Pellestrina: Fishing Island, Murazzi & Getting There (Line 11) 2026
In brief: Pellestrina is the narrow lido island roughly 11 kilometres long south of the Lido di Venezia, between the open Adriatic and the lagoon. Only a few metres wide in places, lined with pastel fishermen’s houses and the mighty Murazzi — the 18th-century stone sea walls that still protect Venice from the sea. Pellestrina is no tourist resort but a living fishing and lace-making island with four villages (San Pietro in Volta, Portosecco, Pellestrina, Ca’ Roman). Access only via line 11 (bus + car ferry from the Lido). If you are after authentic, quiet lagoon life, this is the place — if you want to tick off sights, rather not.
What makes Pellestrina special
Pellestrina is one of the last lagoon islands almost completely untouched by tourism. Life revolves around fishing and mussel farming; the pastel houses were traditionally painted in strong colours so the fishermen could recognise them from the sea in fog. Narrow waterside paths run between the villages; on the lagoon side, boats and fish traps line up, while on the seaward side the Murazzi rise.
- The Murazzi — sea walls of Istrian stone up to 14 metres wide, built by the Republic of Venice from 1744, its last great construction before its fall. Today a popular promenade with a direct Adriatic view.
- Lace making (merletti) — alongside Burano, Pellestrina was the second great centre of Venetian lace; the tradition lives on in a few workshops.
- Ca’ Roman — at the southern tip a nature reserve (Oasi LIPU) with dunes, rare breeding birds and a quiet, unspoilt beach.
- Fish cooking — small, honest trattorias with the day’s catch: moeche (soft-shell crabs in season), clams, grilled fish, without tourist prices.
Getting there: only via line 11
You cannot reach Pellestrina directly from Venice on a normal vaporetto, only via the combined line 11. The route runs from the Lido: from the Lido SME stop (Santa Maria Elisabetta) the line 11 bus crosses the Lido to Alberoni, rolls onto a small car ferry, crosses the Malamocco lagoon entrance and continues across Pellestrina as a bus to the southern end (Cimitero/Ca’ Roman). From there line 11 continues as a vaporetto to Chioggia.
| Leg | Transport |
|---|---|
| Venice → Lido (San Marco/Zattere → Lido SME) | Vaporetto line 1 / 5.1/5.2 / 14 |
| Lido SME → Alberoni | Line 11 bus across the Lido |
| Alberoni → Santa Maria del Mare | Car ferry (line 11) |
| across Pellestrina → Ca’ Roman | Line 11 bus |
| on to Chioggia | Line 11 vaporetto |
The whole Lido–Chioggia route via Pellestrina takes around 90 minutes depending on connections and is covered by an ACTV day ticket (24 hours, €25 — as of 2026). If you are using the vaporetto fares as a day pass anyway, you travel at no extra cost. A lovely idea: take line 11 as a lagoon crossing Lido → Pellestrina → Chioggia and return to Venice from there.
Is Pellestrina for you?
Pellestrina is worth it for …
- Travellers seeking quiet, authentic lagoon life away from the tourist flows
- Fans of fish cooking at fair prices
- Nature lovers (the Murazzi promenade, the Ca’ Roman reserve, birds and dunes)
- A second or third Venice trip with time for a slow lagoon crossing
- Cyclists and walkers — the island is flat and nearly car-free
Rather not, if …
- You only have one day in Venice (then St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto)
- You expect classic sights or museums — there are none here
- You are short on time — the journey via the Lido + ferry takes a good hour each way
- You are after Burano-style photo backdrops — Pellestrina is quieter and less picturesquely staged
Frequently asked questions about Pellestrina
How do I get from Venice to Pellestrina?
Via line 11: first by vaporetto to Lido SME, there onto the line 11 bus, which crosses the Lido, rolls onto a car ferry at Alberoni and continues as a bus across Pellestrina. There is no direct vaporetto connection from Venice. The whole route is covered by an ACTV day ticket.
How long does the journey take?
From San Marco to Pellestrina allow around 75–90 minutes depending on connections (vaporetto to the Lido plus line 11 bus/ferry). It pays to treat the journey itself as part of the experience — the crossing along the Murazzi and the ferry leg are charming.
What can you do on Pellestrina?
Walk along the Murazzi, eat in the fishing villages, visit the Ca’ Roman nature reserve at the southern tip and discover the lace-making tradition. Pellestrina is a place for slowing down, not for ticking off sights.
Can I combine Pellestrina with Chioggia?
Yes, that is in fact the loveliest version. Line 11 continues from Pellestrina as a vaporetto to Chioggia. You can thus link the Lido, Pellestrina and Chioggia into one lagoon crossing and return to Venice from Chioggia.