If you’re planning on camping near Venice, you’ve come to the right place. This complete guide to Marina di Venezia will detail why Marina di Venezia is one of the best Venice campsites, including prices, amenities, how to get there, the private beach and restaurants.
Even if you didn’t think that camping is for you, I promise that by the end of this post you’re going to completely rethink where to stay in Venice!
Apart from being one of the best budget stays in Venice, a holiday at Marina di Venezia ticks all the boxes for an Italian holiday with a difference. Make the most of the wonderful Italian climate, food and hospitality, while seeing a different side to one of the country’s most iconic destinations.
Located on the Venetian Lagoon, but still on the Italian mainland, Marina di Venezia campsite can be reached by car without having to take any ferries, while still enjoying a privileged seafront position. Camping near Venice has never been so easy, elegant and fun!
Read on for 10 reasons why you should choose to stay in Marina di Venezia in my comprehensive review of my own holiday at this luxury camping village. All the photos are my own, taking with my phone camera, to keep things candid and real!
1. Marina di Venezia review: It’s a five star campsite
I had never heard of a five-star campsite before I visited Marina di Venezia. What does that even mean? Well, it starts with a sensation when you arrive in reception and see the well-maintained roads and gardens, and smart staff in their red and gold livery.
Then it carries on throughout the entire camping experience, encapsulated in the friendly welcome and knowledge of everyone working there. While many guests to the campsite bring their own tents and caravans, the on-site holiday homes are also spotless and well-spaced to provide maximum privacy whilst camping near Venice.
What is most striking, however, is the range and quality of amenities. From the onsite supermarket and shopping street with freshly baked bread and a spotless fishmonger, to the two incredible pools with water slides, private beach, gourmet restaurants and breakfast bars, quality runs like a rich seam through the whole experience.
The complete nature of the goods and services on site, in fact, mean that it’s actually better known as as camping village rather than simply as a campsite. Read on for more details – but trust me, it’s earned its stars!
2. Marina di Venezia review: Incredible location for camping near Venice
Marina di Venezia is located at the mouth of the Venetian Lagoon, facing out onto the Adriatic Sea. It’s on a long, slender promontory of land which is directly opposite the world famous Lido di Venezia and a short boat trip away from some of its most iconic islands, including Murano and Burano. Here you are not only camping near Venice – you’re part of the action!
But what is perhaps even more interesting is that the peninsula on which it stands is itself one of the most underestimated stretches of Venetian soil.
Culminating in Cavallino, jewel-like tiny towns such as Lio Piccolo and Treporti are distinguished by lofty Venetian bell-towers and characteristic fishermen’s cottages, well-worth visiting in themselves.
Hire a bike from the campsite or jump in a boat from the Marina di Cavallino to explore the northern splendours of the lagoon and enjoy parts of Venice most travellers have never seen.
Visit a Second World War army base, and find out wny this was such a strategic location for Italy and the Allies during WW2. Stop for lunch in the extraordinary Locanda Zanella in Treporti for fresh, locally caught fish served in the typical, Venetian sour style, or how about a black squid-ink risotto? Followed of course by typical, Venetian cakes. Yum!
Oh, and did I also mention that this incredible location means that Marina di Venezia has its own private beach – a kilometre of silky, golden sand, just for the residents of the campsite? More on that later!
3. Marina di Venezia review: Accommodation for everyone
Whether you’re an experienced camper, prefer to travel light and move into accommodation when you arrive, or are just looking for a family-friendly escape with all the amenities on hand, Marina di Venezia is an outstanding choice for camping near Venice.
The camping village can host up to 12,000 guests, but you wouldn’t imagine that there are so many people on site, due to the clever lay out, camping options and holiday homes in spacious pine groves, and the fact that this enormous resort boasts around 80 hectares of land, including a huge private beach.
500 personnel are on hand to help 24 hours a day, whether working in and around the restaurants and bars, assisting on the beach or with kids clubs, or stepping in for a medical emergency or problem.
Campsite prices start at around €5 per person per night in low season, rising to €38 for the largest pitch in high season, from 30 June through 24 August. That’s incredible value when you take into consideration the maintenance and on-site facilities. The minimum stay in low season is 2 days, with a 7 day stay required in high season. It’s also dog friendly, with a dedicated area for campers with dogs!
Other accommodation options include comfortable and elegant holiday homes – comprising small yet spacious wooden bungalows – in different styles throughout the camping village. Expect to pay anything from around €70 per night for two sharing in low season, rising to €140 per night in peak season. Larger bungalows host up to 7 people, with considerable savings. Some even have jacuzzis on their porches, and all have private kitchens and private bathroom facilities. The minimum stay in low season is 3 nights, in high season 7 nights.
I know you love to see candid photos, so here’s the 6-bed bungalow where I stayed. It had one room with a double bed, plus a second room with 4 bunks. There was also a dining kitchen area, plus a big table outside on the porch.
A third option is the Marina di Venezia apartments, dubbed Marina Open. These are open all year round and offer spacious self-catering accommodation in purpose built blocks from €90 for two people sharing in low season. Four people can share for €210 in the largest apartment in high season, and a minimum stay is required (3 nights in low season, 7 nights in high).
4. Marina di Venezia review: Family-friendly fun
The list of amenities and entertainment options at Marina di Venezia really blew me away. From sports and dance classes for fitness fans, creche clubs and even a chance for the little ones to shine on stage, there are lots of (multi-lingual) options for children, reflecting the fact that families visit from all over Europe and even the world. Just another reason it’s one of the best options for camping near Venice.
Expect nightly entertainment, including music and dance – we even caught a world-famous illusionist on stage!
For when you want to chill with your family, the swimming pools are just sensational resources for the young and not so young, while umbrellas available for hire on the beach help protect delicate skin.
There are kids menus in most restaurants, crazy golf, and a small theme park with go carts and adventure playground, plus a train that run rounds the grounds for fun. Don’t miss the other slide park on the beach, as well as plenty of lively activities in the kids clubs. So much fun!
5. Marina di Venezia review: Sensational swimming pools
I am going to lead with the photography on this category, so you can see exactly what I’m talking about. The pool area comprises six pools in total, with more than 15,000 m2 of water-based fun.
Towering seahorses tipping buckets of water on delighted children, waterslides, wave pools, jacuzzi and jet tubs as well as sensible lanes for people that want to do some proper swimming keep everyone happy.
Expect clean, and well-organised facilities, well-trained staff and lifeguards, as well as a general air of good behaviour and politeness which really made my day. Just another reason to pick Marina di Venezia for camping near Venice.
This is a pool you’re going to keep wanting to come back to – and as a backdrop at sunset for some family photos, you really can’t beat it!
6. Marina di Venezia review: Private beach for camping near Venice
Not going to lie – I think the private beach is my number one reason why I will come back to Marina di Venezia.
I have travelled all over Italy in search of sensational beaches and never thought to find one quite this lovely on this stretch of the Adriatic coast. Just another reason it’s one of the best options for camping near Venice.
Clean and well cared for, it’s full of families having fun, but the overall sensation is one of space and peace. Two smart areas with deckchairs and umbrellas for hire – and incredibly clean and spacious bathrooms and toilet facilities – are divided by stretches of free beach, which just invite you to throw down a towel and sunbathe. The beach itself offers a glorious 300,000 m2 of leisure space.
The tides are minimal and the waves are fairly tame, due to its Lagoon location. Simply stunning. There’s also a stretch of dog-friendly beach, in case you brought along your furry friend.
A couple of bars and restaurants on the beach also give you a good excuse to come back at sunset or after dark. In addition, night security on the campsite entrances to the beach means that Marina di Venezia residents can feel super safe at night as well.
7. Marina di Venezia review: Shopping and groceries
One of the first things that strikes you about Marina di Venezia is the incredibly smart main promenade, lined with shops and culminating in the stage and entertainments, with the two swimming pools beyond.
Expect two yummy ice-cream stores with freshly made Italian gelato daily; a huge Spa supermarket with fresh food counters and an hard-to-miss booze aisle which faces the street and will definitely catch your eye.
Then there is a fishmonger, prepared to fillet and prepare fish you want to cook, as well as serving fresh, ready to eat takeaway dishes; a greengrocer and baker, where the smell of fresh bread in the morning wafts over the waiting shoppers.
Of course, there are also lots of shops for pleasant wandering morning and afternoon, selling leisure and beachwear, holiday mementos and gifts. There’s a fantastic unisex hairdresser too.
This whole area was completely redeveloped last year and is smart, clean and new. Every morning, the gardeners are out before the earliest guests, tidying up the flowerbeds, while the paving is always swept clean. No wonder it’s considered one of the best places to go camping near Venice.
8. Marina di Venezia review: Private restaurants
The other sensational aspect to the retail offer at Marina di Venezia is the comprehensive selection of restaurants and snack bars.
Tiramisu serves the most incredible breakfast selection – from simple croissants and coffee to waffles, shakes and club sandwiches, continuing with a fresh, casual dining theme all day. In the main piazza in front of the entertainment area, Piazza Marina restaurant has something for everyone, from pizzas and pasta, to local fish-based specialities.
I have to recommend in particular an amazing sword-fish carbonara, replacing the typical smoked pork with cubes of seared swordfish. It’s a fantastically satisfying dish but probably not ideal if you’re planning an afternoon dip in the pool.
Perhaps on your last night, save yourselves for a special treat at one of Marina di Venezia’s gourmet restaurants. PiacerMio excels in gourmet Venetian food with an excellent wine list. I tried the exquisite local dish, marinated sardines, for a healthy but tasty option.
The only restaurant on the beach, Calici e Mare is just the right mix of formal and casual and has an extremely romantic vibe.
9. Marina di Venezia review: Venice on your doorstep
Of course, one of the key benefits of staying at Marina di Venezia is the fact that the wonderful city of Venice is right on your doorstep. From Punta Sabbioni boat terminal it’s so easy to navigate to the nearby island of Burano, and from there, visit Torcello, The Lido or Murano.
These islands are a bit trickier to reach when you’re staying in the St Mark’s area, but from the Northern Lagoon the arrival is more peaceful and gives you a completely different view of this marvellous floating city. Reserve a water taxi for some bespoke fun to make the most of your time camping near Venice.
If you have time to call ahead, a visit to the private island of San Francesco del Deserto – home of a Franciscan Monastic community for centuries – is a must. Please call to arrange your visit however as this is private land. You can also spend time here on religious retreat.
Also consider hiring a boat with pilot to explore the Northern Lagoon – you won’t regret it!
10. Marina di Venezia review: Ideal for first-time campers and camping near Venice
My biggest takeaway from this holiday was that I have never considered a camping trip before, but after this five star experience I would definitely be more open-minded about booking a camping village in the future. I had a few reservations about community life, if the on-site entertainment would be to my taste or whether I would suffer from a lack of privacy, but the opposite was true.
The professional staff were incredibly discrete and only on hand when you needed them, whilst other campsite guests were extremely polite and everyone seemed to get along. The extraordinary amenities and pride with which Marina di Venezia is run also made all the difference. Highly recommended – the only challenge is getting a spot, as the campsite is fully booked every year. What else would you expect from the best place to go camping near Venice!
Check out the website for more details – and happy camping!
Marina di Venezia Camping Village
Via Montello, 6 Punta Sabbioni
30013 Cavallino Treporti (VE) Italy
Tel. +39 041 5302 511
Fax +39 041 966 036
contact: camping@marinadivenezia.it
Campsite open mid-May – mid-October; apartments open all year round
Testaccina was a guest of Marina di Venezia for four days in June 2018
You know what, I never would have thought you could camp near Venice. The time we visited Venice we stayed in the city which is what we love to do when visiting historical towns. But, honestly, it was hot, crowded and not that pleasant. So we said we’d come back one day perhaps in the fall. And since we love camping, you just gave me a fabulous idea. So thank you for that! I can’t believe how luxurious this place looks.
Thanks so much Bea! This experience really blew me away and was the perfect way to see a different side to Venice. I’m so glad I could try it and I’m so glad I inspired you too!
I never knew there was camping so close to Venice, and this place looks like so much fun. I love that you can rent bikes and explore around on your own, seeing parts of Venice that most people never see. Right up my alley. Great read!
Thanks Lori, yes I really enjoyed exploring this part of the Lagoon. Really special and a bit different!
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