Despite the influx of tourists, one can always find secluded parts of Venice, just a bridge away, adorned with quiet squares, luminous Madonnas in hidden churches, and bustling local hangouts. Photo / Supplied
You’ll never tire of Venice’s hotspots but scratch below the surface and you’ll find much more than gondolas and waterways, writes Anne Hanley.
There are days when visitors to this exquisite jewel box of a city outnumber locals two-to-one, and when getting from the station to St Mark’s Square is a battle. But despite this, Venice never loses its capacity to enchant: stepping out of the station to be greeted by a glittering canal with the dome of San Simeon Piccolo beyond remains heart-stopping, whether you’re doing it for the first time or the 100th.
Even at peak visitor periods, the worst excesses can be avoided and you’re never more than a bridge away from secluded Venice with its quiet campi (squares), churches concealing luminous Madonnas, handsome Gothic palazzi and bustling neighbourhood hangouts.
Because there’s more to Venice than peerless artistic riches from centuries past: it’s also a hive of contemporary activity. Beyond the alternating Art and Architecture Biennales, which showcase all that’s cutting edge internationally, the city’s dwindling population works hard to keep contemporary Venice creative, productive and very vibrant.
Morning
Start the day in Da Bonifacio, a tiny cafe with a lovely crazy-paved mosaic floor, hidden away behind the Doge’s Palace (Castello 4237, calle degli Albanesi; closed Thurs). The coffee’s good – ask for the very Venetian macchiatone if you like the idea of a cappuccino with less milk – and it’s difficult to resist cakes like the pasta con le mandorle (almond slice).
The wondrous, mosaic-studded interior of Venice’s mother church, St Mark’s Basilica, doesn’t open to visitors until 9.30am but anyone is welcome to attend morning mass. Take your pick between the 8am and 10am slots. The advantage of the latter, apart from the lie-in, is that it’s sometimes a sung Lauds mass, and there’s nothing like plainsong to bring out the magic of St Mark’s. Afterwards, visit the Museum of St Mark’s, which affords spectacular views over the piazza; entry is €7.
Afternoon
If you are looking for a properly Venetian lunch experience, with traditional dishes such as bigoli in salsa (thick spaghetti in anchovy and onion sauce) or sardine in saor (sweet and sour sardines), Al Portego will deliver. There are only a handful of tables – so book – plus space to perch at the bar and graze on a wide selection of ciccheti (bar snacks), which is what locals do.
Take a stroll through the Castello district, leaving the tourist hordes behind, until you reach the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni. After the opulence of St Mark’s, indulge in one of the city’s most charmingly intimate cultural draws: an early 16th-century cycle of paintings by local artist Vittore Carpaccio narrating episodes from the life of Dalmatia’s three patron saints, George, Tryphon and Jerome.
Late
Head back west towards the Rialto Bridge. For a breathtaking view, pop into the glitzy new Fondaco dei Tedeschi shopping mall (Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi) and take the escalator up to the roof terrace. Afterwards, cross the Rialto Bridge to the market area, and join the fun by grabbing a spritz at hole-in-the-wall bar Al Merca, and munching on a few cicchetti – go for baccala mantecato (creamed salt cod), mantis prawns, or schie (small grey shrimps).
Wrap the day up by hopping back on Vaporetto 1 towards Piazzale Roma, and disembark at San Marcuola. From here, wend your way through narrow alleys to the delightfully untouristy northern stretches of Cannaregio, where funky trattoria Anice Stellato does excellent creative Venetian cuisine, along with good-value house wines.
Morning
Enjoy a morning stroll along the scenic Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront promenade and hop on the number 2 vaporetto at the San Marco-San Zaccaria stop. Get off at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, and take the lift to the top of the church’s 18th century campanile to enjoy a spectacular view of Venice and its lagoon.
Take the number 2 again and get off at Zattere, from where it’s a short walk to the Accademia Gallery, a vast repository of magnificent Old Masters. Look out for Vittore Carpaccio’s frantic Miracle of the Cross at the Rialto. The bridge has changed but the water-borne confusion beneath is instantly recognisable.
If the Tintorettos and Bellinis don’t do it for you, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection offers a more modern roster of works by mostly European artists from Picasso to Matisse, assembled by the eccentric American heiress in the mid 20th century. The gallery’s pretty, artsy cafe is a sophisticated spot for a tea or coffee break. The garden’s lovely too.
Afternoon
When hunger calls, make a beeline back to the Zattere and chalet bar El Chioschetto, where you can sit outside watching the boats ply the Giudecca Canal while munching on a piadina – a sort of flatbread pizza – or a salad.
No Venetian day would be complete without an hour or so of downtime where you just wander without a real destination. Dorsoduro is a good place to indulge the habit. This artsy, studenty district is full of quirky shops such as mask-making workshop Ca’ Macana, which supplied the masks for the Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut.
A short walk away in Campo San Polo, the Gothic I Frari church contains truly sumptuous artworks. Titian’s dramatic, intensely spiritual Assumption of the Virgin (1518) over the high altar dominates.
Late
The area between Frari and Zattere – in particular Campo Santa Margherita and the narrow streets behind San Pantalon – is a fashionable but secluded evening favourite for those in the know. Favourites include aperitivo haunts Malvasia all’Adriatico Mar and Estro Vino e Cucina, run by a young group with a passion for natural wine and a Slow Food approach to eating.
Neighbourhood watch
When monumental Venice overwhelms, head for the gloriously residential Sant’Elena district. Sip a spritz at Vincent Bar, watching children in the park and boats chugging across the lagoon to the Lido.
City hack
Avoid hassle and save (a little) money by pre-booking your airport transfers, vaporetto travel pass and entry to galleries and attractions through Venezia Unica.
Attractions
Behind the splendour of the Doge’s Palace lie inquisitors’ courts and drear dungeons. Visit them on a “secret itineraries” tour.
Did you know?
The Rialto market is Venice’s number one venue for fresh produce but there are also two boat market stalls in this watery city. Fresh produce floats in Campo San Barnaba and at the far eastern end of Via Garibaldi.
Hotels
Aperitivi at the Hilton Molino Stucky’s Skyline roof bar are not cheap but the superb sunset view that goes with them comes absolutely free.
Luxury living
Gritti Palace, a 15th-century palazzo, is on the most eye-catching stretch of the Grand Canal, looking across the water to Santa Maria della Salute and to the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The entire building houses hundreds of precious paintings and other artefacts. Staff are charming and there’s a small spa. The Club del Doge restaurant has one of the most beautiful dining rooms in this or any other city.
Boutique bolthole
An effortlessly elegant mix of antique and modern, the five-room Cima Rosa is the extremely stylish creation of an Italian architect and American decorator couple. Rooms and suites are all beautifully decorated in Farrow & Ball pastels that pick up Venice’s water colours and enhance the classic-contemporary elegance. The sateen bed linen is luxurious; the well-equipped bathrooms are delightful. Three rooms have Grand Canal views.
Budget beauty
Rooms in the main part of the Al Ponte Mocenigo cluster around a delightful courtyard with ancient columns and a lovely antique wellhead. The look is classic Venetian with a contemporary twist; the feel is laid-back and very friendly. An annexe has eight more rooms but less of the affable air generated by the outdoor space, Turkish bath, and bar and front desk facilities next door.
What to take home
Every Italian region has its signature pasta, and in Venice it’s bigoli. This fat spaghetti was originally made with buckwheat and duck eggs and is served with anchovies and onion (”in salsa”). Pick up brightly coloured boxes of Bigoli de Bassan at Drogheria Mascari.
The soft velvet-topped slippers worn by gondoliers are called furlane. At Piedaterre, beneath the arches at the foot of the Rialto bridge, the tradition has been preserved and updated. Take home a brightly coloured pair for around €110.
When to go
Venice is a unique, magical place 365 days a year. But much of the time you’ll be sharing that magic with thousands of other visitors. Numbers peak in summer, despite the heat, humidity and swarms of mosquitoes. Spring and autumn are much more pleasant. I especially like late autumn (mid-October to mid-November) when, if you’re lucky with the weather, it can still be warm enough to eat outside. But my favourite season of all is winter, a time of misty vistas when tourists are few and far between, rooms are cheap and the city is reclaimed by Venetians.
An exception is Carnevale, in the two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday (February/March), which brings in hordes of revellers and sends accommodation prices through the roof. Other regular annual events include the June-November Art Biennale (even years) and Architecture Biennale (odd years), the Film Festival (10 days end of August to early September) and local festivities like the Festa del Redentore on the third weekend in July, when the city and lagoon are lit up by fireworks.
GETTING THERE
Emirates flies from Auckland to Venice Marco Polo Airport with one stopover in Dubai.
DETAILS
italia.it/en
The Daily Telegraph
When there's nothing as far as the eye can see, you may appreciate the company.