See more of the Lido, on a bike

“Cycling is banned in central Venice,” explains Lonely Planet, “but the Lido is a prime stretch of waterfront cycling turf.” Madeline Jhawar recommends an easy itinerary on Italy Beyond the Obvious, a route that extends the length of both barrier islands (Lido and Pellestrina) from the northern tip of the Lido to Chioggia on the mainland, and can be done in either direction. Bikes are readily available for hire from Lido on Bike near the vaporetto stop. Other guided tours are available with Cycling Venice Lagoon. And Julia Buckley at the The Independent cycles “along the Lungomare seafront, where the oleander gives way to Victorian-style cabanas, the sand drizzles into the Adriatic and the sky bruises the sea violet as the sun goes down.”    

The only other place you can cycle in Venice is on the bucolic island of Sant’Erasmo. Known as the orto di Venezia (garden of Venice), the island is a rural idyll, home to 750 farmers who still farm unique lagoon produce such as the purple-hued artichokes. The island is only one-kilometre long and there’s only one place to stay, the red-roofed country villa Il Lato Azzuro. They rent out bikes and occasionally offer archaeological and cultural excursions.