Locals are raving about the Festival of Lights, but not just for its glamour Blue DropThe island’s local bar is the perfect place to enjoy a spritz after a day at the beach, and the historic Palazzo del Cinema remains Italy’s Hollywood. It’s a treat to walk along the island’s long sandy beaches or bike around the island and observe the Belle Époque architecture. Bookmark Osteria Al Merca Splurge on exceptional fish dishes and enjoy Adriatico Terrace For a fine dining adventure (the beef tartare, and the tagliolini al’astice musts).
Hotel Melià Venezia Lido This 60-room hotel will open in summer 2025, close to the station for water taxis. The hotel is located in Gran Viale and offers a restaurant-bar concept that serves osteria classics.
Sant’Erasmo
Via Line 13
Sant’Erasmo Island is called the “Garden of Venice” because it is home to Osti in OrtoCesare Benelli, the owner of Al Covo The historic restaurant represents an agricultural project by 13 Venetian restaurateurs who grow seasonal produce following natural rhythms. The restaurant was built by 13 Venetian restaurateurs to grow seasonal produce following natural rhythms. This working farm is an island that provides many of the city’s top restaurants with vegetables, herbs and the purple artichokes which are celebrated all around the lagoon.
It is flat terrain that makes it ideal for adventure seekers. Rent bikes from Camping Ca’ Savio Bike through the vineyards Orto di Venezia for white wine produced in the Venice Lagoon—they age some bottles underwater in traditional Venetian boats at secret lagoon locations) and vegetable plots to get a layout of the land. It also has the famous Bacan Beach that is popular among Venetians and the 19th-century Torre Massimiliana.
San Clemente
Via hotel shuttle
The whole private island is comprised of houses San Clemente Palace (a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards Property for 2025), is a luxury resort built around a 12th century Romanesque church (built 1131) surrounded by 6 hectares of gardens that date back centuries. Acquerello is the restaurant that specializes in modern Venetian cooking, while Clemente Bar serves cocktails inside and outside, decorated with Venetian mirrors. The Longevity Spa, outdoor pool, tennis court, pitch-and putt course and resort offer a wide range of activities. Shuttle boats run regularly and are free to St. Mark’s Square. Guests can enjoy the Rialto early in the day before it gets crowded. By the afternoon they will be back to peace.
