Have you ever ever thought of biking in Venice? I do know, it sounds type of laborious with all these bridges – however fortunately, the Venice Lagoon and islands provide loads of enjoyable bike rides. Let’s uncover the very best 5!
First issues first – you possibly can’t cycle in Venice itself. The calli are too slender, too crowded, and bikes would current a hazard. You possibly can’t take your bike into the historic centre, and you can also’t take scooters and skateboards. These travelling with their very own bike must go away it in storage earlier than coming into the Venice historic centre – I’ll present extra data under.
So, why the hell am I even speaking about biking in Venice? As a result of there’s way more to discover within the Venetian Lagoon past town itself. The Venetian Lagoon is the enclosed bay surrounding town of Venice, made up of a number of low-lying islands and strips of land, lots of that are linked by bridges, ferries or water buses, making it straightforward to mix a number of islands in a single single bike journey.
The complete territory of the Venetian Lagoon is flat, with no climbs save for a number of bridges or overpasses. The itineraries described under comply with a mixture of cycleways, unpaved paths, and secondary roads. Save for top season, there’s little or no visitors – making these bike rides close to Venice supreme for households and newbie cyclists.
Let’s take a look at these 5 greatest bike rides close to Venice, exhibiting you an offbeat, nature-focused expertise within the Venetian Lagoon, away from the vacationer crowds of the historic centre!
Finest Bike Rides Close to Venice
1) Giro Laguna
- Size: 40 km
- 80% paved, 20% unpaved
When you’ve got little time to go biking in Venice and might solely match one bike journey, the Giro Laguna itinerary ought to be it. In simply 40 km, this itinerary covers loads of what makes the Venetian Lagoon a singular place – the gorgeous surroundings suspended between water and land, offbeat villages the place only some souls reside, and the interaction between nature and mankind that dates again centuries.
The Giro Laguna 40 km loop begins and ends from Jesolo Lido, an amazing base for everybody seeking to discover the Venice Lagoon on two wheels. Jesolo Lido is a seaside resort, busy in summertime, and very quiet from October to April.
The itinerary heads west from Jesolo Lido. and follows the cycleway alongside the financial institution of the River Sile, earlier than reaching Cavallino, a tiny village with Venetian-style buildings
From Cavallino, the itinerary continues west following a protected cycle path hanging over the lagoon, with scenic views particularly at sundown. That is additionally an amazing birdwatching website – watch egrets and herons swoop down between the reeds earlier than taking a flip north heading in direction of Lio Piccolo, an almost-abandoned village with solely 22 residents, set on a group of islands.
This a part of the bike journey may be very scenic – you’ll be biking down a highway surrounded by the lagoon on each side, with barene (intertidal flatlands) lined with grasses and wildflowers, in addition to valli di pesca, areas throughout the lagoon the place fish have been farmed ever for the reason that eleventh century.
After Lio Piccolo, it’s doable to take a ferry throughout to Lio Maggiore, journey 6 km on unpaved roads again to the mainland, after which shut the loop heading again to Jesolo. If you wish to journey the total loop, you’ll want to e-book your ferry passage forward of time on Blue Dream Cavallino (April-October solely, Wed-Solar).
You will discover extra data about this itinerary (and plenty of different Venice bike rides) on the Venezia e Lagune Bike web site, accumulating info to go biking in Venice and bike-friendly motels.
2) Lido-Pellestrina-Chioggia
- Size: 25 km
- 90% paved, 10% unpaved
Don’t let the brevity of this bike journey idiot you – it’s going to nonetheless take you a lot of the day to cycle from Venice Lido, to Pellestrina and eventually to Chioggia, discovering two numerous islands and the southernmost city within the Lagoon, a type of smaller and more chilled version of Venice.
This itinerary begins on the fundamental Lido vaporetto (ferry/water bus) cease, Santa Maria Elisabetta (SME on Google Maps) within the northern a part of the island. From there, journey south following By way of Sandro Gallo all the way in which to Malamocco, or alternatively cycle alongside the Lungomare, previous all the flamboyant motels and the Palazzo del Cinema the place the yearly Venice Cinema Festival is held each September.
For those who opted to journey alongside the Lungomare, you possibly can comply with the Murazzi, a slender lane on prime of big stones positioned over 200 years in the past to guard the shore from erosion. The Murazzi are for pedestrians solely, however when you’re there within the low season and there are not any individuals round, there can be nobody to cease you 🙂
The hamlet of Malamocco is likely one of the oldest within the Venetian Lagoon, relationship again to Roman instances. Cycle by means of all the way in which to Alberoni, on the southern tip of Lido island, the place each half an hour you possibly can catch vaporetto n. 11 to Pellestrina.
Experience 8 km down the size of Pellestrina island, passing all of the villages – Santa Maria del Mare, San Pietro in Volta, and eventually namesake Pellestrina, the place you catch water bus n.11 to Chioggia. It’s an absolute delight to cycle round Pellestrina – the island is admittedly offbeat and actually slender at factors, providing you with the sensation of really being on an island.
In Chioggia, spend a while biking round, or perhaps even heading throughout the bridge to Sottomarina. Then, it’s time to retrace your steps to move again to the place to begin!
3) Grande Guerra – Blue Itinerary
- Size: 25 km
- 70% paved, 30% unpaved
The Grande Guerra – Blue Itinerary is a ring-shaped route extending from Jesolo to the banks of the River Piave in Cortellazzo, and again to Jesolo following the course of a canal. This space was the place the Italian military retreated after the defeat in Caporetto in 1917, earlier than overcoming the Austro-Hungarian troops a 12 months later within the battle that ended World Conflict I on the Italian entrance.
The loop begins in Jesolo, proper reverse the church of San Giovanni Battista. The Neo-Romanesque church you see right now dates again to the early twentieth century, however there was a church on this location ever for the reason that twelfth century. Earlier than heading off in your journey, take a minute to have a look at the 2 World Conflict I memorials reverse each other – one devoted to fallen troopers, in entrance of the church, and a second one to recollect fallen sailors.
Then, cycle following the course of the River Sile because it bends to the left. Hold following the cycle path for about 2 km – you’ll be on the outskirts of Jesolo by now, with farmland in your proper, outlets and eating places in your left. Quickly you’ll be leaving visitors behind and crossing a quiet residential neighbourhood, earlier than heading in direction of the banks of the Piave.
Right here you have got two decisions – if you’re on a highway bike, maintain following By way of Massaua for about 4 km, till you attain the boat bridge throughout the Piave. Alternatively, when you’ve got a mountain or gravel bike you possibly can comply with the unpaved path working on the correct financial institution of the Piave, all the way in which to the boat bridge.
The itinerary continues alongside By way of Massaua in direction of Cortellazzo, the place you’ll discover a small fishing harbour and the quietest seashores in Jesolo. Experience over the bridge spanning the Cavetta canal, then proceed alongside the canal all the way in which again to Jesolo – within the distance, you’ll see the belltower of the San Giovanni Battista Church, getting nearer and nearer as you journey on.
4) Sant’Erasmo
- Size: 12 km
- 90% paved, 10% unpaved
Are you on the lookout for a actually fast and simple bike journey in considered one of Venice’s most offbeat and unknown islands? Then, head to Sant’Erasmo, an island within the northern a part of the Lagoon identified for hundreds of years as ‘Venice’s vegetable backyard’.
If you’re staying in Venice, you possibly can catch vaporetto n.13 to Sant’Erasmo – you possibly can take bikes on the boat in summer time, or alternatively you possibly can lease a motorbike in Sant’Erasmo at B&B Il Lato Azzurro. If you’re staying in Jesolo, you possibly can journey to Treporti following the ‘Giro Laguna’ itinerary described above, then book a ferry at Albatros Tour – examine schedule prematurely.
The loop round Sant’Erasmo is straightforward and nice – principally, simply comply with the highway circling across the perimeter of the island, stopping at leisure to admire the vegetable gardens. There, distinctive merchandise are grown, together with cardi, asparagus, and purple artichokes referred to as castraure, bought at Rialto Market and at fancy eating places throughout Venice.
5) Greenway Treviso-Jesolo
- Size: 52 km
- 60% paved, 40% unpaved
After a fast and simple journey, it’s time for a longer biking journey from Jesolo to Treviso, following the banks of the River Sile.
From Jesolo, you’ll need to cycle for about 4 km to Torre del Caigo, a medieval tower positioned on the banks of the Sile. Then, comply with the unpaved highway on the left hand aspect of the bridge for six km to Caposile, then cross the scenic boat bridge and head west. After about 4 km, you’ll have the Sile on one aspect, and the lagoon on the opposite, providing you with the sensation of biking in a liminal land the place the excellence of the place the water ends shouldn’t be so clear.
Hold following the twists and turns of the river all the way in which to Oasi di Trepalade, a nature reserve the place waterbirds nest between reeds and hedges. Take a break on this peaceable oasis after which proceed alongside the riverbank to Musestre, the place the ruins of a Longobard tower survive on the sting of the river.
Trepalade additionally marks the midway level of this route. There are loads of different locations to cease at, relying in your tastes and preferences – just like the church at Casale sul Sile with frescoes by Tiepolo, the little harbour in Casier with a singular water clock, or the Cimitero dei Burci, the place historical boats used to sail down the river have been deserted.
From there, it’s solely an additional 8 km to Treviso, a nice medium-sized city additionally identified for being the birthplace of tiramisu. By now, you’ll positively deserve one!
Biking in Venice – Sensible Data
Finest Time to Go Biking in Venice
It’s doable to go biking in Venice year-round, however the very best instances are positively late summer time, early autumn, and spring, when the temperature is right and the crowds on ferries and water buses are much less of a difficulty. These biking itineraries cowl offbeat areas and islands, visited by few individuals even in excessive season, however the seaside round Jesolo may be very busy through the summer time vacation season.
Winter is one other good time to cycle close to Venice – it by no means will get actually chilly, and also you’re positive to have the place to your self. The one instances I might keep away from are the busy summer time months (June/July/August) when it’s too scorching to cycle with ease.
The place to Lease a Bike Close to Venice
For those who don’t have your individual bike, I like to recommend consulting the Venezia & Lagune Bike website and selecting a bike-friendly resort, which will even type out bike rental for you. Relying in your preferences, funds, and chosen itinerary, you possibly can select between mountain bikes, electrical bikes, metropolis or highway bikes.
All of those itineraries embrace unpaved sections, so hybrid or mountain bikes are most likely the very best choices.
Finest Bike Resort Close to Venice
Hotel Germania is positioned in Jesolo Lido, and it’s one of many few motels within the space to open year-round. They shut for a number of weeks between December and January, however open once more in time for Venice Carnival in February.
The resort presents snug rooms, all individually adorned, in two renovated buildings steps away from the seaside. There’s additionally a restaurant on website, serving conventional specialties for resort friends choosing half or full board.
Visiting cyclists can make the most of a motorbike room, providing safe storage and a piece desk for small repairs. In excessive season, the resort additionally commonly organizes bike excursions for friends, together with bike rental, a packed lunch, helmets and even bike shorts.
Get in contact with Tania, the pleasant proprietor, by way of the resort web site – she’s one of many most passionate hoteliers I’ve ever met in my life, and her mission is organizing unforgettable experiences for her friends.
Bike Storage in Venice
Are you on a biking journey round Venice with your individual bike, and need to go to Venice for a number of days? As talked about firstly of this text, you possibly can’t take bikes in any respect into Venice, not even when you stroll them.
The simplest answer is leaving your bike in one of many safe bins at stage -1 of the large automotive park in Piazzale Roma. The fee is €10 per day, and you too can cost your bike if it’s electrical or have digital shifting. You will discover more info here!
On the lookout for extra biking itineraries round Northern Italy? Listed here are our guides about two itineraries in Emilia-Romagna, the Ciclovia del Sole and Dante’s Way!
