Long before Marco Polo became Venice’s main aviation gateway, aircraft were landing on the Lido. Today, Giovanni Nicelli Airport is a fascinating reminder of the early days of commercial flight, when travelling by air was an adventure in itself. For guests staying at Hotel Excelsior Venice, the airport’s story offers an intriguing introduction to the island’s heritage.
From military runway to aviation landmark
Nicelli Airport traces its roots to the First World War, when the area around San Nicolò on the northern Lido was used for military aviation. After the war, the site was developed for civilian flying, and in 1926 it began welcoming passenger services, including an early route between Venice and Vienna.
The terminal followed in 1935. Designed by architect Mario Emmer, with interiors created by artist Tato, it reflected the excitement of the aviation age. For visitors choosing Hotel Excelsior Venice, discovering this architectural gem adds another dimension to a stay on the island.
The airport became an important part of Venice’s development as an international destination.
Flying into the Lido today
The opening of Marco Polo Airport at Tessera in 1961 gradually changed Nicelli’s role. Nicelli subsequently became associated with general aviation, private flights, and smaller aircraft.
Yet its location remains special. Situated directly on the Lido, the airport provides an immediate sense of arrival. Instead of stepping into a busy mainland transport hub, visitors find themselves on an island known for beaches, architecture, and a relaxed pace.
For anyone planning a stay at Hotel Excelsior Venice, this proximity makes Nicelli an interesting part of the Lido experience.
Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Lido
Most visitors flying commercially into Venice arrive at Marco Polo Airport.
Venice lido holidays can include public water transport, while private boat transfers offer an alternative.
Once on the island, buses and taxis connect the waterfront and other parts of Lido. Guests heading towards Hotel Excelsior Venice can enjoy the transition from airport bustle to the elegant seaside atmosphere for which the island is known.
Arriving by water taxi
Few airport transfers are as memorable as travelling by water taxi. Leaving Marco Polo behind, the boat crosses the lagoon towards Lido, offering changing views of the landscape along the way.
For visitors staying at a Luxury hotel in Venice, the experience feels particularly fitting. Venice is a city shaped by water, and arriving by boat connects travellers with its unique geography.
A private transfer can also make sense for couples, families, or groups carrying luggage. For Hotel Excelsior Venice guests, the journey provides a stylish prelude to the hotel’s beachfront setting.
Why Lido remains a seaside escape
Lido is famous for offering something that central Venice cannot: a Venice beach Italy atmosphere.
The island’s Venice lido beach is especially appealing during warmer months, while Venice beach hotels provide an alternative to staying in the historic centre. The combination of lagoon access and a coastal setting is one reason travellers search for a Resort near Venice or a Resort island near Venice.
At the heart of this experience is Excelsior beach, associated with Hotel Excelsior Venice and its beachfront cabanas.
For travellers comparing 5 star hotels in Venice Italy, this balance can be a compelling reason to consider Lido. A stay at Hotel Excelsior Venice offers the atmosphere of a resort while keeping Venice’s cultural attractions within easy reach.
A destination shaped by film, travel and leisure
Lido’s identity extends beyond its beaches. The island is internationally recognised as the home of the Venice International Film Festival, bringing filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts to its shores each year.
That glamour has become part of the island’s character. Visitors searching for Venice island hotels can combine sightseeing in Venice with quieter mornings by the sea and evenings enjoying the Lido’s restaurants and waterfront.
This makes a hotel Venice resort experience feel distinctly different from a conventional city break. Hotel Excelsior Venice sits within that tradition, connecting historic hospitality with the island’s maritime heritage.
From pioneering flights to timeless stays
Nicelli Airport may have evolved beyond its original role as a major passenger gateway, but its legacy remains firmly connected to Venice’s story. It represents an era when aviation was new, glamorous, and transformative and when arriving by plane could feel like stepping into the future.
Today, that history complements Lido’s appeal. From the runway at San Nicolò to the Venice lido beach, the island brings together aviation, cinema, culture, and seaside leisure.
For travellers considering Hotels Venice Lido, Hotel Excelsior Venice offers a natural base from which to explore it all. It also makes Hotel Excelsior Venice a memorable choice for travellers discovering the island. Whether the priority is a Luxury hotel in Venice, a beach escape or a comfortable starting point for exploring the lagoon, Lido delivers a distinctive version of Venice.
The next time you arrive on the island, Hotel Excelsior Venice invites you to look towards Nicelli. Its historic runway is a reminder that the journey to Venice has changed dramatically but the thrill of arriving somewhere extraordinary has remained the same.
