Hidden gems in Venice
Skip the tourist circuit. These Venice spots are the ones locals actually send their out-of-town friends to.
Top spots in Venice
Doge's Palace
CultureSan Marco
Gothic palace of secret itineraries, Tintoretto ceilings and the Bridge of Sighs.
- Local pick
Gondola at Dusk
OutdoorsSan Marco
Splurge for 30 minutes on a black lacquer boat — ask for the small canals.
Where to eat
Al Covo
$$$Modern Venetian · Castello
Husband-wife team — chef Cesare, host Diane — meticulous lagoon-driven menus.
Cantina Do Spade
$Cicchetti · San Polo
1488 osteria off the Rialto — meatballs, sarde in saor, ombre Prosecco.
Osteria alle Testiere
$$$$Venetian seafood · Castello
Nine tables, fresh-from-Rialto fish, no menu — reserve weeks ahead.
Trattoria da Romano
$$$Burano risotto · Burano
Hemingway hangout — risotto de gò and the freshest grilled fish on the island.
Bacaro Quebrado
$Cicchetti · Cannaregio
Stand-up natural-wine bar with a daily-changing chalkboard.
Frequently asked
- Locals' under-the-radar picks include St Mark's Square & Basilica, Rialto Bridge & Market, Doge's Palace. These are the places that don't show up on the first page of mainstream travel guides.