When most travelers think of Venice, they picture gondolas gliding through canals and the iconic St. Mark’s Square. But just across the lagoon on the mainland lies Mestre, a vibrant Italian city that deserves far more attention than it typically receives. 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. See what other travelers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings. Book these experiences for a closer look at the region. These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data —we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. 1. Piazza Ferretto. 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. 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. 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 and its neighboring district of Marghera are often regarded as mainland suburbs of Venice, although they're part of the Comune di Venezia. Both are located at the foot of the causeway and railroad bridge that lead from the Italian mainland to Venice's historic center. Mestre, on the mainland shore of the Venice Lagoon, is now administratively part of the city of Venice. It existed in Roman times and was the site of an important fortress in the 12th century. 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! Mestre è situata nella Pianura Veneta, a margine della Laguna di Venezia (3 m s.l.m.) cui dista da 3 km, mentre sono 11 dalla centro del capoluogo, e funge da porta d'accesso a Venezia oltre ad essere un importante nodo viario e ferroviario.