Shopping in Venice

Venice may have lost its role as the great Europe trading metropolis but it is still a bust shopping center. Window-fronts provide a visual feast with their dazzling displays of jewellery, fabrics, glass and masks. Those willing to explore the streets beyond San Marco will find that the Venetian craftsmanship still survives. Bookbinders, carpenters, makers and even mosaicists can be found in small workshops off the beaten track. The island of Murano is still an important center for the glass industry, and Burano makes lace and linen, though considerably less than it used to produce. Along with the authentic articles sold throughout Venice comes a vast quantity of kitsch and imitation goods, from myriad mock-Murano glass objects the imitation Gucci bags sold by African hawkers in main squares and thoroughfares.

The absence of cars in one of the obvious pleasures of shopping in Venice. You can stroll at leisure anywhere in the city, and all the main shopping areas are within walking distance of San Marco.

To see a range of authentic Venetian crafts start at Venezia Artigiana at 412-413 Calle Larga San Marco. Which is just north of Basilica San Marco.

Shopping Streets and Areas Piazza San Marco has a concentration of exclusive shops, selling top-quality jewellery, linen, lace and glass, all at predictably high prices. For designer boutiques and specialists in leather, knitwear and silk, concentrate on the streets west of the Pazza: Calle vallaresso, Frezzeria, Salizzada San Moise and Calle Larga XXII Marzo.

The Mercerie, running from Piazza San Marco to the Rialto, has a range of clothes and shoe boutiques which tend to be less expensive than those west of the piazza. The Rialto is the cheapest area for leather and silk accessories, angora and lambswool sweaters, and typically Venetian souvenirs. Strada Nova, a busy thoroughfare of Cannaregio, is another of the less expensive shopping areas, hough lacking the atmosphere of the Rialto.

For glass you should make a trip to the island of Murano. Here you can watch the glass-blowers, visit showrooms and feast your eyes on a multitude of window-fronts stacked with every conceivable item which can be reproduced n glass. The island of Burano, traditional center of lace-making, has a lace school where you can see the genuine article displayed and being made. Stalls lining the streets usually sell cheaper, manufactured versions – some of it made in the Far East.

For suggestions on some unique places to shop, as well as history, food, and practical information, ask the guide and she will help you.