The 9 best beaches in Venice

Venice’s most popular nearby beach is, hands-down, Lido di Jesolo. Why? It’s close to Venice and suits family vacations. That being said, the beaches here can be crowded and, during the summer months, traffic becomes a problem. It’s also worth noting that the nightlife scene here is much more varied and exciting than Venice’s own – expect bars open until later at night with prices that will be more in your favour as well.

One of the closest beaches to Venice is Isola delle Rose, a 25-minute ferry ride from San Marco freely accessible by island patrons. The JW Marriott rehabilitated the entire island a while back, adding a Michelin-star restaurant and an outstanding spa to the local experience. You can spend the day here indulging in some of the island’s posh services and enjoy the quiet of the private beach waterfront where very few tourists are found.

You have to pay to enter some of Lido’s beaches, but Alberoni, the barrier island’s farthest beach, is free to enter. Set in a nature reserve, Alberoni is popular with beachcombers and naturalists who revel in the complete serenity of it all: the space is unencumbered by beach umbrellas and chairs. In late summer, the clear waters swell with moored boats and water sports enthusiasts. We promise the scene becomes tolerably crowded.

This is a lively port on the west coast of Cavallino-Treporti filled with chill (and undeveloped) beaches and aided by frequent ferry traffic to and from Venice. The lighthouse here is a spectral, key attraction that adds character to the nearby ruins of historic Venetian forts that were vital in protecting the city.

In Venice’s northern lagoon, the private island Santa Cristina is the ultimate beach experience for those seeking absolute privacy. The former Swarovski family compound boasts private beach access and a stunning pool and outdoor lounge for those who prefer experiencing the beach from a distance. The island is filled with vineyards and flowering gardens where wild peacocks and grouse scurry and roost.

Bibione is not as popular as other destinations near Venice, but the area still packs a lot of charm. The beaches here smell like heady pine from the nearby forests that cook in the sun all day. Yes, there are umbrellas and chairs for rent and the option to escape the beach for a long, lazy lunch in its namesake town, Bibione, which you can access by train from Venice. 

The beach at Sottomarina di Chioggia is superb if you’re looking for clean sandy stretches filled with restaurants, beach chairs and umbrellas, and bike rentals from the nearby Hotel Mediterraneo. There is also an excellent sea-front bike path that leads to Chioggia (home to a delicious fish market and restaurants), also referred to as “little Venice”, given the similar baroque architecture, canals and bridges.

Just south of Chioggia is Rosolina Mare, one of the longest and widest beaches in the region, rarely crowded except on summer holidays and most of August. The bike paths here are flat and easy to navigate and the local seafront hotels, of which there are quite a few, are home to pools and tennis courts used by plenty of visitors daily.

From Rosolina Mare, you can cycle along the bike path to Albarella, a stunning private island and nature reserve with vast groves of Poplar trees. The island is virtually free of cars and boasts Europe’s largest saltwater pool. Full disclosure: you must be a guest of the Albarella Golf Hotel to access the beaches. The resort’s staff can also help you organize deep sea diving and sailing excursions.