Destinations / Italy / Venetian Lagoon
You can sail in the vast lagoon for up to a week and you won't get bored. Not only the famous Venice awaits your exploration, but also smaller islands dotted with picturesque villages and historic towns. The quiet canals are perfect for birdwatching, and you'll even come across good fishing spots. The local cuisine is best enjoyed by looking out over the green hinterland, which is made up of rural countryside and vast vineyards. Heat and water lovers will also be satisfied in the vicinity of the Italian Pearl, where deserted beaches of white sand await.
Magical Venice
The most striking city in the Venetian lagoon is undoubtedly Venice. Built on a lagoon with some 100 canals and 400 stone bridges, the city is a true historical, artistic and cultural centre of the entire Mediterranean. No wonder Venice was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The city's unique charm attracts tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year, so make sure you visitIf you're not comfortable with large crowds of people exploring the sights.
As well as the 15,000 houses that stand on oak stilts set into the sea, you'll also see other important buildings during your visit. Not to be missed are St. Mark's Basilica, the emblematic Doge's Palace, the Renaissance Library of St. Mark, the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore from the same era and the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute. We also recommend exploring one of the most famous bridges , the Ponte di Rialto, which is made of a 48-metre-long marble arch and is dotted with two rows of shops. If you like the carnival atmosphere, plan a trip to Venice from 14 to 24 February.
Venice's thoroughfare is the Grand Canal, a 4km-long and 70m-wide canal that connects the main train station to St Mark's Square. The main canal is followed by smaller canals, in which only gondolas and public Venetian transport are allowed.
What awaits you
The Venetian lagoon also attracts houseboat lovers thanks to the dozens of small islands that make it up. One of the most popular for tourists is the island of Burano, which is also the most photogenic spot in the whole area. The eyes of travellers and photographers are drawn to the colourful fishermen's houses, where in the past, among other things, hand-pierced lace was made. Another handicraft, glass, is in turn made famous by another island called Murano. A leisurely stroll is encouraged by the slumbering island of Torcello or the so-called Venetian Garden of Sant'Erasmo, where the strange purple artichokes are grown. If you want to see a place where the people of Venice go to rest, head to the island of Poveglia. Film lovers should not miss a visit to the Lido, where the Venice Film Festival has been held regularly since 1932.
Torcello Islands in the Venetian Lagoon
Experienced skippers should also point their helms towards the channelized, Palladian villa-lined Brenta River. This will take you inland to traditional fishing villages. As well as these, you can visit the Valle Canal Novo nature reserve, which is best explored on a leisurely stroll. Along the way, you are unlikely to miss the romantic River Sile, which will enchant you with the many culinary delights it offers. Both rivers can be followed by houseboat to Padua or Treviso.
If you're looking for a contrast to crowded Venice, you'll find an absolute oasis of calm in the Po Delta. In the local national park, which is only accessible by boat, you can observe the unspoilt flora and fauna undisturbed. You should also stop and explore the Renaissance Ferrara, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Useful information
- Traffic: due to the popularity of the location, you should expect quite heavy boat traffic. For this reason, the area is more suitable for experienced skippers. It will be easier to navigate in the lagoon, while navigating the canals requires considerable skill.
- Locks: There are only a handful of locks in the area, but some (like the drawbridges) are only open during pre-determined opening hours.
You can't explore the Venetian lagoon better than from the deck of a houseboat. Get in touch and we'll pick one for you.
