Explore Venice as a local
Lively areas
Venice is a live city, full of students, scholars and artists. Here where they gather -
Nice relaxed and low budget area with lots of bars and cafè
126 locals recommend
Campo Santa Margherita
Campo Santa MargheritaNice relaxed and low budget area with lots of bars and cafè
Fondamenta Misericordia
Fondamenta de la MisericordiaGreat night life area
Zattere station
Lovely place for a morning coffe or a drink before dinner
One of the most fascinating areas of Venice for a romantic walk or a cafè overlooking the main island skyline
37 locals recommend
Giudecca
One of the most fascinating areas of Venice for a romantic walk or a cafè overlooking the main island skyline
Forte Marghera is a large fortress built from the early 19th century by the French and Austrian armies.
Today the fortress is a public park that connects Venice to the Canal Salso and, through this, to the city mainland, being a hub of all roads (tram, bus, railroad, vehicular traffic, bicycle and nautical) connecting Marghera and Mestre to Venice historical centre and its lagoon.
The area is a central “Venice waterfront” with a lovely park and a nice bay that is full of cafès, bars and live music events in the summer. A great night out! The park is opened everyday in summer between 9 am and 1 am to relax on the bay, eat, drink and djsets.
Check here for live music night events
https://www.facebook.com/pg/baiadelforte/events/?ref=page_internal
67 locals recommend
Forte Marghera
30 Via Forte MargheraForte Marghera is a large fortress built from the early 19th century by the French and Austrian armies.
Today the fortress is a public park that connects Venice to the Canal Salso and, through this, to the city mainland, being a hub of all roads (tram, bus, railroad, vehicular traffic, bicycle and nautical) connecting Marghera and Mestre to Venice historical centre and its lagoon.
The area is a central “Venice waterfront” with a lovely park and a nice bay that is full of cafès, bars and live music events in the summer. A great night out! The park is opened everyday in summer between 9 am and 1 am to relax on the bay, eat, drink and djsets.
Check here for live music night events
https://www.facebook.com/pg/baiadelforte/events/?ref=page_internal
Museums and galleries
My favourite galleries and exhibition venues
Great expo and art location. Pinault Collection
more info: https://www.palazzograssi.it/
193 locals recommend
Punta della Dogana
2 DorsoduroGreat expo and art location. Pinault Collection
more info: https://www.palazzograssi.it/
Great expos, especially if you like photography. The building itself, a splendid example of early 20th-century Venetian architecture, designed by Mario De Maria (Marius Pictor) in the centre of St Mark's basin, facing St Mark's square and the Doge's Palace is a must see.
More info on current exhibitions http://www.treoci.org/index.php/it/
48 locals recommend
Casa dei Tre Oci
43 Fondamenta ZitelleGreat expos, especially if you like photography. The building itself, a splendid example of early 20th-century Venetian architecture, designed by Mario De Maria (Marius Pictor) in the centre of St Mark's basin, facing St Mark's square and the Doge's Palace is a must see.
More info on current exhibitions http://www.treoci.org/index.php/it/
The International Gallery of Modern Art in Ca’ Pesaro contains important 19th- and 20th-century collections of paintings and sculptures, including masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Auguste Rodin and Giacomo Balla.
More info and current exhibitions:
https://capesaro.visitmuve.it
101 locals recommend
Ca' Pesaro Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna
2076 Santa CroceThe International Gallery of Modern Art in Ca’ Pesaro contains important 19th- and 20th-century collections of paintings and sculptures, including masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Auguste Rodin and Giacomo Balla.
More info and current exhibitions:
https://capesaro.visitmuve.it
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is among the most important contemporary and modern art museums in Italy located in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. Peggy Guggenheim lived in Venice most of her life.
The museum presents Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection, masterpieces from the Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof collection, a sculpture garden as well as temporary exhibitions.
There is a nice cafè where you can taste nice brunch or lunch
More info:
http://www.guggenheim-venice.it
433 locals recommend
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
701-704 DorsoduroThe Peggy Guggenheim Collection is among the most important contemporary and modern art museums in Italy located in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. Peggy Guggenheim lived in Venice most of her life.
The museum presents Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection, masterpieces from the Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof collection, a sculpture garden as well as temporary exhibitions.
There is a nice cafè where you can taste nice brunch or lunch
More info:
http://www.guggenheim-venice.it
Venice is a large metropolitan citiy and includes a wide urban territory on mainland (Marghera, Mestre, ecc.) where major urban-regeneration projects have been carried iover the last 2 decades.
M9, a
M9, a new contemporary museum in the centre of Mestre is an outstanding example and a smart destination if you want to explore Venice in an unconventional way.
On top of temporary expos and special events, M9 hosts the biggest XXth Century museum in Italy, designed to promote the century that most contributed to forging their modern identity.
This collective journey in more than a century of Italian life is brought to life in an innovative and emotionally engaging path that adopts multimedia, AI and interactive technology to serve historical narration.
You will be immersed in the changing culture, lifestyles, natural/urban landscapes, sciences and ways of working that typified the 20th century and which is ongoing.
You will be able to experience the emotion of being in a crowded square listening to great orators, to understand the harshness of factory work, to relive the clothing, houses and kitchens of the old generations and see how the countryside and the cities have changed.
You can immerse yourself in a multimedia experience to visit the past, understand the present and imagine the future.
49 locals recommend
Museo M9 Mestre
11 Via Giovanni PascoliVenice is a large metropolitan citiy and includes a wide urban territory on mainland (Marghera, Mestre, ecc.) where major urban-regeneration projects have been carried iover the last 2 decades.
M9, a
M9, a new contemporary museum in the centre of Mestre is an outstanding example and a smart destination if you want to explore Venice in an unconventional way.
On top of temporary expos and special events, M9 hosts the biggest XXth Century museum in Italy, designed to promote the century that most contributed to forging their modern identity.
This collective journey in more than a century of Italian life is brought to life in an innovative and emotionally engaging path that adopts multimedia, AI and interactive technology to serve historical narration.
You will be immersed in the changing culture, lifestyles, natural/urban landscapes, sciences and ways of working that typified the 20th century and which is ongoing.
You will be able to experience the emotion of being in a crowded square listening to great orators, to understand the harshness of factory work, to relive the clothing, houses and kitchens of the old generations and see how the countryside and the cities have changed.
You can immerse yourself in a multimedia experience to visit the past, understand the present and imagine the future.
Beach and seaside
Alberoni
Best beach in town
Pellestrina
Great beach
Want a really special treat? This extraordinary hotel opened in 1908 with a lavish ocean-front party for over 3,000 guests from around the globe.
The Lido landmark quickly became the destination for famous film stars, directors and royalty, such as the Windsors, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, John Steinbeck, Ingrid Bergman, Sofia Loren, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, ecc ecc.
The place is deeptly intertwined with the Venice world-famous Film Festival, which it used to host at the very beginning.
You can go and enjoy the splendid beach and terrace bar even if you are not a hotel guest (Although booking is recommended between June and September calling +39 041 271 6886). It will be a bit expensive but you will have a memorable sea-side day!
13 locals recommend
Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort
41 Lungomare Guglielmo MarconiWant a really special treat? This extraordinary hotel opened in 1908 with a lavish ocean-front party for over 3,000 guests from around the globe.
The Lido landmark quickly became the destination for famous film stars, directors and royalty, such as the Windsors, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, John Steinbeck, Ingrid Bergman, Sofia Loren, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, ecc ecc.
The place is deeptly intertwined with the Venice world-famous Film Festival, which it used to host at the very beginning.
You can go and enjoy the splendid beach and terrace bar even if you are not a hotel guest (Although booking is recommended between June and September calling +39 041 271 6886). It will be a bit expensive but you will have a memorable sea-side day!
Sport and activities
Piscina di Sacca Fisola
Best public indoor pool Only 5 € for 1 hour
Transports
Public Transport Official App (timetables, routes and online ticketing)
http://muoversi.venezia.it/en/content/avm-venezia-official-app
9 locals recommend
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Piazzale RomaPublic Transport Official App (timetables, routes and online ticketing)
http://muoversi.venezia.it/en/content/avm-venezia-official-app
Neighborhoods
One of the locals' favourite areas to live, with lots of small grocery shops, kids playground, local cafès and small dineries including the best Venice vegetarian restaurant "La Zucca"
Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio
Campo San Giacomo da l'OrioOne of the locals' favourite areas to live, with lots of small grocery shops, kids playground, local cafès and small dineries including the best Venice vegetarian restaurant "La Zucca"
The Venetian Ghetto is the area of Venice (Cannaregio district) in which Jews were compelled to live by the government of the Venetian Republic since 1516. In fact, the English word ghetto is derived from the Jewish ghetto in Venice.
Today, the Ghetto is still the center of Jewish life and communities in the city and is culturally very active, with conferences, exhibitions and seminars held throughout the course of the year.
Here you can also find kosher restaurant, including the lovely Gam Gam on Fondamenta di Cannaregio (near Ponte delle Guglie). Best to book in advance http://gamgamkosher.com/
Campo di Ghetto Nuovo
The Venetian Ghetto is the area of Venice (Cannaregio district) in which Jews were compelled to live by the government of the Venetian Republic since 1516. In fact, the English word ghetto is derived from the Jewish ghetto in Venice.
Today, the Ghetto is still the center of Jewish life and communities in the city and is culturally very active, with conferences, exhibitions and seminars held throughout the course of the year.
Here you can also find kosher restaurant, including the lovely Gam Gam on Fondamenta di Cannaregio (near Ponte delle Guglie). Best to book in advance http://gamgamkosher.com/
To get great tips for luxury local Venice go to https://luxecityguides.com/destination/venice/
43 locals recommend
Dorsoduro
Sestiere di DorsoduroTo get great tips for luxury local Venice go to https://luxecityguides.com/destination/venice/
Food scene
Best vegan restaurant in Venice. Try the lovely vegan pad thai and the bio burger! Large portions and reasonable prices
19 locals recommend
La Tecia Vegana
2104 Calle dei SecchiBest vegan restaurant in Venice. Try the lovely vegan pad thai and the bio burger! Large portions and reasonable prices
Historical restaurant in the heart of Venice near Rialto bridge. The interiors are from the Miramar yacht belonged to Franz Joseph II and Princess Sissi with a wonderful atmosphere.
Serves Venetian traditional food including raw seafood, homemade pasta, stockfish, cod stew with polenta and saor. A great wine list too.
In summer you can dine on the roof terrace enjoying a magical view. A bit expensive but you pay the very high quality of the ingredients.
Reservation essential, a bit expensive
Antica Carbonera
4648 Calle BemboHistorical restaurant in the heart of Venice near Rialto bridge. The interiors are from the Miramar yacht belonged to Franz Joseph II and Princess Sissi with a wonderful atmosphere.
Serves Venetian traditional food including raw seafood, homemade pasta, stockfish, cod stew with polenta and saor. A great wine list too.
In summer you can dine on the roof terrace enjoying a magical view. A bit expensive but you pay the very high quality of the ingredients.
Reservation essential, a bit expensive
Tasty middle eastern food in a lovely restaurant in Campo Santa Margherita, founded and managed by Amed Ahmadi an afghan film director now refugee in Venice.
Great curries, hummus and moussaka and large vegetarian choice.
The place is often crowded with young locals and booking strongly reccomended.
They do take away service and al fresco tables in summer.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/Orient-Experience-516943571666740/
32 locals recommend
Orient Experience Venezia
1847 Rio Terà FarsettiTasty middle eastern food in a lovely restaurant in Campo Santa Margherita, founded and managed by Amed Ahmadi an afghan film director now refugee in Venice.
Great curries, hummus and moussaka and large vegetarian choice.
The place is often crowded with young locals and booking strongly reccomended.
They do take away service and al fresco tables in summer.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/Orient-Experience-516943571666740/
‘Agli Alboretti’ restaurant is located in Dorsoduro district in Rio Terà Foscarini , facing the art galleries of Accademia. A young manager Nicolò Lazzari has taken here his passion for great cuisine and good wines.
Fresh fish and italian specialties re-interpreted by the young chef Michael.
A bit on the expensive side but surely worth a visit. Garden inside.
6 locals recommend
Ristorante Al Giglio
2477/78 S. Marco‘Agli Alboretti’ restaurant is located in Dorsoduro district in Rio Terà Foscarini , facing the art galleries of Accademia. A young manager Nicolò Lazzari has taken here his passion for great cuisine and good wines.
Fresh fish and italian specialties re-interpreted by the young chef Michael.
A bit on the expensive side but surely worth a visit. Garden inside.
A great "cicchetteria" in Cannaregio, with tasty tapas and great wines. Pop in for a drink, for a light lunch or for a true Venetian "aperitivo".
Nice staff
10 locals recommend
Do Colonne
1814 Rio Terà del CristoA great "cicchetteria" in Cannaregio, with tasty tapas and great wines. Pop in for a drink, for a light lunch or for a true Venetian "aperitivo".
Nice staff