Affordable & Authentic: Pro Tips for Venice Souvenirs from Ultimate Break Tour Directors
Are you the type of traveler who has to find the PERFECT souvenir to commemorate your trip? This is for you.
Venice is overflowing with tempting souvenirs, but how do you know which ones are authentic, affordable, and sustainable? We asked our Ultimate Break Tour Directors (TDs) for insider tips on what to buy (and what to skip) to bring home a little piece of Venice—without falling for overpriced tourist traps. Here’s what they had to say:
Venetian wine, spirits, and seasoning
“Venice is in the heart of the Veneto wine region, so you don’t need to splurge on a big-name bottle to get something amazing," says Simone, one of our TDs. “The best souvenirs? A bottle of Prosecco or a local digestif like Amaro or Grappa—something you can sip at home and relive your trip.”
What to buy:
Prosecco (Veneto’s signature sparkling wine)
Aperitivo liquors (Select, Aperol, Campari—for the perfect spritz)
Amaro or Grappa (Venetian after-dinner drinks)
Venetian sea salt (Harvested from the Venetian lagoon’s salt pans)
Where to buy: Enoteca Al Prosecco, Cantina Do Spade, Drogheria Mascari
Pro tip: Want to sip like a true Venetian? Choose Select instead of Aperol for a more authentic Spritz.
Upcycled Murano glass jewelry
“Skip the mass-produced Murano glass souvenirs and go for something made from recycled Murano glass waste,” says TD Gianna. “It’s unique, locally made, and better for the environment.”
What to buy:
Murano glass jewelry made from recycled glass remnants
One-of-a-kind pendants, earrings, and rings
Hand-blown glass beads and accessories
Where to buy: Muranero, Wave Murano Glass, Gabriele Urban Murano
Pro tip: Look for Murano authenticity certificates—if it’s cheap, it’s probably not real!
Books and hand-drawn prints from Libreria Acqua Alta
Venice’s most famous bookstore, Libreria Acqua Alta, is a maze of bookshelves, gondolas filled with novels, and a staircase made of books. “It’s the quirkiest bookstore in Venice,” says TD Gianna. “And their second-hand books and hand-drawn postcards make the perfect sustainable souvenir.”
What to buy:
Second-hand books on Venetian history, art, and culture
Hand-illustrated postcards and prints
Vintage maps and travel journals
Where to buy: Libreria Acqua Alta
Pro tip: Climb the famous book staircase for the best Instagram shot.
What to avoid buying
Not all Venice souvenirs are worth your money. Our TDs agree—these are the ones to skip:
Cheap plastic masks and fake Murano glass (often mass-produced in China)
Machine-made "Venetian lace" (real Burano lace is intricate and expensive)
Overpriced gondola souvenirs (better to visit Squero San Trovaso for authentic gondola-making workshops)
Pre-packaged food products from tourist shops (go to Rialto Market or Drogheria Mascari instead)
Where to shop like a local
If you’re serious about sustainable and authentic souvenirs, check out these shopping districts:
Dorsoduro – Artisanal workshops and independent boutiques
Cannaregio – Fewer tourist traps, more local finds
Rialto Market – Best for Venetian spices and gourmet gifts
Murano and Burano – Buy directly from glassmakers and lace artisans
Pro tip: Support small businesses! If a shop has been family-owned for generations, you know you’re getting the real deal.
Would you like help planning a Venetian shopping route? Drop us a message, and we’ll map out the perfect stops for you!
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