Shopping in Venice

Luxury Shopping

The sparkling windows of some of the biggest names of Italian fashion like Armani, Gucci and Valentino can be found in the St. Mark’s Square area along Calle larga XXII Marzo, or along the Mercerie in Rialto. 

The best jewelry stores are located under the porticos in St. Mark’s square, where luxury collections of Italian designers and traditional jewelry items share the sumptuous displays.

Artisan Shops

Venice artisan heritage lives on thanks to the rare gift of skilled Venetian craftsmen who are keeping centuries-old traditions alive. Choices abound:

• Fabrics, silk and velvets: Venice has always excelled in the art of fabric weaving thanks to the quality and finish of its textiles, which were exported throughout the Mediterranean. Fortuny fabrics are among the most famous in the world, particularly for its patterns based on oriental and renaissance motifs; the Gaggio family carries on a tradition of hand printed velvets with Byzantine and Venetian adornments; Rubelli textiles are now internationally known for the lush brocades.

• Beads, Murrine and Glass: Many glass laboratories in Murano have an adjoining store that sells vases, murine (glass miniature), glass beads and many more different items.

The island of Murano houses a museum entirely dedicated to this art, the Murano Glass Museum. 

• Masks: can be found in every shop on the island, and they come in every shape and color, from the most precious and expensive one in the specialty stores to the cheapest ones sold on the souvenir stalls. The real masterpieces are made in the Laboratorio Artigianale maschere (Artisan masks Laboratory) in Castello.

• Lace embroidery: The art of lace embroidery started in Venice during the Renaissance and from the very beginning Burano stood out for mastering the practice of needling without fabric support. On the island itself are the best stores with magnificent table cloths, outfits, bed sheets and much more.