Venice travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Venice, Veneto, Italy.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Venice.
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- classic seaside resort, family-friendly with beach clubs
- Paid sunbed/umbrella rental
- Beach clubs (stabilimenti)
- Free public beach sections
- Restaurants and bars
- Hotels
- Bicycle rental
Lido di Venezia (Gran Viale Beach)
Editor’s tip. Take the vaporetto before 10:00 in July and August to secure a sunbed before the establishments fill.
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- wild, quiet dunes and nature reserve feel
- Natural reserve
- Free access
- Sand dunes
- Naturist area permitted
- Horse riding nearby
Alberoni Beach
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and shade; services near the beach are very limited.
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- quiet, local village feel away from the resort crowds
- Quieter than Gran Viale
- Free access areas
- Local village feel
- Some beach clubs
Malamocco Beach
Editor’s tip. Line 11 goes directly to Malamocco; otherwise take bus B from Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta.
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- busy family resort by day, nightlife and beach bars by night
- 15 km of Adriatic beach
- Beach clubs
- Restaurants
- Nightclubs (Il Muretto)
- Water sports
- Bike rental
Jesolo Beach
Editor’s tip. Take the ATVO bus from Piazzale Roma and check the last return departure before evenings out.
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- relaxed family resort beside a colourful fishing village
- Sandy beaches
- Historic fishing village
- Beach clubs
- Restaurants
- Clear water
- Watersports
Caorle Beach
Editor’s tip. Take an early ATVO bus from Piazzale Roma and check last return times.
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- orderly, family-friendly resort with spa and cycling
- Thermal spa (Terme di Bibione)
- Long sandy beach
- Family-friendly
- Beach clubs
- Cycling paths
- Water sports
Bibione Beach
Editor’s tip. Check ATVO schedules in advance as the journey is about 75 minutes each way.
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- remote, quiet fishing-village island with few visitors
- Very quiet
- Local fishing village
- Few tourists
- Free beach
- Simple fish restaurants
Pellestrina Island Beach
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and sun protection; facilities on the beach are minimal.
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- traditional Italian family seaside, good value and local
- Wide sandy beach
- Beach clubs
- Fish restaurants
- Historic Chioggia town nearby
- Cheaper than Lido
Chioggia Beach (Sottomarina)
Editor’s tip. Combine the beach with a visit to the Chioggia fish market and old town.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Venice’s coast.
How do visitors get from Venice to Lido beach?
Vaporetto lines 1, 5.1 and 5.2 run to Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta in about 20 minutes from San Marco. The beach is then a ten-minute walk across the island.
From the Lido di Venezia (Gran Viale Beach) editorial.
Is there a free public beach on the Lido?
Yes, there are free public sections (spiaggia libera) between the private bathing establishments. Facilities there are limited, so bring towels and water.
From the Lido di Venezia (Gran Viale Beach) editorial.
How far is Alberoni from central Venice?
The trip takes about 35 minutes: vaporetto to Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta, then ACTV bus A to the Alberoni terminal and a short walk to the sea.
From the Alberoni Beach editorial.
Is Alberoni Beach free?
Yes, access is free and most of the beach is public with no rental clubs. Bring your own umbrella and towels.
From the Alberoni Beach editorial.
How does one reach Malamocco from Venice?
Take vaporetto line 11 to Malamocco, or go to Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta and continue by ACTV bus B. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
From the Malamocco Beach editorial.
Is Malamocco quieter than the main Lido beach?
Yes, it is noticeably quieter and more local than the Gran Viale beaches, with fewer beach clubs and smaller crowds.
From the Malamocco Beach editorial.
How long does it take to reach Jesolo from Venice?
The ATVO bus from Piazzale Roma takes about 45 minutes. A seasonal ferry from Punta Sabbioni is another option.
From the Jesolo Beach editorial.
Is Jesolo good for families?
Yes, the sand slopes gently into shallow water, lifeguards are on duty in season and many clubs offer children's facilities.
From the Jesolo Beach editorial.