Mestre 2026: Piazza Ferretto, Getting There and Winter Programme
In short: Mestre is the mainland part of the city of Venice, about ten minutes by train from Santa Lucia. Life on the terraferma centres on Piazza Ferretto, which is also the heart of the city’s winter programme “Venezia. It’s Christmas Time” with a Christmas tree, ice rink and wooden huts. This page is the overview for Mestre and will grow step by step.
Mestre at a glance
Winter
Christmas & New Year’s Eve in Mestre 2026/27
Piazza Ferretto: tree, ice rink, wooden huts and New Year’s Eve; planning status
Getting there
Venice without a car: parking in Mestre
Car-free arrival, park-and-ride and connections to Venice
Markets
Markets in Venice and the lagoon
Weekly markets and market days at a glance
Who is Mestre for?
| Visitor type | Fit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Winter visitors to Venice | Good | The city’s Christmas programme on the mainland; short link to the old town |
| Families | Good | Ice rink and Christmas train in the pedestrian area |
| Drivers | With planning | Sort out parking and the connection to Venice beforehand, see Venice without a car |
| Seekers of quiet | Limited | Busy town centre, livelier at weekends and holidays |
Frequently asked questions about Mestre
Is Mestre part of Venice?
Yes. Mestre is the mainland part of the municipality of Venice; the old town on the islands and the terraferma are the same city.
What is on in Mestre at Christmas?
The city programme “Venezia. It’s Christmas Time” is centred on Piazza Ferretto. The dates for 2026/27 have not been officially published yet; details are in the article on Christmas in Mestre.