12 Unique Souvenirs from Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy gets a lot of hate, unwarranted hate in our opinion. Yes, the city can be extremely crowded, the canals can look dirty, particularly during high season, but it is also one of the most unique cities in Europe. 

It seems people either love or hate Venice, and we fall into the former. We find Venice fun and fascinating with so much to do, so many beautiful canals and alleyways to explore, and so much to buy!

If you love hunting for the perfect souvenir, give yourself plenty of time to shop while you’re in the Italian city. You’re sure to find some really unique gifts and souvenirs from Venice to bring home from your trip. 

Cool Souvenirs to Buy in Venice

If you’re planning a trip to Venice and need an idea of how much room to leave in your luggage for souvenirs, we’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest and best souvenirs from Venice to buy during your Italian vacation.

Venetian mask

A Venetian mask is perhaps one of the most popular and beautiful souvenirs from Venice. These masks originated from the medieval and Renaissance periods but are still used during the Venetian Carnival in winter along with elaborate costumes.

If you happen to visit Venice during Carnival, this particular purchase is a no-brainer. However, these intricate masks can be found in shops throughout Venice year-round. They are often handcrafted and designed by local Venetian artists, making this a truly unique souvenir that you can’t find anywhere else.

Murano glass

Another famous souvenir to buy in Venice comes from the nearby island of Murano where Venetian glassmaking dates back to the 13th century. Back then, glassmakers were moved to the island to prevent fires in the city and to protect their trade secrets. 

The small island’s longstanding tradition of creating stunning, handcrafted glass pieces has become somewhat of a tourist attraction. You can catch the ferry over to the island or book a tour to attend a glass making workshop, and then peruse the gift shops to find your own Murano glass souvenirs. 

Each piece of Murano glass, whether it be a delicate figurine, a vase, or an elaborate chandelier, is meticulously crafted using glass blowing techniques. Murano glass is known for its vivid colors and exceptional quality. 

So, while this souvenir doesn’t come cheap, for many visitors, purchasing Murano glass is like acquiring a piece of fine art and history. 

Burano lace

Burano is another small island to visit when vacationing in Venice. This island is best known for its colorful houses, but Burano also has its own unique souvenir that you may want to shop for during your day trip. 

Lace-making in Burano dates back to the 16th century. Renowned for its delicate patterns and meticulous attention to detail, if you know anyone expecting a baby, a lace gown or baby outfit makes for an especially unique travel gift from Venice. 

Aside from clothing, you can purchase other lace items from Burano including table clothes, appliques, and decorative lace umbrellas. 

Gondolier’s hat

Are you a hat lover? If so, a Gondolier’s hat is a must when traveling to Venice. It perfectly encapsulates the charm and imagery of the city’s waterways. 

The straw hat is typically adorned with a colorful ribbon and is often worn by Venetian gondoliers as part of the traditional uniform. Each time you put on your souvenir hat; you’ll be taken back to the romantic canals of Venice.

There is just something so memorable about taking a gondola ride through Venice’s enchanting labyrinth of canals and passing under the city’s famous bridges. Your gondolier’s hat will forever remind you of those special moments.

Book

This Venetian souvenir is particularly sentimental and perhaps a bit nostalgic for us, which is why we included it on this list. When we were in Venice, we stumbled upon the most fascinating bookstore after wandering around lost for hours. The books were piled up somewhat haphazardly, adding to the quirky and curious allure of the store. 

Regretfully, we didn’t buy a book from the store, but have thought about that quaint bookstore several times since. If you happen to stumble upon the same treasure during your trip to Venice, buy a book… any book. I guarantee that every time you see it on the shelf, it will remind you of your time spent wonderfully lost in Venice.

Watercolor painting

Venice has long been a muse for artists. Walk along the Grand Canal and you will surely see artists painting and selling original paintings that capture the city’s unique beauty. 

Purchasing a watercolor painting supports local artists while also giving you a beautiful memento from your travels. 

Watercolor paintings are particularly great at depicting the city’s reflective waters and luminous light. And unlike mass-produced souvenirs, you’ll know this souvenir is a unique, one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Marbled paper

If you love to journal or just like to have decorative stationery to jot down notes onto, be sure to look for marbled paper products in Venice, Italy. 

Marbled paper is notable for its swirling patterns and intermixing colors that give it the same appearance of actual marble. It is a popular craft in Venice. The paper is often used to create products like journals and notebooks, stationery, and decorative boxes.

The marbling process, involving floating colors on a liquid surface and then transferring them to paper, results in one-of-a-kind designs, making each item a distinctive work of art. 

Wooden Toy

For those visiting Venice with kids consider buying a hand-carved wooden toy from one of the countless souvenir shops in the city. Like glass blowing and lace making, woodworking is a long-standing skill in Venice. 

Whether you buy a carved gondola or a gondolier puppet toy, your kids will not only have a fun new toy but a durable one that can be passed down to future generations. 

Jewelry

Jewelry is another must-buy souvenir when in Venice, Italy. Many stores sell exquisite Murano glass jewelry, like glass beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. 

Each piece of jewelry is handmade using centuries-old glassblowing techniques. The glass is often infused with gold or silver leaf, giving it a unique and luxurious appearance. 

If you prefer, you can also buy lace jewelry, which incorporates delicate patterns into wearable art.

Magnet

While a magnet isn’t necessarily a unique souvenir, it is one that we buy from every place we visit. Therefore, we are adding it to our list. 

Venice’s landscape is so recognizable that it makes for beautiful magnets, depicting gondolas, canals, and incredible cathedrals. We like to display the magnets from our travels on a magnet board and display them on our wall, as a way to incorporate our travels into our home.

Wine

Although Venice isn’t the first Italian city that comes to mind when you think of wine, the northeastern region known as Veneto does produce some esteemed wines.

Wine is a popular souvenir from Italy due to the country’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest wines. Although Tuscany’s famous for its robust reds, such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, Veneto is known for its crisp whites like Pinot Grigio.

Bringing home a bottle or two allows you to savor the flavor of Italy long after your visit. Be sure to invest in Jet Bags to safely pack your wine in your luggage.

Snacks 

Whether you are a foodie or simply like to try new things when you travel, you may want to bring home some of Venice’s delectable snacks and sweets.

One popular treat is Baicoli crisps, a type of Venetian biscuit similar to biscotti, which is often paired with coffee. 

Also, when visiting the island of Burano, look for Bussolà or Buranelli. These buttery, ring-shaped or S-shaped cookies originated there and are another delightful option to serve with coffee. 

For chocolate lovers, Venetian chocolate truffles and pralines, often infused with local flavors like grappa or hazelnut, are a must. 

And if you like your sweets with fruit, consider Pan del Dogi, which is a cake made with dried fruits and nuts. This cake, which can sometimes resemble a loaf of bread or a large cookie, has a long shelf life and will stay fresh-tasting and soft until you get home. 

Where to Find these Souvenirs from Venice 

All around San Marco square, you’ll find streets lined with small, local souvenir shops and even high-end stores like Burberry and Prada.

But a day trip to the islands of Burano and Murano are not only among the most magical things to do in Venice, it’s also a great way to find unique souvenirs from Venice, like lace and blown glass. While you can find these same products in the main areas of Venice, they somehow feel more special when you make the journey to these charming islands.

Do you have a question or comment about any of these Italian souvenirs? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Like it? Pin this list of souvenirs from Venice to save it for later!

Sharing is caring!