Chioggia

Day 1: Riva Vena, markets and bridges

Ease into Chioggia’s rhythm along the water. Today is about the working soul of the canals—bridges, boats, and the morning market buzz—balanced with slow, golden-hour wandering.

• Morning: Be on the Riva Vena by 06:30–07:00 to watch trawlers glide in and porters wheel crates to the mercato al minuto (Tue–Sun). Follow your nose to a bar for an espresso and a fritola or warm fish panino; offer a quick buongiorno and keep clear of ropes and nets on the fondamente.
• Midday: Walk the full length of Canal Vena, crossing a few of the nine bridges for shifting views. Duck through sotoporteghi between Corso del Popolo and the canal; pause at the southern, residential stretch to spot fishermen mending nets and Chioggia’s funnel-shaped chimneys above the rooftops.
• Afternoon: Start at Ponte di Vigo for lagoon panoramas, then loop back slowly on the quieter eastern bank of the canal. If it’s hot, retreat for a long seafood lunch (ask for the catch of the day) and a short riposo; in winter, embrace the nebbia for atmospheric photos.
• Evening: Do the passeggiata along Riva Vena and settle at a bacaro for an ombra and cicchetti as boats settle for the night. If tides are high (autumn–winter), you may hear sirens, but MOSE usually keeps walkways dry—use raised platforms if needed.

Day 2: San Domenico, boat perspective and lagoon light

See Chioggia at water level, then slip into quieter corners and stories. Today blends a boat tour, contemplative canals, and the town’s theatrical spirit.

• Morning: Take a small-boat tour (1–2 hours) to view Canal Vena and the lagoon like a Chioggiotto—ask for routes that circle Isola di San Domenico and pass the shipyards. Photographers: soft side-light is best on façades before 10:00 and in the last hour before sunset.
• Midday: Cross to Canale San Domenico for a slow loop around the island and views back to town; this is where you’ll find boats in for repair and fewer crowds. Visit Museo della Laguna Sud for context on bragozzi, salt, and fishing lore.
• Afternoon: Stroll Corso del Popolo for coffee and shade, then track Goldoni’s Le Baruffe Chiozzotte scenes back on the Riva Vena—listen for the dialect, still part of canal life. If you prefer wheels, rent a bike and follow flat paths skirting the water towards Sottomarina.
• Evening: Return to Ponte di Vigo for sunset over Pellestrina. If your trip is in June, check dates for Palio della Marciliana; in July, the Sagra del Pesce turns the waterfront into a joyous open-air fry-up.

Day 3: Pellestrina, working waterways and slow farewells

Widen the frame to the lagoon’s edges, then back to Chioggia’s functional canals. It’s a day of contrasts: sea breezes, workaday quays, and one last toast to “Little Venice” with grit.

• Morning: Ride ACTV Line 11 from the Vigo quay towards Pellestrina; sit outside for superb views of Chioggia’s waterfront. On Pellestrina, walk or cycle the Murazzi seawall, watch clam fishers at work, and taste a simple seafood pasta for an early lunch.
• Midday: Return to Chioggia and wander the Canale Lombardo side, where larger fishing boats and shipyards underscore the town’s working heartbeat. If you spot dredging works, it’s routine escavo to keep channels navigable.
• Afternoon: Choose your tempo: a second canal-side coffee and photo walk, or a beach break on Sottomarina if it’s summer (bring water and plan shade for the midday heat). Winter travellers: seek out foggy reflections and quiet bridges for moody shots.
• Evening: Savour a final seafood dinner—grilled sardines, moeche in season, or a mixed fry—paired with a Veneto white. End with a gentle loop along the Riva Vena; say buonasera to neighbours on doorsteps and let the canal’s slow cadence close your stay.

By Air

• Venice Marco Polo (VCE): ~55–60 km; 60–75 minutes by car/taxi. Public transport: bus to Venice Piazzale Roma or Mestre, then ACTV bus 80/80E to Chioggia/Sottomarina (about 1 hr 15–1 hr 40 total from Venice; 1 hr 30–2 hr from airport).
• Treviso (TSF): ~75–85 km; 80–100 minutes by car. Public transport via Treviso–Mestre/Piazzale Roma, then ACTV 80/80E; allow 2–2.5 hours total.
• Bologna (BLQ): ~135–150 km; 1 hr 45–2 hr by car. By public transport: train to Rovigo, change to regional train to Chioggia or bus via Padua; 2.5–3.5 hours.

By Train

• Chioggia has a terminus station on the Rovigo–Chioggia regional line (about 60 minutes to/from Rovigo; roughly hourly).
• At Rovigo you have connections to Bologna (about 50–70 minutes), Padua (25–40 minutes), and Venice (via Mestre, ~60–80 minutes).
• From Venice or Padua, direct buses are often quicker than rail connections.

By Bus

• Venice: ACTV route 80/80E from Piazzale Roma (and Mestre) to Chioggia/Sottomarina; about 75–95 minutes; frequent daily.
• Padua: Busitalia Veneto services (e.g., E006/E007) from Padova bus station to Chioggia/Sottomarina; about 70–90 minutes; frequent.
• Regional links also operate via Adria/Rovigo for towns in the Po Delta and lower Veneto.

By Boat

• ACTV Line 11 (Lido–Pellestrina–Chioggia): a scenic chain of vaporetto + bus + ferry. From central Venice, take a vaporetto to Lido S.M.E., then Line 11 to Chioggia. Allow ~1 hr 45–2 hr 15 in total.

By Car

• From Venice/Mestre: SR11 or SS309 (Romea) south to Chioggia; 55–65 km; 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
• From Padua: SR516/SR309 via Piove di Sacco; ~50–55 km; 60–75 minutes.
• The historic centre is largely ZTL/pedestrian. Use car parks on Isola dell’Unione (between Chioggia and Sottomarina) or in Sottomarina; 5–15 minutes’ walk to the centre.