Ready for your boat tours in Venice (Italy)?
To truly experience an unconventional side of Venice and discover its lagoon and millennium-old traditions, exploring the “minor islands” is an excellent choice. It allows you to stray from the bustling tourist paths, uncovering lesser-known places that still boast architectural and natural wonders, perhaps unexpected to many.
At Serenissima Tour with over 100 years of experience and private transfer services, we know that navigating among the more remote and less accessible islands in the tranquil Venice lagoon can be an unforgettable experience. Let’s explore them together!
Boat tours in Venice Italy – some of the best Minor Islands in the Lagoon
Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore
Located in front of Piazza San Marco, the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore houses the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, designed by A. Palladio. The island’s cultural significance is evident in its history as a major European center for theology, culture, and the arts. Today, it serves as the headquarters for the Giorgio Cini Foundation. Visitors can also explore the Le Stanze del Vetro exhibition space dedicated to 20th and contemporary glass art, a park, and the Teatro Verde, an outdoor amphitheater with an exceptional view of the lagoon.
Isola di San Servolo
Situated in the middle of the San Marco basin, San Servolo is known for its vast architectural complex and beautiful park. Once a monastery and later, until 1978, a hospital for the mentally ill, the island now serves as a congress center, training and study center, and hosts the Museum of the San Servolo Asylum. The park is a green and relaxing oasis, perfect for pleasant walks among site-specific artworks by various contemporary artists.
Isola di San Michele
Located between Venice and Murano, San Michele is home to the monumental cemetery of Venice, established by Napoleonic decree in 1807. The island is actually composed of two islands, San Michele and San Cristoforo della Pace, united in 1829 to allow for the cemetery’s expansion
Isola di Sant’Erasmo
Known for its fertile lands and unique agricultural character, Sant’Erasmo is considered the Vegetable Garden of Venice. The island maintains its agricultural vocation, producing early-harvested “castraure,” a type of baby artichoke. On the southern tip of the island stands the circular 19th-century fortress, Torre Massimiliana, defending the port entrance to Lido.
Isola della Certosa
Besides its park, ideal for picnics and leisurely green walks, Certosa Island houses a large marina, a sailing school, and a school for the restoration of traditional boats. The island also features restaurants and bars.
Isola di San Lazzaro degli Armeni
San Lazzaro is a small island entirely occupied by a monastery, the motherhouse of the Mekhitarists order. The island is one of the most important centers of Armenian culture globally. Visitors can explore the gardens and various rooms of the monastery, including the magnificent library, housing manuscripts, artifacts, and the curious mummy of Nehmeket.
Isola delle Vignole
Formerly known as the “Island of Seven Vineyards,” today’s Isola delle Vignole is lush with vegetation, including tamarisks, elms, and poplars, hiding gardens and vineyards. The ancient church of S. Erosia, flanked by a small bell tower, is a recommended visit.
Isola di Mazzorbo
Situated near Burano, Mazzorbo is characterized by cultivated areas hosting traditional horticultural activities. Along the canal stands the church of S. Caterina, erected between 1283 and 1291, boasting the oldest bell in the entire lagoon, dated 1318. Several restaurants on the island offer a taste of local vegetables. Mazzorbo is accessible by vaporetto ACTV line 12 from Fondamente Nove.
Isola di Pellestrina
A narrow strip of land between the lagoon and the sea, Pellestrina stretches for over 10 km between Lido di Venezia and Chioggia. With its low, colorful houses and fishing boats lining the shore, Pellestrina is a picturesque destination steeped in timeless charm. The churches of S. Antonio and Santa Maria dell’Apparizione are notable landmarks.
Exploring the “minor islands” of the Venetian Lagoon on your boat tour in Venice (Italy) is a captivating journey into an unusual and authentic side of Venice. From San Giorgio Maggiore to San Francesco del Deserto, each of these islands tells a unique story, weaving past and present into a delicate balance. Whether choosing to reach them by vaporetto or opting for the freedom of joining a private boat service tour, away from the crowds and immersed in the magic of the Venetian Lagoon.
