Long before the Rialto became the centre of power, the lagoon’s early dukes ruled from Metamauco, an older town on this stretch of the Lido. In 811 the seat of government moved to the more defensible Rialto islands, and the original town was later destroyed by the sea; the present village of Malamocco was rebuilt on the lagoon side.
Today it is a tiny, charming place: a canal lined with fishing boats, a couple of small bridges, the Gothic Palazzo del Podestà and the church of Santa Maria Assunta with its tall bell tower. It feels like a pocket-sized Venice without the crowds — and it has some of the Lido’s best trattorie.
Top things to do at Malamocco
Wander the canal and the piazza
The whole village can be walked in half an hour. Cross the bridges, look into the church and find the lagoon-side quay for views back towards Venice.
Have a seafood lunch
Malamocco’s trattorie serve lagoon fish, sarde in saor and spaghetti alle vongole. Book at weekends — Venetians come here too.
Cycle on to the Alberoni
From Malamocco it is a few flat kilometres south along the sea wall to the Alberoni dunes and golf course.
How to get to Malamocco
- By bike: about 5 km from Santa Maria Elisabetta, mostly along the lagoon-side Riviera — around 20–25 minutes of easy pedalling.
- By bus: ACTV buses from Santa Maria Elisabetta towards Malamocco and the Alberoni.
- On foot: a pleasant hour’s walk along the lagoon.
Insider tips
- Evenings are lovely here: the lagoon side faces west, so the sunset is in front of you.
- Bring a picnic to the lagoon quay if you are on a budget.
- Combine with the Alberoni for a half-day bike loop.
Best tours & tickets for Malamocco
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Malamocco:
Bike & hike from €118 per group Venice Lido & Alberoni: Bike and Hike Tour
The Lido’s wild south end is its best-kept secret: a fishing village older than Venice, then pinewoods, dunes and an almost empty beach. This small-group outing combines a bike ride with a walk through the Alberoni dunes. Priced per group of up to two.
- Cycle the length of the Lido to Malamocco and Alberoni
- Walk the protected dunes of the Alberoni oasis
- Private-group format for one or two people
Small-group cruise from €58 Venice: Venetian Aperitif on the Lagoon
The Venetian aperitivo — a spritz and a few cicchetti — moved from the bar counter onto a small boat. The small-group format keeps it relaxed, and the lagoon at dusk does the rest.
- Spritz and cicchetti, the Venetian way
- A small-group boat on the open lagoon
- Sunset views back towards the city
