When it comes to places to visit in Venice, I’m always drawn to the ones that reveal something unexpected. I’ve always felt a strong connection to Venice. It’s close to home, yet every time I go, I find something new to discover: a detail I hadn’t noticed before, a place that stays with me, a different perspective on a city I thought I knew.
As Creative Director of Parise, I’m naturally drawn to places where art, design and craftsmanship come together. I find inspiration in the way people shape their surroundings, in the stories behind objects and in the details that make a place feel unique.
These are four places in Venice that I love, each for a different reason. Not a traditional itinerary, but a few personal recommendations for experiencing the city at your own pace.
1. Places to Visit in Venice: Libreria Acqua Alta
Some places are best explored without a plan. Libreria Acqua Alta is one of them.
I love getting lost among its books, art and wonderfully unexpected corners. There is something special about a place that invites you to wander, look around and discover things you weren’t searching for in the first place.
For me, inspiration often begins this way. You don’t always have to look for it. Sometimes, it finds you in an unexpected detail or in something that simply catches your eye.
Whenever I visit, I like the idea of leaving a little room for the unexpected. After all, the best discoveries are not always the ones you set out to make.
Find it on Instagram: @libreriaacquaalta
2. Palazzina Fortuny: Art, Interiors and Inspiration
There are places you visit, and others that continue to inspire you long after you’ve left.
Palazzina Fortuny is one of those places for me. Its world of art, interiors and details has inspired me more than once. I find myself drawn to the atmosphere, to the relationship between objects and spaces, and to the ideas that emerge when you take the time to look more closely.
Working in design has taught me to pay attention to the things that might otherwise go unnoticed. The texture of a material, the balance of a composition, the character of an object: small details can change the way we experience something as a whole.
Places like this remind me that creativity is rarely an isolated process. It grows through observation, curiosity and the things we encounter along the way.
Whenever I’m in Venice, I like making time for places that make me see things differently. Palazzina Fortuny is certainly one of them.
Find it online: Palazzina Fortuny
3. La Bottiglia: An Aperitivo With a Personal Connection
Not every favourite place needs a particular reason. Sometimes, it’s simply somewhere you feel good.
La Bottiglia is one of my favourite addresses for an aperitivo or a relaxed evening in Venice. It has a character that feels very much like the Venice I love: a place to settle in, enjoy the moment and let the conversation unfold naturally.
It also has a special connection to my hometown, Bassano del Grappa. But that’s a story for another time…
I think these personal connections are part of what makes discovering a place so meaningful. It’s never just about the address itself. It’s about the memories, the people and the little stories that gradually become part of your relationship with a city.
And sometimes, all you need is a good place to stop for a while before continuing on your way.
Find it on Instagram: @labottiglia_venice
4. Venissa: A Special Place to Slow Down
Every now and then, an occasion calls for something truly special.
For those moments, I think of Venissa. It’s a place I associate with slowing down, savouring the moment and discovering a different side of Venice.
I love the idea of stepping away from the familiar rhythm of the city and allowing yourself to experience a place without rushing. To pay attention to your surroundings, enjoy the experience and give the moment the time it deserves.
In our everyday lives, it’s easy to move from one thing to the next without really stopping. Places like Venissa offer a different perspective: an invitation to pause and appreciate where you are.
For me, that’s also part of the pleasure of returning to Venice. There’s always another side to discover, another reason to see the city differently.
Find it on Instagram: @venissa_tenuta
Discovering Venice Through a Different Lens
For me, the best places to visit in Venice are not necessarily the most famous ones. They are the places that make you curious, inspire a new perspective or simply invite you to slow down. These are four addresses I love returning to, and I hope they offer you a different way to experience a city that always has something new to reveal.
If you find yourself in Venice, my advice is simple: leave some room in your day for curiosity. Take the longer route, follow your instincts and don’t feel you have to see everything. You might discover that the moments you remember most are the ones you never planned.