Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara
A flat, quiet trip through Italy’s largest wetland: fishing towns, mussel lagoons, a Romanesque abbey and the Renaissance city of Ferrara.
- Distance
- 154 km (96 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 08 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- September 16, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 154 km (96 mi) with 6 stops, from Chioggia to Ferrara. About 2 h 08 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy · More road trips from Treviso
Route description
Chioggia, at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon, is a working fishing town of canals and a long main street with a morning fish market. Head south on the SS309 Romea, a busy road with heavy trucks, and turn off into the delta at Porto Viro.
Minor roads run along the dykes to the Sacca degli Scardovari, a lagoon of mussel farms and fishermen’s huts, and on to the lighthouse and river mouths of the Po. It is ideal country for bikes, and bird-watchers come in spring and autumn for herons and flamingos.
Back on the Romea, the Gran Bosco della Mesola preserves a piece of the old coastal forest, and Pomposa Abbey’s bell tower rises out of the fields a few kilometres south. Comacchio, with its bridges and canals, has boat trips into the salt marshes of the Valli di Comacchio.
Finish inland in Ferrara, where the Este castle and moat stand in the centre and the city walls make a nine-kilometre ring for walking or cycling. Summer brings mosquitoes and heat, so spring and autumn are the best seasons; the flat roads and many rest areas suit motorhomes.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Chioggia
Italy - 249 km
Sacca degli Scardovari
NaturePorto Tolle, ItalyA wide lagoon at the mouth of the Po lined with mussel and clam farms and fishermen’s huts. Birdlife is best in spring and autumn; bring insect repellent in summer.
- 320 km
Gran Bosco della Mesola
NatureMesola, ItalyA surviving piece of the ancient coastal forest, home to a rare native deer. Walking and cycling paths start at the visitor car park; check the open days before you go.
- 47 km
Pomposa Abbey
HistoryCodigoro, ItalyA Benedictine abbey with a tall Romanesque bell tower rising out of the flat delta, where the monk Guido d’Arezzo developed musical notation. Frescoes cover the church interior.
- 519 km
Trepponti, Comacchio
HistoryComacchio, ItalyA 17th-century bridge with five staircases meeting over the canals of Comacchio, a lagoon town famous for eels. Boat trips run into the Comacchio wetlands, home to flamingos.
- 659 km
Ferrara
Italy
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Chioggia → Sacca degli Scardovari · 49 km · 0 h 40 minOvernight nearby, for example: Agriturismo Caprissio (7 km); Villaggio Barricata (5 km).
- Day 2: Sacca degli Scardovari → Trepponti, Comacchio · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Gran Bosco della Mesola, Pomposa Abbey.Overnight nearby, for example: Vigna sul Mar Camping Village (5 km); Mare e Pineta (7 km).
- Day 3: Trepponti, Comacchio → Ferrara · 59 km · 0 h 49 minOvernight nearby, for example: Lucciole nella Nebbia (Village ecosostenibile) (19 km); Parcheggio Camper Rampari di San Rocco (1 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara?
3-day road trip of about 154 km (96 mi) with 6 stops, from Chioggia to Ferrara. About 2 h 08 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 08 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara start and end?
It starts in Chioggia and ends in Ferrara.
Which countries does Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara pass through?
Italy.
Where can you camp along Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara?
OpenStreetMap lists 56 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Al Porto, Tredue and Camping Adige.
When is the best time for Po Delta: lagoons, abbeys and Ferrara?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
