🧭 Introduction
Sant Erasmo Venice is the largest island in the Venetian Lagoon, located just 30 minutes from Venice by vaporetto. Unlike Murano or Burano, Sant’Erasmo is peaceful, authentic, and still shaped by agriculture. If you want an experience far from crowds and tourist traps — this is where real Venice lives.
No crowds.
No souvenir shops.
Just vineyards, artichoke fields, and lagoon wind.
Locals call it:
“The vegetable garden of Venice”
because here grow the most loved products of Venetian cuisine:
the violet artichoke (Carciofo Violetto di Sant’Erasmo),
asparagus,
radicchio,
lagoon herbs.
Walking or cycling through Sant’Erasmo feels like being in the countryside
without ever leaving Venice.
Mountain Views Over the Lagoon (Rare Sight)
On exceptionally clear days, you can see the Alps from Sant’Erasmo.
🍃 What to See
🥬 Artichoke Fields (Carciofi Violetti)
Sant’Erasmo is world-famous for its violet artichokes.
They are harvested by hand, one by one, with a small tool called “scartosso.”
You’ll pass fields of:
artichokes in spring,
tomatoes in summer,
pumpkins in autumn.
Here agriculture still follows the rhythm of tides and moon.
🗼 Torre Massimiliana (Massimiliano Tower)
A circular 19th-century fort built by the Austrian Empire.
Today used for exhibitions and events,
panoramic roof terrace,
perfect spot for lagoon views and photography
A piece of military architecture hidden among vineyards.
🌊 Beaches and Lagoon Front
On the northern side of the island you’ll find a wild, natural shoreline.
Just water, sky, silence.
Sometimes, flamingos appear in migration season.
🍇 Atmosphere and Experience
Sant’Erasmo is ideal if you want:
space
nature
slow rhythm
real Venice with zero tourism
The best way to explore the island is by bicycle.
You can bring a bicycle on the vaporetto (small extra fee), and ride across the fields up to the tower.
On Sant’Erasmo, your only traffic jam is the wind.
🚤 How to Get There
Take vaporetto lines 13 or 14 from Fondamente Nove, Murano, or Treporti.
Boats run frequently throughout the day, and the journey offers one of the most scenic routes in the lagoon. 30 minutes from Fondamenta Nove Venice.
💡 Local tip:
Get off one stop earlier (Sant’Erasmo – Chiesa) and walk/bike along the lagoon to the tower.
Also see 🚤 Vaporetto Venice — Complete Guide to Tickets, Lines & How to Use It
🌞 Tips for Visitors
Visit in spring or early summer to see the artichoke fields in bloom.
Plan a picnic near the lagoon or at Bacan beach.
Don’t forget your camera — sunsets here are spectacular.
Bring water — few shops on the island
🌄 Photography tip: After a storm or in winter, the air is crystal clear and you can see the mountains.
🌿 Sant’Erasmo Secrets (local insider)
- The purple artichoke has Protected Geographical Indication
You can buy it only here.
Restaurants in Venice fight to get them.
- Ernest Hemingway used to sail here
He loved the silence of this side of the lagoon.
- Sant’Erasmo produces ** lagoon wine**
Some vineyards use salt water during irrigation — extremely rare.
🚲 Can you rent a bike on Sant’Erasmo?
Yes — small rentals are usually available near the vaporetto stop in spring/summer (ask locals if you don’t see signs).
🌴 Nearby Islands You Can Visit:
🧭 Lazzaretto Nuovo – The Island of Quarantine and Forgotten Stories
✨Murano – The Island of Light and Art
🌈 Burano – The Island of Colors and Tradition
🍀 Torcello – The Island of Origins
🏖️ Lido di Venezia – The Elegant Escape
🌊 Want to discover more hidden gems?
👉 See all the islands → venetian islands guide