10 Secret Places in Venice You Can Easily Visit

By Adrian Busuioc

Regular visitors to the amazing floating city will say there are no secret places in Venice left — not in a city this visited. The truth is, most visitors stick to the same well-worn paths. Only a few are willing to drift far enough to stumble upon the quieter corners, the lesser-known parts where Venice feels most authentic.

If you’re one of those curious explorers, read on.

What follows is a handpicked (and by no means exhaustive) list of 10 lesser-known places that still feel authentic, surprising, and easy to reach. One thing they all have in common? You won’t need to book months in advance or spend a small fortune to enjoy them — in fact, many are free.

The first “secret places in Venice” recommendation is a ‘virtual’ garden tucked right into the heart of the city.

#1. The Paradise Garden at Chiesa di San Salvador

Lacking space for a real garden due to its central location, the builders of the church had to get creative in the 1500s. Their solution? A breathtaking illusion of a Paradise Garden, brought to life through detailed frescoes of birds and lush foliage in the Sacristy.

To see it, look for a friendly church keeper and politely ask in Italian: “Potresti mostrarmi la Sacrestia? Grazie mille!”

Plan B: If access isn’t possible, you can admire similar frescoes of birds and greenery — by a different artist — in the enchanting Sala a Fogliami at Palazzo Grimani.

#2. The garden at the Rendetore covent

This time, we head to a true garden tucked just behind the Redentore church on Giudecca. A peaceful oasis, it offers a refreshing blend of history, lush greenery, and serene waterfront views — a welcome escape from the crowds and crowded cityscape of Venice.

There’s something quietly magical about wandering beneath pergolas heavy with seasonal blooms, passing olive trees and flourishing vegetable beds. The experience is unexpectedly meditative and deeply calming.

The visiting schedule is a bit quirky: the garden is open only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and there’s a €12 entrance fee. For a free patch of greenery by the water, head next door to the Giardino Comunale, which also has a playground — a lifesaver if you’re traveling with kids.

#3. The giant sculpture of 6 pair of hands

We switch gears and step inside the northern section of the Arsenale — Venice’s historic shipyard that powered the Republic’s naval dominance and immense wealth. Here, atop a former dock, you’ll find Lorenzo Quinn’s monumental sculpture Building Bridges: six colossal pairs of hands joined together, each representing a universal human value — friendship, faith, help, love, hope, and wisdom.

Access to this part of the Arsenale is free and easily reached via the Bacini – Arsenale Nord vaporetto stop.

#4. The highest true panoramic terrace at Palazzo Pisani

As part of a €20 guided tour of Palazzo Pisani — now home to the music conservatory, and easily bookable online — the terrace visit is the unforgettable grand finale. This very spot is where Poirot meets Ariadne for breakfast in A Haunting in Venice (2023). The terrace offers uninterrupted 360° views you’ll never tire of — it’s a rare and refreshing perspective on Venice from above.

#5. The ethereal, flooded crypt of San Zaccaria

Among the many treasures and curiosities of this Gothic-Renaissance church, none linger longer in the memory than its eerie, partially flooded crypt. The colonnaded 10th-century Romanesque crypt is often partially submerged by the lagoon’s rising waters, lending the space an unforgettable, haunting stillness.

Entry to the church is free, but visiting the crypt requires a €3.50 ticket (or free access with the Chorus Pass).

#6. Corte Morosina

Can you really get lost in the labyrinthine streets of San Marco? With crowds at every turn, it might seem impossible. But take just a couple of wrong turns, and suddenly you’re in a quiet, deserted corner — a dead-end courtyard far from the buzz.

There are a few of these hidden pockets of stillness — one even has a giant banana tree (yes, a banana tree in Venice!) — but the most picturesque is Corte Morosina. It’s easy to forget, but yes, you’re still in the very heart of Venice.

#7. The crypt of Basilica San Marco

I know what you’re thinking: St. Mark’s is hardly a secret — it’s one of Europe’s most visited landmarks. However, with an after-hours tour, you’ll discover a side few ever see: shrouded in silence and untouched by daytime crowds, its golden mosaics ignite under special lighting, transforming the space into a realm beyond this world.

The crypt — where Saint Mark’s remains were once housed before rising waters forced their relocation in 1835 to the high altar — is accessible only through these special tours. While the space may be a bit bare, its ancient atmosphere hits you right away.

#8.Sotoportego di Corte Nova

A sotoportego is a Venetian underpass that cuts through the ground floor of a building, creating a public walkway. The 17th-century Sotoportego di Corte Nova, in the Castello district, connects Calle Zorzi to Corte Nova — and stands out for its unique character. Lined with dark wood panels and crowned by a gilded coffered ceiling, it feels less like a shortcut and more like a sacred space. Indeed, it once served as a votive chapel.

Even before the devastating 1630 plague that inspired the construction of La Salute, locals believed a sacred painting of the Virgin Mary in the passage protected them. When the Black Death later swept through the city, miraculously, no one here fell ill.

A red marble slab still marks the spot where, according to legend, the plague was stopped. To this day, Venetians step around it, wary of bad luck… so watch your step too.

#9. Scuola Grande dei Carmini

Once charitable institutions, Venice’s Scuole Grandi continue to showcase stunning works of art. Compared to the more famous San Rocco or San Marco, the Scuola Grande dei Carmini remains a delightful secret for many visitors.

Impressive paintings, shimmering gold-leaf stuccos, and intricate woodwork lavish the interior. In the capitular hall, Giambattista Tiepolo’s masterful play of light and color in the nine vivid ceiling panels delivers an uplifting visual feast. In a city bursting with colorful art, the chapel’s rare grisaille paintings offer a striking contrast.

Standard entry is €10, with a discounted €7 ticket for Chorus Pass holders.

#10. The area around Canale di San Pietro

Head deep into eastern Castello, and after strolling the increasingly local Via Garibaldi, you’ll reach the wide, peaceful Canale di San Pietro — almost as broad as the Grand Canal, but blissfully tourist-free. Here, palazzos give way to everyday homes, where laundry flutters above your head, strung between buildings like flags of daily life. Boats of all kinds line the water, giving the canal a working charm.

Take a loop: cross Ponte de Quintavale, stroll down Fondamenta de Quintavale to the Basilica di San Pietro, then return via Ponte San Pietro and Salizada Streta. It’s incredibly picturesque and soaked in an undisturbed local atmosphere. And don’t skip the basilica — once Venice’s official cathedral from 1451 until 1807, before St. Mark’s took the title.

The best time of year to visit these secret places in Venice? We think anytime, of course, but consider February in Venice. And, while you absolutely could wander around with your nose in a book, we recommend having a guide take you around so you can focus on the wonders of these amazing secret places in Venice. Take our Venice shopping advice to wrap up an amazing visit!

About the author: Adrian brings his years as a traveler, explorer, and informal guide to CityScrolls. He created the platform to inspire a more intuitive and modern way to experience new places. The inaugural focus of CityScrolls is none other than Venice, a city he believes is truly unparalleled