Travel Guide Lido Di Venezia

Welcome to the largest, and perhaps most mythical, of the lagoon's islands: Lido di Venezia. A fishermen's haven, this slender strip of sand, some fifteen kilometers long, attracted aristocrats and wealthy families from all over Europe at the end of the 19th century, charmed by its long sandy beaches and fresh iodine air. Witness the prestigious eclectic palaces built during this period, such as the Excelsior or the Grand Hôtel des Bains, the setting for Luchino Visconti's 1971 film Death in Venice (adapted from the German Thomas Mann's short story published in 1912). But the Lido's consecration came in 1932 with the first edition of the Mostra del Cinema di Venezia, Italy's Cannes Film Festival. The success of this international film festival led in 1936 to the construction of the no less famous Palazzo del Cinema, which has seen some of the greatest names in the 7th art pass through its doors, including John Ford, Orson Welles and Federico Fellini. For those in search of a little peace and quiet, Lido di Venezia has its own little corners of paradise. As this is the only island in the lagoon (along with neighboring Pellestrina) where traffic is allowed, it's enough to push towards the northern and southern ends of the island by car, bus or bike, to get away from the holiday crowds. Along the east coast, the murazzi, large Istrian stone barriers built at the end of the 18th century, hold back the waves of the Adriatic; an equally tranquil place, where you can bask in the sun. But the Lido isn't all glitz and glamour: here, too, you'll find remnants of its past. The convent of San Nicolò, in the northern part, dates back to the 11th century. In the same area is the Jewish cemetery, dating back to 1389. Similarly, the picturesque village of Malamocco has remained intact for several centuries. Finally, for those who prefer a stroll, the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, or Granviale as it's colloquially known, is the central boulevard that starts opposite the vaporetti pier, inviting you to take a passeggiata (stroll) among the cafés and store windows.