Planning a visit to Venice Lido is absolutely worth not only for the Venice Film Festival or to unwind at the beach, but also for its charming villages and natural oases. Easily reachable from Hotel Indigo Venice in a few minutes by water bus, Venice Lido is the perfect destination for those of you who love history and nature.

In today’s article you will find out what to see in Venice Lido to discover the most fascinating spots of the island, often underestimated by the hectic weekend tourists. If you’re planning to visit the Lido, also take a look at our exclusive Sun&Beach Package.

Alberoni Oasis

The Alberoni area is located at the southern end of the Lido. The name derives from Albaiones, a crasis of the Latin terms albus (white) and montones (dunes), and it refers to the most peculiar feature of this area: the sand dunes. Pioneer dunes, shifting dunes, fixed dunes and inter-dune wet meadows make up a 160-hectare oasis protected by the WWF.

Despite the tough conditions, the flora and fauna are interesting, to say the least. Here, for example, live two species of small and delicate birds: the plover and the little tern.

As for the flora, we find prickly fennel, sea radish and Italian burdock. But also the Ammophila littoralis (the esparto grass) and the Cyperus kalli, or sand bunting, a relative of the papyrus. There are also some rare and endangered species such as the cornflower and the Venetian apocino.

The Alberoni area is not only a real heritage of nature and history but it can also boast a beautiful beach, the same that struck the film director Luchino Visconti, who shot the exteriors of Death in Venice right at the Bagni Alberoni.

Malamocco

Maybe not everyone knows that the village of Malamocco used to be Padua’s ancient port. But that’s not all: since the times of the Roman Empire it was a very important hub, which then became a bishopric and also the capital of the Duchy of Venice.

It seems that the name originates from the Latin name Medoacus Maior, that is the current river Brenta, which then evolved into Metamauco and, finally, Malamocco. Malamocco is a silent, picturesque and secluded village where you can breathe history and tradition, immersed in its salty air. The cartoonist Hugo Pratt was also fascinated by it and decided to set here some of the stories of Corto Maltese.

Among calli, campi and campielli, in Malamocco you can visit the Palazzo del Podestà, the remains of an Austrian fort and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, where the statue of the Madonna di Marina and a Christ from Poveglia are kept.

San Nicolò

After the Alberoni oasis, we suggest you visit San Nicolò naturalistic oasis too, which is located in the northern part of the island.

As for the Alberoni oasis, the peculiar well-preserved dune habitat allows the nesting of rare species and the presence of varied vegetation.

The area of San Nicolò extends for about three kilometers. Either on foot or by bike you can start from the Port of San Nicolò and arrive as far as the first bathing establishments, the pine forest and the lighthouse to enjoy a marvelous view of Venice and its  Lagoon.

This area takes the name from the ancient Church of San Nicolò. Founded in the 11th century and then rebuilt in 1626, this church has a particular floor mosaic that’s worth taking a look at.

Next to the church there is an ancient Benedictine monastery with a splendid cloister (unfortunately not open to visitors), which adds further architectural value to this area of the island.