Hidden in the southern lagoon, Sacca Sessola (called also Isola delle Rose) is one of Venice’s most unexpected places.
A private island, surrounded by water and silence, just minutes from Piazza San Marco — yet worlds away from the crowds.
Once a place of care and isolation, today Sacca Sessola is a refined retreat where nature, history, and exclusivity meet.
This is Venice at its most intimate.
🌿 A Lagoon Island Apart from the City
Unlike the historic islands built around churches and villages, Sacca Sessola feels intentionally distant.
Water surrounds everything. No bridges. No traffic. Only gardens, paths, and wide lagoon views.
From here:
- San Marco feels close, but invisible
- The lagoon opens wide to the south
- Evenings are defined by silence, light, and reflections
It’s the kind of place travelers discover once — and never forget.
🕰️ From Hospital Island to Hidden Sanctuary
For centuries, Sacca Sessola was not a destination — but a place of recovery.
The island hosted medical facilities linked to Venice’s long tradition of public health and isolation during epidemics.
Patients arrived by boat, separated from the city, surrounded by open air and water — long before modern ideas of wellness existed.
That history still lingers:
- In the wide gardens
- In the island’s quiet rhythm
- In its sense of protection and separation
Today, those same qualities define its transformation into a luxury retreat.
🏨 Sacca Sessola Today — A Private Island Resort
Today the island hosts one of Venice’s most exclusive resorts, designed for travelers seeking:
- privacy
- space
- a different relationship with Venice
Here, luxury is not excess — but distance from noise.
Guests stay on an island where:
- mornings begin with birds and water
- days unfold between gardens, spa, and lagoon views
- evenings end with lights shimmering across open water
It’s Venice — without Venice around you.
🚤 How to Reach Sacca Sessola
Access is simple, but intentionally limited.
Private hotel boats connect the island to central Venice
Transfers are smooth, scenic, and part of the experience
Arrival feels like crossing into a different world
This controlled access is exactly what preserves the island’s atmosphere.
💎 Who Sacca Sessola Is Perfect For
Sacca Sessola is ideal for:
- couples seeking privacy
- travelers celebrating special occasions
- visitors who have already seen “classic Venice”
- guests who want space, silence, and elegance
It’s especially appreciated by international travelers — particularly from the United States — who value unique stays over standard hotels.
🔍 Sacca Sessola Secrets (local insider)
- The island was once dedicated entirely to healing
Its separation from Venice made it ideal for recovery and isolation. - The gardens follow the logic of medical care
Open spaces, light, and air were intentional — not decorative. - Few Venetians ever set foot here
Even locals rarely visit, adding to its sense of mystery. - Sunsets here feel different
With no buildings blocking the horizon, the lagoon opens completely to the west. - The name ‘Isola delle Rose’ is modern, not historical. It reflects the island’s rebirth — not its original function — making it one of the few Venetian islands with a dual identity.
🌹 Why Sacca Sessola Is Also Called Isola delle Rose
The name Isola delle Rose comes from the island’s contemporary rebirth.
Extensive gardens, carefully designed green spaces, and a focus on wellness and tranquility gave the island a new symbolic identity — one associated with beauty, calm, and exclusivity.
Today:
Sacca Sessola is the historic name
Isola delle Rose is the name most travelers recognize
Both refer to the same island, just two chapters of its story.
🌴 Nearby Islands You Can Visit
If you stay on Sacca Sessola, these islands are easy to combine for a richer lagoon experience:
⛪ San Clemente – The Private Island of Peace & History
📚 San Servolo – The Island of Mystery and Memory
📜 San Lazzaro degli Armeni — The Island of Books & Culture
🏖️ Lido di Venezia – The Elegant Escape
✨ Why Sacca Sessola Is One of Venice’s Rarest Experiences
Venice is famous for beauty — but rarely for silence.
Sacca Sessola offers something few places in the city can: distance without isolation, luxury without excess, history without crowds.
For travelers who want to experience Venice — and then step away from it — this island is unforgettable.