The legend says this was the first island of Venice to be inhabited and the point where Attila, the king of barbarians, was stopped and pushed back. Beside the legend, it worth a visit. The cathedral of Santa Maria is maybe the oldest one in Venice ( someone says the oldest is in Rialto ) and the small church of... More

If you start to flag during your stay in Venice, Torcello provides the perfect antidote. About a 45-minute vaporetto trip from the Fondamente Nova, there is very little there apart from open green space and the 2nd best church in the lagoon (after St Mark's). It's a 10 minute canal-side walk from the vaporetto stop to the church with a... More

We took a 20euro trip to 3 islands and Torcello was the last one we visited. Lovely and peaceful with 2 small churches and a walk along the river and not much else but lovely to have the peace and quiet as a change from the busy atmosphere of Venice

Torcello's might seem a bit of a trek by vaporetta (via Buranao)from Venice but is completely worth it. Santa Fosca has the most ravishing 13th century mosaics which were a highlight of our short visit to Venice and the island is so peaceful. We also had a delicious, good value lunch there.

A peaceful little island, accessible from Venice by vaporetto. The Byzantine basilica there is wonderful, having a beautiful mosiac of madonna and child, and an absorbing 'doom' painting. The basilica has a special atmosphere and is very tranquil. The island is non-commercialised - outside the basilica was a stall run by a friendly girl selling coffee for 1.50 euros, and... More

The Basilica is worth a visit, and you will feel your sense of claustrophobia diminish as you walk around the open space this island offers. It is hard to believe this was once the capital of the byzantine empire! When you do, bypass Locanda Cipriani (it's brills if you like celebrity status) and go to the Trono di Atila restaurant... More

An eerie island, with the oldest Byzantine church in Venice. I suggest one should go as the sun is setting, to get a spooky visit.

There's not a lot to see on this island that was settled before Venice then largely stripped of its buildings to provide materials for building Venice. But there is a spectacular basilica and if you have been out to Murano and Burano it's worth coming on to here.

The island of Torcello can be reached by vaporetto inexpensively. There is really only one big sight on the Island, which is the basilica complex. It consists of 2 churches, the church of Santa Fosca, with it's beautiful, rounded facade, and attached to it, the much older Basilica of Santa Maria dell'Assunta, dating from the 7th century. In the older... More