The Lido di Venezia is a long, narrow island that acts as a barrier between the Venetian Lagoon and the sea. Much of the island is taken up by 19th and 20th Century villas, some of which have been converted to hotels. Well-groomed beaches cater to summer holiday crowds and guests of luxury hotels on the side that faces the Adriatic. (Motor vehicles are permitted on the Lido, which is served by a car ferry.)

When you arrive at the Lido's ACTV station, cross the street carefully and continue into the main shopping area. Here, you'll find a small department store, boutiques, cafés with gelato counters, and restaurants. The business district feels lively and prosperous, thanks to tourists in the summer and a year-round population of suburban commuters.

Keep walking down the main shopping street, the Gran Viale S.M. Elisabetta. In a few minutes you'll reach the promenade on the Adriatic side of the island.

To your right are the Hotel des Bains (the setting of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice), the neo-Moorish Hotel Excelsior, and the Palazzo del Cinema (used by the Venice International Film Festival). To your left are the Bagni Communale, or public beach with bathhouses for day visitors and residents. Walk along the beaches in either direction, and wander out on one of the massive stone jetties that help to protect the beaches from erosion.

How to reach the Lido:

See the Return options page for information on boat service to the Lido from Burano.

If you prefer to visit the Lido directly from Venice, you have a number of choices--including the No. 1 vaporetto, the 5.1/5.2 and 6 circolare routes, the double-deck boats that depart from a pier near San Marco, and the 17 car ferry from the Tronchetto parking island. See our Venice Vaporetto Routes article for more information.

Also see: Aerial Venice - Lido di Venezia

Next page: Lido to Venice

In this article:
Venice Islands Tour	Torcello
San Michele Cemetery	Return options
Murano	Lido
Burano	Lido to Venice
Mazzorbo	Related articles

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Hotel Advice:

Location can be important in a car-free city with 400+ bridges, especially when you're walking with luggage. Before you book, see:

Hotel Recomendations by Area
Find hotels that are handy to the airport, railroad station, cruise port, or Piazza San Marco, and in Mestre.

Aerial Venice Hotels
Read our tips on choosing the right sestiere or district. Then view individual hotels and their surroundings in large satellite photos and aerial close-ups.

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