Venice is a city that never tires and always hides new views to photograph, cultural sites to learn from, and bars to try. What if someone told you there was an unusual way to see Venice? The lagoon's smaller islands are much lesser-known spots that offer an unusual perspective on the city . Here, you'll find unique architectural structures to enjoy along much less touristy routes.
The smaller islands are a more than valid reason to stay a few more days in Venice and discover truly interesting new ways to see the city. Here's an itinerary of the lagoon's smaller islands with everything there is to see and do.
What to see in the smaller islands of Venice
Directly opposite St. Mark's Square lies the island of San Giorgio Maggiore , home to numerous art galleries and renowned for the Basilica of the same name, designed by Andrea Palladio. On the smaller island, you'll find Le Stanze del Vetro , a distinctive museum dedicated to glass art , including contemporary art, but you can also stroll through the park and the open-air amphitheater known as the Teatro Verdi. The island of San Giorgio Maggiore is often included in numerous tours of the smaller islands, along with San Francesco del Deserto , Sant'Erasmo , and the Lazzaretto Nuovo and Vecchio .
These are, in fact, the most famous and unmissable, part of Venice's historical and cultural heritage, each with unique characteristics. The island of San Francesco del Deserto is a true paradise, home to a group of friars and their monastery with a wonderfully manicured garden. On Sant'Erasmo, meanwhile, you absolutely must try the famous "castraure," artichokes, and other delicious lagoon produce. This island is a bit like Venice's vegetable garden, and is in fact full of trattorias and inns. The islands of Lazzaretto Nuovo and Lazzaretto Vecchio are renowned as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and bear witness to the healthcare role played by the Serenissima Republic over the centuries.
The island of San Servolo and the museum of the asylum
Here too, the architectural complex is impressive, and you can stroll and relax in the beautiful park. But the heart of San Servolo Island is undoubtedly the Museum of the Mental Asylum, inaugurated in 2006. The museum displays artifacts from the psychiatric hospital that once housed the island, offering a truly evocative tour, not suitable for sensitive visitors. The collection includes medical records, photographs, as well as handcuffs, gags, and artifacts belonging to patients, and a section dedicated to eighteenth-century pharmacy with various scientific collections that attract an audience interested in the macabre. The island is also home to an international university.
The island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni
Visiting this island, you'll discover many interesting facts about the Armenian community that lived in Venice and traded with the city. This island is also home to the Armenian Mekhitarist Congregation , one of the world's most important centers of Armenian culture, which has been based here since 1717. What draws visitors to the island is undoubtedly the monastery library, which houses approximately 200,000 ancient books, including manuscripts, artifacts, and a curious mummy.
The Lost Islands of Venice
The lagoon is made up of many islands, both natural and man-made, some of which have disappeared due to decades of depopulation or are submerged by the waters. Even if you can't visit them, the uninhabited or lost islands fuel curiosity about Venice's smaller islands and make the lagoon city even more captivating and mysterious.
Among the most famous is undoubtedly the island of Salina , now inhabited by lagoon birds and periodically covered by the tide. Today, one can admire the echoes of this lost island, or rather, restored to nature. Only a memory remains of the island of Costanziaca , named in honor of the Emperor Constantine, which was once the imperial summer residence and whose extraordinary beauty is still spoken of.
The Minor Islands and Venice: Let's take stock
Seeing Venice and losing yourself in its neighborhoods is like traveling, experiencing the ages and art. In this city, it's easy to lose track of time while discovering its wonders, from the Minor Islands to the Jewish Ghetto . So, what's the best way to visit the city? Easily book an apartment online to reduce your visit budget and stay in Venice for several days. We recommend using the Venezia Card for quicker and easier access to public services and museums.
