Venice is known for its landmarks, St Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, which attract thousands of visitors every single day.
But the city’s real face shows itself in the quieter corners and in the neighbourhoods that most tourists never see.
Tourism has changed daily life for residents, yet a “local experience” is still possible if you make a few intentional choices. Think slower movement, mindful curiosity, and respect for the rhythm of a place that 47.995 people call home.
How to have a local experience in Venice
This guide shares simple ways to experience Venice more like a local and less like a tourist. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that this is like my motto.
Remember that I still offer trip consultations and even AMA calls where you can ask me questions about your trip over a live call, if you want more personalised tips.
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1. Stay in a neighbourhood where Venetians live
Neighbourhood choice changes your whole experience. Areas like Cannaregio, Castello (east side), and Santa Croce feel lived-in thanks to their morning markets, everyday cafés, independent bakeries and bookshops, and quiet canals.
Why these areas feel different
- More residential streets and fewer souvenir shops
- Local bars serving pastries at 7am
- Secondary canals where you’ll see delivery boats and neighbours chatting
Accommodation tip: choose to stay in a hotel instead of Airbnb. Select a room along a side canal rather than near major bridges like Rialto or Accademia.
You’ll get more tranquillity and a better chance to observe daily life. You can read about my hotel recommendations in my guide: neighbourhoods to stay in Venice.
Unsure about staying in less touristy areas of the city because you don’t know if there’s enough to do and restaurants in the area? Check out my neighbourhoods maps that can help you explore with confidence and see what each district offers.
2. Explore early in the morning or late in the evening
Venice transforms when the day-trippers leave, and before they arrive. Early mornings and late evenings reveal a completely different city.
Morning ideas
- Walk along Fondamente Nove at sunrise, when the lagoon glows and the streets are almost silent.
- Pass by Rialto Market as it wakes up: boats unloading, vendors setting up, chefs and locals buying fresh fish and seafood.
Evening ideas
- Wander through Dorsoduro after 9pm when students and residents reclaim the squares. Campo Santa Margherita and Campo San Barnaba are great spots to have a sneak peek into young night life.
- Cross small bridges in Castello and listen for the sound of oars from passing gondoliers heading home.
The light is softer, the air is calmer, and the atmosphere is the closest you’ll get to a locals-only Venice. See my guide on the best things to do at night to find out what you can do in Venice after sunset.
3. Shop where Venetians shop
One of the easiest ways to feel part of the city is to shop where locals shop. Tourists often end up shopping only in the busiest areas, surrounded by low-quality souvenirs.
If you walk just a little further into the quieter calli, you’ll uncover genuine finds, beautiful, well-crafted items made by real Venetian artisans.
Where to go
- Rialto Market, via Garibaldi, Campo Santa Margherita, to find fresh fish, vegetables, and seasonal produce
- Neighbourhood bakeries (panifici) for fresh bread and focaccia
- Floating fruit boats moored along the canals like the one in Campo San Barnaba, by the Ponte dei Pugni
- Deli shops: cheese, wine (enoteche), and fresh pasta
- The gastronomy counter at the supermarkets
- Artisan and artists shops where you can buy handmade gifts and souvenirs, you can consult my Venice Unlocked Map. There is a whole section about artisanal workshops!
Etiquette tips
- Don’t touch the produce—point and say “Buongiorno, posso avere…?”
- Bring small coins for quick transactions, although card is accepted everywhere
- If you’re unsure, watch how locals order
- Buy a few simple ingredients and enjoy a fresh meal. Remember you can’t picnic around the city, but use these rest areas and parks.
- Try cicchetti (small bites) at a bacaro such as fried meatballs, crostini, mini panini, tramezzini
- Order an ombra, a small glass of house wine traditionally enjoyed standing at the counter
- Ask about daily and seasonal specials; many places have seasonal dishes you won’t find on tourist menus
- Short handwritten menu
- Locals standing at the bar
- No photos of food displayed outside
- Step one street over from the main path
- Wander through the quieter lanes of San Polo, Dorsoduro, and the backstreets of Castello. Venture towards Cannaregio.
- Let yourself get a little lost: Venice is small, walkable, and you’ll reach water before you wander too far
- Join a sagra (local food festival) if your trip overlaps
- Visit working ateliers: mask makers, glass bead artists, woodworkers, bookbinders
- Enrol in a small workshop to learn a craft, even if it’s just for an hour
- Sit in a campo and watch daily life unfold: kids playing football, neighbours chatting
- Stand at a café bar for a quick coffee instead of sitting at a table
- Listen for church bells, delivery boats, and footsteps over bridges
4. Eat like a local
Food is one of the clearest divides between tourist Venice and local Venice. Look for osterie, trattorie, and bacari rather than restaurants with laminated photos and staff inviting you in.
How to order like a local
Signs of a more authentic place
If you want to dive deeper into Venice’s food culture, these quick reads will help you eat far better than the average visitor. Start with the street food guide for easy, affordable bites you’ll find in real neighbourhood spots.
Explore the food tours in Venice page if you prefer a guided experience that mixes history, flavours, and local insight. And if you’re curious about what Venetians actually eat, the must-eat dishes guide walks you through the classics so you know exactly what to look for on the menu.
5. Use backstreets, not the main corridors
Venice has predictable “tourist channels”: Rialto → San Marco, Accademia → San Marco, and Strada Nuova. These areas stay crowded most of the day.
To experience local Venice:
This is where you’ll find laundry hanging above canals, neighbourhood shops, and residents going about their day. If you prefer to have some guidance, check out my 2 days slow Venice travel itinerary. Other travellers loved it and recommend it to anyone that likes to explore off the beaten path parts of the city.
6. Take part in local life
Beyond sightseeing, try something participatory, something Venetians still do today. For example, I personally find myself spending time talking to local artists.
Ideas
Buying from local artisans keeps centuries-old traditions alive. It also gives you the chance to chat with Venetians who truly understand the city and can share what life here is really like.
You’ll hear honest reflections on the beauty and the struggles of living in a place shaped by overtourism, and learn how visitors can make a positive difference.
I talked about my experiences visiting artisans here:
7. Slow down and observe
One of the best ways to experience Venice like a local is to pause more often.
Simple ways to slow down
Venice rewards slowness. You’ll notice details, historic doorways, hidden shrines, miniature canals, that most travellers rush past.
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Venice local experience itinerary
Venice isn’t a theme park: it’s a living, breathing city shaped by its residents. With a few mindful choices, you can enjoy a more grounded, respectful experience that goes beyond the checklist.
The best “local moments” are usually the simplest: a quiet walk at dawn, a chat with a shopkeeper, a glass of wine at a tiny bar, or a few minutes sitting by a canal watching the city go by.
While creating you’re own Venice local experience itinerary, travelling this way helps Venice remain Venice, and gives you a richer, more memorable trip.
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