(map) Venetian Lagoon
Venice is a city of mostly interconnected islands (about 100 in all) that lie 4 km (2.5 miles) off the Italian mainland in a shallow, brackish lagoon. Not all of the islands are linked to the historic center by bridges however. Some are accessible only by boat, with trips ranging from 6 to 45 minutes according to distance. This means you’ll need a vaporetto (waterbus) ticket to reach them, but well worth it!
San Michele
Venice’s public cemetery. A walled island only a few minutes from the Fondamenta Nuove vaporetto stop, and a surprisingly cheerful place to visit. The Catholic sections are well maintained, while the Reformed and Orthodox sections have the atmosphere of old British or New England churchyards.
Murano
The center of the Venetian Lagoon’s glassblowing industry since 1291A.D. You can visit a factory and watch a glassblower at work without paying (or buying) anything. The island also has several churches and two glass museums.
Burano
Traditionally Venice’s lace-making island, famous for its brightly painted houses. A wooden footbridge connects Burano to Mazzorbo, a satellite island worth visiting if you’re intrigued by architecture or urban design.
Torcello
Once had a greater population than Venice; just a few minutes from Burano by a connecting boat line. The thousand-year-old cathedral’s Byzantine gold and stone mosaics are stunning. Don’t forgo the tower, which is easy to climb and offers great views of the island and the Lagoon.
Lido
Residential suburb with a lively shopping district. Cars and buses are allowed, so watch out for the slow-moving traffic. The island’s sightseeing possibilities are minimal, but you can walk to the beach – on the opposite side of the island from the boat landing – and wet your feet in the Adriatic Sea.
-- Contributed by Eleonora Baldwin (see bio), Bi-lingual food & wine connoisseur, home cook, freelance writer, film industry script supervisor and travel enthusiast Lives in Rome with her 4 year old son, where she is currently editing her Italian cookbook/lifestyle manuscript. Eleonora is the author/editor of three popular weblogs: AGLIO, OLIO & PEPERONCINO, a food/lifestyle blog which focuses on Italian cuisine, food history, travel musings and local hang-outs. FORCHETTINE written in Italian; an Italian food-lover’s online guide in which the author reviews restaurant facilities and regional specialties in Italy. ROMA EVERY DAY a daily photo blog of the Eternal City.
September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Lovely! I also wonder if most visitors ever leave the main piazzas and go off to discover all that Venice has to offer! Thanks for the beautiful shot of Burano – it brought me back.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
This was very informative. I going to save it for future travel. Thanks for the wonderful information.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Thank you! Grazie!
September 9th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
What a colorful street. I have been to a glass factory before but this one has such a long history behind it. I would love to see it. As a family history researcher the cemetery would be a must for me to visit.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I always wander away from the main piazzas. Love, love Venice!
September 10th, 2009 at 1:45 am
I’m definitely bookmarking this information for a future trip… This is the Venice I’d really like to see…
September 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Wonderful recommendations!
Keep in mind that Murano and San Michelle are near to each other, so a visit to each is easy to combine; likewise Burano and Torcello, which are in the north lagoon. And don’t forget the vaporetto pass (that you’ll need to reach the islands), discounted at VeniceConnected.com.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I’m convinced I would love it all, having not been to Italy (yet) even the places you’ve described as minimal sightseeing, sounds tempting.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:34 am
We stayed on the Lido the last time we were in Venice and it was a wonderful way to get away from the tourists in the evening, very quiet and almost like we lived there!
September 11th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
This is fabulous and I would love to visit these places. Love the out of the way places. Can anyone tell me (and I hope I ask this properly and respectfully) why some places use the bright colors and some don’t? Is it a difference in the people that live there? I know from what I have read the Greeks once occupied most of the south in past history. So is it from past infuences, is it a more recent idea or what? I’m just curious that way. I like to know what makes differences in things and why people think the way they do. Thanks for any insight. Angelina
September 11th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Ciao Angelina,
Burano, La Boca district in Buenos Aires, Rainbow Row in Charleston, SC… wild colors and sunlight. The origin of Burano’s colors is still not clear. Some say each color was a symbol of a different family; another purported reason – perhaps more valid – is that the bright colors are the local fisherman/oarsman’s way of finding his home in the fog that thickly embraces Burano more than any other island.
I read somewhere that the colors of the houses follow a specific system; if someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government, who will respond by releasing a notice of the colors permitted for that lot.
Ciao!
September 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Grazie, Eleonora. The fisherman concept makes a lot of sense and I know the Gondolas are only allowed to be painted colors other than black on certain occasions so the asking permission makes sense too (in that perspective). Interesting. I love learning about traditions and cultures and the reason why people do what they do etc. Thank you for your answer. Maybe the family and fisherman both go hand in hand since each would want to easily recognize their own residence. Anyways it is great info. Thank you. Have a wonderful day.
Ciao!