Lido di Jesolo ("Jesolo's seaside") is a tourist beach on the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, near the mouth of the Piave River and not far from Venice. Ten million tourists flock there each year, drawn by the miles of sandy beaches, rows of sunning chairs and nighttime entertainment.

Lido di Jesolo History

Jesolo is the name given to the town as well as a nearby lagoon. During Roman times, the lagoon extended into the area now occupied by the town. The lagoon had several islands, the largest named Equilium, or "place of horses."

Quiet Beginnings

The start of the 20th century saw Jesolo as an insignificant, small settlement. As beach vacations grew in popularity, Jesolo's sandy beaches began to beckon visitors. Locals realized that their beaches could be a valuable resource.

The first inklings of tourism for Jesolo were in the late 19th century, when the area's first public bathing establishment was opened on the beach. The early 20th century saw increasing tourist activity as well, but it was after World War II that the area really came alive as a tourist destination. The area drew the attention of wealthy investors who saw it as a business opportunity to build hotels, apartments, campgrounds, docks, shops, restaurants and sports facilities.

By the 1950s, a town sprang up along the seaside. Today, this tourist-centered town dwarfs the "old Jesolo" city center, and when Italians refer to Jesolo, they're usually thinking of the beach (lido).

A Tourist Paradise

Lido di Jesolo is an unusual locale in that it was designed totally as a tourist resort. Its layout, services and businesses are all designed to create a pleasant vacation experience for visitors. It is a clean, well-organized village with first aid stations, life guards, ice cream shops, showers and vendors strolling the beach hawking their wares.

With an excellent location just a few miles from Venice, Lido di Jesolo makes a wonderful Italian day trip as a spot to enjoy the beach, warm waters and beautiful scenery of northern Italy.

"A Miracle of Our Times"

Italian author A. Policek writes: "It will look like a fairy tale, the story of Jesolo, real miracle of our times, natural paradise, symbol of men's work who could build buildings that mirror in the sea and give to the sky the thousand colors of beach-umbrellas."