Venice Lido: How to visit the beach in Venice

Found in the Venetian Lagoon, Venice Lido (Lido di Venezia) is an Italian wonder, offering travellers an escape within an escape in northern Italy. One of the obvious highlights of the seven-mile (11 km) long island is the beach – perfect if you’re after a little sun, sea and sand. Here’s how to visit.

01

How to get there

The island sits just offshore from historic central Venice. You can only reach Venice Lido and its beach by water taxi or water bus. There are both private and public water transport options to choose from when planning your trip.

02

Transport

There are several ways to travel over the lagoon to Venice Lido.

You can head straight to the Lido, as it is also known, as soon as you land at Venice Marco Polo airport by taking the vaporetto (water bus). Choose the Linea Blu or Linea Rosso – note that the Linea Rosso route operates during the April–October high season only. Simply follow signs for water taxis and water buses in the airport.

Alternatively, if you’re travelling from the centre of Venice, catch the vaporetto number 1. This is by far the most scenic option, as it travels all the way up the Grand Canal before heading out over the lagoon. Or, get there faster by taking the express number 6 vaporetto from Piazzale Roma in the centre of Venice. (The number 6 only runs through tourist high season.)

If you have a lot of bags, or you’re keen on travelling to Venice Lido in style, consider a water taxi. You can book these in advance from a number of operators, or you can hail one when you arrive. They’re available from Venice Marco Polo airport and all around the historic centre of Venice.

While there’s plenty of accommodation on the island, to return from Venice Lido, the number 1 vaporetto generally runs all day from around 5 am to around 11 pm. The last number 6 vaporetto leaves the island at around 8 pm.

03

Cost of tickets

Take the vaporetto for the most value for money, with round-trip tickets and day-passes available. If you’re planning on packing plenty of travel into your day, this is a good value option.

Travel cards can be bought for two, three and seven day periods. There’s also discounts for young travellers, while children under the age of six travel for free.

Water taxis are famously pricey, but if it’s the full glamorous experience you’re after, then this is the way to go for the luxury of having a boat all to yourself.

04

How to get tickets

You need to have a ticket to board water buses in Venice. Buy your tickets, passes or day passes before you board from ticket booths near the larger platforms, from 24/7 ACTV machines dotted all over the city, or from any newsagent or tobacconists to avoid fines.

Don’t forget to activate your ticket or pass before you board. Machines a little like those used for Oyster cards in London are placed at every vaporetto stop. Just tap in and hop on board.

05

What to expect

Spend the day on the island to see a totally different side to Venice. This sandy barrier looks out over the City of Bridges and the Adriatic Sea, and during the hot high season, the cooling breezes coming off the ocean create a fresher atmosphere than the tourist-heavy centre of Venice.

06

Relax on the beach

Swim in the sea and sunbathe to your heart’s content in the public areas, where you’ll find plenty of amenities and places for the kids to make sandcastles. If you’re looking for a more secluded retreat, pay to enter a more exclusive private beach club and relax on day beds with dedicated lounger-side servers.

07

Explore the island’s historic buildings

If you’re worried that by spending time away from the centre of Venice you’ll miss out on some great photo opportunities, then don’t. The island’s streets are full of picturesque classical architecture, and its historic buildings and monuments are much less crowded.

Visit the Tempio Votivo war memorial to learn about Venice, and head to San Lazzaro the Armenian monastery where poet Lord Byron once studied and worked.

08

Go nature spotting – or spot some stars

Pack a lunch and walk or cycle around the Alberoni nature reserve for a dose of fresh air and gorgeous scenery – you can also rent a bike from the reserve’s tourist centre.

If you’re more into star-spotting, head to Venice Lido during early September. This is when the Venice Film Festival takes over the island for 10 days every year, drawing Hollywood stars from all over the world.

Thinking about a trip to Venice? Take a look at our hotels in Venice to plan the perfect stay.