Sant’Erasmo Bike Tour in Venice’s Green Island

Tour Overview

Ride through Sant’Erasmo, Venice’s green island. Visit a local apiary, discover farming traditions, and taste unique honey and seasonal treats.

Let’s bike across Sant’Erasmo, Venice’s “vegetable garden,” riding through artichoke fields and small farms while enjoying a rare view of the Venice skyline. Discover the natural beauty of this peaceful island and learn about the traditional lifestyle of its few inhabitants.

Although it’s the largest island in the Venetian lagoon, Sant’Erasmo is home to just 700 residents—many of whom are farmers who grow exceptional fruits and vegetables. One of the most famous products is the purple artichoke, a Slow Food® protected variety known as Carciofo Violetto di Sant’Erasmo.

Another traditional activity on the island is beekeeping. The bees here feed on the wide variety of flowers that thrive in the island’s salty soil, producing a unique honey you’ll have the chance to taste.

As we cycle along canals and dirt paths, you’ll see lush farmland, wild landscapes, and panoramic views of Venice’s bell towers in the distance. This tour offers a refreshing and authentic experience away from the crowds—perfect for nature lovers and curious travelers.

What's Included

Top-rated local guide (licensed tour guide – registration no. 06000001)Use of countryside bicycle on Sant’ErasmoTasting of a local product (honey or a seasonal alternative)Meeting point in Venice at Fondamente Nove

What's Not Included

Water bus ticket to Sant'Erasmo island. Tickets can be purchased onboard.Gratuities at your discretion

Your Itinerary

1

Bike in Venice’s Vegetable Garden

We’ll reach Sant’Erasmo, the largest and greenest island of the lagoon, with a 30-minute water bus ride from Venice. Once a countryside retreat for nobles and the breadbasket of the Republic, today it’s a peaceful, tourist-free refuge full of nature and farming traditions.

2

Time to Ride!

After landing, we’ll take a short walk along quiet canals and country paths to reach our bike rental point, where you’ll get a comfortable countryside bike for the tour.Once landed, we will walk through a small road passing canals and ditches, towards the bike rental place, where we can get our countryside bikes.

3

The Lagoon Fortress

We’ll begin our ride at the Torre Massimiliana, a 19th-century circular fort surrounded by a moat. Originally started under Napoleon and completed by the Austrians, today it sometimes hosts art exhibitions and offers views of the surrounding wetlands.

4

Through Fields and Along the Lagoon

We’ll cycle past vegetable gardens, saltmarshes, and traditional farmhouses while enjoying rare views of the lagoon, from the entrance of San Nicolò at Lido to Punta Sabbioni. The route offers a mix of cultivated land and wild nature.

5

Visit to a Local Apiary

Sant’Erasmo isn’t just famous for its artichokes—its flowers thrive in salty soil, making it a paradise for bees. We’ll stop at a small family-run honey farm to learn about saltmarsh honey and taste their delicious products.

6

Toward the North of the Island

We’ll continue riding northward, facing the open lagoon with views toward Burano’s colorful houses and the quiet island of San Francesco del Deserto, home to a Franciscan monastery.

7

The Island Church by the Lagoon

Before ending our loop, we’ll visit the island’s small church, peacefully overlooking the still waters of the lagoon—a serene spot that captures the soul of Sant’Erasmo.

8

Return or Stay for a Meal

We’ll return to Venice by vaporetto from Capannone. Alternatively, you can stay on the island for lunch or dinner in a waterfront restaurant and soak in the peaceful atmosphere a bit longer.