Intermodal sections: bike + boat
Things to see en route
Pedalling along the narrow strip of land which divides the sea from the lagoon means perceiving the delicate balance maintained for centuries between these two different environments and the great effort the Serenissima made towards this end. Having arrived at the Lido of Venice with the ferry from Punta Sabbioni, you pedal alongside famous hotels which bring the Belle Epoque to mind, to then continue along the murazzi, a centuries old barrier system to defend the Lido from the sea. You reach the small historical centre of Malamocco, which still has its fascination of days gone by, when it was even the capital of the Venetian dogate. Touching the edges of the lagoon you reach Alberoni – an interesting natural oasis – here you catch the ferry for the island of Pellestrina. Now you enter the fishing kingdom: most of the inhabitants of the three main districts – Portosecco, San Pietro in Volta and Pellestrina – still carry out this activity to this day. Among glimpses of the lagoon, moored fishing boats, sheets hung out to dry and fishing casoni, you reach the southern tip of the island, where you can visit the Ca’ Roman natural oasis and enjoy the splendid view of Chioggia which is opposite.
Description
The Lido of Venice island offers many ideas for excursions, from the many Liberty style villas to the important monastery of Saint Nicholas, from the monumental Jewish cemetery to the more recent Votive Temple. Starting out from piazzale Santa Maria Elisabetta head towards the promenade passing by the huge former Hotel Des Bains and Hotel Excelsior, with their characteristic Moorish style. You pedal on a cement surface along the ancient walls reaching Malamocco, the ancient Metamauco, where there is the beautiful XV century Palace of the Podestà and the church of Holy Mary of the Assumption. Then – after a panoramic ride with a view of some little islands – you reach Alberoni, where there is a prestigious golf club and the interesting oasis of the Alberoni Dunes, managed by the WWF. When you reach the entrance to the canal which connects the sea to the lagoon – the harbour mouth – , you catch the ferry-boat which gets you to Pellestrina island in about 10 minutes. Here you continue on a well signed cycling path into the small town centres on this picturesque little island. The first place is San Pietro in Volta, which you cross on the lagoon side, riding past many moored fishing boats. In the doorways you can still see some old ladies working tombolo lace, a tradition which can be seen in the local Lace Museum. Long rows of clothes hanging out to dry at the windows welcome the cyclists, and you can often see the locals organising barbeques on the banks, roasting the fish which has just been caught. Then you pass through Portosecco and reach Pellestrina, where there is All Saints’ Church. When you get to the landing stage of the ferry for Chioggia, you can instead continue along a route at the edge of the lagoon, unprotected, which in 2 kilometres leads you to the very interesting Ca’ Roman natural oasis.
Conditions: route on mixed traffic roads, with some kilometres of asphalted cycling path and one stretch (on the Pellestrina island) dirt road
Useful addresses
IAT Tourist Information Office Punta Sabbioni
piazzale Punta Sabbioni, 30010 Cavallino Treporti
T. +39 041 5298711
info@turismovenezia.it
IAT Tourist Information Office Chioggia
Centro storico, Palazzo Ravagnan, Riva Vena 895, 30030 Chioggia
T. +39 041 5298711
info@turismovenezia.it
IAT Tourist Information Office Venezia
T. +39 041 5298711
info@turismovenezia.it
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