Venice Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Venice Shopping

Venetian Masks

Carnivale is a huge celebration that takes place in February each year in Venice, and elaborate costumes are worn along with breathtakingly intricate masks. Those masks are a much-sought-after item for tourists visiting the city. The festival was originally intended as a celebration of marriages, but has since become an annual festival. Mask shops are prevalent in Venice and many of the masks are quite expensive.

Murano Glass

Murano glass ranges from very small pieces to glasses, vases, and even chandeliers. Some of the most famous pieces of Murano glass are small pieces that are fashioned after wrapped candies.  There are countless shops to visit and there are also factory tours available at many glass makers.  To ensure your purchase is authentic, you should receive a certificate of authenticity with any purchase. Note that Murano glass can be purchased worldwide, and prices in Venice have the potential to be quite inflated.

Burano Lace

The lace made on the island of Burano is world-renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship.  Sadly, the high level of skill and the amount of time needed to create a piece of lace means that there aren’t many people who still make these pieces.  Therefore, when buying handmade lace in Burano, expect to pay a hefty price and get a label of authenticity to ensure you aren’t buying a machine-made piece from another part of the world.

The pieces of lace can be small or large, such as a handkerchief or rectangular tablecloth. A tablecloth for a 12-person setting might be sold in excess of $400 and has likely taken the needlewoman at least three years to complete. Shoppers are able to find items for a smaller price tag, but all of the handmade pieces are truly a sight to behold.

Grand Canal Souvenir Shops

Shops around the Grand Canal are an excellent spot to find a wide range of shops to visit.  Souvenir shops are plentiful, and these shops carry items from the post cards, shirts, shot glasses, and other typical souvenirs, including replicas of Carnivale masks, artisan glass, and much more.

These shops are typically open for 12 hours a day, and smaller shops may even negotiate prices for their items with shoppers.  Larger, more corporate-style souvenir shops will likely expect the ticketed price for the souvenirs that they are offering.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about places to shop in Venice.