Despite its proximity to the floating city, Lido seems to be completely different than the rest of Venice. The first thing you’ll notice when stepping on this oblong island is the presence of cars: unlike Venice, you’ll see vehicles and traffic lights. However, it is one of the most charming locations on this side of Italy, and in this travel guide, you’ll discover some great things to do in Lido.
What is worth noting is that the island of Lido is a standalone summer destination, especially if you want to swim and relax away from the crowds. That said, although daytrippers spend just a few hours on the island, the truth is that you can enjoy a relaxing holiday. Therefore, in this Lido travel guide, you’ll find the island’s must-sees and also the best places to stay. Moreover, I’ll share how you can easily get to Lido from Venice and plenty of my photos.
So, let’s start with the best things to do in Lido and how you can make the most of your visit.
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The best things to do in Lido Venice
Although Lido has its share of sightseeing, the truth is that you won’t find that many iconic landmarks. Places like the Jewish cemetery or the San Nicolò church aren’t enough to motivate travelers. However, most people visit Lido for its fantastic vibe, the more down-to-earth life, and the stunning coastline.
I was so fascinated by the island that I visited Lido on three different days during my journey to Venice. Venice can be overwhelming, and finding a beautiful place to unwind is always refreshing. So, after this short rant, here are the best things to do in Lido.
Enjoy the beaches of Lido
Unlike Venice, where swimming is not a good idea, Lido enjoys a long stretch of sand from edge to edge. Located in the southern part and overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Lido offers a broad, sandy beach with crystal-clear waters. To access the closest beach to the Vaporetto terminal, all you have to do is walk down the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta for approximately ten minutes. There, you’ll reach the Blue Moon Beach.
This part of the beach has enough facilities for your pre- or post-swimming time, and the beach bars offer dishes and drinks at fair prices. Even in late October, you’ll find locals and travelers swimming on Lido’s coastline -and the Pura Vida Beach Bar is a good place to relax. The coastline has private and public beaches, and if you have more time to explore, you can head to Alberoni Beach. Located just off the Lido Center, Alberoni Beach is a majestic place with pinewood and dunes.
On the other hand, if you visit Lido off-season when the water is cold, you can enjoy long walks next to the water and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the island.
Stroll the Santa Maria Elisabetta Street
The Vaporetto to Lido will stop almost in the city center. That’s the island’s main settlement, and you will see the famous Santa Maria Elisabetta Street. The so-called Gran Viale is a beautiful, wide street with shops and restaurants. The surrounding trees give an excellent flair to the avenue, and walking down the road is a perfect introduction to the island. That’s where you’ll see the first cars during your Venetian journey, but that’s where you’ll also observe proper daily life unfolding.
Walking the charming Santa Maria Elisabetta will bring you straight to the sea. From there, you have the option to head to the public beach on the north or move on to the other direction toward Alberoni. What’s also worth mentioning (more on that later in the guide) is that most hotels in Lido are located either straight at the Gran Viale or on the side streets.
I’d say that strolling the Santa Maria Elisabetta is a great thing to enjoy, and if you’re up for some cycling, you can rent one there and further enjoy the island of Lido. Or you can simply book this wonderful 2-hour cycling tour on the island.
Visit Malamocco for some old-times atmosphere
As I already mentioned, Lido is an oblong island. Despite its unusual shape, Lido has two settlements. The first one is straight at the Vaporetto stop, and that’s where the majority of locals live. The other settlement, though, is located more in the south and has a village atmosphere. Its name is Malamocco.
What appears today like a sleepy little town was once the first and only settlement on the island. Additionally, it was the first inhabited place of Lido and among the first in the entire Venice Lagoon. Apart from the beautiful Santa Maria Assunta church, there’s little to see in Malamocco. However, it is a charming place to stroll and have a drink in its old-fashioned cafes.
You can easily reach Malamocco with the buses starting outside the water bus station. If you have a Vaporetto Pass, you won’t need a ticket: it also covers the buses of Lido. Simply embark on the bus and see Lido Island unfolding from the windows before stepping out at Malamocco. I really enjoyed the serenity of Malamocco and the views of Isola di Poveglia, which once served as a quarantine station. I highly recommend a visit to this side of Lido.
Admire the villas and architecture
One of the finest things to do in Lido is to admire its stunning villas. Apart from seeing streets off Santa Maria Elisabetta Street, you’ll also come across architectural gems. The Liberty-style architecture prevails on the island, and admiring the villas will give you an excellent impression of living in Lido.
The Liberty style is the Italian variation of the Art Nouveau, and like in Latvia’s capital, Riga, its main characteristics are the floral motifs and the stained glass windows. Lido’s villas are colorful, and some operate nowadays as luxury hotels, like the iconic Grande Albergo Ausonia Hungaria. An unmissable experience.
Stay for the sunset
There’s a good reason to stay in Lido for the sunset. Most daytrippers return early enough to Venice so that you can have a more local feeling in the early evening. However, staying for the sunset on the island is a must-do since the sun sets on Venice’s skyline. The sky turns orange and pink, and as you follow the sun’s orbit, the city of Venice is dressed in the colors.
Don’t worry: the Vaporettos travel until late at night, so you won’t have any issues returning. And here’s an extra tip: start walking from the beach toward Santa Maria Elisabetta and see the street lights illuminated, the villas turning on their lights, and the colorful sky above.
Visit the Tempio Votivo Church
Concluded in 1935, the Tempio Votivo Church is a Lido landmark and the first thing you’ll see when approaching the island. This stunning circular building serves as a war memorial for the deceased of the two world wars. It’s also designed in Art Nouveau, and its crypt hosts the corpses of almost 3,000 soldiers.
Therefore, when approaching Lido, step out on the Vaporetto’s deck and see its copper dome appear in the distance.
Venice Film Festival
Apparently, one of the most famous things to do in Lido is to attend the world-famous Venice Film Festival. I didn’t add it earlier on the list because it lasts only ten days and usually takes place in late August or early September. For these ten days, Lido becomes the spotlight of the movie industry, and many stars arrive on the island for screenings, red carpet sessions, and Q&As.
Although it’s not as audience-oriented as the Berlinale, the Venice Film Festival is one of the biggest cinema events, and anticipation is always high. The Biennale organizes it, and if you happen to be in Lido during the film festival, try to get tickets for a screening or two: chances are that movie stars might walk by or even sit next to you.
On a side note, more elevated prices for accommodation should be expected. The island sees an increased number of visitors and industry professionals, and the demand is high.
Eat at Ristorante Pizzaria Lido
Finally, I can highly recommend the place I ate twice in Lido. If you’ve been following my travel blog for a while, you know that I always appreciate down-to-earth eateries. It’s not a matter of prices; it’s mainly because I appreciate being among locals. As a rule of thumb, Lido might look posh, but it’s not overpriced compared to the rest of Venice. On the contrary, I found some places significantly cheaper.
The Ristorante Pizzaria Lido is at Santa Maria Elisabetta Street and just a few minutes walk from the Vaporetto terminal. As its name suggests, it’s a restaurant serving various dishes and, of course, pizzas. The food was excellent, and the same goes for the service. Moreover, I must admit that I enjoyed the tastiest tiramisu in Venice there.
Last but not least, its location is great too. Locals and travelers tend to walk the Santa Maria Elisabetta, and there seems to be constant movement. See, be seen, and enjoy a delicious meal on Lido’s most iconic street without spending a fortune.
How to get to Lido from Venice
After sharing the best things to do in Lido, it’s time to write about how you can reach Lido from Venice.
The quickest yet priciest option to get to Lido from Venice is by water taxi. However, it’ll cost you quite some cash, and unless there’s a reason you want to use the water taxi, I think it doesn’t deserve the cost.
That said, the best option is to travel from Venice to Lido by Vaporetto. Travel time depends on your starting point in Venice, but to give you an example, you can get from San Marco Square to Lido in fifteen minutes.
The Vaporetto Lines between Venice and Lido
The Vaporetto Lines traveling to Lido are:
Vaporetto Line 1. This waterbus starts from Piazzale Roma and goes through the famous Grand Canal before reaching Lido. However, the downside of this line is that it stops frequently, and the journey from its starting point to Lido takes more than one hour.
Vaporetto Lines 5.1 and 5.2. These two lines operate the same route, but one travels clockwise and the other counterclockwise. From Piazzale Roma, it takes 20 minutes to Lido with the 5.1 -and you can use 5.2 on your way back.
Vaporetto Line 6. Finally, you have the option to use Line 6. It also starts from Piazzale Roma, but it doesn’t go through the Grand Canal but through the Giudecca Canal. Therefore, it’s much faster.
Your Vaporetto Pass covers the trips to Lido, and you can also use the buses on the island without an extra cost. You can purchase a Vaporetto Pass here.
Where to stay in Lido Venice
Lido is a paradise for architecture lovers, and on its soil, you’ll find some of the best Italian hotels. Of course, luxury always comes at a price, so keep an eye on your budget. On the other hand, there are also affordable accommodations in Lido, and if you prefer saving money, you can find reasonably priced hotels.
That said, in this section of my travel guide to Lido, you’ll find a mixture of hotels, from top-end accommodations to moderately priced rooms.
The best hotels in Lido
Ausonia Hungaria Wellness and Lifestyle. Apparently, that’s the most iconic hotel in Lido after the Hotel des Bains shut. The Ausonia Hungaria is a luxurious hotel and spa set in one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. The rooms are elegant, and the hotel is five minutes from the beach. See prices and availability for Ausonia Hungaria Hotel.
Villa Casanova. This beautiful hotel is just a few minutes from the busy Santa Maria Elisabetta Street. Set in a stunning villa of the 1930s, it offers beautiful rooms, and guests can enjoy breakfast in a superb garden. This is hands down one of the best places to stay in Lido. See prices and availability for Villa Casanova.
Villa Ines B&B. Located just 200 meters from Lido Beach, Villas Ines is also set in an Art Nouveau building with a beautiful garden. Each room has a different color and has an air-conditioner, spa bath, and breakfast. Moreover, it’s one of the most affordable accommodations on the island of Lido. See prices and availability for Villa Ines B&B.
Hotel Villa Cipro. Finally, here’s probably the most affordable place to stay in Lido. Although it’s not a luxurious accommodation, Villa Cipro is set in a stunning villa, and its garden is tastefully decorated. The hotel offers classic-style rooms, serves breakfast in the garden, and there’s also a bar where you can enjoy various cocktails. If you’re on a budget to Lido, that’s the place to stay. See prices and availability for Villa Cipro.
Please use the interactive map below for all other accommodation options in Lido.
The best things to do in Lido Venice: Conclusion
Even though it’s not packed with landmarks, Lido is among the must-see places when visiting Venice. The long sandy beaches, the stunning Liberty architecture, and the quieter rhythms of life make Lido an excellent addition to your Venice itinerary. The island doesn’t feel like a thematic park (like Venice often does), and it’s a great way to discover how daily life unfolds in the Venetian Lagoon.
To some, Lido might look as overly posh. However, the locals are polite, and the prices are not elevated compared to places on this side of Italy. I had a wonderful time whenever I stepped foot on the island, and the fact that it’s just a short Vaporetto ride from Venice is a plus. Honestly, if it’s not your first time in Venice, you should also consider staying in Lido. The prices are reasonable, the rooms will be bigger and newer -and you’ll be just fifteen minutes away from Saint Mark’s Square.
More about Venice: Gondola ride guide, Vaporetto Guide, How to get to Murano
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Last Updated on December 16, 2023 by George Pavlopoulos