Where to go on a houseboat... in northern Italy?

Venice Lagoon 

Forget that something worthwhile can only be found in Venice. In fact, there are over 120 islands in the Venice Lagoon! There are shallow waters, sand spits, beaches, and even wetlands with a unique ecosystem. The Venetian Lagoon is a must-see route not only for yachtsmen and houseboat enthusiasts, but also for ordinary tourists.

Interesting destinations include a cruise north along the coast, with a starting point in Venice. You will be taken to the Friuli region in northeastern Italy. There are fewer tourists and the atmosphere is much calmer. On board the houseboat you will be able to explore the rivers Sile, Piave, Livenza and Stella.

Venice and Lido Island

If you still want to get to Venice, then do not forget to visit the local attractions, of which there are hundreds, if not thousands. The checklist of attractions looks like this:

• Basilica of San Marco
• Palazzo Ducale (aka Doge's Palace)
• St. Mark's Library
• Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore
• Church of Santa Maria della Salute
• Ponte di Rialto bridge
• and dozens more churches, bridges, towers, etc.

By the way, regarding churches, this is where you can find works by famous and greatest artists. However, in Venice itself, be patient and be prepared for hordes of tourists. 

If you arrive in Venice by houseboat, then your main “road” will be the Grand Canal. This is a canal 4 kilometers long and 70 meters wide, which connects the railway station and St. Mark's Square. On smaller canals, only gondolas and public transport are allowed to travel.

As you know, you don’t need a skipper’s license to operate a houseboat. However, before visiting Venice, we strongly recommend mastering at least basic skills in controlling your houseboat or boat. Traffic on the Grand Canal can be very busy at times.

Lido Island is a completely different story. A different atmosphere awaits you here. On Lido you will find long sandy beaches where you can swim and relax. The local residents are in no hurry; in general, everything looks much calmer than the bustling Venice. By the way, this is where the Venice Film Festival takes place.

Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello

Each of these islands has its own calling card. But first things first! So, the island of Murano is probably the most famous island of the trio. Murano glass is made here, which is the hallmark of the island. This unusual, beautiful glass has been produced here since the end of the 13th century. Murano glass is later used to make expensive beads and other jewelry, as well as chandeliers. There is a whole glass museum in Murano. It is located in the Gothic Palazzo Giustinian.

The island of Burano is famous for its lace! In addition to the famous lace, you can also find colorful houses, a huge scattering of shops, restaurants and cafes. In addition, there is also the famous Church of San Martino. Its feature is the inclined bell tower and Tiepolo's painting with a crucifix. At night, Burano takes on a completely different atmosphere. The city at night reveals a different side that you need to experience for yourself.

Torcello Island is one of those almost virgin corners of nature, of which there are few left today. This is a sparsely populated small island, which, in addition to nature, also has several man-made attractions. Among them are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which was built in 639, and the Devil's Bridge from the 15th century.

Pellestrina and Chioggia

The south of the Venetian Lagoon is famous for the commune of Chioggia and the fishing village of Pellestrina. Pellestrina is located on an oblong sandy island. Unlike Lido, there are no hotels here, so a houseboat is the best option for visiting the island. The east coast is one big beach. 

Chioggia is a small commune to the west of Pellestrina. The commune is often called “Little Venice” and for good reason. There are historical monuments and canals here, but there are no crowds of tourists. In Chioggia you will find a fish market with a wide range of goods, as well as the Cathedral of St. Andrew. In addition, this is where the world's oldest tower clock is located.

Cimitero dei Burci

There is also one notable place in the Venice Lagoon that is worth visiting. You're doubly lucky if you bring your bike with you on your houseboat. Cimitero dei Burci is an archaeological site, a real burial ground for ships from different eras. Today this burial ground is partially flooded, but the remains of the hulls of barges and transport boats can still be seen. 

The shortest route to the burial ground is to bike from Casale sul Sile, which can be reached by houseboat. Continue further to the village of Kasye. From here it is a stone's throw to the Cimitero dei Burci, which is located on the Sile River. In addition to the remains of barges, you can also see a great variety of birds of different species.

New video on the Interparus channel!

Have you ever thought about how sails are made? The Interparus team went to the sail production and gave a tour of the Incidence Sails workshop especially for you! All the most interesting things in our new video below.

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09.11.2023