Venice
High fashion meets acqua alta (high water) in Marisa Convento's aquatic accessories. La Fenice divas demand her freshwater-pearl-encrusted velvet handbags…
Must-see shopping in The Veneto
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
This striking space dedicated to the work of the pioneering Sent sisters is as sleek as their jewellery: white walls and huge picture windows flood the…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Go Gaga or channel Casanova at this atelier, dedicated to the art of masquerade for over 30 years. Sarria's commedia dell'arte masks are worn by theatre…
Venice
Beneath all the marble and gilt, Venice is a city of wood, long supported by its carpenters, caulkers, oar-makers and gilders. Master woodcarver Paolo…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Pocket-sized Damocle is both a bookshop and publisher, translating literary greats such as Oscar Wilde and Luigi Pirandello, as well as showcasing…
Venice
Sleek belts with brushed-steel buckles, satchels, manbags and knee-high red boots: Kalimala makes beautiful leather goods in practical, modern styles…
Venice
Glimpse the talents behind the Venetian Carnevale masks that impressed Stanley Kubrick so much he ordered several for his final film Eyes Wide Shut…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Soft lighting from the handcrafted lamps on sale illuminates the shop window, making the alluring display of silver jewellery shimmer. Inside, you can…
Venice
Giuliana’s shop is the dream hat-cupboard of any true sartorialist. Styles range from hand-woven Montecristi panama hats to a fuchsia felt number made for…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Stefania Giannici’s nimble fingers have been practising origami since she was four years old. Now a master of her craft, she folds, prints, rolls and…
Venice
Venetian pirates once headed to Constantinople for all their interior-decoration needs, but today they'd need look no further than Caigo da Mar. This tiny…
Venice
Hand-coloured lithographs of fanciful lagoon fish, 19th-century miniatures of cats dressed as generals, and vintage cufflinks make for charming souvenirs…
Venice
Thoughts worth committing to paper deserve Paolo Olbi’s keepsake books, albums and stationery, whose fans include Hollywood actors and NYC mayors (ask to…
Venice
Prison orange is out and plum silk velvet is in at this nonprofit boutique, where hand-sewn fashions are the fruit of a retraining program at the women’s…
Venice
Kids, entomologists and glass collectors seek out Signor Camuffo in this cabinet of miniature natural wonders. Expect to find him wielding a blowtorch as…
Artisti Artigiani del Chiostro
Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands
Dating from the 15th-century, the cloister of the former Convent of Sts Cosmas and Damian has been repurposed as a base for independent artisans to ply…
Venice
The plush, handwoven silk-and-wool wraps piled high on Arras’ shelves represent the combined efforts of this weaving cooperative, which offers vocational…
Venice
Not so much a bookshop as a tiny time machine, Segni's cramped shelves might reveal a 16th-century edition of Giovanni Pontano's De Prudentia or a History…
Venice
After seeing umpteen Venetian masterpieces, anyone’s fingers will start twitching for a paintbrush. Arcobaleno provides the raw materials, its shelves…
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
Doyenne Emilia di Ammendola, a third-generation lace-maker, has passed on her skills to her children who are continuing the family tradition in this…
Venice
If you're looking for something distinctively Venetian, check out this Aladdin's cave. An old-fashioned dealer and artisan restorer, Valter Ballarin has a…
Venice
In addition to its sumptuous range of art and design books, the shop of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia offers a highly curated selection of glass,…
Artigianato d'Arte di Mauro Vianello
San Polo & Santa Croce
A coral reef's worth of painstakingly detailed glass Nemos, seahorses, starfish, jellyfish and seashells fills the window of this little glass studio…
Venice
Hiding in plain sight on touristy Strada Nova, this authentic Murano glass shop stocks jewellery from some of Venice's very best glass artists, many of…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Consider Paolo’s hand-bound marbled-paper journals and photo albums a challenge: now it’s up to you to create Venice memories worthy of such inspired…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Suitably set beside the appetite-piquing Rialto Market, cheery Casa del Parmigiano heaves with coveted cheeses, from potent parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan)…
Venice
Occupying one of the Grand Canal's most imposing buildings, a 16th-century German trading house, this branch of the DFS chain is worth visiting whether…
Venice
Bragorà is a multipurpose space: part shop, service centre and cultural hub. Its upcycled products include beach bags sewn out of boat sails, toy gondolas…
Venice
Knitting nuts rejoice: the mother and daughter team that runs Lellabella has more than 40 years experience in the craft and stocks a huge range of top…
Venice
Stocked with speciality Italian wine, olive oil, jam and pasta, this excellent store has plenty of comestible souvenirs that you could happily lug home…
Venice
Kids may have to drag adults away from the 2D wooden puzzles of the Rialto Bridge and grinning wooden duckies before these clever handmade toys induce…
Venice
The 19th century bumps into the 21st in this hidden corner showcase of rare Murano glass, ranging from spun-gold chandeliers beloved by royal decorators…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Whether it's a unicorn or a steampunk explorer mask you're after, this traditional workshop will see you right. Alternatively you can paint your own…
Venice
Vintage mirrors and beautiful wooden shelving adorn this attractive, long-standing hat store. Owners Roberta and Misty stock traditional panamas and…
Venice
Get that ‘just got in from Monaco for my art opening’ look beloved of cashed-up bohemians. The high-drama Delphos tunic dresses make anyone look like a…
Venice
Utilising traditional Murano techniques and materials, including oxides and resins, Sabina Melinato conjures up contemporary glass and costume jewellery…
Venice
Daniela Lavera and Alessandra Gardin work with ceramics, porcelain, wood and glass to turn out contemporary homewares and stylish jewellery. Shapes are…
Venice
This small family-run business turns out a candy-coloured range of gloves and bags in the softest leather. The gloves are hand-stitched in Naples and are…
Venice
Handbags become heirlooms in the hands of Venetian designers Massimiliano Battois and Silvano Arnoldo, whose handcrafted clutches come in bold turquoise…
Venice
This discreet menswear store on the Frezzaria stocks a natty line of jackets and sweaters tailored in the historic Rodrigo factory in Abruzzo. The look is…
