Delta of the Po, A guide to the beauties of the Po Delta in Veneto: bike or walking routes, boat trips, the most beautiful beaches, places to visit, and where to sleep.
Introduction to Delta of the Po:
What secrets lie hidden among the thick reeds? How far can the eye reach towards a horizon that seems infinite? What do you feel at the exact point where Italy’s longest river ends its journey? Let these questions guide you as you explore the Po Delta, a little-known area of Veneto that will leave you speechless. The only delta in Italy and the largest wetland in the country (and one of the largest in Europe), the Po Delta is the spectacular result of a prodigious joint effort of man and nature. Wind, erosion, reclamation, and the construction of dikes and fishing valleys have shaped over the centuries the intricate network of canals and lagoons that constitute the final stage of the Po’s long journey to the sea. The landscape continuously changes: a stretch of cultivated fields can be followed by a lagoon, a system of dunes, a forest, a reed bed, or typical elements of wetland areas such as shoals and floodplains. It is an enchanting environment, characterized by exceptional biodiversity. In a single day, you can admire poplars, shrubs, and orchids, flamingos, roseate gulls, and hundreds of other plant and animal species. This powerful magic does not have the same effect on everyone. Some define the Po Delta as desolate or even worse desolating: whether for the monotonous expanse of the plain, the fogs, or the mosquitoes, the Po Delta is not a holiday destination for everyone. However, if you start with the right spirit, accepting to move at a slow pace and embracing the peculiarities of this territory, you can experience one of the most rewarding travel experiences of your life. Perfect as a base for a relaxing and sustainable holiday in Veneto, the Po Delta can also be visited on a day trip from Venice or Padua.
Parco del Delta del Po Veneto:
To preserve the delicate ecosystem of the area, the Veneto Regional Natural Park of the Po Delta was established in 1997. The Veneto park includes the territory from the Adige River (to the north) to the Po di Goro (to the south); the protected areas cover a surface of 130 km². There is no park that includes the entire Delta territory: the lands that fall within the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna are part of a natural park established by the Emilia-Romagna region in 1988. Nine municipalities fall within the territory of the Veneto Po Delta Park: Adria, Ariano nel Polesine, Corbola, Loreo, Papozze, Porto Tolle, Porto Viro, Rosolina, and Taglio di Po. The park area can be roughly divided into four large zones. The first extends from Rosolina to Porto Viro and is characterized by fishing valleys, gardens, and dunes; this zone includes the Po di Venezia and the Via delle Valli. To the south extends the Isola di Ariano, a vast reclaimed countryside between two branches of the Po, while inland east of Porto Viro, in the direction of Rovigo, lies Adria, the largest town in the park. To the southwest of Porto Viro begins the large area of Porto Tolle, which extends to the southernmost tip of Veneto. Here the tangle of lagoons, Po branches, and sea outlets becomes denser.
What to see in the Po Delta:
The attractions not to be missed in the Po Delta are its scenic beauties, natural oases, and walking or cycling routes in the greenery. There are also a couple of interesting museums that tell the history and traditions of these lands and some iconic places that have entered the collective imagination, along with churches, villas, and period rural houses, some examples of industrial archaeology, and Etruscan and Roman remains. The list of things to see in the Po Delta presented below refers entirely to the Veneto territory: you will not find famous attractions such as the Abbey of Pomposa, the Mesola Forest, or the Comacchio Valleys because they are part of Emilia-Romagna.
Sacca di Scardovari:
Sacca di Scardovari is the most romantic and evocative point of the entire Delta, celebrated by artists, writers, and directors: many of the breathtaking photos you have seen on travel websites and magazines were taken here, scenes of famous films such as Paisà were shot here, and you can admire the most beautiful sunsets on the Delta here. The Sacca is a wide bend created by two strips of land of the Isola della Donzella where the Adriatic Sea wedges creating a body of water where salt and fresh waters mix. It might seem like a lake, but the fishermen’s huts and boats remind us that despite the great serenity we feel admiring this landscape, we are facing a challenging territory. The typical activity of Sacca di Scardovari is indeed clam harvesting, a hard job that requires early morning starts, hours in cold water, and meticulous attention to respecting the regulations protecting the delicate ecosystem of the Delta. The entire perimeter of the Sacca is crossed by a scenic provincial road.
Ponte di Barche Santa Giulia:
A symbol of the Delta territory is the boat bridge, the system used in the past to connect two villages located on opposite banks of the river. They were very common because they were cheaper than fixed bridges made of masonry, iron, or wood, and ferry boats. Three survive, still essential today for the movements of the locals. The longest is the boat bridge in Santa Giulia on the Po di Gnocca branch. The bridge we can cross today was built in the 1980s to replace a previous mobile bridge from the 1920s.
Isola di Albarella:
The most exclusive seaside resort in Veneto (even more than the Venice Lido!) is Albarella, a small private island in the Po Delta territory. You don’t need a boat to get there because the island is connected to the mainland by an artificial embankment… but you do need a special permit, which is only obtained by booking accommodation. There is a wide choice of accommodations between villas, hotels, residences, and terraced houses, but they are all mid-high range. The island of Albarella is proposed as an excellent resort in the name of environmental sustainability, perfect for families and sports enthusiasts. Staying in this green oasis allows you to experience a holiday in close contact with nature, away from the chaos of popular tourist destinations but in full comfort. The island has three equipped beaches, pedestrian and cycling paths, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and entertainment for children.
Faro di Punta Maistra:
The evocative charm of the Punta Maistra Lighthouse is something unique. It is not beaten by the crashing waves of the ocean and does not stand remote and solitary perched on a cliff over the sea: it is a white vertical element that breaks the placid horizontal continuity of the Po di Pila mouth, “planted” on an islet on the left bank of the river accessible only by boat. 45 meters high, it is another iconic place beloved by writers of the past and visitors of today. It was built after World War II to replace a 19th-century lighthouse destroyed during the conflict.
Porto Levante:
Among the many small villages of the Delta, Porto Levante is worth a visit, located at the mouth of the homonymous Po branch in the northernmost part of the park. This riverside village surrounded by greenery and waters resembles a typical fishing village, and indeed it lives mainly on fishing and tourism. Its position and the presence of a marina for pleasure boats make it an excellent starting point for boat trips to the sea, the lagoon, or the river branches.
Museo Regionale della Bonifica:
From the boundless green plain crossed by the river rises the tall chimney of the Ca’ Vendramin pump: it is the signal to follow to reach an interesting museum of industrial archaeology that tells the work done by man to make the Delta lands livable. The Ca’ Vendramin pump was built in the early 20th century and decommissioned after about sixty years. In these few decades, it became the protagonist of mechanical reclamation and the transformation of the Delta territory; it became useless after the Po di Goro floods in 1957 and 1960.
Museo l’Ocarina del Po:
The close bond between the inhabitants of the Delta and the Po river has also given rise to original artisanal and artistic traditions. A typical craft of the area is the construction of ocarinas, musical instruments similar to whistles made of terracotta and given various shapes. The Museo l’Ocarina del Po on the Isola di Ariano exhibits a collection of terracotta ocarinas made over a century by a local family.
Campo di lavanda del Delta:
Lavender was not a typical crop of the Po Delta, but since a farm on the Isola della Donzella posted photos of the fields covered with this elegant purple plant on social media, tourism in the area has soared. This little corner of Provence in northeastern Italy is a pleasant diversion to add to your travel program in the Po Delta. You can walk around the lavender fields (not in the middle), take a selfie with a picturesque purple background, and buy essential oils and other products… obviously based on lavender!
Beaches of the Po Delta:
Do you love beach holidays but hate famous seaside resorts with all their confusion? The Po Delta is the ideal destination for you. Here you can spend relaxing days on the beach in absolute tranquility, immersed in a beautiful landscape and silence. The beaches of the Po Delta all have similar characteristics: they are wide sandy beaches bathed by a calm sea, with gently sloping seabeds, and are bordered at the back by dunes and/or pine forests. The most well-kept is the Rosolina Mare Beach, which represents a good compromise between the comfort and services typical of a seaside resort and the quiet of the Po Delta. The Boccasette Beach and the Barricata Beach are wilder, characterized by shrubs and driftwood; in both cases, access to the beach is via a pedestrian bridge over a Po branch. The first is free, while the Barricata beach includes both free areas and beach clubs. Even wilder and more solitary are the beaches accessible only by boat, such as Scano Boa, Bacucco, and Scano Cavallari.
What to do in the Po Delta:
Yes to outdoor physical activity, no to exhausting sports feats? If this slogan sums up your desires well, then the Po Delta is an ideal destination for your holidays. The wide open spaces that can be explored on foot, by bike, or by boat will satisfy your desire to move, even better if you love slow rhythms because they are the best for savoring the special beauty of these places. Here is what you can do during a holiday in the Veneto Delta in detail.
Bike routes:
Whatever means you choose to get to the Po Delta, once here, try to move around by bicycle. It is the best means to travel along the dikes and dirt roads that connect the various locations and the only one that allows you to venture into the most remote corners of the park. No climbs, no dangerous roads: cycling in the Delta is an activity suitable for everyone and highly regenerating, just be careful to protect yourself from the sun during the day and mosquitoes in the evening (don’t forget an insect repellent!). The network of bike routes in the Po Delta includes short routes that can be completed in an hour or two and longer ones that require an entire day. Among these, one of the most famous is the Anello della Donzella, a circular route of about 60 km starting from Porto Tolle, and the Via delle Valli, which includes four routes between Rosolina, Porto Viro, and Porto Tolle ranging from 20 to 60 km (some circular, others straight).
Walking routes:
The Po Delta is the ideal area for those who love relaxing walks, easy and risk-free. You can walk for hours along the Po dikes, without encountering climbs, challenging passages, busy areas… or a living soul. Compared to the bike, walking allows you to cover shorter distances but gives you the opportunity to stop at any moment to take a photo, contemplate the beauty of the landscape, or simply listen to the silence. Like the bike, the only risks are sunstroke and mosquitoes: set off equipped. Some of the most beautiful walking routes in the Po Delta are within the WWF Panarella Oasis, rich in educational trails, the Porto Caleri Botanical Garden, and the Golena di Ca’ Pisani Oasis. Many bike tourism routes can also be walked, but care must be taken with the distances to avoid finding yourself walking on deserted roads after dark.
Boat trips:
An experience not to be missed during your trip or holiday in the Po Delta is a boat excursion: sailing through the canals is the best way to fully appreciate the peculiarities of this territory. The offers from local operators are very varied. The most popular are motorboat or small flat-bottomed boat excursions lasting one to three hours, but you can also choose longer trips that include lunch on board or return by bike. To have the same experience in an eco-friendly way, you can opt for sailing or canoeing trips, two slow, low-impact environmental means. In recent years, the proposals for fishing and fishing tourism have increased significantly: you can be accompanied on your boat trip in the Delta by a professional fisherman, fish with him, and stop at a typical hut on your return to eat the fresh fish dishes prepared with the ingredients you caught yourself.
Photography and birdwatching:
The great natural heritage of the Po Delta offers countless subjects for memorable photos: rare birds, romantic sunsets, the river meeting the sea, the simple charm of peasant civilization… That’s why the Delta is so loved by both professional photographers, who come here to add breathtaking shots to their portfolio to resell, and by enthusiasts who want to improve their technique. For birdwatching enthusiasts, it is a real paradise because the species that can be observed are so many, and in many places, there are special observation towers that allow you not to disturb the animals. The best areas for birdwatching and nature photography are the Ca’ Mello Oasis, the Via delle Valli Sud (especially the stretch between Porto Levante and Po di Maistra), and Valle Canelle. For sunset photos, the best area is the already mentioned Sacca di Scardovari. It is possible to participate in photographic tours or sightings accompanied by environmental guides.
Where to sleep in the Po Delta:
The town in the Po Delta that offers the widest choice of hotels and apartments is Rosolina Mare: it is a well-known seaside resort and the accommodations are mainly designed for families who want a typical beach holiday. In the Rosolina pine forest, there are also campsites and holiday villages, while moving inland, you can find modern 3 or 4-star hotels, including a spa hotel. The most important center in the Delta is the town of Adria, from which the Adriatic Sea takes its name. It is a town of 18,000 inhabitants, with shops and services, but it does not have a tourist vocation, and therefore the accommodations are very few. It can be a good base for those traveling by public transport, provided you book well in advance to secure one of the few available rooms. For those traveling by car, the best solution is to book one of the many farmhouses, B&Bs, or holiday homes scattered in the Delta: this allows you to fully immerse yourself in the landscape and the slow rhythms that characterize it. The recommended places to look for are Porto Viro, Porto Tolle, and Taglio di Po. The comfort and charm of these accommodations vary greatly: they range from unadorned structures to meticulously maintained period villas. If you are looking for something exclusive to experience nature in maximum comfort, the best place to stay for you is Albarella Island. It is a private island with restricted access, reserved only for guests of the villas, residences, and hotels.
