customization service dedicated to architects, designers, and stylists. Each item, crafted for luxury residences, yachts, and private jets, tells a unique story of refinement. With over 150 years of craftsmanship, Jesurum creates unique and limited edition pieces, paying attention to both essential details and extraordinary solutions. Each creation is a masterpiece of quality and design, made for those who seek elegance, exclusivity, and uncompromising perfection.
Antica Drogheria Mascari
Nearby, the historic Rialto market is often bustling with food tour groups, but one shop consistently draws locals: Antica Drogheria Mascari. This delicatessen, run by the same family since 1948, is a treasure trove of local specialties, including bussolai biscuits from Burano, bigoli pasta from Bassano, and artisan polenta. The store also offers an array of goodies from across Italy, such as Sicilian cassata, amaretti di Saronno, and Florentine cantucci. Reflecting Venice’s historic connection to the spice trade, spices like turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and star anise are artfully displayed in the window. Don’t miss the tempting slabs of chocolate and vintage glass jars filled with sweets. The must-buy list continues with their exceptional wine cellar, which is stocked with rare vintages. You can find them at Calle Prima de la Donzella, 306.
Despar Teatro Italia Supermarket
One notable example of Venetian Gothic architecture that you can admire without spending much is the Despar Teatro Italia supermarket, located in the vibrant Cannaregio neighborhood. This ochre-red, palatial food hall stands out in a bustling square filled with café terraces, and its elaborate facade marks it as the Teatro Italia, built in 1915. Initially, it served as a cinema and later as a lecture hall for university students. In 2016, the Despar group transformed it into what the press labeled “the most beautiful supermarket in Italy.” Today, while locals often overlook the stunning murals, the supermarket has become a favorite spot for tourists looking to appreciate the artwork while shopping for picnic supplies or cooking ingredients.
Rubelli Textiles
Step off the vaporetto water bus at the Grand Canal stop of Sant’Angelo, and a short walk will lead you to Palazzo Ca’ Pisani Rubelli, an architectural gem. This building serves as the headquarters for the Rubelli family, renowned for their luxurious Venetian textiles, including damask, brocade, velvet, and silk, which are sold worldwide. On the lavish ground floor, you’ll find a shop and showroom featuring their latest collections, open to the public. The upper levels house an impressive archive containing 7,000 designs, some dating back centuries. Although Rubelli produces its fabrics near Como, the original designs are inspired by Venice’s unique art and culture. Fashion enthusiasts and professionals can apply to visit the archives through the Rubelli website.
Emilio Ceccato - Venezia
Since 2015, the Al Duca d'Aosta Group has taken pride in enhancing the iconic work uniform of Venetian gondoliers, adding class and elegance to this famous symbol of the lagoon city. The Emilio Ceccato brand, with its historic shop at the base of the Rialto Bridge, serves as the official dealer for these iconic uniforms, which are now easily purchasable online.
Join the world of gondoliers and wear the high-quality striped polo shirt designed by Emilio Ceccato. The collection dedicated to gondoliers blends tradition with modernity, featuring everything from casual sweaters to handcrafted straw hats. The entire collection is available on our e-commerce site, specifically dedicated to the gondolier lifestyle and the charm of Venice. Shop at: Sestiere S. Polo, 16/17, 30125 Venice VE
The exclusive crest of the Venice Gondoliers Association incorporates significant symbols of the lagoon city: the St. Mark's Lion, the flag of the Serenissima, the six "districts" that make up the lagoon, and the "Pettine," which adorns the bow of each gondola. This crest is embroidered on the garments in our collection, which are also available for purchase. Have you ever wanted to take home a piece of your trip but found that nothing stood out enough to justify the cost? We've created a collection of gadgets and accessories that blend modern design with traditional flavor, making them ideal gifts inspired by this magical city.
Barena Venezia
Not an actual shop in Venice but a clothing brand designing and manufacturing in Venice and selling on-line. It all began in 1961 when Sandro Zara, a Venetian entrepreneur with a deep curiosity for traditional textiles, explored the archives of old wool mills in and around the lagoon areas of Venice. During his visits, he uncovered original patterns and textile books, which later became the primary source of inspiration for Barena’s collections.
Barena Venezia was established in 1993. From the very beginning, the brand combined shapes, colors, and materials to create an authentic and refined identity, prioritizing the materiality and craftsmanship of fabrics over fleeting fashion trends. In the late 1980s, Sandro Zara met Massimo Pigozzo, and together they decided to develop a complete menswear collection, officially founding Barena Venezia in 1993. The brand experienced significant growth season after season, expanding into womenswear in 2008 when Francesca Zara, Sandro's daughter, joined the family business as the creative director for Barena Women.
Throughout its journey, Barena has remained committed to its fabric-first ethos. Massimo Pigozzo and Francesca Zara build each collection from the ground up, beginning their process by sourcing unique materials. They design their garments based on the fabrics they discover, often utilizing original early 20th-century patterns from the rich brand archive.
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