Whether you’re looking for designer apparel or high street fashion, Venice has a surprising number of excellent shopping malls, each catering to different tastes and budgets.
Retail therapy in Venice is more about independent boutiques than massive department stores, but there are places that offer everything under one roof – especially if you look further afield than just the Venetian islands. Venture to the mainland and you’ll find a number of shopping malls and designer outlets offering the best brands from Italy and beyond.
Located next to the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal, T Fondaco dei Tedeschi is one of Venice’s most recognisable buildings and, as of 2017, is home to a lavish shopping centre. Among the original archways and the plush contemporary furnishings, over 300 brands are on offer. What’s more, this swanky mall is also home to the latest restaurant from Michelin-starred chef, Massimiliano Alajmo. His quirky takes on Italian delicacies include a savoury potato cappuccino and steamed pizza. Fondaco’s stunning roof terrace boasts 360-degree views of the city.
Located on the mainland of Venice, the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet boasts the best brands in fashion. The 150+ stores include designer brands like Prada, Gucci, and Fendi, as well as high-street favourites such as Pinko, Liu Jo, and Superdry. Homeware is also covered by Bialetti and Le Creuset. The outlet runs two shuttle buses a day from Venice Tronchetto, a journey of between 30 minutes and an hour. Shoppers can also sign up to the Privilege Club for an extra 10 per cent discount on outlet prices.
Galleria Barcella is located between Piazza Ferretto and Piazzale Candiani in Mestre on the Venice mainland. The number of shops is modest (around 15) but includes ‘Made in Italy’ brands like menswear label Marco Nils and womenswear boutique Nanà. For designer brands, the Al Duca d’Aosta store includes big designer names such as Burberry and Balenciaga, among others. Check the website for details of upcoming events, which include art evenings and late-night shopping.
Opened in 2014, Nave de Vero offers over 38,000 square feet of big-name brands and is the ideal place to spend the day partaking in some serious retail therapy. While tourists might not be familiar with shops such as Primadonna, Piazza Italia and Intimissimi, these Italian high-street favourites offer quality clothing at affordable prices. Football matches, Formula 1 and other major sporting events are also shown on the mall’s giant screen, giving the long-suffering partners of shopaholics some much-needed respite.
Known simply as Auchan to the locals, this extensive mall is situated just outside Mestre on the Venetian mainland and is easily reachable by public transport. As well as 120 shops inside the shopping centre – including Benetton, Pimkie, Accessorize, H&M and La Feltrinelli – there are also a number of stores and restaurants in the surrounding area. Officine Italia, a gourmet food hall opened in 2017, features a restaurant, bistrot-bar and stalls selling artisanal produce such as organic wines, craft beers and freshly-ground coffee.
