Holidays in Caorle, Metropolitan City of Venice

Savour the hospitality of a city with unmistakable Venetian origins

Wondering what you could do while staying in Caorle? Here are some of our tips on the main activities and places to visit in and around Caorle. The city of Caorle offers a wide range of activities throughout the year.

1 OLD TOWN IN CAORLE

This picturesque town has grown from an ancient fishing village to a modern tourist and seaside resort with a history stretching back thousands of years to Roman times.

The history of Caorle is linked to that of Venice from its birth and throughout the period in which it supplied the Venetian fleet with ships and sailors, until the decline that coincided with that of the Serenissima Republic.

The alleys of the old town centre give the impression of being in a corner of Venice, between calli and campielli. Until the mid-nineteenth century the centre was characterised by canals that were filled in over time. A visit to the city must include the Cathedral with its beautiful cylindrical bell tower and the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Angelo overlooking the sea.

2 MOTORBOAT TO VENICE

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this magnificent crossing, which starts from the port of Caorle, skirting the beaches of Eraclea, Jesolo and Cavallino, and finally docking in Venice. The motorboat departs from the port of Caorle at 8.00 a.m. every day, and returns to the port of Venice at 4.00 p.m.

Along the way you can enjoy the magical view of Venice's proud palaces, churches and monuments, and finally St Mark's Square, which will stand out in front of you in a unique way when seen from the sea.

3 SHOPPING

Caorle and its precious historic centre are dotted with shops and clubs. Strolling through the alleyways of the centre, enclosed within the pedestrian zone, you will discover elegant shops selling sporting goods, swimwear, footwear, the trendiest clothing and the best brands, as well as picturesque souvenir and local craft shops.

After shopping, try the excellent restaurants and small, quaint taverns offering freshly caught fish, and end the evening with a romantic stroll along the promenade.

On Saturday mornings there is a weekly market from 6.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. from 1 May to 30 September, a meeting place for locals and tourists alike. It is a pleasant alternative to the beach when the sun hardly comes out and an opportunity to buy fresh fish and genuine local products.

4 LAGOON

The Caorle lagoon, with its many naturalistic aspects, can be visited both by boat and by mountain bike along evocative itineraries that wind through casoni (fishermen's huts), fishing valleys, the stretch of undeveloped coastline of Valle Vecchia and the area of the mouth of the Tagliamento.

The area covered by the Regional Nature Park, established in the 1980s by a specific regional law, also falls within the municipality of Caorle and is managed by an authority according to a specific environmental plan.

Within the lagoon, only organic farming, rotational farming, protected and open-field horticulture, fruit farming, extensive and semi-extensive valliculture, experimental fish farming and professional fishing are permitted, as well as tourist, educational and cultural activities.

5 MARINE OASIS

In the waters off Caorle, about 1.5 miles offshore, there is a naturalistic area that includes a series of outcrops of rock formations (tegnuè).

Due to the importance of this marine environment (it includes the largest reefs in the Upper Adriatic), a Biological Protection Zone has been specifically established to protect and safeguard the entire area by installing underwater structures and perimeter barriers against illegal trawling, to promote eco-tourism linked to scuba diving and guided underwater tours, and to promote selective and controlled fishing methods.

6 WILDLIFE OASIS VALLE VECCHIA

The Valle Vecchia area is a natural oasis of remarkable richness that has survived the reclamation of the 20th century.

It is made up of an extreme variety of flora and fauna, with a coastal pine forest and the "della Brussa" beach, a non-urbanised coastal stretch located between Caorle and Bibione. The area, which extends for 4.5 kilometres and covers a surface area of 900 hectares, is bordered by lagoon, sea and river waters, and is equipped for walking, birdwatching, picnicking (with a refreshment point) and for cultural, informative (through the Environmental Museum) and educational activities.

7 WATER PARK

Aquafollie is a water park surrounded by vegetation and located inside the Caorle fairgrounds, very close to the city centre.

Designed and built in compliance with all European safety and hygiene regulations, the clearly tropical tourist complex is an opportunity to dive in and lose yourself in a fresh, young and fun environment in total relaxation.

8 VENICE

Venezia is equal to Art: in every corner and corner of the city history, beauty and culture coexist in complete harmony. Its rich merchants, enlightened patrons, have shaped it over the centuries, giving impetus to the construction of extraordinary palaces, churches and large schools and commissioning furnishings, frescoes and paintings.

Venice is divided into districts, known as 'sestieri'. The heart of the city is undoubtedly St Mark's with its splendid Piazza and Basilica. Nearby are St Mark's Bell Tower, the Doge's Palace, the Church of Santo Stefano, the Clock Tower, the Correr Museum, Palazzo Fortuny and Palazzo Grassi.

In the Santa Croce district you can visit some important churches such as S. Simeone Profeta, Sant'Andrea della Dirada, the ancient Church of San Giacomo dall'Orio and the Fontego dei Turchi. San Polo, is the sestiere with the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Cà Foscari, the Rialto Bridge, Casa Goldoni, Palazzo Albrizzi, Palazzo Mocenigo, Cà Corner and the Church of San Rocco. In the Dorsoduro district you can't miss the Basilica della Salute, Longhena's architectural masterpiece, Cà Rezzonico and the Gallerie dell'Accademia.

In Castello, the Arsenale di Venezia and the Naval History Museum are of great interest, as well as the Basilica dei Santissimi Giovanni e Paolo and the Giardini della Biennale, current home of the International Art Biennale. The Palazzo della Cà d'oro, the Ponte delle Guglie, the Chiesa degli Scalzi and above all the ancient Jewish Ghetto are the main attractions of the Cannareggio district. Opposite, on the island of Giudecca, don't miss the Basilica del Redentore and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.

9 PORTOGRUARO AND CONCORDIA SAGITTARIA

Portogruaro, bathed by the Lèmene River that creates splendid views of mills, bridges and palaces, has in Corso Martiri della Libertà the central spine of the oldest part of the town, overlooked by Venetian-style palaces, and onto which opens the Piazza del Municipio with the Gothic-style Town Hall and the Cathedral with its characteristic leaning bell tower.

Nearby, in the hamlet of Summaga, the ancient Benedictine abbey, dating back to the 11th century, is well worth a visit. A visit to Portogruaro is also an opportunity to discover the nearby Concordia Sagittaria, just two kilometres away, which grew out of an ancient Roman colony. Its territory boasts fine examples of architecture such as the Roman ruins and the Cathedral with its baptistery.