Italy in Photos

Riviera Santa Maria Elisabetta

Riviera Santa Maria Elisabetta, located at the northern entrance of the Lido of Venice, is one of the island’s most prominent and dynamic streets. Often referred to simply as “S.M.E.” by locals, this vibrant boulevard serves as the main access point to the Lido, greeting visitors as they step off the vaporetto (waterbus) from Venice’s historic centre. Far more than just a transportation hub, Riviera Santa Maria Elisabetta is the gateway to the island’s beaches, residential neighbourhoods, and rich cultural life.

Stretching from the lagoon-facing vaporetto terminal toward the interior of the island, the Riviera is lined with elegant early 20th-century buildings, bustling cafés, boutique shops, and local services that reflect the Lido’s distinctive blend of resort-style charm and everyday Venetian life. It captures a unique atmosphere: calm yet cosmopolitan, rooted in tradition yet open to change.

Named after the nearby Chiesa di Santa Maria Elisabetta, a modest but historically significant church, the Riviera holds both cultural and spiritual significance. The church, along with the adjacent “patronato” (community centre), represents the street’s deeper role in the life of the island—offering not only a passage for tourists, but a focal point for the community. Local festivals, religious events, and small markets often spill into the surrounding areas, reinforcing the Riviera’s position as a gathering place.

The architectural character of Riviera Santa Maria Elisabetta reveals the Lido’s evolution as a prestigious seaside retreat in the early 1900s. Art Nouveau and Liberty-style façades, small hotels, and well-preserved villas give the street a nostalgic elegance. In the summer months, café terraces fill with people enjoying espresso or aperitivi, while bicycles and scooters zip quietly along the avenue.

Each year during the Venice International Film Festival, the Riviera comes alive with increased energy, as celebrities, journalists, and film lovers pass through on their way to the Palazzo del Cinema further along the Lido. For a few weeks, the Riviera becomes an international crossroads of glamour and creativity, without losing its relaxed charm. The Riviera Santa Maria Elisabetta is more than a street—it is the beating heart of the Lido. It connects the island to the rest of Venice while preserving its own unique identity, offering a welcoming blend of local culture, scenic beauty, and everyday life by the sea.