Jesolo stands out as Veneto’s most renowned and bustling seaside resort. Offering a blend of services, entertainment, landscapes, and design, coupled with proximity to Venice, it truly has it all!
Known as the “City Beach” of Veneto, Jesolo is a perfect vacation spot, effortlessly catering to the needs of young people, families, couples, and seniors alike. Simply calling it the “Venetian sea” doesn’t do it justice: Jesolo attracts 5 million tourists not just from Veneto, but from Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries. What draws them here? A 15 km long beach, Europe’s longest pedestrian island, a vibrant nightlife, a wild and enchanting hinterland, and extraordinary architectural design. Whether you come to relax or to engage in all sorts of activities, Jesolo offers a unique experience.
Historically, Jesolo was the heart of Veneto’s summer nightlife, with trendy clubs and beach bars that sparked countless summer flings. Today, nightlife remains a key attraction, but the city has also reinvented itself, focusing on sustainable tourism, accessibility, and design. Jesolo boasts pedestrian streets, bike paths, services for disabled tourists, a packed calendar of cultural events, and stunning examples of contemporary architecture. These enhancements have not only improved a destination already beloved by millions but have also extended Jesolo’s appeal beyond the summer months.
What to See and Do in Jesolo
Jesolo’s primary allure is its beach, but there is plenty more to explore.
Jesolo Beach
Jesolo’s single beach is vast, welcoming millions of bathers each year. Stretching 15 km from the mouth of the Sile to the Piave, it ranges from 30 to 100 meters in width. Some areas are equipped with beach resorts, some are reserved for hotels and campsites, and some are free to the public. The water is surprisingly clean for the Adriatic, with shallow and gently sloping seabeds that are safe for swimming and water play. The fine, soft sand is prized for its therapeutic properties and has long been used to treat rickets, rheumatism, and osteoporosis. Both the free and equipped beaches offer high-quality services, from classic amenities like deckchair and umbrella rentals, showers, first aid, lifeguards, and sports fields, to innovative services like online beach seat reservations, automatic umbrellas, electronic safes, and enhanced accessibility for disabled visitors. Jesolo is also a pioneer in dog-friendly vacations, with three beaches dedicated to dogs, including the first on the Adriatic Riviera with direct sea access for pets.
Top Attractions in Jesolo
While Jesolo isn’t known for museums or famous monuments, there are several must-see spots.
Via Bafile
After the beach, Via Bafile is Jesolo’s main attraction. This long pedestrian street runs parallel to the seafront, crossing the entire Lido area. It’s the hub of shopping, nightlife, and socializing, often considered the longest pedestrian street in Europe.
Parco Pineta
When the heat becomes too intense, retreat to the beautiful Parco Pineta, a 16,000 square meter green area near the beach. Redesigned by Portuguese landscape architect João Ferreira Nunes, the park features wooden walkways and informational panels about local flora and fauna.
Piazza Drago
A central point in Jesolo, close to Via Bafile and the seafront, Piazza Drago is dominated by two modern skyscrapers, Alioth and Mizar. These glass, marble, and aluminum towers, known simply as the towers of Piazza Drago, are illuminated with LED lights at night.
Jesolo Lighthouse
Located at the southwestern end of the beach, the Jesolo Lighthouse, visible from the opposite shore of the Sile (in Cavallino), adds a maritime charm. Built in the 19th century and featuring black stripes painted in 1936, it was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt shortly after. Today, it’s a popular spot for concerts and events.
Family-Friendly Attractions in Jesolo
Jesolo is perfect for unforgettable family vacations, with safe beaches and numerous entertainment options for children of all ages. Here are some of the top family attractions:
Caribe Bay
Formerly known as Aqualandia, Caribe Bay is one of Italy’s oldest and best water parks, featuring slides, bungee jumping, mini-golf, a stage for shows, and a nightclub.
SunnyAquapark
Jesolo’s innovative floating water park on the Adriatic Sea consists of inflatable platforms with slides, balance games, climbing walls, and acrobatic games, suitable for children from six years old to adults.
Gommapiuma
A classic amusement park for children up to 12 years old, Gommapiuma offers inflatable castles, slides, jumping nets, and ball pits. The larger of its two locations, in Lido, spans 4000 square meters and is open in the evenings.
Tropicarium Park
With a single ticket, visitors can explore three different habitats at Tropicarium Park, featuring geckos, iguanas, turtles, snakes, water dragons, crocodiles, sharks, and colorful tropical fish.
Sea Life
Jesolo’s aquarium has over 35 themed tanks, including a ring tank and an ocean tunnel, showcasing the underwater world’s wonders. It also features a section dedicated to the Venice lagoon’s unique ecosystem.
New Jesolandia
This evening amusement park offers over 35 attractions for children and teens, from classic fairground games to thrilling rides like Matrix and Tornado.
Urban Parks
Of Jesolo’s seven urban parks, five have playgrounds: Parco Grifone, Parco Trieste, Parco Europa, Parco Diritti dei Bambini, and Ca’ Silis Parco dei Cigni. In summer, these parks host outdoor events and shows for children.
Things to Do in Jesolo
Boredom is impossible in Jesolo. Besides lounging on the beach, there are numerous activities to enjoy:
Water Sports
Jesolo offers a wide range of water sports, including swimming, diving, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, SUP, aquascooting, and parasailing.
Cycling
With a network of bike paths catering to all levels, Jesolo is a cyclist’s paradise. The Jesolo Ambient Bike program promotes sustainable tourism, offering 12 bike routes to explore the area’s scenic beauty.
Trekking
Jesolo also offers walking trails through the hinterland, allowing visitors to explore the unique landscape shaped by water and human activity.
Boat Trips
A boat trip is a must during your Jesolo vacation. Options range from motorboat tours to Venice and its famous lagoon islands to river tourism along the Litoranea Veneta, navigating natural and artificial canals, rivers, and lagoons. For a pirate-themed adventure, join a Jolly Roger cruise, or enjoy a refined dinner cruise while admiring Venice from the water.
Shopping
Jesolo offers a variety of shopping experiences, from high-end boutiques to markets, independent shops, and artisanal workshops. A shopping center is available for rainy days, and the Designer Outlet McArthurGlen is just 25 km away.
Nightlife and Entertainment in Jesolo
Jesolo’s nightlife is legendary, making it a hotspot for young vacationers in northeast Italy. Via Bafile is bustling day and night with music pubs, cocktail bars, beach bars, and nightclubs. Notable venues include the Il Muretto nightclub, La Capannina beach bar, and the Morgan Pub.
Where to Stay in Jesolo
Jesolo is divided into three areas: Lido di Jesolo, Jesolo Paese, and Jesolo Laguna. The Lido area, with nearly 400 hotels, is the main tourist hub. Via Bafile and the Lungomare are the most sought-after locations, but if you prefer quieter or more affordable accommodations, consider staying in the hinterland or the southern or northern outskirts of Jesolo.
Getting to Jesolo
Jesolo is easily accessible by car via the A4 motorway, with exits at Venice-Marco Polo/Jesolo for travelers from Padua, Verona, Milan, and Noventa di Piave for those from Tarvisio, Udine, or Trieste. Public transport options include frequent train and bus services to Venice Mestre, with shuttle buses to Jesolo. The Marco Polo Airport in Venice and Treviso Airport, both under 50 km from Jesolo, offer numerous low-cost flights.
Where is Jesolo?
Jesolo is a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Venice, located on a peninsula that separates the northern part of the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, bordered by the Sile and Piave rivers. It is approximately 40 km from Venice’s historic center.
