Beyond the gondolas, piazzas and postcard-perfect canals, there’s another Venice—quiet, resilient, and incredibly skilled.
It’s the Venice of artisans. Hidden behind wooden doors and tucked-away alleys, you’ll find centuries-old workshops and ateliers, where craftspeople continue traditions that have shaped the city’s identity.
I’ve always loved visiting artisan shops in Venice. Behind each counter, there’s a story: of hands trained through years of repetition, of knowledge passed down quietly, of materials worked with care and intention.
These places are more than boutiques—they’re keepers of Venice’s cultural and creative heritage. And they’re open for you to discover.
Whether you’re looking to shop more mindfully, find unique gifts, or simply get to know Venice beyond the surface, let this guide be your invitation into the world of Venetian craftsmanship.
Artisan Shops & Studios You Can’t Miss
This is just a starting point—not a complete list of Venice’s incredible artisans. I’ll be updating it as I discover more hidden gems on my travels back and forth to Venice.
For full access to my carefully curated collection of artisan shops, studios, and ateliers across the city, be sure to download my Venice Unlocked Visitor Map.
It includes a dedicated section with all the artisan locations pinned, plus brief descriptions to help you plan your visit.
Why shop with Artisans in Venice?
In a city often criticised for being overrun by mass tourism and imported souvenirs, shopping with local artisans is a meaningful and rewarding choice.
Here are three reasons why I think shopping with local artisans matters:
- Support Small, Family-Run Businesses: Many artisan shops in Venice are independent or family-owned. Every purchase goes into the hands of people who live here, work here, and care deeply about keeping these traditions alive. You’re not just buying an object—you’re helping sustain a way of life.
- Take Home a Real Piece of Venice: A marbled notebook, a hand-carved gondola ornament, a hand-printed poster—each item tells a story and carries a piece of the city’s history with it. Unlike mass-produced souvenirs, artisan creations are authentic, one-of-a-kind, and full of character.
- Enjoy a Deeper, More Personal Experience: Artisan shopping isn’t just about browsing. It’s a conversation, a moment of connection. You might find yourself chatting with a bookbinder about pigments, or learning how a mask is shaped by hand. These are the encounters that make travel memorable—human, intimate, real.
If you’re looking for a curated list of artisans, workshops and creative spaces in Venice, you can unlock the full list in my Venice Unlocked Visitor Map complete with short descriptions and exact locations.
Artisan shops in Venice
Here are some of my favourite stops across the city. I have personally visited each one of these artisans and believe each is a gem in their own right.
Let’s start with…
1. Il Pavone Stamperia
Marbled and Woodblock Printed Paper
Step into a world of colour and texture at Il Pavone. This shop creates beautiful hand-marbled papers and block-printed designs using techniques that date back centuries.
Whether you’re a stationery lover or just want to admire the craftsmanship, this is the place to go for notebooks, bookmarks, or framed prints that resemble Venetian symbols and architecture.
📍 Fondamenta Venier Dorsoduro 721, 30123 Venice Italy
2. Venezia Stampa
Traditional Typography and Letterpress
Venezia Stampa is a dream for anyone who loves type, print, or graphic design. This workshop revives the art of letterpress using antique machines and lead type.
You’ll find beautifully printed posters, cards, and literary quotes (also in Venetian dialect which I loved!)—each one made with precision and passion.
It’s all about meaningful design and care for keeping the old typography tradition alive with a fun, contemporary twist. You can also join one of their typographic printing workshops!
📍 Campo S. M. Mater Domini, Santa Croce 2173, 30135 Venice Italy
3. Mater Domini Masks
Handmade Venetian Masks + Workshops
In a cosy shop in Campo Santa Maria Mater Domini, two sisters—Michela and Elisabetta—keep the magic of mask-making alive. Mater Domini is full of handmade masks in all shapes and styles, with all the classic Carnival pieces and characters.
Even better? You can join one of their mask-making workshops and learn about this centuries-old Venetian tradition from the artists themselves.
📍 Campo S.Maria Mater Domini, 30135 Santa 2118 VE, Italy
3. Saverio Pastor – Le Forcole
Hand-Carved Oars and Rowlocks
Saverio Pastor is one of the last remaining masters of “forcole” (more precisely there are 5 left in Venice!)—the elegantly carved wooden rowlocks used by gondoliers.
More than a gallery, this is a workspace, filled with polished forms that are both functional (pieces to sell gondoliers in Venice) and sculptural (what about a wooden tailor-made oar or forcola in your living room?).
Visiting here gives you a rare insight into one of Venice’s most iconic and technical crafts.
📍 Fondamenta Soranzo, 34130123 Dorsoduro, Venice Italy
4. Vanessa Milan
Venetian Illustrator
Vanessa is a local illustrator whose dreamy, evanescent drawings capture the quieter, nostalgic side of Venice. From large prints to postcards and storybook prints, her work is full of personality and heart. It’s her personal view of the lagoon that surrounds Venice itself.
You’ll often find her working in her little studio in Dorsoduro, where she’s always happy to share the inspiration behind her illustrations.
📍 Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3848 30123 Venice Italy
Over to You…
So next time you’re in Venice, skip the magnet stands and cheap souvenir shops. Instead, visit the workshops suggested above, or simply duck into a quiet calle and push open the door to a workshop.
Ask questions. Watch hands at work. Pick up a piece that speaks to you.
Buying from artisans is more than shopping—it’s a way to experience Venice with all your senses. To connect with its soul. To take home something that’s been made with love, skill, and meaning.
Happy exploring—and let me know if you visit any of the artisans in this list. I’d love to hear your stories. Why not read more ideas on what to do in Venice while here?
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