VENICE
The best of Venice, in order.
The 12 most popular venetian mask workshops in Venice. The ones worth your hours in a city you cross on foot and by water, with prices, run times and who to book each with.
Paint your own Venice Carnival paper-mâché mask in a one-hour workshop guided by a Venetian artisan, with supplies included.
Most Popular“We thoroughly enjoyed our experience! Our guide shared his knowledge of the history behind Venetian masks. He had several personal stories to share as well. The workshop was really much more than painting a mask!”
Make a Venetian papier-mâché Carnival mask near St Mark’s Square. Small group class with paints included, master finishing, take-home souvenir.
“We had a woderful time making venetian masks with Giorgio! The workshop room was stunning on its own, with different types of masks to see. In between painting layers, he provided stories about the history of masks in Venice, and talked about the different mask types and how they evolved. This is a must-do activity…”
Make a Venetian paper-mâché mask at Carta Alta. Learn baroque decoration and classic mask history, then take your creation home.
“Really enjoyed this activity, for someone who is not naturally artistic, I found that making and decorating my mask was so easy and enjoyable, fantastic hosts, very patient & results were so brilliant!”
Paint your own Venetian mask in a small Venice studio. Choose 50+ papier-mâché designs, then add feathers and metallic gold.
“Amazing experience, lovely teacher who was kind and patient with us. Highly recommend going here”
Make your own Venetian carnival mask inside the Prison Palace by St Mark’s, guided by an artisan with all materials included.
“Awesome, the guide is a woman that is very charismatic and helps you every step, it is really cool to get to know how these things are made”
Create a papier-mâché Venetian mask in a real atelier. Step-by-step painting with feathers and gold leaf, plus Carnival stories.
“Without any real artistic ability, I really appreciated the assistance. Very personalized. 16 year old granddaughter loved it.”
Paint a Venetian papier-mâché mask in a one-hour class with acrylics and gold/silver touches, then take it home as your Venice souvenir.
“This tour was well off the beaten path in Venice but the girl who led us in the painting, Martina, was very sweet and easy going when our kids got frustrated. Heads up that it takes a good hour to reach this shop from Doge’s palace area.”
Make a Carnival mask inside Casanova’s Prisons in Venice. Small-group workshop with all materials, English guidance, and a fair price.
“The glass blowing demo was too short and the selling of the glass seemed to take precedent. If you want to see glass blowing go to Murano island because you can buy the glass there too.”
Create a one-of-a-kind Venetian paper mache mask near St. Mark’s, with a 2-day workshop using gold leaf, crystals, and feathers.
“Very nice workshop to do. Very friendly people also! Good vibe...we liked it a lot, had a lot of fun too!”
Make a Venetian paper-mache mask at Carta Alta. Learn classic styles, paint with the baroque technique, and take your work home.
“It was lots of fun. A family of 6 and all ages. We all had a great time . The masks turned out great and we all left happy.”
Carnival treasure hunt in Venice via a mobile app, then paint a Venetian white mask in the Doge’s Prisons palace.
“Impossible de capter correctement le reseau pour le gps . Trop de monde autour de la place st marc , donc enormes difficultés a se reperer. Les explications sur les sites sont pratiquements inodibles , trop de foule bruyante autour des lieux de decouverte. Peut etre devriez vous fournir de petits écouteurs. Dommage , car…”
Kids visit Carlo Goldoni’s historic home, see an Arlecchino puppet scene, then paint a papier-mâché Venetian mask to take home.
“Omg Paula at the Mask workshop. You are an angel. And Anna Maria’s ability to keep our kids engaged during the first hour. That said… no puppet show. Just a tour. It was amazing but a little confusion as we thought there was a show and not a tour of a gallery.”
The basilica, the islands, the canals and the table, and every way to see them.
