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 (11km) long island is the beach – perfect if you’re after a little sun, sea and sand. Here’s how to visit.

How to Visit the Beach in Venice
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### 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, and there are private and public water transport options to choose from when planning your trip.

### 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 (do note that this 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. 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 are 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 5am to around 11pm. The last number 6 vaporetto leaves the island at around 8pm.

### Cost of Tickets

Take the vaporetto for the most value for money. A Venice Lido round-trip ticket costs around €13 (approximately £11), while a day pass costs around €20 (£17). So, if you’re planning on packing more travel into your day, this might be a better 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, look at setting around €50-€100 (£42-£84) aside for the pleasure.

### 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 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.

What to Expect
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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, and during the hot high season it’s cooling ocean breezes create a fresher atmosphere than the touristic centre of Venice.

### 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 beach bars 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 beach service cocktails.

### 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, don’t. The island’s streets are full of 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.

### 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 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 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.“