Chioggia and Sottomarina form a destination with a double soul, at the southern tip of the Venice lagoon. On one side Chioggia, nicknamed “little Venice”: a lively fishing village built on islands and crossed by canals, with alleys, bridges and a fish market among the most characteristic in Italy. On the other Sottomarina, its long sandy beach overlooking the Adriatic, well-equipped and family-friendly. Together they offer a rare mix of lagoon authenticity and seaside holiday, a step from Venice and the Po Delta.
Choosing where to stay between Chioggia and Sottomarina means choosing the soul you prefer: the atmosphere of the historic village or the convenience of the beach. In this guide we tell you about both, with practical tips and a selection of properties among the most appreciated by travellers.
Chioggia: little Venice
Chioggia is a lagoon jewel with authentic charm. Its heart is the Canal Vena, crossed by bridges and lined with palaces, with the lively fish market and the fishermen’s colourful boats. The long main street, the Corso del Popolo, with its porticoes and the Sant’Andrea clock tower — among the oldest tower clocks in the world — is the city’s drawing room. Sleeping here means experiencing the atmosphere of a Venice in miniature, more genuine and working-class, among quiet alleys and fish trattorias.
It’s the ideal choice for those seeking authenticity, atmosphere and a holiday that combines sea and culture, with Sottomarina beach a few minutes away. Don’t miss a walk early in the morning, when the fishermen return and the fish market comes alive: it’s the moment when Chioggia shows its truest soul. Here are three recommended addresses in the old town.
B&B Basta Bussare
A welcoming B&B in the old town of Chioggia, with a solarium terrace and air-conditioned rooms. The right way to experience “little Venice” between canals and the fish market, with Sottomarina beach a short distance away: a well-kept and well-located base.
Casa Cuccagna Chioggia
An adults-only guesthouse in the centre, overlooking the Canal Vena directly. Waking up with the view over the canal and the fishermen’s boats is a unique experience: an address of charm in the most authentic and evocative heart of Chioggia.
B&B La Corte
A welcoming B&B in the old town of Chioggia, with an inner garden and breakfast. Well-kept and well located, it combines the calm of a green space with the convenience of being a stone’s throw from the canals and the Corso del Popolo: ideal for discovering the city on foot.
Sottomarina: the beach
Sottomarina is Chioggia’s beach, a long stretch of golden sand overlooking the Adriatic, well-equipped and awarded the Blue Flag. Its sand, rich in iodine and minerals, is known for its beneficial properties, and the sea with its gentle depths makes it ideal for families. With its promenade, beach clubs and a lively offer of hotels and restaurants, it’s the perfect destination for a convenient and well-organised seaside holiday, with the charm of the historic village a step away.
Sottomarina’s great advantage is precisely this double face: by day the beach and relaxation, in the evening a stroll in the old town of Chioggia, with a dinner of freshly landed fish. It’s a formula that combines the best of the sea and the lagoon tradition, increasingly appreciated by those seeking a seaside holiday with something extra. Here are three recommended addresses.
Mosella Suite Hotel
An elegant hotel overlooking the lagoon in Sottomarina, with a private beach, a pool and a wellness centre. The huge number of satisfied guests confirms quality hospitality: the ideal base for a complete seaside holiday, between relaxation, beach and comfort.
Hotel Belvedere
A welcoming 3-star just 200 metres from Sottomarina beach, with a bar and parking. The large crowd of loyal guests speaks of reliable hospitality: a convenient and good-value base for a family seaside holiday, with everything within reach.
Albergo Felice
A family-run hotel in Sottomarina, just 250 metres from the beach. Simple, well-kept and welcoming, it’s the right choice for those seeking a convenient, good-value base to enjoy the sea without a care, a stone’s throw from Chioggia.
What to see and how to get around
The Chioggia-Sottomarina pair lets you alternate sea and culture in a few minutes. In Chioggia, don’t miss the walk along the Canal Vena and the Corso del Popolo, the Vigo bridge with its column, the Cathedral and the lively fish market, the heart of the fishing tradition. In Sottomarina you devote yourself to the beach and relaxation, with the chance of boat trips in the lagoon. The area is also an ideal base for exploring the Po Delta, with its unique landscapes, and for reaching Venice.
Chioggia is reached by car from the motorway, or by bus from Venice and Padua; the arrival by lagoon is evocative, by vaporetto and bus from Venice passing through the Lido and Pellestrina. The old town is largely pedestrian and walkable; between Chioggia and Sottomarina the connections are frequent. To plan your travel, see the guide on how to get to Veneto. In high season, it’s best to book the seafront properties ahead.
This guide is part of our journey through the region: discover all the areas and destinations in Where to Stay in Veneto.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Chioggia and Sottomarina.
Better to stay in Chioggia or Sottomarina?
It depends on what you’re after. Sleeping in Chioggia’s old town gifts the atmosphere of “little Venice”, between canals, alleys and the fish market, ideal for those who love culture and authenticity. Sottomarina is the right choice for those wanting to stay seafront, handy for the beach, with hotels and beach services. The two resorts are a few minutes apart, so you can easily combine the charm of the village with the convenience of the beach.
Why is Chioggia called little Venice?
Chioggia is nicknamed “little Venice” because, like the regional capital, it’s a lagoon city built on islands and crossed by canals, with alleys, bridges and palaces overlooking the water. Its Canal Vena, with the fishermen’s boats, strongly recalls the Venetian views, but with a more genuine and working-class atmosphere. It’s a living city, tied to fishing and tradition, offering the charm of Venice in a more authentic and human-scale version.
Is Sottomarina beach suitable for families?
Yes, very much. Sottomarina has a wide sandy beach, awarded the Blue Flag, with gentle, safe depths, ideal for children. Its sand, rich in iodine, is also known for its beneficial properties. The equipped beach clubs, the services and the proximity to the centre of Chioggia make it a convenient and well-organised destination for a family seaside holiday, with the chance to combine beach, culture and lagoon trips.
Can you visit Venice from Chioggia?
Yes. From Chioggia you reach Venice by bus or, more evocatively, by lagoon, with the vaporetto and bus passing through Pellestrina and the Lido. It’s a very pleasant trip, letting you combine the sea and atmosphere of Chioggia with a day in the lagoon city. Many choose Chioggia and Sottomarina precisely as a quieter and cheaper base to visit Venice and the coast.
How many days do you need for Chioggia and Sottomarina?
To visit the old town of Chioggia, half a day or a day is enough, strolling among the canals, the Corso del Popolo and the fish market. For a seaside holiday in Sottomarina you need more days, depending on how much relaxation you’re after. The ideal combination is a stay that pairs a few days of beach with the discovery of the village and trips in the lagoon and the Po Delta, to experience both souls of the destination.
