Exploring the Best Islands to Visit in Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the best cities to visit in Italy. It is the extraordinary capital of the Veneto region and comprises a scattering of tiny islands that are connected by canals and linked by bridges. It was founded in the 5th century and is incredibly rich in both history, culture and scenery. 

In fact, Venice was once a major maritime power in the 10th century. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular and sought-after tourist destinations in Italy. With so much to explore in Europe’s iconic floating city, you may be wondering which are the best islands to visit.

In this article, we share all of the top spots to tick off on your Italian getaway.

While you may be familiar with the islands off of Venice, you might not know just how many there are. The city sprawls over 118 small landmasses that are connected by four hundred bridges and a labyrinth of canals.

Venice Islands tours are a great idea for those wanting to explore the city in all of its glory. A local expert will guide you through the destination, sharing the unique history of how the area was formed and its rich cultural heritage.

Alternatively, you can go solo and explore Venice yourself. This is quite easy to do thanks to the great range of Vaporetto (water buses), ferries, water taxis and gondola rides on offer.

To save time and money, you can book a waterbus pass in advance of your trip. Doing so will cost you just over £8 per person and allow you to bypass ticket lines and jump straight to exploring the islands of Venice.

Once you purchase your pass online, all you need to do is make a quick stop at a vaporetto to pick it up, then you’re free to cruise around the sights for an hour or a full week, depending on the type of ticket you get.

Despite being one of the oldest and best islands to visit in Venice, Torcello remains almost completely uninhabited. The lack of foot traffic has allowed the landmass to remain a quiet and unspoilt paradise, offering the perfect tranquil escape from the mainland.

Torcello was first colonised in 452 and is often referred to as the “father island” of Venice. Santa Maria Dell’Assunta Cathedral is the landmass’ top attraction. The stunning landmark traces back to 639 AD, making it the oldest church in the Venetian lagoon.

Nothing short of breathtaking, the cathedral offers a glorious example of Late Paleo-Christian architecture. Indoors, you can discover striking mosaics from Byzantine times which date back to the eleventh and thirteenth centuries.

The cathedral is just a ten-minute stroll away from where you will arrive by boat. After visiting Santa Maria Dell’Assunta, you explore other attractions such as the Torcello Museum and the Santa Fosca Church.

How to Get from Venice to Torcello Island

To get to Torcello Island, you will have your choice of two Vaporetto lines from Venice mainland, the 12 and 14. These depart from Fondamente Nove and Piazza San Marco respectively.

Murano is another of the best islands to visit in Venice. The picturesque landmass has an extremely authentic feel, with many locals bustling across the arching bridges and sitting down to a negroni by the canal waters.

One of the best things to do on Murano Island is to go to a traditional bakery for a slice of focaccia pizza and an espresso, then take your goodies down to sit by the canal and soak up the stunning scenery around you. Picture brightly coloured houses, turquoise waters and little boats swaying in the gentle waves.

Then, take a leaf out of the locals’ book and visit one of the charming bars or restaurants lining the cobbled streets of the canal. Here, you can sip away at a freshly-prepared Aperol Spritz or tuck into a delicious traditional meal.

Murano also boasts a legendary glass-blowing tradition that traces back hundreds of years. Every single glass maker in Venice has moved to the island at some point in their lives to guard their trade secrets.

Take a guided tour to witness a live demonstration at one of the factories. After, you can pick up a colourful glass memento from one of the many local shops. 

How to Get from Venice to Murano Island

Murano is one of the easiest islands to visit in Venice. There are six Vaporetto lines available from different parts of the city. You can get Line 3 from Piazzale Roma, lines 4.1, 4.2, 12 and 13 from Fondamente Nove and Line 7 from San Zaccaria.

Still wondering which islands to visit in Venice? Burano is a wonderful option. The landmass is famed for its rich lace-making heritage, having once produced the most coveted lace in the whole of Europe. Visit the Lace Museum to discover its fascinating textile traditions.

You may even wish to combine uncovering the island’s rich textile heritage with a discovery of Murano’s glass-making traditions, with a Murano Glass and Burano Lace Tour. The landmass itself is also incredibly beautiful, with vibrantly coloured houses running along its glittering 3 canals.

When you arrive, you’ll notice the island’s lively atmosphere as many tourists come here to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy shot among the vibrant rainbow homes. However, if you follow the tranquil waters of the canal you’ll discover peaceful areas where you can take your own pictures in serenity or explore delightful shops and eateries.

You’ll also want to venture into the quiet side streets of Burano where you will cross paths with locals and tourists alike. The edge of the landmass is fringed with peaceful grassy areas which provide the perfect spots to sit back, unwind and absorb the magnificent surrounding scenery. Exceedingly picturesque and tranquil, Burano is certainly one of the top islands in Venice to visit.

Burano is also incredibly beautiful, with vibrantly coloured houses running along its glittering 3 canals. When you arrive, you’ll notice the island’s lively atmosphere as many tourists come here to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy shot among the vibrant rainbow homes.

However, if you follow the tranquil waters of the canal you’ll discover peaceful areas where you can take your own pictures in serenity or explore delightful shops and eateries. You’ll also want to venture into the quiet side streets of Burano where you will cross paths with locals and tourists alike.

The edge of the landmass is fringed with peaceful grassy areas which provide the perfect spots to sit back, unwind and absorb the magnificent surrounding scenery. Exceedingly picturesque and tranquil, Burano is certainly one of the top islands in Venice to visit.

How to Get from Venice to Burano Island

To get from Venice to Burano, take the Line 12 Vaporetto from Fondamenta Nuove or San Zaccaria which takes around 45 minutes in total.

Lido is one of the most well-known of the islands, primarily due to its fame as the annual host of the prestigious Venice Film Festival which is held in either September or August. If you are taking a boat taxi from the airport, you are likely to pass this little landmass along the way.

The Venice Festival is among the world’s most prestigious showbiz events in the world. Every year, top directors and film stars from all over the world come here for film premières and the opportunity to win the Leone d’Oro award.

Nicknamed “The Golden Island”, Lido is also renowned for its marvellous array of sprawling sand beaches. In fact, it is one of the best places to visit in Venice for those wanting to swim in the city’s turquoise waters.

Uncover the beauty of Lido’s coastline on a bike tour. Pedal along the pristine waters before popping in for a dip yourself. You’ll also be able to explore the prestigious liberty buildings in the island’s historical centre. The tour lasts two hours and covers all of the top sites on the landmass.

Speaking of, one of the most incredible landmarks on Lido is the Grand Hotel des Bains. The glitzy establishment served as the setting of the iconic Thomas Mann novel, “Death in Venice”. With so much to see on Lido, it comes as no wonder why it is one of the top islands to visit while in Venice.

How to Get from Venice to Lido Island

The most convenient way to get to Lido is by Vaporetto and you will have your choice of 7 lines to do so. Options include lines 1 and 6 from Piazzale Roma, line 5.1 from Fondamente Nove, lines 5.2, 10 and 14 from San Marco and line 17 from Tronchetto.

San Michele is one of the most fascinating small islands around Venice. The enchanting landmass has served as the city’s cemetery since the early 19th century and is dedicated to providing a final resting place for the dead.

It is home to several churches and rows of tombs, making it a unique and interesting place to explore. Not your average tourist attraction, visiting this landmass serves more as a visit to a sacred site and offers a fascinating insight into the history of Venice and those who have lived here over the centuries. 

For just over £50, you can book a walking tour of San Michele during which a local expert will guide you through the island’s church and cemetery, sharing stories of its past. This can be a great way to delve into the unique history of this spiritual landmass. 

San Michele was a monastery until 1837 when Napoleon repurposed it as a formal cemetery. Nowadays, it is separated into sections according to religion, with dedicated areas for Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox (known as the Greco), Commonwealth War Dead and gondoliers. 

It is said that those who have been buried on San Michele leave it on November 1st or 2nd to revisit their homes and take a seat by the kitchen stove. If you’re looking for a unique island to visit in Venice, this might be the one for you.

How to Get from Venice to San Michele Island

The easiest way to get from Venice to San Michele is to take the Vaporetto lines 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove. It is a frequent route that goes every 20 minutes and the journey totals at around a quarter of an hour.

Lazzaretto Nuovo is a must-visit among the islands of Venice. This picturesque destination is situated in the northern part of the lagoon and holds a fascinating history. During the Middle Ages, it functioned as a monastery, having been established and constructed by the Benedictine monks of San Giorgio Maggiore in the 11th century.

The landmass is encircled by salt marshes, offering a fascinating landscape for tourists to see while visiting the island. The main building on Lazzaretto Nuovo is Tezon Grande. Here you will find walls covered in drawings and scripts, providing fascinating glimpses into the lives and stories of ancient merchants and guards on the island.

Lazzaretto Nuovo is open to tourists between March and November but access is limited to guided excursions only. During your visit to the island, you’ll have a two-hour window to explore its enthralling historical and archaeological treasures. Additionally, you can partake in a naturalistic walk along the marshlands that lie beyond the island’s walls.

One of the best ways to explore Lazzaretto Nuovo is by taking a kayaking tour. This experience is suitable for beginners, including families with children eight years and older. The tour offers a fun, eco-friendly way to explore lesser-visited corners of the Venetian Lagoon while also providing you with a feel for the local geography, morphology, and archaeology. 

How to Get from Venice to Lazzaretto Nuovo Island

You can reach Lazzaretto Nuovo rather easily, by taking Vaporetto Line 13 from Fondamente Nuove or Treporti.

There are so many enchanting islands in the Venice Lagoon, from the bright houses of Burano to the shorelines of Lido, you will not want to forego exploring the enchanting islets of the Floating City.

While it can seem intimidating to plan how you’re going to navigate its maze-like waters, you’ll be pleased to hear that the public transport is fantastic, making it a breeze to float from one unspoilt landmass to the next.

When visiting one of the most romantic places in Europe, be sure to seize the opportunity to explore it in all of its glory, by visiting the best islands around Venice.

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