Venice is one of the top three most visited cities in Italy. It's known for its history and charm, mesmerizing many visitors with its unique subculture. In this travel guide, we will share what not to miss on your next trip to Venice and how to ensure you experience the true Venetian experience. Below are 6 experiences you don't want to miss that are uniquely Venetian.

1. Dorona Wine
Dorona in Venezia is a very rare white-wine grape grown exclusively around Venice, northeastern Italy. After the 1966 Venice flood nearly erased Dorona, the grape faded into a historical delicacy. Rediscovered in 2001 by Gianluca Bisol, it was replanted on Mazzorbo through the Venissa project, leading to a celebrated 2010 debut and its rise as a cult wine known for golden color and salty minerality.

You can enjoy a glass of Dorona most reliably at Venissa on the island of Mazzorbo, where the grape is grown and produced. In Venice, it may occasionally appear at select restaurants, but availability is rare due to very limited production.

2. Cicchetti
Cicchetti are small Venetian bar snacks, similar to tapas, traditionally served in bàcari and osterie, Venice’s wine-focused eateries. Bàcari are casual wine bars for quick bites and cicchetti, while osterie are sit-down taverns offering simple local meals and wine. Across both, cicchetti range from bread- or polenta-based bites topped with seafood, meat, or vegetables to olives and eggs, typically enjoyed standing up throughout the day.

3. Voga alla Veneta
Voga alla veneta is a traditional Venetian rowing style performed standing and facing forward, rather than seated and facing backward. Developed centuries ago to navigate the shallow lagoon and crowded canals, it became the standard method for working, fishing, and transport boats across Venice. The technique uses a single oar guided by a specially shaped wooden oarlock called the forcola, allowing precise control without a rudder. On your trip, you can learn how to row like a true Venetian, making for an authentic experience.

4. Bàcari
A Bàcari is a traditional Venetian wine bar serving small glasses of local wine (ombre) and simple bite-sized snacks called cicchetti. Unlike aperitivo bars in other Italian regions, bacari are informal, stand-up spots meant for quick visits and social wandering. They’re woven into daily Venetian life, focused on simplicity, local tradition, and neighborhood culture rather than cocktails or full meals.

5. Island Hopping to Murano and Burano
Island hopping to Murano and Burano offers a deeper look into Venice beyond the historic center, each island revealing a distinct craft and character. Murano is renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, where furnaces, workshops, and museums showcase techniques passed down since the Middle Ages. Burano, just beyond, contrasts with vibrant, candy-colored houses and a strong fishing heritage, famous for delicate lacework and gives a more small village feel.

6. La Fenice
La Fenice is Venice’s legendary opera house and one of the most important theaters in European music history. First opened in 1792, it has risen repeatedly from devastating fires, earning its name, “The Phoenix” and premiered works by composers such as Verdi, Rossini, and Bellini. Today, it remains a symbol of Venetian resilience and artistic excellence, hosting world-class opera, ballet, and classical performances.

La Fenice has a gorgeous interior and is a must-see on your next trip. You can purchase tickets for a tour or enjoy a show, with the option to do both for added context and experience.

Venice is a highly sought-after destination, often crowded by tourism, and it’s easy to forget that it is someone’s home. While visiting, a local shared his frustration, not with visitors themselves, but with how little some appreciate what makes Venice unique. He mentioned how people would arrive searching for the Ponte Vecchio, unaware it’s in Florence, which stayed with me.

Traveling to Venice with the intention of understanding its character and culture creates a more authentic experience, one where locals feel their home is truly valued and where you’ll leave knowing you experienced the real Venice.

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