Discover Chioggia: Italy’s Hidden Gem, a Peaceful Alternative to Venice

Published on November 27, 2025

Over the years, Venice has become a poster child for overcrowding, losing their locals, and rising waters, and is now even a victim of overtourism, receiving 30 million people a year! But 50 minutes away is a hidden treasure that offers the same scenic canals, and has a more traditional Italian vibe. You might be surprised to hear that this is also known as ‘Little Venice.’ Overlooked by many, it’s become a great haven for people looking for the beauty of Venice, and looking to escape the chaos of the crowds.

Chioggia is a town in the Veneto region that is also a canal city! It is packed with the same features as Venice, including the same winding canals, historic buildings, and a rich maritime history, and even has half the tourists. This is the town that is absorbing the tourism that Venice is losing, and offers an intimate, and relaxed atmosphere from the hustle and bustle of big city.

Chioggia: Explaining the ‘Little Venice’ of the Veneto Region

Chioggia is a historic little city with a rich maritime history located in the southern end of the Venice Lagoon. It is also known as ‘Little Venice’ due to its charm, wealth of beauty, and pint-size Venetian elegance. The town has lovely assortment of colorful buildings, winding and quaint street, mini-vialing canals, and scenic markets enjoyed by the backdrop of the Lagoon’s natural beauty as it has a charm and beauty of its own.

While Venice has its grand tourist attractions such as the Grand Canal and popular busy piazzas, Chioggia is known for a more relaxing cultural experience. It has tiny walkway streets pit dropping with little cafes, bakeries, and boutiques as well as popular Venice seafood dish eateries. Chioggia also has its own famous land marks such as the lovely and historic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the famous and historical quarter that is a great view of the relaxing aesthetic canals, the Vigo Square.

Unlike the main attractions in Venice, tourists in Chioggia get a chance to interact more and build a rapport with the locals. Chioggia has a population of under 50,00, and retains the old working class charm, and gives a taste of a typical Venetian lifestyle, unlike the touristy parts of Venice.

A Growing Alternative to Venice’s Overtourism

With millions of tourists, the Venice travel industry has skyrocketed in the past few years making the city and its beauty suffer the consequences. The streets get overcrowded and the prices of accommodations have skyrocketed leaving a big strain on the environment and overwhelming the city. Overtourism Venice has been made increasingly difficult for travellers as the calm and charm of the city is overshadowed by the crowds.

Chioggia keeps the same charm and defining characteristics of Venice but is now more quiet and relaxed making it a more ideal travel spot. With the absence of mass tourism travelers are able to appreciate the beauty in the big, open streets and spacious canals where the atmosphere is calm allowing everyone to appreciate the beauty of the small town. Chioggia is a perfect getaway for those travelers looking for a calm or more authentic travel experience.

Access to Chioggia: Easy and convenient from Venice

Chioggia is very close to Venice, just a 50-minute drive or boat ride from town, and makes a great day or weekend trip from Venice. There are also public transportation options, such as buses and ferries, that remove the need to coordinate transportation yourself, so getting to Chioggia is very easy for travelers.

Chioggia serves as a nice break for Venice tourists, offering a different, less chaotic environment and focusing on the outdoors. It’s a great place to walk and explore the canals and seafood, and then take a break from the touristy and busy parts of Venice after you’ve enjoyed the activities Chioggia offers.

Chioggia is working to promote itself as a sustainable tourism destination, and the town expects visitors to recognize the value of the local culture and the surrounding natural area, and to promote eco-sensitive tourism. With overtourism becoming a greater issue for Venice, Chioggia is attempting to address it before becoming a tourist hotspot. With a focus on sustainable practices, the town seeks to attract travelers who understand the value in supporting local businesses and gaining a greener travel experience.

The town’s small size and slower pace of life make it perfect for those who want to explore and enjoy without the pressure of added, overbearing crowds. Chioggia offers tourists a more responsible travel opportunity by engaging and joining the local culture and history while helping the local economy in a more balanced way, unlike over-touristed Venice.

A Taste Of Venetian Life Without The Crowds

Chioggia’s the perfect solution for those who want to experience Venice without the added of those overbearing tourists. Chioggia has the same elements as Venice such as, scenic and breathtaking canals, old historic buildings, and a rich, diverse sea culture and heritage, but at a more relaxing pace. Walking the canals, savoring the abundant fresh seafood, and visiting the local, bustling fish market, Chioggia offers a more authentic and relaxing experience compared to the other incredibly popular and touristic spots in Venice.

One of the many charms of Chioggia is how simple and authentic it is. It is a representation of the daily life and activities of the locals of the Venetian Lagoon. Even with the tourism growth, visitors can bask in the day-to-day ambiance free of mass tourism. The growth of Chioggia is positive as a primary point of interest for travelers who appreciate the culture of Venice.

Ending Thoughts: Chioggia for Piece and Calmness

Chioggia is the ‘little Venice of Italy’, and offers the absence of a hustle and bustle to its neighboring famous Venice. It is, in a way, its Venice yes, but with the charm of a small town, it’s famous for its site of the Canal, with a culture full of life. Traveling to the Venetian Lagoon becomes a destination that is a piece and calmness for tourists. It is a positive impact of overtourism for Venice.