Venice holidays

The words ‘Venice’ and ‘beach’ aren’t often uttered in the same breath, unless you’re talking about the sunny strip in L.A. In fact, most people don’t know that Venice has a beach. But it does – Lido. Not to be confused with Lido di Jesolo, this is actually an island southeast of Venice – a slender sandbank that sits between city and sea. It’s got a string of great beaches to laze on. If that’s not enough sand to satisfy, there’s another stretch just under an hours’ boat ride across the water. Lido di Jesolo offers up all the froth and bubble of a classic Med holiday resort. Think parasols and buckets and spades aplenty. Plus, plenty of watersports make the sea as tempting as the sand.

For a beach day, follow the crowds to Venice Lido – a thin island sheltering Venice from the Adriatic Sea. The sand near the Gran Viale is well geared up for sunbathers, so you’ll find plenty of loungers, parasols, ice-cream shops and restaurants. It’s easy to get to, too – just hop on a ferry over the lagoon.

If you’re after a quieter beach session, make tracks towards Alberoni Beach on the far end of Venice Lido. It’s about a 15-minute cab ride away from the island’s ferry terminal. This crowd-free stretch of sand-and-shingle shoreline’s bordered by grassy dunes, and has a back-to-basics feel.

For a look at local life, set an early morning alarm and head to Rialto Market. The rainbow-hued stalls offer up everything from fruit to fish, so you can put your bargaining skills to the test and grab a cheap lunch for later.

If you want to get your hands on a few souvenirs, you’re in luck – Venice is peppered with shops selling classic keepsakes like carnival masks and glass trinkets. There are no world-famous shopping streets here – instead, little gift shops are scattered all over. For the best deals, venture away from the big crowds at St Mark’s Square and Rialto, and into the quieter side streets.

Just off St Mark’s Square, you’ll find a few narrow streets lined with a string of designer stores. Calle Larga XXII Marzo is a good starting point for a stroll. The likes of Versace, Dior and Prada all have shops in this area, so if you love your high-end brands, this is the place to pick up a treat or two.

Laidback nights out in Venice usually consist of a late meal followed by a few glasses of local tipple. The Cannaregio district, in the northeast of the city, is a good spot to aim for – it’s packed with relaxed restaurants and wine bars.

For a livelier night out, go bar-hopping around Campo Santa Margherita. The city square’s lined with bars – they’re small in size, but big on music and atmosphere, generally attracting a younger crowd.

This sweet-and-sour dish is served as an appetiser in authentic Venetian restaurants all over the city. It’s made up of fried sardines marinated in a tangy mixture of vinegar, onions, pine nuts and raisins.

This seafood risotto’s jet-black in colour, thanks to one key ingredient – squid ink. Red wine, tomato and onion make up the rest of the ingredients list. You’ll usually find this Venetian classic served as a starter.

Cicchetti is similar to tapas – bitesized portions of fried food made for sharing. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike, especially accompanied by pre-dinner drinks. One of the most common dishes you’ll see is olive ascolane – green olives stuffed with meat and deep fried.

These traditional Venetian S-shaped butter biscuits are only made in Burano island, in the north of Venice, but you’ll find them in bakeries all over. They’re really simple, and go great with a cup of coffee.

The Venetian spritz is Venice’s go-to cocktail, so you’ll have no trouble finding it on bar menus. It’s made with a bitter, red Italian liquor like Aperol, prosecco, a splash of soda and an orange garnish.