Beaches in Venice

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Beaches

In the Veneto and Friuli regions, the tame landscape features sandy beaches with well-maintained facilities, catering mostly to crowds of locals and sunbathers from Austria and Germany. The lack of rocks and cliffs, and the shallowness of the sea, make them ideal for families with small children. As you go from south to north, the most popular sea resorts in the area are Venice beaches on the Lido; Jesolo (40 km [25 mi from Venice), famous for its vibrant nightlife in summer; Lignano Sabbiadoro, named after the "golden sand" that attracts more than 100,000 visitors a day (located a few miles from the mouth of the Tagliamento River in Friuli); and the historic town of Grado, which makes a great day trip from Trieste. Inland, the shores of Lago di Garda bring together natural beauty with a low-key worldliness that includes discos, spas, and stylish restaurants; Torbole, to the north of Monte Baldo on the eastern shore, is a sailing and windsurfing center.

For most Italians who live along the coast, going to the beach is more a part of the regular summer routine than a vacation activity: locals head to the nearest beach during the long Italian lunch break and for the evening passeggiata (stroll). In Italy a healthy suntan is still much sought after, although awareness of the dangers of long-term overexposure is spreading. Creams and sunblocks are available, but read the labels carefully to make sure you are getting the protection you desire, and don't underestimate the scorching power of the Italian sun. The "tanning" season begins in early May, when bathing suits by the major designers begin to appear in the windows of Italian shops, and the beach season starts in earnest in early June, with the opening of beaches run by concessionaires.

It is essential to distinguish between the private and public beaches. The former are free and open to the public but offer no services. Although on the most popular public beaches it's sometimes possible to buy sandwiches and soft drinks from kiosks or roaming vendors, as a general rule you shouldn't expect such comforts, let alone pay telephones, toilets, or showers. Private beaches charge admission and range from spartan (cold showers and portable toilets) to luxurious (with gardens, stylish bars, fish restaurants, and private guest huts). Admission policies and prices vary accordingly: although most establishments offer day passes that cost EUR 5-EUR 30 per person and include a chaise lounge and an umbrella, some of the more exclusive places cater only to patrons who pay by the week or month. Inquire at local tourist offices for details.

The summer season ends on September 15. During weekends, holidays, and throughout August, sea resorts and beaches are very crowded, some posting no-vacancy signs by 10 AM. Nowhere in Italy, except in the rare nudist beach, is it common practice to walk around topless, and wearing beach attire (bare chests and thighs) in town can get you fined. Men or women pay a EUR 40 fine for going topless in Venice, even aboard boats in the Grand Canal.