Venice exhibitions worth a trip to the Lagoon during 2025

Visiting Venice means embarking on a journey through art, architecture, and history in a setting like no other in the world. The quiet calli, canals reflecting the golden light of sunset, and centuries-old stones provide the perfect backdrop for exhibitions and events that attract visitors from across the globe.

Staying at Relais Alberti, in the heart of the ancient village of Malamocco, allows you to experience the Lagoon authentically and serenely. Here you can balance days spent exploring the city’s artistic wonders with peaceful evenings in our secret garden, where time seems to slow down.

2025 is a special year for art in Venice. The 19th International Architecture Exhibition, curated by Carlo Ratti, will run from 10 May to 23 November. Under the theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”, it invites reflection on natural, artificial, and collective intelligence applied to architecture and urban regeneration. Iconic spaces like the Arsenale and the Giardini, alongside enchanting collateral venues across the city, will host innovative and thought-provoking projects.

From 30 April to 29 September, the Doge’s Palace will present “Gilded Icons. El Greco and Painting between Crete and Venice”, an extraordinary exhibition exploring the artistic dialogue between East and West through post-Byzantine icons and Renaissance masterpieces, shedding new light on a fascinating chapter of Venetian history.

Ocean Space, set in the magnificent Church of San Lorenzo, continues until November with an immersive journey intertwining contemporary art, science, and marine sustainability. The installations encourage visitors to rediscover our bond with the sea, telling stories of coastal communities, ecology, and creativity.

Among 2025’s unmissable exhibitions, “Robert Mapplethorpe. Timeless” stands out. Hosted at Palazzo Grassi until 23 November, this major retrospective captures the poetic and provocative world of the American photographer through portraits, still lifes, and nudes of striking intensity, beautifully staged in a Venetian architectural setting.

Starting 10 May, Palazzo Diedo will open its doors to “The Next Earth: Computation, Crisis, Cosmology”, a Biennale Collateral Event that examines the future of our planet by weaving together art, technology, and reflections on global sustainability.

Venice always offers a wealth of exhibitions and events, and these are just a few highlights. We would be delighted to suggest experiences tailored to your preferences during your stay.

At Relais Alberti, you’re just a few vaporetto stops from the vibrant heart of the city yet far from the bustle, immersed in a calm and historic atmosphere. After a day of art and culture, retreat to our Corte degli Agrumi—a scented garden where you can enjoy a glass of wine, listen to the cicadas, and breathe in the salty sea breeze.

To live the Lagoon this way is a rare privilege: an invitation to slow down, be inspired, and rediscover the Venice that exists beyond mass tourism—offering unforgettable moments to those who choose to explore with curiosity and an open heart.

Book your stay now and let us guide you through art, history, and beauty in one of the world’s most enchanting places.