What to see in Grado: old town and lagoon

Grado is more than a beach resort. Its early-Christian monuments, compact old town and lagoon landscape make it possible to combine history, walking and nature in a short visit.

Basilica of Sant’Eufemia

The basilica complex is the main landmark of historic Grado. Together with the baptistery and the Lapidarium, it preserves important evidence of the town’s early-Christian past. Allow time to look at the architectural details and the surrounding Campo dei Patriarchi rather than treating the site as a quick photo stop.

Santa Maria delle Grazie

A few steps away, Santa Maria delle Grazie forms part of the same historic setting. Its layered mosaic floors help explain how the religious centre developed over time. The two basilicas can be visited as part of a single walking route through the old town.

Castrum and the old town

The lanes around the ancient castrum contain traces from Roman and early-Christian Grado. This is the most atmospheric part of the town and is best explored slowly on foot. Porto Mandracchio provides a natural continuation of the walk, connecting the historic core with Grado’s maritime identity.

Sea promenade

The Diga and seafront are useful for understanding the geography of the island. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the most comfortable times in warm weather. From the promenade, the transition between town, beach and lagoon becomes easier to appreciate.

Grado lagoon

The lagoon is a landscape of islands, channels and traditional casoni. Boat excursions offer a different perspective from the urban seafront. Routes, duration and departure points vary, and services may depend on weather and season.

Barbana

The island sanctuary of Barbana is one of the best-known lagoon excursions. It is reached by boat and is also linked to the annual Perdòn di Barbana procession. Travellers should verify the current sailing timetable and access conditions directly with the operator before planning the day.

A balanced first visit can combine the basilica complex and old town in the morning, the waterfront in the afternoon, and a separate lagoon excursion if time and conditions allow.

Sources checked

• [Basilica of Sant’Eufemia, Baptistery and Lapidarium — official Grado tourism portal](https://grado.it/it/cosa-fare/arte-storia-e-cultura/la-citta-e-il-centro-storico/basilica-di-santeufemia-lapidarium-e-battistero)

• [Historic traces of Grado — official tourism portal](https://grado.it/it/cosa-fare/arte-storia-e-cultura/la-storia-di-grado/le-tracce)

• [Official Grado tourism portal](https://grado.it/it/)