Save this place to a Trip, where you can track your faves and get personalized picks as you plan. 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. The arcades of the theatre aka “Galleria Matteotti” represent one of the most fascinating parts of Mestre, where long perspectives and intimate spaces alternate. Mestre (pronounced May-stray) is the mainland town connected to Venice by rail and road bridges over the lagoon. We include a Google map of Mestre at the foot of this page. Mestre corresponds to the mainland area of Venice, in Italy. Although administratively it is part of Venice, from a traveller's perspective it can be considered to be a distinct area. Mestre sits around 10 km away from Venice and became a favored spot for locals relocating from the over-touristed Venice Island. It’s your quintessential Italian town, complete with a charming historic center and a bustling main square where folks gather. Mestre, 10 km from Venice, is the main city of the Venetian mainland. Things not to miss: Piazza Ferretto, Clock Tower, M9 Museum and San Giuliano Park. Mestre è situata nella Pianura Veneta, a margine della Laguna di Venezia (3 m s.l.m.), e funge da porta d'accesso a Venezia oltre ad essere un importante nodo viario e ferroviario. L'affaccio sulla Laguna è costituito dal parco di San Giuliano, inaugurato l'8 maggio 2004 ed esteso per 74 ettari. Mestre (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmɛstre]) is a borough of the comune of Venice on the mainland opposite the historical island city in the region of Veneto, Italy. Located in Piazza Ferretto, it offers a suggestive link between medieval history and contemporary liveliness. It can be visited inside with information panels, offering a beautiful panoramic view of Mestre from the top. A discreet but precious place, which tells the historical identity of the city. Mestre is the most heavily populated area of Venice and one of the most popular destinations in Italy. So if you're a first-time visitor to the city, check out this list for the must-visits!.