Chioggia

Chioggia sits at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon on a grid of canals crossed by bridges, laid out along one long central street, the Corso del Popolo, with parallel canals either side. Unlike Venice it is primarily a working fishing port: the fleet lands here and the covered fish market operates in the morning, supplying much of the region. The town has a Venetian look without Venetian prices or crowds. Goldoni set his play Le Baruffe Chiozzotte here, based on the local temperament and dialect. Sottomarina, on the seaward side, is a long sandy beach resort with its own separate character.

What you actually see

• The canal grid - parallel waterways along one central street.
• The fish market - a working morning market supplying the region.
• The fishing fleet - boats landing catch rather than carrying tourists.
• Sottomarina beach - a long sand resort on the seaward side.

When to go

April to October; the fish market runs in the morning on weekdays. Summer fills Sottomarina with beach visitors. Winter is quiet and damp.

Honest expectations

It is a working town, not a preserved one, with traffic and ordinary buildings alongside the canals. The market closes by early afternoon and on Sundays and Mondays.

Nearby

Venice lies north up the lagoon; the Po delta is south.