Is There a Lot to Do in Chioggia, Italy? Your Guide to a Charming City Near Venice
Our Mediterranean cruise started in Chioggia, Italy. Advertised as “Venice” on our cruise itinerary, we quickly learned after booking that we would actually be departing from Chioggia, an hour away from downtown Venice. Such a distance is not in what most people consider “Venice.” But since we love discovering new places, we were open to spending some time in town to see what there is to do.
What we uncovered was a photo-worthy canal, a handful of historic sites, and some local restaurants and cicchetterias that easily justify dedicating an hour or two of your time. Below, we’ll share what to expect when you get to Chioggia so you can plan your pre- or post-cruise time there. We’ll also answer FAQs at the end—starting with the basics of where Chioggia actually is and how to pronounce it.
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Important Overall Info for Travelers Visiting Chioggia
Where is Chioggia?
Chioggia, while not Venice, is within the same Italian province: Veneto. It sits southwest of central Venice, essentially on its own little artificial island connected by bridges.
How to Get to Chioggia from Venice
The trip between Chioggia and downtown Venice (where most tourists visit) takes about an hour. The scenery during the drive isn’t impressive between the two cities. So no matter how you get there, simply prepare to relax for a while and think about your trip during the commute! Have headphones handy in case you enjoy listening to podcasts during long drives. Might we suggest our podcast, Small Ship Cruise Talk?
How to Pronounce “Chioggia”
You’ll want to understand how to properly pronounce Chioggia, because you might ask locals how to get there or want to converse with them about your travels. In English, a c-h sound is “ch” like “cheese.” But in Italian, “ch” is a hard k, like “key.” So you say the name of the city like this, phonetically speaking: key-o-ja.
I learned this the hard way after the receptionist at our hotel somewhat mocked me. I asked her if she knew anything about the bus to “Che-o-gee-a.” She looked at me, utterly confused. Surely, I thought, someone who has stayed at this hotel has asked her about getting to this city before me.
We went three rounds before I pulled out my phone to point out the city name on a map. She laughed at me and said, “Oh, Chioggia!” Key-o-ja.
So, there you have it. I can still see her scowling at me when I think of the city name. I never made that mistake again.
A Quick History Note
Chioggia has Roman roots and was originally a peninsula—it only became an artificial island in the 16th century through intentional engineering to manage the lagoon. Even the picturesque Canal Vena is manmade, making the colorful reflections and arched bridges even more impressive.
How Far is Downtown Chioggia from the Cruise Port?
When we cruised out of the Port of Chioggia, Viking provided a water shuttle between the port and downtown Chioggia. The downtown area was only a 10-15 minute ride from the cruise ship dock, and the shuttle boat transported guests who wanted to hop over there once an hour. Then, on the half hour, the shuttle would return from downtown Chioggia back to the cruise port.
We didn’t see a single taxi in town, so I wouldn’t rely on one spontaneously appearing. Your cruise line can probably help call one if needed. Technically, you can walk from the port, but it begins in an industrial area, so the views only get pretty once you reach downtown.
What is There to Do in Chioggia?
A Quintessential Small Italian Port City
There isn’t a ton to do in the city— it’s really small. It’s basically a main street and a canal that runs parallel to it. There are a lot of residences on the island, along with a few small bodegas, random restaurants, hair-cutting places, and the like, here and there for residents. The key areas for tourists to visit are the canal and the main street.
If you’re arriving in Chioggia to go on a cruise and didn’t have time to visit Venice, then don’t miss Chioggia. It will be a lovely welcome to Italy, and you cannot deny Chioggia’s charm. If you want to feel like you’re in quintessential Europe, with its centuries of history as soon as you arrive, walking around Chioggia will absolutely scratch that itch. It’s quiet, authentic, and delightfully local.
Walk Along the Main Street, Corso del Popolo
Chioggia’s main street, Corso del Popolo, is lined with restaurants, shops, gelaterias, and everyday businesses used by locals. When I visited around 5:00 pm, it was bustling with residents enjoying their late afternoon.
Along this main street, you’ll also find:
- Three pharmacies
- Two supermarkets (Pam Chioggia and Minimarket Coop)
- One post office
I bought a bottle of wine at one of the supermarkets to bring on board our Viking ship. There were no issues at all getting it through security! The security guards seemed more surprised that I only bought one bottle. Haha!
The “avenue” that runs parallel to Corso del Popolo is the Canal Vena, lined with small boats. Pedestrian walkways border the canal, and a series of quaint bridges connect the two sides along the waterway.
Though I didn’t eat at any of the restaurants, there were a fair number of them on Corso del Popolo. They alternated with clothing stores, shoe stores, and the like, with a souvenir shop here and there. The shops were mostly for locals, but some felt like they were there for tourists.
Along this main street are three pharmacies, just in case you need anything before your cruise. If you’ve never been to Europe, you don’t need a prescription for a lot of drugs in Europe, like cold medicine, for example, or a nose spray if you’re feeling stuffy. You just go in and talk to the pharmacy tech and buy it. European pharmacies have saved our health on trips on more than one occasion.
Sign Up For a Guided Tour, To Boat Through the Canals or Visit an Oyster Farm
Depending on how much time you want to spend in Chioggia and what you like to do, consider signing up for a tour on Viator for an enriched experience:
- Want to learn about seafood in the area by visiting an oyster farm? (How cool is that?!?!?) Sign up for this aquaculture tour that takes you out to the water to learn about the bivalves (oysters and mussels included), and even a prized crab from the area (the crab is seasonally visible).
- This tour is offered several times a day, so you can make the most of your time in Chioggia. We love that there's an educational aspect of the tour to understand the waterways you're going through and that it takes you from the Venetian Lagoon into Sottomarina.
- This sunset tour will take you through the canals and to the lagoon. It's a different experience from being on a cruise, on a more intimate, quaint scale. (Very romantic!) Though we didn't discover this until after our cruise, we definitely could have done it because all-aboard time wasn't until 10:00 pm.
Eat Chiccetti
Hot tip: If you love food and you don’t have a chance to experience Venetian cuisine like we did during our fabulous Devour food tour in Venice, have a meal in Chioggia.
The main street has seafood restaurants and cicchetterias, where you can order cicchetti—small slices of bread with toppings that cost around €3-4 each. You point at what you want, pay a few euros per piece, and enjoy. Cicchetti are very Venetian; you won’t find them in places like Rome or Florence.
Cicchetti reminded Dan and me of Spanish pintxos or Danish smørrebrød. And if Chioggia is your last stop in Italy before boarding your ship, this is a great final bite.
Do Not Miss Walking Along the Canal
I found beauty every few steps of my walk and thoroughly enjoyed taking photos for 30 minutes along Canal Vena.
If you’re a photographer like me, Canal Vena is your playground. The worn wood, peeling paint, colorful homes, reflections in the water, fishing nets, buoys, and small boats are endlessly photogenic.
This is where Chioggia feels the most “Venice-like”—a quieter, gentler sibling to the Grand Canal. Pedestrian walkways line both sides of the canal, and nine bridges crisscross it.
Visit the Fish Market (Mercato del Pesce)
There’s a small, historic fish market tucked between Corso del Popolo and the canal, off Calle S. Nicole and Ponte della Pescheria. If you arrive in the afternoon, you’ll probably see it closed, like I did—but it’s still cool to peek in and imagine it lively and fragrant with the morning catch. Surprisingly, there wasn't a trace whatsoever of seafood smells when I was there around 6:00 pm. It's astonishing how well they clean it, which must be a daily ritual for decades if not centuries.
If you do want to see it during operating hours:
The ornate sculptural archway at the entrance is also worth photographing.
Other Historic Landmarks in Chioggia
If you want a deeper dive into Chioggia’s story, the tourism board has a self-guided historic walking tour online. It’s a great low-effort, high-reward activity. If you want the abridged version, we've got you covered:
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
I didn’t go in, but the exterior is pretty, and the online photos of the interior look worth a quick visit if it’s open and you have the time. I enjoyed peeking around the exterior.
Saint Mary Gate (Garibaldi Gate)
This historic stone gate marks one of the city's old entrances. Look closely and you’ll see the Venetian lion holding an open book, a symbol of Chioggia’s past under Venetian rule.
Monumento ai Caduti di Chioggia
A striking war memorial featuring a bronze Winged Victory atop a fallen soldier, all on pink marble. It’s hard to miss along Corso del Popolo and is worth a stop to pay your respects to fallen soldiers.
Lo Stendardo di Chioggia
Nearly next to the war memorial is Lo Stendardo, another sculptural monument. Its stone base was built in 1713 by sculptor Gioseffo Zeminiani (as indicated on the monument's plaque)—you’ll see three muscular carved figures holding up a flagpole.
Refugium Peccatorum (“Refuge of Sinners”)
Along the canal, you’ll find this peaceful row of sculptures. It’s quiet, contemplative, and easy to stop by as you explore. The statue of Madonna with Child used to be situated on the steps of the city’s old palazzo, and people sentenced to death would walk past it before execution to say their last prayers. Perhaps a little morbid, yet historic.
Museums
Chioggia has two museums to note: the Museum of Adriatic Zoology and the Parish Museum. We imagine that most visitors skip them due to limited time and the incredible museums they may have at home, but in case it's raining and you want to see local artifacts, it could be an interesting thing to do.
FAQs About Chioggia Answered
Is Chioggia Better than Venice?
It’s unlikely any tourist would think Chioggia is better than Venice in terms of being a tourist destination with a lot to do and see. The exception would be for anyone who wants to truly be in a small town that’s more authentically Italian than Venice is nowadays. Tourists outnumber residents in Venice, whereas it’s the opposite in Chioggia.
Is Chioggia Worth Seeing?
Yes, it is. I wouldn’t be sad to miss it, per se, because we’ve been fortunate enough to have visited a countless number of small, charming towns throughout Europe. Yet, I’m glad time allowed us to see it firsthand. It certainly has its appeal.
If you have time before your cruise starts and there is an easy way to get to the downtown area, like the shuttle Viking provides its guests, it’s worth a visit.
I can’t imagine staying there overnight before a cruise unless it’s just to sleep, board the ship the next day, and have some meals in town. Or, if you want to use it as a base to travel around the area with a rental car, it could work well, depending on where you want to go. H
However, I can think of better places to base yourself in that case, like nearby Bologna, where we stayed in the days leading to our nights in downtown Venice before boarding the Viking ship in Chioggia. It's much easier to get around that part of Italy in a city like Bologna, with easy access to a major train station.
But to reiterate, downtown Chioggia is worthy of some of your time.
Where do Cruise Ships Dock in Chioggia?
It’s always best to confirm the port address where your ship will be docked with your cruise line. It’s likely on your boarding documents. But, if it helps, our Viking Ocean ship, Viking Saturn, was docked at this address:
Chioggia Cruise Terminal, Via Isola Saloni, Chioggia, Italy
Note that there is also another docking point for Viking ships leaving from “Venice,” in Fusina. Fusina and Chioggia are not the same port! Fusina is much closer to downtown Venice and mainland Venice than Chioggia is.
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