Chioggia, one of the many small Italian towns nicknamed “Little Venice,” had been on my photography bucket list for a long time. This charming town not only resembles Venice but also boasts nearby beaches, piers with fishing huts, and expansive lagoons and nature reserves. I finally visited Chioggia with my family and friends, balancing social outings with photography. Read on to discover why this part of Italy deserves a spot in your travel and photography plans.
Visiting Chioggia and Photos
We stayed at a charming agriturismo in the lagoon area, about a 30-minute drive from Chioggia. This location let us spend more time in nature without worrying about parking in the city. It was also a great base for exploring the surrounding area, including the lagoons, Chioggia itself, and a day trip to the town of Comacchio.
Chioggia is easy to visit. Even during the holiday season (between Christmas and New Year), parking was straightforward. We even found spots along the main street, Corso del Popolo. Several small parking areas are scattered in and around the main island.
Once on foot, it’s simple to explore the streets and canals. Compared to Venice, Chioggia is much smaller and easier to navigate. For photography, the best area to explore is Canal Vena. With its fishing boats, pedestrian bridges, and historic buildings, it’s easy to forget you’re not in Venice itself.
I visited Chioggia on three separate occasions and captured some great photos along the way.
Faro Rosso Pier
One of the most fascinating places near Chioggia is Faro Ross pier. The numerous fishing houses built on stilts create a stunning subject for photography. Watching the fishermen operate their intricate contraptions to raise and lower the nets is an experience in itself!
I visited the pier early one morning while my family was still asleep. There’s convenient parking at the end of the Sottomarina neighborhood. From there, it’s a pleasant 15-minute walk to the end of the pier, where the red lighthouse stands.
Morning is the perfect time for photography here. The light is incredible, and the pier buzzes with fishermen going about their work. The fishing houses offer endless creative possibilities. I experimented with different compositions, lenses, and angles, capturing the fast-changing light in this unique setting.
In Search for Flamingos
Just south of Chioggia, two large Alpine rivers, the Adige and the Po, meet the Adriatic Sea. Together, they form part of the Delta del Po nature park. This area is a unique blend of canals, rivers, and lagoons, where agriculture, industry, and nature coexist.
Our first stop was the Adige rivermouth. It’s a lovely spot with a sandy beach, an observation tower, and plenty of birdlife. I didn’t focus much on photography here—we simply enjoyed family time. The boys ran barefoot, collected seashells, and built sandcastles.
Over the next couple of days, we explored several other beaches in the Po River lagoon. It was a relaxing time, with one goal in mind: finding flamingos. Spotting them was a big photography wish for me! I had only photographed flamingos twice before—in Northern Greece and Kenya. Seeing them so close to home felt special.
We first spotted flamingos in the lagoon between the Adige and Po di Levante rivers. These large, loud birds congregate in sizable flocks, making them hard to miss. Everyone in our group was captivated, and we watched them until sunset.
The next morning, I returned to the area, hoping to capture them in the morning light. I found them nearby, parked my car, and approached cautiously to avoid scaring them off. Flamingos are smart birds—they sensed my plans and kept a safe distance. No matter how slowly I crept forward, they calmly moved just far enough away.
Realizing a new strategy was needed, I hid behind bushes and waited. My plan was to photograph incoming flamingos as they joined the feeding flock. It worked! I captured several shots of individuals and groups in flight. What an unforgettable experience!
Day Trip to Comacchio
One day, we decided to take a day trip to the nearby town of Comacchio. This charming little town, often called the “Little Venice,” is another gem built on canals. It’s only about an hour’s drive from our agriturismo. In Comacchio, we explored the old town and its picturesque canals. The small regional museum is definitely worth a visit—it offers fascinating insights into the historical importance of the Po River as a trade route. For lunch, we chose one of the many inviting restaurants.
In the afternoon, we headed to the Valli di Comacchio area, part of the Delta del Po nature park. We strolled along the lagoon, soaking up the warm sun and observing the many bird species around us. A highlight for me was spotting a Eurasian spoonbill flying directly overhead—I managed to capture some great photos of it.
The day ended with an incredible display by pied avocets and black-winged stilts. They flew gracefully around us and waded through the water, searching for food. It was a truly beautiful and memorable day!
Photography
For most of the trip, I used my newly acquired Nikon Z6iii camera. It’s much smaller than my Z8 and felt perfect for traveling light. I was getting to know the camera during this trip, and it was incredibly intuitive. Having previously used the Z7 and Z6, it was easy to get comfortable with it. Plus, I enjoyed hearing the shutter sound again (the Z8 only has an electronic shutter).
For bird photography, however, I relied on the Z8. I’m much more familiar with this camera, and its ability to crop in is a big advantage. Most of the time, I paired it with my new Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC lens. This lens is fantastic—fast, well-balanced, and noticeably lighter than my old 500mm f/4 G lens. Handholding it for bird-in-flight photography is no problem, even for extended periods. The built-in teleconverter is a huge bonus, allowing me to quickly switch focal lengths.
I also tried the 2x teleconverter, which gave me 800mm at f/5.6. The image quality remained sharp, and autofocus performed impressively, making it a viable option for situations requiring extra reach. A couple of times, I even used both teleconverters together for a 1120mm f/8 setup. Surprisingly, I managed to get a few keepers at this extreme focal length!
I plan to write proper reviews of both the Z6iii and the 400mm f/2.8 TC lens soon, so stay tuned!
Trip to Chioggia – Conclusion
Five days exploring Chioggia, Comacchio, and the Delta del Po nature park was a truly wonderful experience. It’s a fantastic alternative to Venice—free from mass tourism and steep prices. Everyone in our group enjoyed it, especially the children, who loved the sandy beaches. My favorite moments were, of course, the bird photography. The spoonbill and flamingos alone made the trip to this incredible part of Italy worthwhile.
There’s still so much left to explore. I’m eager to return to discover more of the lagoons, coastline, and countryside—not just for personal adventures, but also as inspiration for future photography workshops I plan to run in this area.
What do you think? Have you visited this part of Italy before? Would you be interested in joining me on a photography workshop here?