🧭 Introduction
San Clemente Venice is one of the quietest and most exclusive islands in the Lagoon — just 10 minutes from St. Mark’s Square, yet it feels like another world.
For centuries it was a place of peace, isolation, and reflection:
- first a monastery
- then a strategic defensive point
- later a hospital
- today home to a luxury retreat surrounded by gardens and silence
You won’t find crowds, shops, or tourist chaos here.
Just trees, cloisters, lagoon views, and centuries of quiet history.
Locals simply call it:
“L’isola del silenzio” — The Island of Silence
⛵ How to Get There
San Clemente is accessible only by private boat or hotel shuttle:
🛥 From San Marco: free shuttle service (for hotel guests or with booking).
🛶 Private taxi boat: available 24/7, around 50–80€ depending on where you depart.
🚤 Private boat rental (with driver): perfect for visiting the southern lagoon.
You cannot reach San Clemente with ACTV vaporetto lines.
👉 If you’re staying in Venice and want to see the island, the best option is a lagoon boat tour passing San Servolo, San Lazzaro, and San Clemente.
🌸 What to See on San Clemente Venice
Despite being small, the island is full of hidden corners and peaceful views.
🕍 Historic Church of San Clemente
A 12th-century church once used by pilgrims traveling toward the Holy Land.
Inside: ancient stones, quiet chapels, and the scent of medieval Venice.
🌳 Monastic Gardens
The heart of the island for almost a thousand years.
Old cypress trees, geometric gardens, and cloistered paths — perfect for relaxing walks.
🏰 Old Fortifications
San Clemente once protected the entrance to Venice.
You can still see traces of military structures around the edges of the island.
🏞 Lagoonfront Walks
The best part: walking along the southern shore with views stretching to the Lido, San Servolo, and the open lagoon.
🌅 Atmosphere and Experience
San Clemente is ideal if you want:
- silence
- space
- peace
- lagoon views
- slow rhythm
- private gardens
- a sense of “old Venice” untouched by tourism
It feels like stepping into a Venetian monastery from centuries ago — but with a gentle sea breeze and a garden full of flowers.
You can sit by the lagoon and hear only the wind, birds, and the distant sound of boats crossing the Grand Canal far away.
On San Clemente, the world moves slower — and you feel it instantly.
💡 Tips for Visitors
Visit late afternoon for magical light on the lagoon
Book the shuttle in advance (hotel-required access)
Bring your camera — sunset here is spectacular
If you arrive by taxi boat, ask to circle the island slowly
In spring the gardens are in full bloom
🔍 San Clemente Secrets (local insider)
- The island was once a quarantine point
Before the Lazzaretti, pilgrims underwent health checks here.
- It hosted traveling pilgrims heading to Jerusalem
San Clemente was a spiritual checkpoint for travellers crossing the Mediterranean.
- A legendary Venetian doge funded part of the monastery
It was one of the most important southern-lagoon monasteries.
- During the Serenissima it housed a hospital
Today the gardens stand where the hospital orchards once grew.
🌴 Nearby Islands You Can Visit
📚 San Servolo – The Island of Mystery and Memory
📜 San Lazzaro degli Armeni — The Island of Books & Culture
🏖️ Lido di Venezia – The Elegant Escape
👻 Poveglia Venice – The Forbidden Island of the Venetian Lagoon
🌿 Sant Erasmo Venice – The Garden of Venice
🔗 Recommended for You:
🌊 Venetian Islands – Discover the Lagoon Beyond Venice
🚤 Vaporetto Venice — Complete Guide to Tickets, Lines & How to Use It
🌟 Hidden Venice: Fascinating Facts You Won’t Find in Guidebooks