Summer in Venice: Away from the crowds!

Summer in Venice offers quiet corners, breezy beaches, open-air art, and a slower rhythm you can actually enjoy. With the right timing and a Vaporetto pass in hand, Venice in July and August becomes an unexpectedly serene escape.

🌊 Cool Off: Beaches & Outer Islands

When the heat rises in the city, head to the water.

• Lido di Venezia: Just 15 minutes by Vaporetto from San Marco. Rent a bike, hit the beach, or sip a spritz at Hotel Excelsior’s beachfront.

• Sant’Erasmo: Known as Venice’s "vegetable island," this quiet, green escape is perfect for picnics and bike rides. Bring water shoes for the beach.

• San Giorgio Maggiore: Climb the campanile for a panoramic view without the crowds.

• Torcello: Quiet, rural, and historic. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta for stunning mosaics and silence.

🎨 What to See: Art Exhibitions in July & August 2025

• Venice Biennale (until November): The world’s biggest contemporary art show. Don’t miss the Giardini and Arsenale pavilions, and smaller off-site installations hidden around the city.

• Palazzo Grassi / Punta della Dogana: Cutting-edge exhibitions from the Pinault Collection.

• Peggy Guggenheim Collection: A cool, canal-side modern art escape with shaded sculpture garden.

• Fondazione Prada (Ca’ Corner della Regina): Elegant, challenging exhibitions in a stunning palazzo.

🌟 How to Avoid the Crowds

• Start early: Be at your first stop by 8:00 am to enjoy quiet canals.

• Stay late: Sunset and evening walks are magical and far less crowded.

• Explore Cannaregio or Castello: These neighborhoods offer charm, canals, and local life without tour groups.

• Skip the gondola: Take the traghetto across the Grand Canal for €2—the same vibe, no queue.

🍽 Where to Eat (Quietly) Tired of tourist menus? Try:

• Osteria Anice Stellato (Cannaregio): Seasonal Venetian dishes in a relaxed setting along a quiet canal.

• Al Covo (Castello): A family-run, slow food restaurant known for seafood and local ingredients.

• El Refolo (Giardini area): Casual panini + wine bar with a neighborhood vibe. Great for lunch after Biennale.

  
  

☕ Bonus Pick: Breakfast with Locals Try Torrefazione Cannaregio, a coffee-lover’s paradise with in-house roasts and a quiet morning crowd. Far from the buzz, close to the heart of real Venice.

🌐 Final Thought: Venice in summer isn’t just heat and headlines. With some insider tips and the freedom to wander, you’ll discover shaded alleyways, secret beaches, and world-class art.

Real Travel Guides: Explore Italy independently, sustainably, and by train (or boat).