4 Islands in Venice: The best Venetian islands to visit! [2024]

Venice is renowned for romance, delicious Italian food, and beautiful canals that link the city together. You may have already visited cities like Rome and Florence in Italy, but Venice will blow you away. 

This famous city is a floating lagoon comprised of the main city and a whole collection of islands surrounding it. It's one of the most unique cities in the world.

The islands surrounding Venice are often overlooked by visitors. But they should definitely be on your bucket list. They offer colorful buildings, beautiful glass making, and gorgeous beaches. Not to mention delicious Italian food. 

So how are you meant to decide which island to visit? Don't stress, we've got you covered. Read along as we explore the best islands in Venice and how you can see even more than one in a day. 

How many Islands are in Venice?

Venice is nicknamed the floating city, and for a good reason. It's made up of 188 islands in total. A huge group of the Venice islands is connected by canals as well as over 400 bridges. This makes up the foundation that the main city sits upon. 

The rest of the islands are found outside the main city. They can be explored by local water buses that transport you to each island. The islands are the true hidden gems of Venice, and it's where the real exploring begins.

How do you Get to the Islands in Venice?

Depending on which island you visit, there are a few ways to get around. In true European style, most of the islands are accessible by public transport. If you're visiting the main city, you can wander around by foot, tram or gondola.

If you want to explore further afield to the many beautiful islands that surround the main city, the best way is to travel by Vaporetto. Vaporetto's are Venetian waterbuses that transport you to and from multiple islands. They run throughout the day to multiple destinations and cost around €7.50 per trip.

The Best Islands to Visit in Venice

With so many to choose from, it's hard to decide which islands to visit. 

Let's take a look at the best islands of Venice that are perfect for a day trip from the main city!

Lido: Beautiful Beaches close to Venice

With over 7 miles of beach, Lido is the perfect way to cool off from the hot Italian sun. The two main beaches are Bucintoro and San Nicolò, both offering golden sands and sparkling water if you're up for a swim.

Lido does get very busy in the summer months. 

Apart from the beautiful beaches, there isn't much else to do on this island. However, with its close proximity to the main city, it makes it a perfect escape for a swim in the sea and a picnic.

If you're heading to Lido at the end of August or September, you can catch their annual film festival, which takes place on the island. That's right, the one and only Venice Film Festival! The festival attracts crowds from all over the world. Perfect for celeb-spotting.  

Getting there:

To get to Lido, you take a Vaporetto waterbus, which is about a 10-minute trip. 

Torcello: The Oldest Area of Venice

Torcello is home to Ernest Hemmingway's local bar, so it's steeped in history. The island offers an array of history and culture, you really step back in time in Torcello. With old cathedrals and rural scenery, this is the place to explore if you're a history buff.

Culture and history are not the only things you can explore here. There are a small number of gift shops, cafes, and restaurants—the perfect places to take a rest after exploring. 

Getting there:

You can get to Torcello by the water bus or "Vaporetto." It's a great island to see while visiting Burano or Murano as they are very close together.

Burano: Home to Colorful Canals

Situated North of the City, this charming island is full of colorful houses that line the canals. As you wander the streets, you'll encounter delicious fresh seafood, friendly local fishermen, and beautiful architecture. 

You don't need long to visit this beautiful island, making it a great place to visit if you're short on time.

Getting there:

Burano is also accessible via the water buses. It takes roughly 45 minutes to get to the island. Once you've explored Burano, it's easy to continue to other islands.

Murano: Famous for Glass Making

Famous for its beautiful glass making, Murano is the second largest island in Venice. Many workshops offer free tours of their glass making. You can choose from an array of goodies to take home after you've watched the display. 

This island offers beautiful artwork but isn't as scenic as some of the other islands that surround Venice. But it's still a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center and a chance to gaze upon local creations.

Getting there:

To get to Murano, you need to take the Vaporetto. It's very close to Venice, so it's an ideal island if you have only a few spare hours.

FAQs about the Islands in Venice

Are the Venice islands expensive?

On the whole, Venice has a reputation for being pricey, but it's worth every penny. 

This once-in-a-lifetime trip doesn't have to cost the earth if you shop around. Look for budget accommodation, use public transport, and take advantage of the free activities within the city.

The cost of things on the islands of Venice is the same as on the main island. However, if you get organized and consider alternatives such as backpacking, can save you a lot of money!

Can you do all the Islands in One day?

You can combine multiple islands into one day if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. But it's impossible to visit all 188 islands in the space of 24 hours!

Visiting islands like Burano, Murano and Torcello are easy to do in one day. They're all close, and with the great transport links, they can be combined into a day of island hopping.

Can you use Uber in Venice between islands?

Simply put, there's no Uber in Venice. To get around the city, you can walk, use the tram, catch a bus, take a gondola through the canals or use the Vaporetto. 

To get between the islands in Venice, you'll have to make use of the Vaporetto water buses. This local transport runs throughout the day and night, connecting the islands. 

Going once, going twice, gondola!

Now all that's left to do is plan your trip to Venice. Why not use Pilot to plan your perfect Italian getaway?