Venice for regular visitors

A special campo in Venice is the former Jewish Ghetto — the very place that gave rise to the word 'ghetto'.

The term likely derives from 'geto' or 'giotto', referencing a nearby foundry where cannons were once cast.

This area holds profound historical significance: beginning in the 16th century, Venice mandated that Jews live here — making it the first officially enforced Jewish quarter in Europe.

Residents could only leave between dawn and sunset, and at night, the two access bridges were closed and guarded.

Today, you can stroll through what was once a confined and overcrowded neighborhood, browse authentic kosher shops steeped in tradition, and step inside two remarkable synagogues — hidden in plain sight.

You’ve probably already visited the famous island trio in the northern lagoon — Murano, Burano, and Torcello — so now might be the perfect time to explore some lesser-known but equally fascinating islands.

A great place to start is Giudecca, just across the canal from Zattere.

While its western side is more residential and less visually striking (though the Neo-Gothic Molino Stucky building is worth seeing up close), the eastern part is wonderfully picturesque. Here, you’ll find interesting landmarks like the Church of the Redentore — and behind it, a peaceful garden that's perfect for a pause.

A relaxed stroll along Giudecca’s waterfront promenade offers a refreshing perspective: familiar Venice viewed from across the water.

And did you know Venice has a beach? Most visitors don’t.

So if you’re craving some sea and sand, hop on a vaporetto from Piazza San Marco and in just 15 minutes you’ll reach Lido di Venezia. After a short 10-minute walk, you can kick off your shoes and dip your toes in the Adriatic Sea. The Lido offers a long, open stretch of beach — perfect for unwinding. It’s also an ideal spot to rent a bike and enjoy a breezy ride along its wide, laid-back shoreline.

Venice is full of secret corners — each with its own curious story — though not all of them qualify as traditional tourist attractions.

Some hide beneath layers of superstition and legend: the Ancorette are said to bring good luck when touched — although they conceal a darker past. Or consider the red marble slab in Sotoportego di Corte Nova — an underpass adorned with dark wood paneling and a gilded coffered ceiling, once serving as a votive chapel. It’s said to mark the very spot where, according to legend, the plague was miraculously halted — though nowadays, stepping on it is considered bad luck.

Can you really get lost in the maze-like streets of San Marco? With crowds at nearly every turn, it might seem impossible — but take just a few unintended turns and suddenly you’ll find yourself in a peaceful, dead-end courtyard far from the tourist buzz. Some of these hidden pockets feel like private discoveries and perhaps the most picturesque is Corte Morosina.

Then there are the city’s bridges, each with its own story. There’s Ponte dei Tre Archi, the only bridge in Venice with three arches. Or Ponte Chiodo, one of the last without railings.

Some bridges even hosted epic rival brawls in the past — like Ponte Santa Fosca and Ponte dei Pugni, the so-called “Bridge of Fists”. You can still stand in the stone footprints where the fighters once took their stance.