Impossible to leave the Serenissima without slipping a few symbols of its way of life into the suitcase: Venetian Masks, Murano Glass, Burano Lace, Venetian Wines and a Cicchetti Kit ready to savor each recall, in their own way, the lapping of the Gondolas under the bridges.
Venice Souvenirs: the 5 Must-Haves to Buy on Your First Stroll
These items condense centuries of history and local craftsmanship; their variety pleases all profiles, from the craft collector to the curious gourmet.
- 🎭 Venetian Masks: handmade in papier-mâché or ceramic, perfect for decorating a bookshelf.
- 🖼️ Murano Glass Sculptures: from minimalist pendants to XXL chandeliers, each piece is blown on the island of Murano.
- 🧵 Burano Lace: doilies, fans, or bracelets embroidered by the last master lacemakers of the island.
- 🍷 Venetian Wines: DOCG Prosecco or red Raboso, transportable in 3L bag-in-box for safety.
- 🍤 Cicchetti Kit: mini toast with baccalà mantecato, Ascolane olives, and vacuum-sealed saor sauce.
| Souvenir 🎁 | Average Price | Authenticity Label | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papier-mâché mask | €35 | Artigianato Artistico | 250 g |
| Murano Pendant | €45 | Vetro Artistico Murano | 50 g |
| Lace tablecloth | €60 | Merletto Burano | 300 g |
| Prosecco DOCG bottle | €12 | DOCG | 1.3 kg |
| Cicchetti Box | €18 | Made in Veneto | 500 g |
Concrete Example: Ca’Macana Boutique (Calle de le Botteghe 3172, 30123 Venice)
Known for providing the sets for Eyes Wide Shut, this address offers one-hour workshops to paint your own mask. Booking recommended: sessions sell out two weeks in advance in April-May.
Where to Buy Your Souvenirs in Venice: Reliable Addresses and Typical Markets
To avoid counterfeits, nothing beats the sales points listed below; all are easily reachable on foot or by vaporetto and have clear signage.
- 📍 Rialto Market (Riva del Ferro) for the Cicchetti kit and miniature Venetian Mosaics.
- 📍 Campo Santa Margherita for Venetian Marble Work items and Burano doilies.
- 🏛️ Coin (1 Piazza San Marco): “Made in Veneto” section upstairs – don’t forget the detaxe forms at the reception.
- 🏛️ La Rinascente (100 Calle Larga XXII Marzo): air-conditioned Prosecco cellar, bottles protected in cardboard tubes.
- 🚋 Mestre Centro (30 Via Mestrina) for -15% prices on glassware outside the tourist zone.
| Address | Specialty | Opening Hours ⏰ | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rialto Market | Cicchetti & fish | 7am–2pm (Mon-Sat) | Vaporetto line 1 |
| Campo Santa Margherita | Textile crafts | 8am–6pm (daily except Sun) | On foot from Accademia |
| Ca’ Macana | Masks | 10am–7pm | San Barnaba Traghetto |
| La Rinascente | Luxury & gastronomy | 11am–8pm | San Marco Vaporetto |
| Mestre Centro | Budget souvenirs | 9am–9pm | Tram T2 |
Need even more ideas? Check the partner guides Tripandfun or Les Voyages d’Adélaïde, as well as our in-house reports on the best souvenirs from Italy.
Case Study: Transporting Glass without Breakage
A Swiss family tested 12 different packaging types; the winner is Flexi-Bubble 4 mm combined with a hard box. Breakage rate: 0% on a Zurich-Venice-Zurich night train journey.
Avoiding Counterfeits and Passing Customs: Best Practices 2025
The Vetro Artistico Murano label actively fights against Asian copies; a QR code links to a timestamped certificate.
- 🔍 Check the silver hologram on glassware labels.
- 🪶 Prefer workshops displaying photos of production in open kilns.
- 📦 Request an IATA-approved box for each bottle of Venetian Wines.
- 📑 Keep invoices and certificates for customs, especially outside the EU.
- ✈️ Declare liquids >100 ml for cabin baggage; place mosaics in checked luggage.
| Product | EU Customs Quota | Packing Advice | Counterfeit Risk ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murano Glass | Unlimited | Hard case + foam | Medium |
| Prosecco Wine | 90 L | Cardboard tube + bubble wrap | Low |
| Leather Masks | Unlimited | Fabric pouch | High |
| Lace | Unlimited | Sealed bag | Low |
| Marble Mosaics | Unlimited | Felt interlayers | Low |
For further reading, also check Bonjour Venise or our dedicated article on the best shopping strategies. Craft enthusiasts can compare with our dossiers for Paris or Nice.
FAQ – Venice Souvenirs
- 💡 How to recognize a genuine Murano glass?
Look for the “Vetro Artistico Murano” logo, scan the QR code; the workshop and production date must appear immediately. - 💡 Can Venetian masks be worn at Carnival?
Yes, provided they cover half the face and are secured with a ribbon; check the lightness of the papier-mâché. - 💡 What is the lightest souvenir for carry-on luggage?
A glass pendant (less than 50 g) or a set of illustrated postcards of Venetian Mosaics. - 💡 Where to find a vacuum-packed Cicchetti assortment?
Basement -1 of La Rinascente; 30-day shelf life thanks to storage at −18 °C. - 💡 Is there an international shipping service from Venice?
Yes, Mail Boxes Etc. (Fondamenta del Gaffaro 3518) offers insurance coverage specific to Glass Sculptures.
🎁 For more ideas from Italy or elsewhere, explore 123souvenir.com, especially our dossiers on Prague and Sète.
