Location: Mestre
Top Things to do in Mestre
Top 10 Things to do in Mestre, Italy
While Venice’s mainland suburb of Mestre has a history and character all its own dating back to medieval times, it owes its growth and fortune to its more powerful offshore neighbor. Unfortunately, it’s everything Venice is not: modern, industrial and cheap. But while they may not compare to the romantic canals of Venice, Mestre does have attractions of its own, including the Torre (Tower) dell'Orologio and the Duomo (Cathedral) di San Lorenzo, located on its town square, Piazza Ferretto.
Restaurants in Mestre
1. Wood Hostaria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By M M - Budapest, Hungary
My husband and I were staying in Mestre and were looking for restaurants in the area. We were not impressed by the reviews of other closeby restaurants (eg. Columbus, Dante, Moro) but it was great to see the reviews of Wood Hostaria and we thought we would give it a try. We visited the pub 3 times out of our 4 nights stay!
Alex, his fellow bartender and the chef were all great!
We tried lamb and their beef was unbelievable. Very tender and tasty. My husband is not crazy about veggies but the caponata impressed him and myself aswell. Therefore the next day I ordered the beef. I am a little nervous about seafood but I really wanted to try it while in Venice so the last night I had linguine a la pescatore and it was fantastic! The recommended wine (Gewürtztraminer) was very smooth and fit perfectly with the seafood pasta.
My husband is lactose sensitive and Alex offered to modify the meal to accomodate him if that was his choice.
The pub offeres many Cicchetti (fingerfood) options which is very popular among locals, but for more filling option we chose from the menu. There were some fixed items on the menu but the menu was a little bit different every day. The prices include service charge already and very reasonable. Pasta €10, main course €14, dessert €4.5, wine from €3.5/glass, Even with tip that was justly deserved we paid half of the price we would have paid in Venice. Sidenote, during our days we spent in Venice we paid attention to the restaurants, how the meals looked and how big the portions were also pricing when we passed by with the intent of coming back, but based upon what we saw we chose Wood Hostaria over any Venice restaurant for dinner. (We did eat in Venice during the day which you can see on my other reviews.)
The service was excellent, were were treated like regulars, always were welcomed and the whole experience, the friendly atmosphere, the great service, the great food and good prices made us look no further.
If you are visiting Venice/Mestre do not miss to visit this gem!
2. Parco San Giuliano
Overall Ratings
4 based on 314 reviews
Reviewed By OLDGIT71 - Horsham, United Kingdom
We stayed in the Hilton just across the road and the entrance to the Park is quite a long way distant and you will need a cab to get there unless you like walking pavement-less roads carrying heavy traffic. But, first of all, check that the hole in the wire netting around the back of the drab brown hotel opposite is still there as it allows you direct access to very near the stadium (where most of the big events happen) provided you’re prepared to scramble across a ditch. I suspect the helpful Italians keep it open to help visitors. Watch the locals who are in the know and follow them. Otherwise this vast park is the largest municipal park in Europe, I believe, and walking it reveals many different and pleasant vistas.
3. Piazza Ferretto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 251 reviews
Reviewed By Carpy50 - Maerdy, United Kingdom
One of the few places we visited during our trip that actually felt christmassy. There were small wooden buildings selling all sorts of hand made christmas items.
The Piazza had lovely decorations and a huge xmas tree beautifully decorated and lit. There was a temorary ice rink set u, all in all it felt like Christmas
4. Torre dell'Orologio
Overall Ratings
4 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By DaveEB310 - Rhode Island
We made it a point on a Saturday night to get into Mestre to see the Piazza Ferretto and this Clock Tower. It was absolutely worth the jet-lagged visit since we knew we wouldn't have time after a cruise, spending more post cruise time in Venice, Murano and Burano. There is also a little Gelateria at the corner just beneath the clock that has a nice woman serving gelato. I can't find the shop anywhere on tripadvisor, but I recommend anyone in the area to give her your business.
5. Forte Marghera
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By FTMDave - Adria, Italy
This is an old military fortress, which has been restored and boasts a military museum, restaurants, bars, cat sanctuary, and places to stroll in greenery, and is used during the year for various left-wing (in the widest sense) cultural initiatives: meetings, films, theatre, Concerts, Performances, etc. It's positioned on the Mainland opposite Venice, and sometimes offers boat trips on the lagoon.
6. Forte Carpenedo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By lagoon08 - Venice, Italy
Hidden away in the countryside between the town and the country is this fort, built in about 1890 to protect the city of Venice, one of a string of such forts.
A group of dedicated locals have restored and continuing to restore this once important fort around Venice. They have a done a good job of clearing the site and making it a place you can actually visit.
A good guide is available but I think it is only open at the weekend.
7. Gallerie Centro Commerciale Auchan
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By Michael C
as mentioned in a previous review of the mestre best western Bologna, we were very pleasantly surprised by this property; it was not the best western to which we had become accustomed. in a working-class neighborhood with small shops, and a train station next door, we did not expect to find much different when we ventured down the street. coming to a sign for the galleria, we took a right entering a pleasant cobblestone walkway bordered with water and being redone. once in the interior, we found some higher-end stores, a bookstore, and a fabulous, small trattoria serving the best roasted-pork Sandwich i have ever eaten. all in all, the galleria, like the hotel Bologna, was a very pleasant surprise. if you are looking for a lower-cost alternative to venice, which is a short train ride away, the Bologna may be your ticket, and the galleria a pleasant place to visit.
8. Chiesa di San Girolamo
9. Duomo di San Lorenzo Martire
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
10. Il Tram - Venezia Unica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Alan J - St Helens, United Kingdom
If you choose to stay on the Mainland instead of Venice then you will need access by public transport.
The T1 tramline serves the main and outlying areas of Mestre and terminates directly in Venice itself.
It is a clean, fast and efficient service and a return can be bought for as little as 3 euros per person.
UK cities could do with emulating this kind of transport which would go a long way to educating people to use the car less and relieve city congestion.
TAGS
