Attractions

Exploring the Wonders of Venice

Create memories of a lifetime in one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Venice. Relax on sandy beaches of Lido , explore a cultural hub of art and entertainment, or check out the many famous landmarks around the city.

Lido of Venice

Venice Lido is one of the most famous islands in the Venetian Lagoon, acting as a natural barrier between the city of Venice and the open sea. With its long, sandy coastline stretching for about 11 kilometers, the Lido offers visitors a tranquil pace and charming architecture.

Easily connected to central Venice by traditional steamboats, the Lido is unique among the islands in the lagoon as it’s also accessible by road. Tourists can drive to the island via convenient ferries departing from Tronchetto. However, most visitors prefer exploring the island by bicycle, making it easy to travel between key spots like the Lido’s main center (where most accommodations are located), Malamocco (a picturesque fishing village), and Alberoni (a coastal area with striking sand dunes, nestled within a protected WWF reserve).

While on the Lido, there are several must-see attractions:

The Abbey of St. Nicholas, dating back to the 10th century, which houses a portion of the remains of the patron saint of sailors.
The impressive Liberty-style architecture of early 20th-century hotels along the Marconi waterfront.
Cà Roman, a nearby nature reserve, perfect for birdwatchers.

For those seeking more active pursuits, the Lido also offers a range of sports activities, including golf, tennis, and horseback riding.

Venice

Venice, a city mirrored in the water, offers an image that remains forever imprinted in the eyes of those who gaze upon it. This magical city, steeped in romance, poetry, and a certain melancholic charm, is unparalleled in its beauty. UNESCOhas awarded it the title of World Heritage for its extraordinary artistic treasures and for the seamless harmony between human activity and the natural lagoon landscape.

For the traveler, even a brief visit is enough to be captivated by the array of monuments and masterpieces that adorn the city. Piazza San Marco, the vibrant heart of Venice, is home to a magnificent architectural ensemble. It takes its name from the Basilica of San Marco, built in an oriental style and crowned with five stunning Byzantine domes. The square opens to one side of the lagoon, while the other side is bordered by the bell tower and the striking buildings of the Old and New Procuratie and the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace).

The Bridge of Sighs, located nearby, is an essential stop for anyone taking a romantic gondola ride along the Grand Canal, the city’s main waterway. Venice is a city to be experienced in full, a place where you can lose yourself in the maze of narrow lanes and bridges. As you wander, you’ll uncover hidden treasures like the Baroque Church of Santa Maria della Salute, the Accademia Gallery, home to masterpieces by Venetian painters from the 14th to the 18th century, and the Scuola di San Rocco, showcasing the extraordinary series of paintings by Tintoretto.

Venice is also a city of modern and contemporary art. Renowned art spaces like the Punta della Dogana and Palazzo Grassi house avant-garde exhibitions, including those featured at the Biennale—one of the most prestigious contemporary art events in the world.

Festivals & Events:

Carnival (February)
Festival of the Redeemer (third Sunday of July)
Venice International Film Festival (September)
Biennale Art Exhibition (various dates)
Historical Regatta (first Sunday of September)

Venice on a Plate: Venetian cuisine is a blend of maritime traditions and exotic eastern influences. Fish, white meats like chicken, goose, and duck, as well as polenta and rice, dominate the menu. The PGI red radicchio of Chioggia is a protected European delicacy. Venetian sweets, such as the famous baicoli (dry biscuits), zaleti (raisin and corn flour biscuits), and pan dei dogi (a cake with pine nuts, raisins, cocoa, nuts, and almonds), are cherished by locals and visitors alike.

Burano

Burano is a charming island in the northern part of the Venetian lagoon, renowned for its ancient art of lace-making, colorful houses, and boats returning from fishing. The vibrant houses, originally painted to mark property boundaries, now captivate the many visitors who arrive on the island each year.

Piazza Baldassare Galoppi, the heart of Burano, was created by filling in a canal and is home to the island's only church, dedicated to San Martino. This church houses a beautiful painting of the Crucifixion by Tiepolo.

As you stroll through the narrow streets and quaint squares, you'll often find elderly women sitting outside their homes, skillfully working on lace with the help of the traditional bolster. A collection of this intricate art can be admired at the Museum of Lace Making.

Burano also holds an important place in the history of Venetian painting. In the early 20th century, it became a thriving hub for modern Venetian artists, known as the School of Burano—though it wasn't an official school, but rather a vibrant period in the island's cultural history, shaped by its unique atmosphere.

A visit to Burano wouldn't be complete without trying bussolai, a traditional donut-shaped cookie, beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Murano

Murano, a small island in the Venetian Lagoon, draws visitors from all over the world who are eager to discover the intricate glass creations crafted by master glaziers. Many of the glassmakers open the doors of their workshops, allowing visitors to witness the art of glassmaking firsthand. Known as the "Island of Fires", Murano earned this nickname because it housed the numerous kilns that were moved from Venice to reduce the risk of fire in the city.

Murano is actually a collection of small islands, separated by canals and rivers, and connected by charming bridges. The island's ancient name, Amuranium, was given by the refugees from Altino, who fled the barbarian invasions and settled here.

The island’s flourishing glass industry, which has been the heart of Murano since the Middle Ages, gave it a unique economic status and a level of independence compared to other Venetian islands. The secrets of glassmaking, passed down from father to son and closely guarded by powerful families, were protected by strict regulations that only allowed those enrolled in the craft to practice it. The Glass Museum of Murano, housed in Palazzo Giustina, showcases the art of glassmaking, with exhibits ranging from Roman glass pieces to contemporary creations, highlighting the island’s exceptional craftsmanship.

A notable building on Murano is the Basilica dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Donato, which dates back to the same period as San Marco. The basilica is renowned for its beautiful arcade apse and one of the most stunning floors in the Veneto-Byzantine style, where colorful marble tiles alternate with glass from the island’s oldest kilns.

Torcello

Torcello is a captivating island known for its ancient and mysterious atmosphere. Nature slowly reclaims the land, gently overtaking the stones of its impressive Byzantine architecture, which stands as a testament to its former glory.

Like Murano, Torcello was settled by the inhabitants of Altino, who fled from the barbarian invasions of Italy between the 5th and 7th centuries. Once a thriving and prosperous town in the lagoon, Torcello was known for its flourishing wool and salt industries, and it maintained a rich social and artistic life until the 16th century.

Today, this once vital island, which played a crucial role in Venetian commerce, is largely silent and sparsely populated. The few scattered houses, overgrown hedges, small gardens, and peaceful lawns create an oasis of calm away from the bustling streets of Venice.

Torcello is home to one of the oldest and most significant religious complexes in the Venetian Lagoon. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a Byzantine-Venetian building dating back to 639 and restored to its present form in 1008, is the centerpiece. It is flanked by an 11th-century bell tower and baptistery, while the Church of Santa Fosca, a 12th-century Greek-cross-shaped building, stands behind the cathedral.

In the heart of a grassy space lies the legendary Attila's Throne, a marble seat that was likely used by bishops or tribunes to administer justice. For those interested in history, the Estuary Museum, located in the Building of the Council and the Archive, offers fascinating sections dedicated to archaeology and the medieval period.

You can discover other beautiful places around Venice by visiting this website:

Veneto Tourism: Venice and the Lagoon