For centuries the 'orto di Venezia', the vegetable garden that feeds the city: its farms still bring fresh produce into Venice every day, and the violet 'castraure' artichokes are its pride. There are no sights to queue for, only fields, vines, canals and a small lagoon beach. Venetians come for spring artichokes and bike rides; most visitors never leave the Murano-Burano route.
- Address
- Isola di Sant'Erasmo, northern lagoon (ACTV line 13: Capannone, Chiesa, Punta Vela)
- Hours
- Open island; reached by ACTV line 13 from Fondamente Nove (about 28 min)
- Best time to go
- Morning, Afternoon · About 4 h
- Price
- Free (ACTV ticket to get there)
- Price level
- €
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- A loop round the island is about 10 km: 2.5 hours on foot or an easy bike ride.
- Bikes are hard to bring on the boat; the Il Lato Azzurro guesthouse on Strada Vicinale dei Forti rents them, ask ahead.
- Look for the Torre Massimiliana fort and, at the northern tip, the view across to Burano and Torcello.
- Castraure season is late April to May.