An itinerary through Giudecca’s secret gardens, iconic luxury hotels, fine dining, and master artisans. Plan your luxury getaway to Venice’s hidden gem.

Separated from the heart of Venice by the deep canal from which it takes its name, the island of Giudecca has long been a captivating world unto itself. If during the Renaissance it was a realm of pure delight — where nobles and intellectuals sought solace amidst secluded, walled gardens —, the 19th century saw Giudecca undergo an extraordinary industrial boost, evolving into Venice’s bustling productive engine complete with flour mills, factories, and shipyards.

Today, the island faithfully guards this dual heritage: a sanctuary where the charm of authentic Venice engages in a graceful dialogue with international contemporary art and timeless, luxury hospitality.

1. The Eastern Tip: Hospitality Icons and Haute Gastronomy

Our journey naturally begins at the easternmost point of the island, right where the lagoon sweeps gracefully open towards the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore.

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel

Here stands Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, a true titan of global hospitality. Founded in the 1950s by Giuseppe Cipriani (the visionary behind the famed Harry’s Bar) and today part of the LVMH luxury portfolio, stepping across its threshold feels like entering an idyllic parallel universe.

The hotel wraps its guests in scented gardens, a legendary Olympic-sized saltwater pool, and an effortless, timeless elegance that has, over the decades, enchanted silver screen sirens, heads of state, and royalty from every corner of the globe.

Harry’s Dolci

A little further along, strolling beside the wide fondamenta, lies Harry’s Dolci — a favored haunt for lunch or dinner to savor the iconic dishes created by Arrigo Cipriani. It offers the quintessential vantage point to watch boats glide leisurely across the Giudecca Canal while indulging in the classic tagliolini gratinati with ham, paired with an authentic Bellini — meticulously prepared with freshly hand-crushed white peach puree and chilled Prosecco.

2. Art, Architecture, and Heritage Sanctuaries

Casa dei Tre Oci: A Salon of Philosophy and Culture

Continuing along the waterfront, one encounters the Casa dei Tre Oci, a striking Neo-Gothic palazzo that immediately arrests the eye with its large, unusual eye-shaped windows — designed by the artist Mario De Maria in the early 20th century in memory of his late daughter.

Today, the Casa dei Tre Oci has embarked on an illustrious new chapter as the European headquarters of the Berggruen Institute Europe, reinventing itself as an international hub for philosophy, art, and contemporary thought.

Airelles Palladio Venice: A New Luxury Haven

Just a short distance away, concealed behind a façade bearing the unmistakable touch of master architect Andrea Palladio, lies the newly unveiled Airelles Palladio Venice. Formerly a 16th-century convent, it has been transformed into a residence of sublime charm, hiding monumental secret gardens and a state-of-the-art SPA within its walls — where quietude and historic beauty offer complete sanctuary for the soul.

The property also houses exceptional culinary destinations:

• Zitelle Bacaro: A chic Venetian bacaro featuring an outdoor terrace with sweeping views over St. Mark’s Square.
• abc kitchens Palladio: A refined gastronomic domain uniting the global culinary flair of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with the artisanal pastry creations of Cédric Grolet.

3. Artistic Craftsmanship and Lagoon Traditions

Oci Venezia: Bespoke Footwear

Before venturing into the island’s quieter interior, a brief detour leads to Oci Venezia, a boutique atelier where bespoke shoes and handbags are handcrafted in homage to Venice’s unique geometries. Through hand-braided leather shaped over wooden lasts, the contours of these accessories mirror the intricate stone pavements and two-tone brick façades of Venetian architecture, translating the ancient wisdom of the caleghèri (shoemakers) into wearable, contemporary design statements (visits by appointment).

Materialmente Venezia: The Wrought Iron Alchemy

Materialmente is part workshop, part alchemical laboratory (visits by appointment), where breathtaking wrought iron and brass objects are forged by hand. Highlights include decorative fish designed to hang on walls or float gracefully from ceilings, alongside jewelry inscribed with classic Venetian idioms such as “duri i banchi” (a local rallying cry to hold firm in the face of adversity).

Trattoria Altanella and Intimate Giudecca

Midway along the waterfront, the majestic façade of the Chiesa del Redentore — built as a votive offering to mark the end of the devastating plague of 1576 — marks the entrance into Giudecca’s most intimate quarters. Tucked away along a quiet inner canal, Trattoria Altanella has been a culinary institution since 1920. Lovingly run by the same family for generations, it boasts a delightful wooden terrace (the altanella) suspended over the water.

Here, shaded from the sun, guests can relish traditional lagoon delicacies such as squid ink cuttlefish with soft polenta, creamed baccalà mantecato, and handmade fish gnocchi — historic flavors cherished over the years by celebrated poets and intellectuals, including Ezra Pound.

4. Secret Gardens, Legendary Textiles, and Curated Experiences

In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris

Nestled directly behind the imposing Redentore church lies In Venetia Hortus Redemptoris: the ancient monastic garden of the Convent of the Most Holy Redeemer. Impeccably restored by the Venice Gardens Foundation and opened to the public for the first time in its history, it houses an elegant café overlooking the peaceful waters of the lagoon.

Fortuny Textiles and Palazzina Fortuny

Proceeding towards the 19th-century industrial district, you reach the birthplace of the Mariano Fortuny legacy. At the historic Fortuny Factory, founded in 1921, world-famous printed cotton fabrics are still produced using the closely guarded machinery and secret techniques pioneered by the Spanish-born polymath.

Adjacent to the factory, the exquisite Palazzina Fortuny welcomes guests into a showroom reminiscent of a private museum, showcasing furnishings and artworks that grace the most exclusive residences across the globe.

Venetian Table: Private Residence Cooking Classes

For those seeking a deeper cultural immersion, the island’s gourmet soul finds expression in Venetian Table, a project created by Lisa Esclapon de Villeneuve and Patrizia Lombardi. This immersive experience offers cooking classes, culture, and convivial dining within a stunning private home, where guests master the art of authentic Venetian cuisine starting with the selection of fresh, seasonal ingredients.

5. Industrial Heritage, Shipyards, and Sunset Views

Spazio Punch and CREA Cantieri del Contemporaneo

Nearby, industrial archaeology meets cutting-edge contemporary art. Housed within former salt and beer warehouses, Spazio Punch and CREA Cantieri del Contemporaneo represent the beating heart of visual experimentation on Giudecca, hosting avant-garde exhibitions, creative workshops, publishing ventures, and artist residencies that draw curators from around the world.

Cantiere Nautico Crea: The Artisan Master Shipwrights

In the heart of Giudecca’s craft district, Cantiere Nautico Crea, led by master shipwright Gianfranco Crea, stands as one of the final strongholds of traditional Venetian boatbuilding. Witnessing firsthand the creation of a gondola — an asymmetrical masterpiece fashioned from eight distinct types of wood — or even commissioning one, is a rare privilege in the living heart of lagoon engineering.

Ristorante Aromi at Hilton Molino Stucky

Our journey culminates where the island proudly displays its industrial heritage: at Ristorante Aromi, set within the majestic Molino Stucky complex. A grand 19th-century Neo-Gothic flour mill meticulously restored into a 5-star hotel (Hilton Molino Stucky), taking a seat on its waterside terrace along the Giudecca Canal affords an unrivaled view of Venice as the sky turns shades of dusty rose and gold. Here, refined Mediterranean-inspired cuisine marks the perfect conclusion to a day spent discovering the lagoon’s most noble, authentic, and secret island.