Grado is a beautiful island, full of sandy beaches and rich vegetation, nestled in the upper Adriatic between Venice and Trieste and tied to Friuli by a narrow roadway which crosses over the evocative lagoon. For the Romans, Grado was an important port for trade with the east, and indeed Grado (from the Latin “gradus”, quay) may well be the most ancient tourist location in the Mediterranean. This tradition was confirmed in 1892 when the city was recalled in the official records of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, being included in the list of treatment and health centres as a seaside thermal spa.
Here life is easy going, with the relaxed pace of a seaside town. Stroll along the sea front and through the winding streets of the old town, enjoy fascinating visits to Roman and early Christian churches, explore the lagoon- a protected natural oasis and home to many tales from folklore and legend- or let the traditional flavours of the Adriatic tempt your taste buds. Grado offers a wide range of possibilities to fulfil the wishes of anyone with a taste for an authentic and natural way of life.
Far removed from urban and industrial areas, it is lapped by marine currents on one side and the splendid lagoon on the other. Thanks to this geological phenomenon and the effect of the sun’s rays, Grado enjoys a remarkably beneficial climate, characterised by a high concentration of health-giving iodine. The weather is warm, mild and temperate, never stuffy or humid, and throughout most of the year visitors can be sure of a comfortable stay.
It’s easy to fall in love with the golden islands of Grado, brimming with colour and the traditions of the sea, and it’s easy to see why it was such an inspiration to writers such as Ippolito Nievo, Thomas Mann, Luigi Pirandello, Pierpaolo Pasolini and Grado’s own great poet Biagio Marin.