I have seen lots of tourist advice suggesting that visitors wishing to avoid the crush of Venice should go instead to Chioggia, sometimes called little Venice.
The town is on a small island at the southern entrance to the Venetian Lagoon. It is 50 kilometres by road from Venice, or 25 kilometres by sea. Causeways connect it to the mainland.
Chioggia has a couple of canals and lots of boats.
We crossed this bridge into the centre of town.
Another canal.
It has a few large churches.
It has a very tall flag pole with an interesting base.
It has interesting buildings. I particularly liked the chimneys on this one.
There were lots of seagulls waiting expectantly outside the fish market. Each pole had a patient seagull watching and waiting.
These 2 were having a tug of war over a small fish.
Some chairs and tables by the canal were waiting for occupants as we walked past.
Early spring decorations are in place.
There is a beautiful bridge near the sea.
We had intended to stay the night in Chioggia, but after wandering around the town in the late morning we felt we had seen all we wanted to in a couple of hours.
I’m sure Chioggia is a pleasant town to live in. We saw well presented shops and lots of people enjoying a warm, sunny, almost spring day. As you can see it was a glorious blue sky day.
Having said that, Chioggia is not Venice. Please see the real thing, it is spectacular.
Has anyone been to Chioggia? Did we miss something?
Oh well you’ve satisfied your curiosity!!
By: Elizabeth Litzow on March 17, 2026
at 9:17 pm
That we did, there will be no second visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 18, 2026
at 5:36 am
Hello Debra. Yes, Chiogga is a wonderful little place to visit, and not too many tourists. Hidden gems tucked away here and there. I had a delicious fish lunch on a boat, Acquamarina, on Canal Lombardo. It is one of their three fishing boats. Refer to Naturally Epicurean’s post of 11 July 2017. I took the vaporetto to the Lido, then the bus all the way along the Pellestrina to Chiogga.
I thoroughly enjoy your posts, Debra! Lots of clues for me on my trips to Europe. Including Helsinki! And you are so clever which your camera, such great photos, thanks.
By: Margaret Boughen on March 17, 2026
at 9:28 pm
Thank you for you comment, I do like to explore new (for me) places. I had heard lots of positive things about Chioggia but was disappointed.
There were a few Italian tourists, it is early in the season. Venice, of course was packed.
We were not impressed with Chioggia. I was very careful with the angles of my photos. I would not recommend it, certainly not as an alternative to Venice.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 18, 2026
at 5:39 am
What a discoveryDeb – looks great definitely worth a visit – such nice weather to enjoy the day 🤗
By: Helen close on March 17, 2026
at 10:09 pm
The weather was perfect, love those blue skies. We had about 2 hours in Chioggia, more than enough.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 18, 2026
at 5:40 am
Well No Deb but nothing can compare with Venice!!! However I did enjoy your photos.
By: Camillus Davall on March 19, 2026
at 2:43 am
Nothing can come close to Venice. We went to Chioggia because it is often suggested as an alternative and wanted to check it out. The town is a perfectly reasonable place, and would be a pleasant place to live, but it is a mistake to direct people here expecting to see a small version of Venice. It is bound to lead to disappointment.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2026
at 6:57 am