Venice is one of the most beautiful, unique and strange places you can ever visit. 
Nestled in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, the city is not crossed by squares but by canals and the only way to go from one place to another is to cross one bridge after another on foot or travel by boat. Pretty unusual, isn't it?
But Venice is also a beautiful town, with the Basilica and Campanile of San Marco, the Renaissance and Gothic palaces, and famous locations such as Murano or the Grand Canal. And yet, Venice is also much more than this. Beyond the classic tourist destinations, the city holds secrets and hidden gems, less known internationally but capable of making the visitor's experience richer. 
Continue reading to learn about 6 places to discover the real Venice and avoid missing the most precious corners of this one-of-a-kind city. 

A few steps from Piazza San Marco stands Chiesa San Zaccaria, a beautiful building which houses precious works of art inside. But the real peculiarity lies underground. Once inside the church, head towards San Tarasio Chapel and here, near the apses, go down the steps that lead to the Crypt.

The first doges of the Serenissima were buried in this place. Its peculiarity today is that the crypt is completely flooded. Rather than destroying it, however, the presence of water has enriched the environment making it even more fascinating. 

In addition to the labyrinth of canals crossed by dozens of gondolas and boats, Venice also hosts a real labyrinth: it is Borges' Labyrinth.

It is a 1-kilometer-long route that winds through hedges where it is very difficult, once entered, to find the exit.

The Borges Labyrinth is a monument located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and is dedicated to the famous writer, who was very close to the Serenissima. It symbolizes the complexity of the world and the difficulties that human beings encounter in finding their way. 

The small island of San Servolo hosts, in addition to a small park, a series of buildings that were used as a hospital, first for the war wounded and later for psychiatric patients. Today, the island is entirely used as a museum: the Asylum Museum. The exhibition, entitled "La Follia Reclusa" allows visitors to access the structure and discover the particular environments such as the anatomical room, the eighteenth-century pharmacy which preserves the original shelves, the structures for electroshock or the piano for music therapy.
 
The museum also preserves artworks created by hospitalized people as well as documents and medical records. In this way, the visitor has the opportunity to reconstruct a piece of history and science that will help him understand the reality that surrounds him today. 

Are you in the mood for some House of the Dragon vibes?

If the answer is yes then you cannot miss a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria and San Donato which is located on the island of Murano. Once inside, walk towards the main altar and check the area behind it. The vertebrae of a dragon are preserved there.

The legend dates back to the 12th century. When the remains of the saint to whom it was dedicated were transferred to the church, the bones of the monster he had killed, apparently with a simple sign of the cross, also arrived. Modern times have revealed to us that they are probably whale bones, but the site, which as well as dragon bones also houses mosaics and works of art, still retains a mysterious charm.

The Acqua Alta bookshop in Venice is legendary. It is a very normal bookshop located near the Basilica of Santa Maria Formosa. As often happens in Venice, when the water level in the canals rises, the bookshop rooms are flooded. It would be a circumstance somewhat incompatible with a commercial activity that sells books, right? Instead, the owner solved the problem by using floating furniture. Customers, therefore, choose books from gondolas floating on water, bathtubs, old boats, and so on.

Buying a book at the Acqua Alta floating bookshop gives you a real experience and a one-of-a-kind memory. 

A few steps from Campo Santa Margherita stands an unfinished church: the Church of San Pantalon. From the outside, it doesn't present anything special and certainly doesn't make you want to come in for a visit. Yet, if you venture inside and look up at the ceiling you will find a surprise: 443 square meters of ceiling entirely covered with a canvas that appears, in all respects, like an enormous fresco. 

Here at Play Italy, we are dedicated to transforming your exploration of Italy's natural wonders into a seamless and unforgettable experience. Whether you're marveling at the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, relaxing by the serene waters of Lake Como, savoring the rolling hills of Tuscany, or soaking in the stunning coastal views of the Amalfi Coast, our Booking Agent service is here to tailor your adventure to your tastes. We ensure that each moment is not just seen but truly experienced.
For more insights on how to weave these natural delights into your travel itinerary, subscribe to our newsletter. Here, we offer expert travel tips, guides to Italy's flora and fauna, and a special discount on your first tour with us! Additionally, our 'How to Book' video tutorial is designed to help you navigate the booking process effortlessly, making your journey from planning to departure as smooth as possible.
 
Choose one of our tours and let Play Italy open the door to a world where each sight is a story, each landscape a memory. Come play with us and let us turn your Italian holiday into a journey of enchanting nature and unforgettable experiences. Your dream of Italy awaits—let's bring it to life, together.