When most travelers imagine Venice, they picture gondolas, canals, palaces, and St. Mark’s Square. Few realize that just beyond the lagoon lies a quiet island that has fed Venice for centuries: Sant’Erasmo. Known as “the Garden of Venice,” this fertile island produces the vegetables, fruits, and wine that still appear on Venetian tables today.
Visiting Sant’Erasmo is like stepping back in time. There are no crowds, no ornate palaces, and no tourist shops. Instead, you’ll find wide open fields, orchards, vineyards, and canals bordered by reeds. Farmers work the land as they have for generations, growing artichokes, asparagus, and wine grapes that sustain Venice’s culinary traditions.
For those who want to see authentic Venice beyond the postcard views, Sant’Erasmo offers a rare glimpse into the city’s agricultural heart. In this article, we’ll explore the island’s history, its role as Venice’s pantry, its unique products like the famous violet artichoke of Sant’Erasmo, and why a visit here is one of the most rewarding day trips from Venice.
A Brief History of Sant’Erasmo
From Marshland to Fertile Garden
Sant’Erasmo has been cultivated since at least the Middle Ages. Its location—east of Venice, near the Lido and Burano—gave it fertile soil enriched by the lagoon’s tides. For centuries, the island served as the city’s breadbasket, producing vegetables and wine for Venice’s population.
In the times of the Serenissima Republic, Sant’Erasmo was highly strategic. While Venice imported spices and luxury goods from abroad, it relied on its lagoon islands to supply essentials. Sant’Erasmo became famous for producing high-quality artichokes, chicories, and grapes that were brought to the Rialto markets by boat.
Fortified Past
In the 19th century, Sant’Erasmo also became part of Venice’s defense system. The Torre Massimiliana, a massive round fort built under Austrian rule, still dominates part of the island. Today, it hosts cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions, standing as a reminder that this agricultural island also once held military importance.
The Garden of Venice: Agriculture and Produce
Sant’Erasmo’s identity is tied to the land. Unlike Venice’s stone palaces, here you’ll see fields stretching to the horizon, with vegetables growing in the salty, mineral-rich soil.
The Violet Artichoke of Sant’Erasmo
The island’s most famous product is the Carciofo Violetto di Sant’Erasmo, a small purple artichoke that is prized in Venetian cuisine.
- Castraure (first buds): The most delicate part of the plant, picked early in spring, and eaten raw or lightly marinated. Venetians eagerly await them each year as a seasonal delicacy.
- Botoli & Massimi (later harvests): Larger artichokes that follow the castraure, used in risottos, pasta dishes, or simply grilled with olive oil.
Every May, the island celebrates the Festa del Carciofo Violetto, where visitors can taste artichokes in countless variations.
Other Seasonal Produce
Sant’Erasmo’s farmers also cultivate:
- White Asparagus (springtime specialty).
- Radicchio di Treviso and other chicories (fall/winter).
- Zucchini, peas, beans, and tomatoes (summer bounty).
- Grapes used for producing local wines, including a fresh white wine called Orto di Venezia.
Salt and Soil
What makes Sant’Erasmo’s produce unique is its salty terroir. The mineral-rich soil of the lagoon gives vegetables a distinct flavor—slightly salty, more intense, and unlike anything grown inland. Venetian chefs have always prized these products for their quality.
Wine on Sant’Erasmo
Though small, Sant’Erasmo also has vineyards. In recent years, the Orto di Venezia project has gained fame for producing a high-quality white wine from the island’s terroir.
The wine, made primarily from the ancient French grape Malvasia Istriana, is crisp, mineral, and reflective of its lagoon environment. Visiting the vineyard is one of the island’s highlights, as you can stroll among vines with Venice’s skyline visible in the distance.
Slow Life on the Island
One of the most appealing things about Sant’Erasmo is its silence. Unlike Venice, which is always buzzing with visitors, Sant’Erasmo feels like a rural retreat. You’ll hear birdsong, the rustle of the wind in the reeds, and the hum of cicadas in summer.
People here live at a slower rhythm. Farmers still bring their produce to Venice in small boats. Locals ride bicycles along narrow country roads. Travelers who come are rewarded with a sense of peace and authenticity.
Things to See and Do on Sant’Erasmo
1. Torre Massimiliana
This circular 19th-century fort was built by the Austrians and later used by the Italians. Today it has been restored and serves as a cultural space. In summer, it often hosts concerts, art shows, and open-air events. Its rooftop offers panoramic views over the lagoon.
2. Bike Around the Island
Sant’Erasmo is flat and perfect for cycling. You can bring a bike on the vaporetto or rent one locally. Riding along quiet lanes between fields, with views of the lagoon and Venice in the distance, is an unforgettable experience.
3. Beaches and Swimming
The island has small stretches of beach, less developed than the Lido. Locals often come here to swim in summer, enjoying the clear water and peaceful setting.
4. Wine and Farm Visits
Some farms and vineyards welcome visitors for tastings and tours. Sampling freshly picked artichokes, seasonal vegetables, or a glass of Orto di Venezia wine is a highlight.
5. Festivals and Local Events
The Artichoke Festival in May is the best time to experience Sant’Erasmo’s culture. But throughout the year, small events celebrate seasonal harvests, from asparagus in spring to radicchio in winter.
How to Get to Sant’Erasmo
Reaching Sant’Erasmo is an adventure in itself.
- By Vaporetto: From Venice, take line 13 from Fondamenta Nuove. The boat makes stops at Murano, Vignole, Sant’Erasmo, and finally Burano. The ride to Sant’Erasmo takes about 30–40 minutes.
- By Private Boat: With Tour Leader Venice, you can arrange a private boat transfer, making the trip comfortable and flexible. This also allows you to combine Sant’Erasmo with other islands like Murano or Burano.
Why Visit Sant’Erasmo?
For travelers who want to go beyond the tourist crowds, Sant’Erasmo offers:
- 🌿 Authenticity – See Venice’s agricultural roots and real local life.
- 🍇 Flavors – Taste artichokes, wine, and vegetables grown in unique soil.
- 🏞️ Nature – Enjoy wide open landscapes, fresh air, and quiet canals.
- 🚴 Slow Travel – Perfect for biking, walking, and experiencing Venice at a different pace.
- 📸 Views – Capture stunning panoramas of the lagoon and Venice in the distance.
It’s a place where Venice reveals another face—not palaces and gondolas, but fields and farmers, wind and water, tradition and taste.
A Tour Leader Venice Day Trip to Sant’Erasmo
When you book a private excursion with Tour Leader Venice, your experience is seamless:
- 🚤 Private Boat Transfer – Direct from Venice to Sant’Erasmo, with scenic views of the lagoon.
- 👩💼 Local Guide – Learn about the island’s history, farming traditions, and seasonal produce.
- 🥂 Tasting Experience – Sample artichokes, local vegetables, and wine.
- 🚴 Optional Bike Tour – Cycle around the island’s quiet lanes.
- 📸 Photo Opportunities – Enjoy beautiful lagoon views away from the crowds.
- 🕰️ Flexibility – Combine Sant’Erasmo with Murano, Burano, or Torcello for a full-day lagoon adventure.
Sample Itinerary: Venice → Sant’Erasmo → Venice
- 9:30 AM – Private boat pick-up in Venice.
- 10:15 AM – Arrival in Sant’Erasmo, guided walk through fields and canals.
- 11:00 AM – Visit Torre Massimiliana, enjoy panoramic views.
- 12:00 PM – Farm or vineyard visit with tasting (artichokes, seasonal vegetables, wine).
- 1:30 PM – Picnic lunch with local products or trattoria meal.
- 3:00 PM – Bike ride around the island, stop for photos of the lagoon.
- 4:30 PM – Optional swim or aperitivo on the island.
- 5:30 PM – Private boat return to Venice.
Final Thoughts: The Secret Garden of Venice
Sant’Erasmo is Venice as you’ve never seen it. Quiet, fertile, and timeless, it’s the place that has nourished the city for centuries. While millions of visitors crowd St. Mark’s Square, only a few discover this secret garden where the soul of Venice still grows in the soil.
For travelers who want to see the authentic side of Venice, enjoy farm-to-table flavors, and escape the crowds, a day trip to Sant’Erasmo is unforgettable. With Tour Leader Venice, you can explore it with comfort, expertise, and insider access.
👉 Book your Sant’Erasmo private day trip and discover the green heart of the Venetian lagoon.
