You’ll need to time your visit carefully (weekends only, from April to October) to the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo, recommended for those seeking an outdoorsy escape from Venice for a few hours. Once a monastery, the island became a quarantine holding area for incoming ships. During frequent outbreaks of plague in the 15th to 17th centuries, it was a final stop for the sick and dying—several mass graves have been found here. Today, several historic buildings remain in varying states of preservation.
Time Out tip: Pack a picnic, and stop at Lazzaretto Nuovo before hopping over to Sant’Erasmo, another surprising pocket of green and calm in the Venetian Lagoon, where you can spread out a blanket and relax.
Nearby:
Beaches at Lido di Jesolo: For seeing how beach vacations are done, Italian-style
Museo del Vetro: For Murano Island’s monument to glass-making traditions
Torre Massimiliana: For snacks and drinks in front of a 19th-century watchtower