Venice Attractions - The Southern Lagoon

If the hustle and bustle of Venice tourism gets a little much this is a good place to escape too for a few days.

You wouldn’t come here for the usual Venice attractions of great historical buildings or art galleries but rather to experience a peaceful world in which nature provides the scenic beauty. Many call the region the soul of Venice.

The only thing to do is to relax. Hire yourself a bike or hike the paths and lanes through the lovely countryside. Picnic next to the Adige or Brenta rivers and enjoy the natural flora and fauna of this part of Italy.

Fisherman will find themselves at home here;  the delta’s rivers being rich in fish.

This is apparently a bird watchers paradise too. According to the experts the delta is home to black-winged stilts, grey herons, widgeons and various species of curlews - some of them quite rare.

Chioggia, where many Southern Lagoon tours start.

Exploring the Lagoon

Up until recently exploring the lagoons was fairly difficult. This has thankfully changed and trips around the Southern Lagoon have now become a possibility thanks to  new sailing services.

ATN Laguna Sud is the main company running these boat trips and their whole day trips encompasse a lot of interesting sights.

Some of the highlights include the ancient fisherman shelters, known as Casoni, and an old hunting lodge. The tours are offered in English, German and French. Best of all is the traditional seafood lunch in Pellestrina.

Most trips depart from Chioggia, which is a delightful mini-Venice with one of the best beaches in the area. A few others leave from Venice itself. 

Prices vary but you are looking at anything from 25 Euros upwards. The tourist information offices in  Venice (in the station & St. Mark's Square ), or your hotel in the case of Chioggia, will be able to assist you with full details on booking.

Booking is essential in June, July and August.

About the Lagoon

During the pandemic of 2020/2021 Venice changed. The city closed off to the world, the tourists stopped arriving. Locals found their city a silent, melancholy place, but then something started to happen...

Slowly nature returned, not the swans, who have always been around Burano and, occasionally, elsewhere in Venice.

No, it was the smaller creatures, mostly birds.

Normally one sees only pigeons, lots of pigeons, but now there were other birds: dozens of species from the nearby lagoon.

You see, that is the thing that very few know about Venice: Venice isn't only an historic city, far from it. Instead Venice is far more than the city of Venice.

In fact, the city would be nothing without the Southern Lagoon: the most important wetland in all of Europe. Over half a million birds live here or visit here: more than 100 species. Even flamingos would you believe... 10,000 + of them.

As the Ramsar Convention states: "Venice is inconceivable without its lagoon, it would not, could not, exist without its Lagoon." and yet few tourists explore this world renowned natural treasure.

It should be one of the top Venice attractions. Don't miss visiting.