With this list of the best things to do in Jesolo, you can hang around the town or take a detour to the more popular coast. This Italian beach resort is where you can experience the quaint and relaxing Veneto countryside by the River Sile, very much in contrast to the neighbouring Lido di Jesolo and its summer crowds.
While both towns are famous for their cycling routes, most scenic paths traverse Jesolo, or Jesolo Paese as the locals call it, through to the Venetian Lagoon. Within a 30-minute drive east of Venice’s Marco Polo Airport, the quiet town of Jesolo has a few cool attractions, along with some shopping and nightlife options.
What are the best things to do in Jesolo?
- 1
Piazza Mazzini
The heart of the action in Lido di Jesolo
- Budget
- Families
The central square of Lido di Jesolo has a lot going on, especially in summer. Spacious and flat, both halves of the square are usually abuzz with pedestrians, while the street that runs through the middle bears only light traffic. Small kids will love chasing the dancing water at the fountain in the northern half, and you can choose from the many cafés and restaurants around the piazza to sip coffee and people-watch. The towering building of the Maxim Disco overlooks the southern half, and just a short walk around it is the beach.
Location: Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, Lido di Jesolo, Italy
Open: 24 hours
Phone: +39 (0)340 975 0509
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Piazza Brescia
A bustling square near the beach
- Budget
- Families
- Photo
Piazza Brescia is a great place to take a break from shopping along Via Bafile. The square is home to a couple of fountains, which is a popular spot for kids to play on a hot day in Jesolo. There are also a few restaurants and cafes near the square, perfect for grabbing a bite or a cup of coffee.
Visit Jesolo between June and September, and you can admire gigantic sand sculptures that are set up in the center of Piazza Brescia. The square is a good starting point for exploring the rest of Jesolo, as it is located just a short walk from the beach.
Location: 30016 Lido di Jesolo, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
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Lido di Jesolo
A beach resort town for sun, sea, and surf
- Couples
- Families
- Photo
The coastal town of Lido di Jesolo features a 15 km stretch of golden sand, bordered by the azure waters of the Adriatic. The beach is divided into many different sections, where you can bask, play and dine. Families with kids have plenty to do here, with well-developed recreational spots such as theme parks and aquariums. However, its main draw lies in the many different sections of serviced beaches, each with neatly arranged loungers and parasols, as well as onsite recreation and dining options.
Location: Via Bafile, 30016 Lido di Jesolo VE, Italy
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La Fabbrica della Scienza
Fun hands-on exhibits for the whole family
- Families
- Group
La Fabbrica della Scienza, roughly translated as ‘The Factory of Science’, offers over 100 educational and interactive experiences that will entertain kids and adults alike. There are exhibitions about space, water, volcanoes, Tesla coils, virtual reality devices, illusions, the human body, and much more.
You can see some laws of physics in action through demos and even experience the thrill of walking upside down on the ceiling. The exhibits offer instructions in English, German, and Italian. It's best to buy your entrance tickets online to avoid waiting in line.
Location: Via Aquileia, 123, 30016 Lido di Jesolo VE, Italy
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
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Caribe Bay
Have a fun splashing time
- Families
Jesolo may mostly be about spending time on the Adriatic coast, but you can have a wet and thrilling time with your family at this grand waterpark. Caribe Bay has it all. You can spend a whole day splashing in Caribbean-themed pools and zooming down over a dozen exhilarating slides. Younger kids can enjoy a series of pirate and Peter Pan-themed shows, while serious thrill-seekers can go for the extreme rides such as the Captain Spacemaker, or try bungee jumping.
Location: Via Michelangelo Buonarroti, 15, Lido di Jesolo, Italy
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +39 0421 371648
Mapphoto by Konrad Wąsik (CC BY 3.0) modified
- 6
Wheel of Venice
For birds’ eye views over the city and Adriatic Sea
- Families
This Ferris wheel takes you on a steady ride high up to view the whole cityscape (and seascape) of Jesolo from a birds’ eye view. The cabins are air-conditioned to keep you comfortable – a perk that justifies the price. However, unlike most other giant Ferris wheels, the Wheel of Venice takes you around three times. The wheel opens until late, and romantic couples can enjoy a sunset or evening ride. However, the views are obviously more impressive when the sun’s still up.
Location: Piazza Brescia, 11, Lido di Jesolo, Italy
Open: Daily from 5 pm to 12 am
Phone: +39 (0)366 214 7832
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Parco Divertimenti New Jesolandia
One of the biggest theme parks on the Venetian Riviera
- Families
- Group
Newjesolandia Amusement Park (Parco Divertimenti New Jesolandia) is an amusement park offering over 35 fairground games and attractions. Thrill-seekers can brave the rollercoasters, be propelled into the air on the Sling Shot, or try the Matrix, a pendulum-style ride that swings and rotates at high speeds. Ride the bumper automobiles, Ferris wheel, carousel, or take to the go-kart track for a fun family experience without the adrenaline rush.
In between rides, try and win prizes playing traditional games, such as tin can shooting and hoopla. Prizes include balloons, teddy bears, and football-related merchandise. Entrance to the park is free: you pay for individual rides. On Sundays, there’s a 50% discount on attractions. The amusement park is only open from May to September.
Location: Via Lucio Battisti, 30016 Jesolo VE, Italy
Open: May–September: daily from 8 pm to midnight
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Via Bafile
Jesolo’s boutique-lined walking street
- Families
- Luxury
Start your walk along one of Jesolo’s great walking streets from the beautiful flower park of Piazza Casa Bianca. The wide and well-paved walkways will then lead you along the shop-lined street of Via Bafile. There’s a bit of everything, from Italian fashion and jewelry boutiques to small shops selling homeware and flip-flops. In between, there are a few hotels as well as pizzerias and small ice cream shops that serve as great pitstops throughout your walk. You can also take a slight detour from Via Bafile at Piazza Brescia, towards the big Laguna Shopping Center.
Location: Via Bafile, Lido di Jesolo, Italy
Open: (most shops) Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Mapphoto by SIG SG 510 (CC0 1.0) modified
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Vidotto Military Museum
A humble house that’s big on wartime history
- Families
- History
The Museo Storico Militare "Vidotto" (Vidotto Military Museum) houses a private collection of war memorabilia spanning WWI to peacekeeping times. It also has historical items relating to Italy’s police and armed forces. It’s around 1.5 km south of the city center along Via Nazario Sauro. Family-run, the museum’s collection has been passionately gathered over generations and includes military tools, weaponry, and infantry uniforms. There’s even a full-size M60 Patton battle tank and an Agusta AB204 chopper parked in its yard.
Location: Via Roma Destra, 131, Jesolo, Venice, Italy
Open: June–August: daily from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 4 pm to 7.30 pm (open by appointment on other months)
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Parish of San Giovanni Battista
One of Jesolo’s most beautiful churches
- History
- Photo
The Parish of San Giovanni Battista (Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista) is a beautiful Romanesque-style church just a few kilometers from the beaches of Jesolo. The church dates back to the 20th century, but the origins of the parish go back to the 12th century. Throughout history, the church has been rebuilt and renovated several times.
The church is open to visitors and worth visiting, especially if you love history and architecture. It’s also a calm, quiet spot to relax if you want to escape Jesolo’s beach and summer crowds for a short while.
Location: Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 9, 30016 Jesolo VE, Italy
Open: Monday–Friday from 6.50 am to midday and from 3 pm to 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 6.50 am to midday and from 3 pm to 7.30 pm
Phone: +39 04 2195 1049
Map