Come in, pull up a chair. I heard what I heard; you are, at last, going to the Floating City. It’s a dream, isn’t it? However, hear me out; you are going to hear all about the gondolas, the masks and the squares that are full of people in San Marco.
And to see the true Venice, that still has the salt in its blood and the wild, rhythmic heartbeat of the wild heart, you will have to look behind the marble palaces. You must follow to the point of the lagoon where it falls upon the Adriatic Sea to find the best beaches near Venice. Many people ask, “Does Venice have a beach?” and the answer is a resounding yes, hidden in plain sight. I gathered this little guide of mine especially on your behalf, not as a professional, but as one who put a fragment of her soul upon those golden sands. Take a light bag, leave your watch, and I will tell you of the Venetian coast and the many beaches in Venice that await you.
1. The Glamorous Matriarch: Lido di Venezia.
Your story of the beach starts at the Lido in the first chapter. The ride on a vaporetto to the city only takes fifteen minutes and is a short puff of air, yet one could be in a different century. As the vessel sails away out of Venice, see the spires of Venice grow smaller in the mist. When people think of beaches near Venice, they often start right here in the realm of the Belle Époque. Exploring Venice Beach, Italy-style, means embracing this historic elegance.
Lido is a long and narrow strip of land which serves as a fortification to the city. It is graceful, green and weirdly nostalgic. This was the most trendy beach in Europe in the early twentieth century. Imagery: imagine broad avenues, Art Nouveau homes with complex designs of floral carvings and the phantom of the glamour of the Venice Film Festival in every door. This is truly one of the heart of Venice beaches.
My Personal Recommendation: Hire an old bike. That is the only means to visit the island. Down the Lungomare Marconi, pedal toward the Lido di Venezia beach. You will see the renowned Grand Hotel des Bains, in which Thomas Mann had his stimulation. Capannine, small buildings of white and blue having wooden verandahs, line the beach here. They are not merely to change in but are little summer houses, in which the Venetian families pass the whole day eating, laughing, and watching the sea. In need of feeling like a movie star? You can also spend a few euros to sit in one of the private beach clubs all afternoon. Among the many beaches near Venice, it is worth every penny merely to get the mood.
2. The Poet’s Corner: Alberoni
While the Lido is a great ballroom, Alberoni is a secret garden. It is situated on the same island, but on the opposite end of it, which makes it even more different. Here, the landscaped lawns become wild and changeable dunes and primaeval pine forests. This is the wilder side of the beaches near Venice.
The first time I visited there, I remember. The smell of pine needles and sea salt was strong in the air. It is a secluded sanctuary, and thus, there are no loud beach bars or plastic umbrella rows. As though it were you and the wind and the Adriatic.
Why you will enjoy it: The dunes at Alberoni are enormous, some of the highest in the territory. Go somewhere out in the seagrass and simply listen. You will find huge freighters and fine yachts passing through the inlet of the “Malamocco” right in front of you, which seem like mountains on the water. This sky is, at sunset, a kind of honey-gold, which I have never seen elsewhere in Italy. It is a location of reflection and solitude compared to other beaches near Venice. It stands out among all Venice beaches for its raw beauty.
3. The Painted Ribbon: Pellestrina.
It is here that the tale becomes quite interesting. To reach Pellestrina, you have to take a bus, and that bus goes directly onto a ferry; it is quite an adventure the first time you do it! It is a needle-thin strip of land, barely measured by a single road and two rows of houses, offering some of the most authentic beaches near Venice. This is a quintessential Venice Beach, Italy, experience for those who want to avoid the crowds.
Pellestrina is the Venice of the forgotten. There are no crowds here. The houses are also painted in bright colours, almost neon, bright pinks and deep violets, and citrus oranges, so the fishermen could see their way home through the fog in the lagoon. Embracing the Low Cost Vibes, this island allows you to enjoy the Adriatic without the heavy price tags of the city centre.
The Murazzi Magic: There is the Murazzi on the seaside of the island. They are huge walls of white Istrian stone which were erected by the Venetian Republic during the 1700s to enclose the lagoon against the sea. There is a feeling of walking on a white backbone between two worlds, between the still, emerald lagoon on one side and the deep blue, rolling Adriatic on the other. It is one of the most unique beaches in Venice.
My Advice: You cannot go out of Pellestrina and leave without eating. Locate a small trattoria, the type that has no printed menu. Order the Schie (little grey lagoon shrimp) or Sarde in Saor. There is no more natural Venetian fare than the most genuine of Venetian fare, served by those whose families have been fishing near these beaches near Venice for a millennium. This hidden gem is truly a unique side of Venice.
4. The Edge of the World: Ca’ Roman
The last house in Pellestrina is Ca’ Roman. It is a nature reserve, and, quite honestly, it seems like it is on the very verge of the world. It has a lighthouse, a small forest of tamarisk trees and an untouched beach. For those still asking, “Does Venice have a beach?” that offers total peace, look no further.
It is quiet, except for the cries of the little tern and the Kentish plover. No facilities, no shops and no noise. You want to press the reset button on your soul; this is where you come. It is the culmination of a long coast ride to the quietest beaches near Venice. In the list of Venice beaches, this is the most serene.
5. The Garden of Lagoon: Cavallino-Treporti
Before you complete your journey, you have to go north to the Cavallino peninsula. Here, the lagoon has its green heart. It is a country of marshlands (barene) and garden plots. This area offers some of the best beaches near Venice for families and nature lovers, especially if you seek family-friendly beaches with shallow waters.
The best thing here is the Via Pordelio. It is a cycling trail, and in fact, it is suspended over the water of the lagoon. It is quite a surreal experience, like you are flying on top of the reflections of the clouds. Looking attentively at the marshes, you may find some flocks of white flamingos wading in the shallow water. It is a beautiful sight, which makes me feel like I am hallucinating while exploring the beaches near Venice. This region is a vital part of the Venice Beach, Italy,, landscape and a cornerstone of Veneto region tourism.
If you have more time for Venice beach day trips, you might even venture further to the bustling Jesolo beach near Venice, known for its long sandy stretches and vibrant nightlife along the Veneto coastline beaches.
Travelling Locally: My Golden Rules.
I want you to experience the best since we are family. Keep these in mind as you explore the beaches near Venice and the various beaches in Venice:
- Vaporetto Rhythm: Purchase a 48-hour or 72-hour ACTV ticket. It’s your golden ticket. You can get on and off the water buses as often as you feel like, and it can be applied to the buses in the islands as well.
- The Golden Hour: The light in Venice varies between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The Istrian marble becomes a mellow rose-pink. Effort to ride a ferry or go to the beach at this time, the photographs will be unbelievable, but the experience is even more enjoyable. This is the best time to visit the best beaches near Venice.
- Leave No Trace: These beaches are sensitive ecologies. It has been centuries of struggle for the Venetians to remain alive at sea. Use the sand and the water like you would a cathedral.
- Ritual: The Spritz. The beach is complete, but find a little bar somewhere in a campo (square). Get yourself a Spritz. Select it; it is the traditional Venetian version as opposed to the ubiquitous Aperol. It is the best way to celebrate an eventful day.
Now, there is my account of the Venetian coast. It is not just the sand; it is the light, the quietness, and the feeling of the sea air. Venice is a stone city, but its heart is composed of water and salt. As you plan your perfect Venice holidays, remember that the true magic lies in these hidden shores. Go and lose yourself, and say goodbye to the sea.
FAQs about Beaches near Venice
Yes! The historic centre consists of stone and canals, but the outer islands, such as Lido and Pellestrina, have long sandy beaches.
Take a vaporetto (water bus). Lines 1, 5.1 or 6 see you through to Lido in 15 or 20 minutes.
Most of the islands have the so-called Spiaggia Libera (free areas), and there are areas of Lido which are private clubs, and you have to pay to occupy a chair.
No. It is unlawful and harmful, and the water is not clean. Always go to the islands (side of the Adriatic Sea) to swim.
Bicycles. They can be easily hired in Lido or Pellestrina to explore the coast at their own pace.
•
