Marina di Venezia: a review

 Marina di Venezia is a 4-star camping park at the southwest edge of the long peninsula that guards the main entrance of the Venice lagoon. It's the last in a line of camping sites that stretches across most of the southern coastal strip: View Larger Map

 

Most people will approach the area on the A4 motorway (Italian: Autostrada). Come off at the San Dona-Noventa junction and follow the signs for Jesolo. As you approach Jesolo, look for signs to Cavallino, Ca Savio and Punta Sabbioni. These are all towns on a direct line along the peninsula, one after each other.

 

Once you're out of Ca Savio, heading toward Punta Sabbioni, look for a big red sign indicating the turn off (left) to the road that leads directly to the Marina di Venezia campsite.

 

All the towns and the campsite itself are well signposted, so have no fears about getting lost en route. Most of the journey after Jesolo is on a single main access road, which also helps. This has its disadvantages, though: it can be full of cars and caravans all jostling for position as they head into or out of the numerous holiday locations. The last 20km of your journey is likely to be a slow affair.

 

The camping park is huge, with room for thousands of guests. However, hedges, pine woodland and open space mean it never feels like such a giant complex or overcrowded. Although a lot of people can be underway at peak times (such as just before the evening show or just after the pool area closes).

 

As well as pitches for tents and caravans, the site has its own chalets, mobile homes and bungalows for hire. It's also home to many of the European caravan and tent rental companies, like Eurocamp, Thomson Al Fresco, Vacansoleil etc. Unlike many campsites in the region, you can barbecue here. There are several large public toilet, shower, laundry and washing facilities.

 

One curiosity (for non-Italians) is the "quiet time". Between 1pm and 3pm, pretty much all shops and facilities (including the pool area) close and no motorized vehicles are allowed to leave, enter or drive around the site.

 

Camping sites often conjure up images of grotty, drab grass fields (at least they do for me). Marina di Venezia couldn't be further from this. The place is near spotless. All public areas are kept in superb condition by what seems to be a permanent troop of cleaners and gardeners. I've seen a gardener pick up a single pine needle and clear it away from a grassy area.

 

The site is genuinely beachside, with the southern side of the park actually the start of the sandy beach area. You walk out of the gates and you're on sand, with no roads to cross. Contrary to what you might expect, given the location, it's not overcrowded. We've been there in peak season and blazing sun and always had plenty of room.

 

 

The sand is kept impressively clean by the authorities and the sea stays shallow for quite a way out, which is great for kids.

 

The sea itself seemed clean to us: no nasty surprises in the water and good visibility. There isn't much marine life about. We saw just one or two fish, one jellyfish and a few crabs around the rocks that make up the breakwaters. There are, however, plenty of washed up shells to collect.

 

In terms of facilities, we saw boat and windsuf hire and regular beach bars set back from the sea, though used none. Peddlars run a brisk trade across the beach. Expect to be approached by several people during the course of a day, selling kites, towels, trinkets and similar. They are not intrusive, though, and move on very quickly if you express a lack of interest in their wares.

 

Marine di Venezia has its own, new, hugely-impressive, on-site water entertainment complex called Aquamarina. This has several large pool areas, including one with a wave machine, slides for all ages, fountains and an amazing water castle for the little ones.

 

Lifeguards keep a tight rein on any anti-social behavior, so there is no fear of being overrun by unruly teenagers. It's perfect for families. It can, however, get busy: far busier than the beach in fact. See the video at YouTube:

 

 

 

There's no need to leave the campsite for food, drink and shopping. There are several bars and restaurants, takeaway pizza, a supermarket, a camping supplies shop, souvenir shop, clothes shop, hairdresser, newsagents, sweet shop, portrait artist etc.

 

We used the supermarket and found the prices average. Certainly not expensive by any means. However, if you drive back to Cavallino, there's a huge supermarket on the Jesolo road which is cheaper and you might want to shop there if you have a car.

 

The on-site supermarket is well stocked, with a slight bias towards German products (especially German beer). The staff seem to speak any language you care to throw at them and were very friendly. The fresh bread is excellent, but long queues can form early in the day as everyone stocks up for breakfast. We also enjoyed their takeaway roast chicken and the various Italian hams, salami and cheeses available from the delicatessen counter.

 

Fruit and veg is available from a market stall next to the supermarket. The quality was excellent.

 

Other facilities include a chapel, ATMs, Internet booths (expensive at 1 Euro for 10 minutes), wireless hotspot, and postboxes (you can get stamps and postcards from the newsagents).

 

If the beach and pool areas aren't enough...there's more, including:

 

 

All but the last require a fee. We played minigolf twice (about Euro 15 for a family of four) and it was well worth it. The 18-hole course is in excellent condition and superbly designed. Lots of fun.

 

The park also offers numerous activities for kids and adults. We didn't do any, but saw adverts for all sorts of fitness, sports, music and dance programmes. The water aerobics in the big pool looked a laugh.

 

There are also shows and performances in the evenings, on a stage in the main restaurant plaza.

 

Buses stop outside the campsite entrance to take you to Punta Sabbioni, where the ferry leaves for Venice. You can buy through tickets which also include travel by water bus around Venice for the day for a little under Euro 20 per person. Only very young kids travel free.

 

Yes, I can't think of a better place for an outdoor holiday by the sea.