Brenta Boat Cruise To Venice

A full day on the water, traveling by boat from Padua toward Venice along the Brenta Riviera. You glide past the villas and riverbank scenery of the old canal route, ending the day in Venice.

Overview

This is a full-day river cruise that starts in central Padua and ends in Venice, following the old route of the 18th-century Burchiello boats between the two cities. You board at the Burchiello Stairway at Portello and travel down the Brenta Riviera on a boat with an open-air deck, passing villas, small towns, locks and swing bridges along the way.

The day is built around three guided villa visits, all with entry tickets included. You stop at Stra to tour the frescoed rooms of Villa Pisani, pause at Villa Widmann in Mira, an 18th-century mansion built by a noble family of Persian origin, and finish the villa stops at Malcontenta with Villa Foscari, a Palladian design and UNESCO World Heritage Site on the edge of the lagoon. Between stops, the on-board guide gives historic commentary on the villas you pass from the water. Lunch is not included in the fare; there is a stop at a historic restaurant in Oriago, and one reviewer noted a pizzeria and bar a short walk from the pier as an alternative.

The cruise finishes at the Pontile della Pietà landing stage on the Riva degli Schiavoni in Venice, near San Marco, with one reviewer reporting arrival around 5:30 pm. The trip suits travellers who want a slow, scenic day with history attached, and who are happy to make their own way back from Venice, since the return to Padua is not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Board at Portello, PaduaMeet at the Burchiello Stairway at Portello in Padua, the departure point for the cruise.
2. Cruise the Brenta RivieraTravel the original route of the 18th-century Burchiello boats, passing more than 50 villas along the banks, starting with Villa Giovanelli at Noventa Padovana.
3. Villa Pisani at StraDisembark for a guided tour of the frescoed villa and its monumental park, pool and stables. Entry is included.
4. Dolo and MiraContinue past Dolo and through its lock, with historic commentary on the villas seen from the river.
5. Villa WidmannJust past Mira Lock, stop for a guided tour of this 18th-century mansion. Entry is included.
6. Lunch at OriagoStop for lunch at the historic Burchiello restaurant. Lunch is not included in the tour price.
7. Villa Foscari at MalcontentaCruise past villages and swing bridges to Malcontenta for a guided tour of Palladio's Villa Foscari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry is included.
8. Arrive in VenicePass through the Moranzani Lock, cross the lagoon and dock at the Pontile della Pietà landing stage on the Riva degli Schiavoni, by San Marco.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this cruise.

• Getting back. The return from Venice to Padua is not included, so plan your own train or other transport back. One reviewer reported arriving in Venice around 5:30 pm, and the listing does not state a fixed arrival time, so allow flexibility in your evening plans.
• Lunch plans. Lunch is not included. The tour stops at a historic restaurant in Oriago, and one reviewer mentioned a pizzeria and bar within a short walk of the pier for those who prefer to eat independently.
• Commentary and languages. The guide gives historic commentary along the river and during villa tours. Several reviews praised the clarity of the explanations, and one noted the guide spoke in several languages, though an English speaker mentioned most of the group was Italian, so expect double translations.
• Luggage rules. Large bags are not allowed on board without a reservation. Suitcases, trolleys, big backpacks and travel or sport bags must be pre-booked as an extra on the booking page, with a fee per item, while handbags, cameras and small backpacks need no reservation.
• Pace of the day. This is a full-day trip combining long stretches of relaxed cruising on the open-air deck with three guided villa tours. Reviewers repeatedly described the day as relaxing and informative, and said the time at the villas felt well judged.
• Weather and water levels. The itinerary runs on the river, so conditions can affect the boat. One reviewer noted a smaller vessel was used because of drought, and the trip continued as planned.

Common issues. A few honest drawbacks come up. One reviewer found the price slightly high, and the summary of recent reviews notes some travellers wanted clearer communication from the operator during delays or itinerary changes. One English-speaking guest said most of the group was Italian, so commentary came with double translation, though the guide made every effort to keep everyone informed. Lunch and the return to Padua are both extra, and luggage must be pre-booked and paid for as an extra if you bring more than a small bag.

Common Questions