Venice is famous for its stunning canals and charming alleyways, but if you’re craving a little beach time, you’re in luck! Several beautiful beaches are easily accessible from Venice, offering sandy shores, clear waters, and a chance to unwind.
Lido di Venezia – The Closest Beach Escape
Lido di Venezia is the go-to beach for Venice visitors due to its close proximity and easy access. Known simply as “Lido,” this long, narrow island is perfect for a quick beach day, offering plenty of sandy stretches, charming cafes, and even an exclusive area known as the Blue Moon Beach.
How to Get There:
- Transportation: Vaporetto (waterbus) – Line 1 or Line 2
- Departure Point: Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) or Piazzale Roma
- Cost: A single vaporetto ticket costs around €9.50, valid for 75 minutes. If you plan on taking more rides, a 24-hour pass costs €25 and allows unlimited travel.
- Travel Time: Roughly 10–15 minutes from St. Mark’s Square.
What to Expect:
Lido offers both free and private beach areas. The Blue Moon Beach is a popular free beach with good facilities like showers, toilets, and changing rooms. There are also private beach clubs where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas for about €20–€30 per day, depending on the season. You’ll find restaurants and beach bars lining the area, so you can enjoy lunch or a refreshing drink with ease.
Best Time to Visit:
Lido gets lively during the summer months (June to September), especially in August. For a quieter experience, try visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Jesolo Beach – Perfect for a Full Day Out
If you’re looking for a more vibrant beach experience, Lido di Jesolo is one of the region’s largest and liveliest beach towns, featuring 15 kilometers of sandy beaches, restaurants, shopping streets, and water sports. It’s popular with both locals and tourists and offers a wide range of activities.
How to Get There:
- Transportation: Bus and Vaporetto combination
- Route: Take a vaporetto from Venice to Punta Sabbioni (around 35 minutes) and then transfer to Bus #5 to Jesolo Beach.
- Cost: The combined vaporetto and bus ticket is approximately €14.
- Travel Time: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Venice.
What to Expect:
Jesolo has both free and paid beach sections, with ample facilities available. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas in the paid sections for around €15–€25 for the day. Jesolo also has a great beach promenade, perfect for strolling, shopping, and dining. There are plenty of family-friendly activities, including mini-golf, water slides, and playgrounds, making it ideal if you’re traveling with kids.
Best Time to Visit:
Visit during the summer for the full beach town experience. If you’re visiting in late summer, check out the annual Jesolo Sand Sculpture Festival, where you can see incredible sand art by international artists.
Sottomarina Beach – A True Local Favorite
Located near the town of Chioggia, often called “Little Venice,” Sottomarina Beach is popular with Venetians and known for its fine sand and family-friendly atmosphere. The area also offers a rich marine life, making it a favorite for snorkeling and swimming.
How to Get There:
- Transportation: Direct ferry or bus.
- Route: Take the ACTV ferry from Venice to Chioggia, then walk or take a local bus to Sottomarina Beach.
- Cost: The ferry costs approximately €10, and local buses are around €1.50.
- Travel Time: About 1 hour and 40 minutes in total.
What to Expect:
Sottomarina has free beaches as well as private sections, where sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented for about €15–€25. You’ll also find a variety of seafood restaurants, beach bars, and cafes nearby. The beach’s long shoreline allows for great evening walks, and the shallow water is safe for families with children. In the summer months, there are often festivals, live music, and beach games.
Best Time to Visit:
It’s an ideal beach from June to September. For fewer crowds, visit in early June or late September, when the weather is still warm, but the area is less busy.
Caorle Beach – Quaint, Charming, and Historic
Caorle is a colorful, historic beach town with a charming old town and vibrant houses along the waterfront. The beach offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it perfect if you want a more relaxed, scenic day by the sea.
How to Get There:
- Transportation: Bus
- Route: Bus #4 from Venice to Caorle.
- Cost: Roughly €8 for a one-way ticket.
- Travel Time: Around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
What to Expect:
Caorle Beach has a mix of free areas and private beach clubs where you can rent umbrellas and chairs for about €15–€20. The old town area has lovely restaurants, shops, and a beautiful cathedral with a historic bell tower. A unique attraction here is the Scogliera Viva, or “Living Reef,” an open-air art gallery with sculptures along the rocks by the sea.
Best Time to Visit:
Summer is ideal for beach activities, but the colorful old town makes it a lovely destination year-round. Avoid peak weekends in August if you prefer a quieter experience.
Bibione Beach – A Relaxed Family Destination
Located further from Venice, Bibione Beach is known for its clean, wide beaches and family-friendly amenities. It’s quieter than Lido di Jesolo but still offers plenty of activities, including cycling paths, beach sports, and thermal spas.
How to Get There:
- Transportation: Bus
- Route: Direct ATVO bus from Venice to Bibione.
- Cost: Around €8–€10 each way.
- Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
What to Expect:
Bibione Beach offers free sections as well as organized areas where umbrellas and loungers can be rented. The rentals typically cost between €15–€25, with larger family spots available. Bibione has well-kept bike paths along the coastline, so consider renting a bike for a scenic ride. For a relaxing experience, check out the Bibione Thermal Spa nearby.
Best Time to Visit:
Visit in late spring or early fall for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is the busiest time but offers the best beach experience.
– If you plan to hop around different beaches or take multiple bus and ferry trips, consider getting a day pass. For instance, a 24-hour ACTV pass costs €25 and covers unlimited rides on vaporettos and some buses.
– Bring sunscreen, a hat, and beach gear like a towel and water bottle. Most beaches have facilities, but it’s always best to come prepared.
– Vaporetto and bus schedules can vary depending on the season, so check the latest timetable on the ACTV website or at a ticket booth.
