35 Best Shopping in San Marco, Venice

The most stylish of Venetians and visitors alike come here for women's and men's designer labels for every taste. Brands include Burberry, Givenchy, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Moncler, and many others; be prepared to be wowed.

This renowned studio has kept the weaving tradition alive in Venice since 1875, using 18th-century hand looms for its most precious creations. Its repertoire of 3,500 different patterns and designs yields a ready-to-sell selection of hundreds of brocades, Gobelins, damasks, velvets, taffetas, and satins. You'll also find tapestry, cushions, and braiding. 

This retailer of modern and contemporary art, along with photography, puts together windows representative of the whole gallery.

Contemporary visual artists who employ glass as their medium are featured by Caterina in her marvelous art gallery.

Run by a second-generation shoemaker, this shop is one of the only places left in the city still producing Venice's iconic friulane slippers, invented in the 19th century and handstitched from velvet and rubber. The shoes are still worn by gondoliers today.

This studio has been casting brass, bronze, copper, and pewter into artistic handles, menorahs, Carnevale masks, and real gondola decorations (which make great paperweights, bookends, or shelf pieces) since 1913. The coups de grâce are the brass chandeliers, exactly like those that hang in the Oval Office in the White House. Call to arrange a visit to the studio in Cannaregio when they pour.

A hat shop that's been around since 1901 offers an assortment of Venetian and gondolier straw hats, Panama hats from Ecuador, caps and berets, and some select scarves of silk and fine wool; there's even a special corner dedicated to accessories for antique cars.

At Godi Fiorenza, Patrizia Fiorenza's designs in silk chiffon appear more sculpted than sewn—they're highly tailored pieces that both conceal and expose. Her sister Samanta is a jewelry designer and silversmith whose unique pieces compliment any outfit.

A great deal of so-called Burano Venetian lace is now machine-made in China—and there really is a difference. Unless you have some experience, you're best off going to a trusted place. Jesurum has been the major producer of handmade Venetian lace since 1870. Its lace is, of course, all modern production, but if you want an antique piece, the people at Jesurum can point you in the right direction.

Lorenzo will be more than happy to assist you in exploring the broad selection of wines from across the region, the entire Italian landscape, and beyond. You'll also find liquors and brandies, lovely bubblies, and even a few microbrews.

You'll find Murano-made glassworks, including glasses, vases, chandeliers, mirrors, and sculptures, in this friendly family-owned shop.

Exquisite earrings, rings, necklaces, and brooches are studded with diamonds, rubies, or emeralds in this shop owned by the Nardi family since the 1920s.

This fascinating shop stocks antique jewelry from Europe and Asia, along with stunning Venetian glass beads.

René Caovilla's shoes are meant for showing off, not walking around town (especially in Venice). The evening shoes here are so glamorous and over-the-top that you might feel compelled to buy a pair and then create an occasion to wear them.

Founded in1858, Rubelli offers the same sumptuous brocades, damasks, and cut velvets used by the world's most prestigious decorators.

The name is a Turkish word meaning "cloudy" and refers to the technique that Alberto Valese uses to decorate paper, as well as silk ties and paperweights.

One of the oldest bookbinderies in Venice is known for its historic stampi, hand-printed paper using carved wood plates, which artisans carefully filled with colored inks. Don't let the sporadic opening times discourage you from trying to visit or purchase their exquisite papers.

Antonia Sautter's opulent, fanciful display of 18th-century Venetian gowns often causes passersby to pause and ponder. Hers is the atelier of the prestigious Ballo del Doge Carnival ball, along with many other extraordinarily fantastically coutured Venetian events. You'll also find medieval-style garments, masks, and accessories behind the curtains inside.

One stop might fit the bill when you've got last-minute gifts to buy: American Theresa works only with Murano artisans and offers an abundant, tasteful selection of reasonably priced beads, vases, goblets, and jewelry, even mirrors and chandeliers.

Contini shows only 20th-century artists and is Italy's only dealer for Botero, Zoran Music, and the marble and bronze sculptures by Mitoraj.

The name has been synonymous with high-quality paper since 1264 and is esteemed by publishers, writers, and artists. The boutique offers a glimpse into their full range of products from luxurious stationery to journals and specialized notebooks. They also offer a line of writing instruments and leather items.

Classic handmade jewelry here includes pieces made with semiprecious stones.

The focus is on the works by the eclectic English-born artist Geoffrey Humphries, including paintings, drawings, and etchings ranging from landscapes to portraits; he also produces watercolors of Venetian vistas.

This is a good address for antique books and prints, majolica pottery, and other ceramics.

This lovely store features chic, contemporary glassware designed in the style of Murano master Carlo Moretti.

A Venetian institution shows off its shoes in five large windows in two neighboring shops. You'll find the house collection plus a dozen lesser-known designers, as well as luxury sportswear.

A broad assortment of writing materials, bound journals and albums, book covers, medieval sketchbooks, and handmade marble paper are made in a nearby laboratory. New products are introduced often so that no two visits to the store are ever the same.

Studium is a good stop for books in English, especially guidebooks and books on Venetian culture and food. It's also particularly strong on English-language fiction with Italian, mostly Venetian, settings and themes; in addition, it has a small but worthy collection of recent hardcover fiction.

Fine antique print and book aficionados will fall in love with this gem of a store run by the extremely knowledgeable Luca Zentilini. His focus is on Venetian culture and limited editions, with special interest in illustrated books from the 18th century. A large selection of Venetian maps are on offer, as well as etchings by masters including Piranesi, Visentini, Tiepolo, and Carlevarijs.