Venice Lido Bike Tour
Lido is an incredible 11-km-long island just a few minutes away from Venice. Home to the prestigious Venice Film Festival, Lido has lovely sandy beaches, gorgeous Art Deco villas, and grand hotels.
This elegant and tranquil resort has four neighbourhoods and is the barrier between the Venetian Lagoon and the sea. Besides, Lido is the site of Festa della Sensa, one of the beloved Venice annual events.
Let's go on a Venice Lido bike tour for pure relaxation and to escape the Venice crowds!
Things to keep in mind when renting a bike on Lido
The Venice Lido bike tour is a perfect way to explore the island without spending a fortune. You can get there from Venice by vaporetto. The final stop will be Santa Maria Elisabetta, the most central street in Lido. To start the tour, rent a bike from one of the bike rental shops, which have served tourists for years.
Here are some bike rental companies which offer the best bikes and tours on Lido:
Lido on Bike - located 3 minutes from the stop - from 12 to 24 euros for single and tandem bikes. They charge an extra fee for a child seat and a helmet.
Venice Scooter Rental - located 5 minutes away - from 12 to 22 euros for single, tandem, and electric bikes. If you rent a bike through their website on a weekday, you can get a discount with a special code.
Venice Bike Rental - located less than 10 minutes away - from 12 to 20 euros for single and tandem bikes.
You can use our Venice map to see the location of the three rentals above.
The rental company staff will ask you to leave your ID or a small deposit and ask for payment after you return the vehicle. Ask them for a paper map and an anti-theft lock. One more thing to remember is that you can only ride on the road and not the sidewalk.
Church of San Nicolò
The first destination on our tour is the San Nicolò church, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. The current church dates back to 1627, connected to the 16th-century monastery complex. The church is a must-see stop on our Venice Lido bike tour because of its Baroque bell tower and incredible interior.
Inside this Venice church, you'll see a fantastic floor mosaic, 17th-century walnut choir stalls, and works by renowned artists like Palma il Vecchio and Palma il Giovane. But the best features of the church are the relics of St Nicolas and Doge Domenico Contarini's tomb.
Entrance fee: free
The Jewish Cemetery
After visiting the church, cross Ponte San Nicolo, take pictures of the Lagoon, and continue to the Jewish Cemetery. Founded in 1386, it is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the world! This site suffered from many historical events and was abandoned several times. That is why in 1763, a new cemetery emerged with about 140 tombstones moved from the old area. In 1999, the old cemetery underwent a major restoration.
Today, you can enter the modern Jewish Cemetery from Via Cipro. To see the ancient cemetery, you must make an appointment beforehand (check the tours offered by the Jewish Museum of Venice).
Opening hours of the new Jewish Cemetery: from April to September - from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm with a break from 12:30 to 3:00 pm.
The beach
It's now time for a break at the beach! There are a few excellent beaches on Venetian Lido, both private and public. The private beaches, owned mainly by local hotels, can be expensive. That is why we'll visit the free public beach or spiaggia libera north of the island.
To avoid paying for sunbeds, grab a towel and enjoy the sand and the sea. The area usually has no big waves, making it ideal for a pleasant swim. One thing to remember is that although the beach is free, the amenities are not. You'll have to pay a small amount to use the toilets, showers, and changing rooms.
Lunch on Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta
After indulging in the Adriatic Sea, head to Santa Maria Elisabetta, the liveliest street on Venice Lido. It is the main street on Lido, with restaurants and ice cream shops on every corner. You can use our Venice map to search for a place to eat, but a few places are reliable and tested over time.
We can recommend Parco delle Rose, Ai do Mati, Fabio's Pizza, and Osteria al Mercà.
The quality of the products and the preparation of traditional dishes on Lido is tremendous. Moreover, you can have lunch at a decent price. After all, you are not in St Mark's Square!
For dessert, have an Italian gelato in one of the many gelaterias scattered along the street. We also suggest shopping at one of the kiosks with fresh produce for a tasty afternoon snack. You'll get hungry after all this cycling!
Malamocco Village
After a delicious lunch, on let's continue our Venice Lido bike tour and go south to Isola di Edipo. Here you can stop for a quick picture of the Lazzaretto Vecchio island. After this, head to Malamocco village, located 15 minutes away. Park your bike and stroll through one of the oldest settlements in the Venetian Lagoon.
This small town, originating in the Roman days, has a population of over a thousand people. This area of Venice Lido is exceptionally calm and peaceful. Enjoy the colorful houses, a 15th-century Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, and a wonderful promenade.
Opening hours of the church: during Holy Mass - 10:00 am on public holidays and 6:30 pm on Thursdays
Oasis of Alberoni
About 10 minutes further into Lido, you'll find Alberoni on our Venice itinerary. This natural reserve has one of the Adriatic Sea's biggest and best-preserved dune systems. The dunes reach up to 10 meters in height, and there is also a large, 30-hectare pine forest.
Alberoni is also home to one of Italy's largest golf courses, Circolo Golf Venezia. This golf course opened in 1928 and has a long and interesting history. However, let's leave a round of golf for next time! If your legs aren't too tired, walk to the Alberoni Lighthouse, which will be well worth the effort. The pier leading to the lighthouse is called Dam Alberoni Faro.
Cocktail on the promenade
Let's head back, return the bikes and end our Venice Lido bike tour with a well-deserved cocktail. You can enjoy a drink at any bar on the promenade, but we'd recommend Chiosco Chiringuito.
Where to stay on Lido
By the end of the tour, you will be in love with Lido and will most likely want to stay the night. It's a splendid idea, especially after all the hard work done with cycling! Staying on Lido during summer might be costly, but the experience is worth every penny.
Here are a few finest accommodations we recommend on Lido:
Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort - the icon of Lido and the primary venue for the world-known Venice Film Festival. It's an award-winning luxury hotel frequented by artists, celebrities, and politicians. Such important characters as Lord Byron, Winston Churchill, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were among the many esteemed guests. It will cost a pretty penny, but it is an experience you'll cherish forever.
Ausonia Hungaria - this hotel is easily recognizable due to its gorgeous facade, adorned with majolica tiles designed by Luigi Fabris in 1913. There was a relatively recent renovation, and now Ausonia Hungaria is the definition of luxury. You can enjoy incredible spas, massages, and many other high-end services. The beachfront location of the hotel goes without saying.
Hotel Villa Pannonia - a more affordable option that will still offer you the utmost comfort and relaxation in style. The hotel's building dates back to the 1900s when it was the vacation residence of many noble European families. If you'd like to indulge in the mix of history and modernity, this accommodation might be just what you need.
Hotel Panorama - adored by its visitors for the boutique feeling and a fantastic view of the Venetian Lagoon, is one of the best options on Lido. Hotel Panorama has a fantastic location in front of the main vaporetto and ferry stop. Nothing is better than unwinding on a terrace after a long day of touring the island.
Hotel Villa Laguna - its waterfront location offers a beautiful view of St Mark's Square straight from your room! In addition, enjoy elegant suites and exquisite Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel's restaurant.