Staying on the Lido does not mean missing Venice. Vaporetti cross from Santa Maria Elisabetta to San Zaccaria and San Marco in around a quarter of an hour, and run from early morning until late at night. Many visitors find the combination ideal: long days in the calli and museums, then quiet evenings and sea air.
Day visitors to the historic centre should know about the Venice access fee (contributo di accesso). In 2026 it applied on 60 selected days between April and July, from 08:30 to 16:00, at €5 if booked at least four days ahead and €10 otherwise. Guests staying overnight anywhere in the Municipality of Venice — including Lido hotels — do not pay it but should register for an exemption. Rules for 2027 had not been announced at the time of writing: always check the official site before you travel.
Top things to do at Venice from the Lido
St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace
The two essential sights, next to each other on the Piazza. Reserve entry or a skip-the-line tour to avoid the queues.
The Grand Canal by vaporetto
Line 1 from the Lido runs the whole length of the Grand Canal to Piazzale Roma — slow, but the best cheap sightseeing ride in the world.
A gondola ride
Shared rides bring the price down; see our tours page for options.
How to get to Venice from the Lido
- Vaporetto: several ACTV lines link Santa Maria Elisabetta with San Zaccaria/San Marco; line 1 continues up the Grand Canal. Timetables change by season.
- Pass: a multi-day ACTV pass pays for itself within a couple of return trips.
- Water taxi: fast but expensive; agree the fare before you board.
Insider tips
- If you are staying on the Lido and visiting the centre on an access-fee day, register for your exemption on the official site before you go.
- Check the last boat back to the Lido: night services run, but less frequently.
- Avoid the midday peak at San Marco — go early, then retreat to the beach.
Best tours & tickets for Venice from the Lido
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Venice from the Lido:
Guided tour Venice: Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour
A short vaporetto ride from the Lido lies the heart of the old Republic: a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica with reserved entry. The single most useful booking to make for a day in the historic centre.
- Skip the queues at Venice’s two unmissable sights
- The golden mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica
- Council chambers, the Bridge of Sighs and the prisons
Gondola ride Venice: Shared Gondola Ride
The gondola is a cliché for good reason. Sharing the boat with a few other passengers brings the price down to a fraction of a private ride, and the route still threads back canals you would never find on foot.
- A classic gondola ride at a shared price
- Quiet side canals and a stretch of the Grand Canal
- Easy to fit into a day trip from the Lido
Transport pass Venice: Waterbus (Vaporetto) & Mainland Bus Pass
If you are staying on the Lido, a travel pass is not optional — it is the thing that makes the whole stay work. It covers the vaporetti to San Marco, Murano and Burano, the buses on the Lido itself and line 11 towards Pellestrina. Two or three single rides cost about as much as a one-day pass.
- Unlimited ACTV vaporetto rides, including every Lido line
- Buses on the Lido and the mainland included
- Choose 1, 2, 3 or 7 consecutive days
