Discover Lido di Jesolo

Lido di Jesolo is the largest resort on the Venetian Riviera and one of the biggest on the Adriatic: roughly fifteen kilometres of wide, shallow, lifeguarded sand with a dense strip of hotels behind it.

Running parallel to the beach is Via Bafile, among the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe, which is where the town's evening happens.

It makes no claim to be old — almost all of it was built after 1950 on drained marshland. What it offers is a very well-run family beach and Venice forty minutes away.

Is Jesolo a good base for Venice? It is a common one and it works, but understand the trade: the boat-and-bus journey is about an hour and a half each way and the last connections back are early. It suits a family wanting a beach with one or two Venice days, not someone whose trip is really about Venice.

Is the beach free? Mostly not. Almost all of the fifteen kilometres is concessioned, with umbrella and loungers rented by the day, and many hotels include the service. There are limited free stretches. Ask your hotel what is included — it is the question that moves the cost most.

When does the season actually run? Roughly May to September, and outside it much of the accommodation, beach service and restaurants are closed. A November visit is a walk along a shut seafront.

Is there anything to see besides the beach? Honestly, not on the strip. The medieval remains of Equilio at the Antiche Mura site, inland by the old town, are the exception and are an active excavation rather than a presented monument.

Will I hear Italian? Less than you might expect. The resort's clientele is substantially German, Austrian, Dutch and French, and the strip is set up for them.