Cannaregio: what you can see on site

Cannaregio is not just a district of Venice.

It's also the first one you'll visit when you arrive by train.

Today, I'm going to tell you all about what you can discover here.

Cannaregio: article summary

Marvel at Venetian craftsmanship at Orsoni

Located in the historic part of Orsoni, the library of colors preserves over 3,500 Venetian malti colors. They have been used all over the world to create some of the most impressive mosaics.

They can be seen adorning :

• the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
• the Nobel Prize Golden Hall in Stockholm
• and majestic Buddhas in Bangkok.

In Cannaregio, you can immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors by joining one of Orsoni's free guided tours on the first and last Wednesdays of the month. A place not to be missed to visit as soon as you arrive in Venice.

Shopping in Strada Nuova

Strada Nova is the main road used by most tourists to visit Venice's famous sites. This has made it a hub for souvenir stores. From artisan boutiques to high-end fashion houses, this street has everything you need to find the perfect gift.

Pass by the colorful buildings and go shopping, whether for handmade glass jewelry at Nerovenezia, some traditional masks at the Ca' Macana workshop or perfume from the Santa Fosca pharmacy.

Try fritoìn, traditional Venetian street food

When visiting Venice, I advise you to get around the city on foot. In a car-free city, visitors spend most of their time walking. If you get a little hungry on your walk, the best Venetian speciality is fritoìn.

Fritoìn is a cone filled with fresh fried seafood, easy to eat on the go and delicious, especially when accompanied by an ombra (small glass) of white wine! For a stopover while shopping on Strada Nuova, simply head for Frito Inn, just past the Ponte delle Guglie. Here you'll find the best Fritoin in the region.

Explore 500 years of Jewish tradition in the Venetian ghetto

Made famous by Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the Venetian ghetto is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1516. Originally used as a foundry, it was here that Venice's Jews were forcibly segregated and kept under surveillance due to religious differences.

Despite its troubled history, today the Jewish Quarter is a beautiful place to stroll in Cannaregio, a quiet spot away from the busy Strada Nuova.

Find the narrowest street in town: Calle Varisco

Speaking of quiet corners, why not venture into Cannaregio and try to find the narrowest calle (street) in Venice? Located in one of the city's most secluded spots, in a series of winding alleys, the dead-end street of Calle Varisco... features small arches and is just 53 cm wide.

Picturesque as it may be, there's a chilling legend behind this street. The street is believed to punish impure souls; no murderer can cross it without the walls slowly closing in, eventually crushing the malefactor.

Discover Venetian nightlife at Fondamenta Ormesini

Offering a slice of authentic Venetian life. Fondamenta Ormesini is one of the best places to enjoy an evening in Venice after dinner. Stroll along the picturesque canals and admire the colors of the sunset. Enjoy the view sipping an aperol spritz on one of the floating boats outside the Al Timon bar.

For dinner, head to Paradiso Perduto for fresh seafood and live music.

Cross some of Venice's most beautiful bridges

With over 150 canals separating its islands, Venice relies on its bridges. Today, the city has 417, and each one is different. As you stroll through Cannaregio, you'll see some of the most magnificent of them all such as the angular Ponte delle Guglie or Ponte dei Tre Archi.

Although most of Venice's bridges are now equipped with parapets to prevent inattentive pedestrians from falling into the canals, they were originally without barriers. Only two remain without barriers: Ponte del Diavolo on the island of Torcello and the unusual Ponte Chiodo in Cannaregio.

Venture to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello

Cannaregio is the best starting point for day trips across the lagoon. Take a half-hour stroll from the station to Fondamenta Nove and board the on an ACTV ferry to the islands.

The ACTV connects Cannaregio to various destinations, including :

• Muranowhere the famous Venetian glass is made
• Torcelloa quiet island full of mysteries
• Buranofamous for its colorful houses and lace.

The Cannaregio district is a real treasure trove, often overlooked by tourists. While you're in town, I recommend that you take the time to discover this place and all its treasures.

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