Brenta Riviera Villas & Boat Cruise
Riviera del Brenta
Dozens of Venetian aristocratic villas dot the canal between Padua and Venice, and a historic boat cruise makes for a memorable day trip.
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Venetian nobles built summer villas along the Brenta River, and dozens still stand along the stretch from Stra to Dolo and Mira. Cruise boats such as the Il Burchiello run between Padua and Venice from March to October. The journey takes about 8 hours, passing through several locks and drawbridges, with stops at villas such as Pisani, Widmann and Foscari for visits. You can also cycle or take the bus to explore the river at your own pace.
Opening hours
Cruises March–October, Tue–Sun
Nearby sights
- Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta)
- Ca' Rezzonico
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco
- Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
- Venetian Ghetto
- Fondaco dei Turchi (Natural History Museum)
- Accademia Bridge & Gallerie dell'Accademia
- Giudecca