“Mercerie” used to refer to a shopping street with shops on the ground floors of houses. Today it is the main shopping area of Venice, stretching from Piazza San Marco to the Rialto Bridge. In the little shops of Mercerie you can find retro souvenirs and accessories, handmade carnival masks, Murano glass items, wonderful old-fashioned stationery, household items made of silver and leather, elegant and luxurious textiles, and much more.
Keep in mind: the farther you go from Piazza San Marco, the lower the prices will be. Still, no one forbids bargaining or simply strolling through these rows with a camera around your neck, photographing these colorful shops with their many trinkets - it is such a pleasure! Although, if you really intend to stock up on souvenirs for friends and loved ones on a grand scale, we recommend choosing streets farther from the tourist center. There you can not only find lower prices, but also come across exclusive little shops where there is a good chance that you will be served by the very artisan who created the Venetian mask or fan you are buying.
