Discover the hidden natural side of Venice with a Venetian islands tour
When most people think of Venice, they picture gondolas, palaces, and narrow canals. But just beyond the historic city lies another world — quiet, green, and alive with nature. The northern part of the Venetian Lagoon is home to wide open skies, shallow waters, salt marshes, and islands where time seems to stand still. A journey through this landscape reveals a different Venice — one shaped by the rhythms of nature and lagoon life.
Taking a Venetian islands tour into this lesser-known area offers a unique way to experience the lagoon’s natural beauty, away from the crowds and noise of the city center.
A Living Landscape: The Northern Lagoon
The northern lagoon is a vast and diverse ecosystem. Its shallow waters are dotted with small islands, reedbeds, and mudflats that support a wide variety of plant and animal life. The area is especially important for migratory birds, which stop here in spring and autumn. Herons, egrets, ducks, and even flamingos can sometimes be seen feeding in the shallows.
The landscape changes constantly with the tides. Marshes flood and drain, revealing mudflats and sandbanks. Boats navigate quiet channels lined with tall grasses. The air is filled with the sound of birds and the scent of salt and earth.
Islands Where Nature and Tradition Meet
Several islands in the northern lagoon offer a blend of rural life, tradition, and natural scenery. These can be explored as part of a well-organized Venetian islands tour.
- Sant’Erasmo is known as the “garden of Venice.” It’s covered with vineyards and vegetable fields, and surrounded by open water and natural wetlands.
- Le Vignole is a small island with orchards, quiet canals, and views of the lagoon’s marshes.
- Mazzorbo, near the more famous Burano, offers vineyards, gardens, and walking paths that lead through a peaceful countryside atmosphere.
These islands show how local life has always been connected to the natural rhythms of the lagoon. Farmers still cultivate the land here, and the pace of life remains slow and tied to the seasons.
Wild Spaces and Protected Areas
In addition to cultivated islands, the northern lagoon features large stretches of uninhabited or lightly inhabited wetlands. These are places where nature takes the lead, with minimal human intervention.
- Salt marshes, or “barene,” provide vital shelter and feeding grounds for birds and aquatic species.
- Channels and shallows become mirror-like in the early morning or evening, reflecting the sky and distant islands.
- Old fish farms and former hunting areas have become de facto nature reserves, where flora and fauna thrive undisturbed.
These wild corners of the lagoon are quiet, untouched, and deeply atmospheric — offering a different kind of beauty than the marble facades of Venice.
Experience the Natural Lagoon with a Guided Tour
Exploring this side of the lagoon is only possible by boat. A guided Venetian islands tour not only offers transportation but also helps you understand the landscape and its history. Many of these areas are not reachable by public transport, and local knowledge is key to navigating the lagoon’s hidden routes.
One of the best ways to experience the blend of nature, tradition, and artisan culture is with a tour like the Venice, Murano, Burano and Torcello with Glassblowing Experience by Serenissima Tour.
This full-day excursion takes you through the northern lagoon aboard a comfortable boat with live multilingual staff. You’ll explore:
- Murano, famous for its glassblowing tradition and lagoon-side workshops
- Burano, with its colorful homes and lace-making culture, set against a backdrop of sky and water
- Torcello, a quiet island of historic churches and open landscapes that once rivaled Venice in size and importance
- And along the way, you’ll glide past marshlands, green islands, and channels that reveal the lagoon’s natural side
This tour is the perfect opportunity to combine nature, culture, and history in a single day — an ideal choice for those who want to see more than just the city center.
A Different Kind of Venice
The northern lagoon is Venice’s wild heart. It’s a place of silence, space, and natural beauty that many travelers never get to see. With the right tour, you can leave the busy squares behind and discover a world of open water, soft light, and green islands where nature still sets the pace.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to discover something new, a Venetian islands tour through this part of the lagoon offers a meaningful, memorable experience — one that shows Venice from a completely different perspective.
