Yacht charter in Marghera: how to get to Venice from the water, bypassing the crowds

Have you ever tried to dock in the center of Venice? I am. This is a quest that will be remembered for a lifetime. The marinas are crowded a year in advance, parking prices bite, and in high season it’s easier to find a free place than to win the lottery. The local captains just shrug their shoulders: “Thousands of yachts, and seats for a hundred.”

But there is a life hack that travel brochures are silent about. A twenty-minute drive from St. Mark’s Square, on the mainland, there is a place where yachts are at reasonable prices, and there are free places. It’s called Marghera.

What kind of town is Marghera?

Marghera is one of the six districts of Venice, but it is located not on the islands, but on the mainland. Unlike the historical center, there are no Doge’s palaces and crowds of tourists here. But there is a huge port, an industrial area and — most importantly for those who travel by yacht — modern marinas and parking lots.

The name of the area, according to the local version, comes from the words “Mar gh’era” — “there was a sea”. Once upon a time, the lagoon waves really lapped at the place of Marghera. Then the sea receded, settlements grew up here, and in the 20th century a completely different story began.

At the beginning of the last century, the old port of Venice in the San Marco area stopped handling large ships. The Italian government has decided to build a new port on the mainland, where Marghera is now located. The project was entrusted to Giuseppe Volpi, and already in 1923 the first chemical plant started operating here.

Today, the port of Marghera is one of the largest in Italy. Container ships, tankers, and cargo ships from all over the world come here. There is also a place for yachts.

Why consider Marghera as a base for yacht rentals

The most obvious advantage is accessibility. In the center of Venice, marinas like the Arsenale or San Marco are booked six months in advance, and parking prices can reach hundreds of euros per night. There are more places in Marghera, prices are lower, and you can find a free slot even in high season.

The second advantage is logistics. If you arrive at Marco Polo Airport, Marghera is easier to get to than the island Venice. Taxi or bus, and you’re there. No need to drag suitcases across bridges or load into a vaporetto with a mountain of luggage. The yacht is waiting for you on the mainland, and not somewhere in the lagoon, where you still need to sail.

The third advantage is peace of mind. There is no tourist fuss in Marghera. The usual Italian life here: cafes with locals, food markets, parks where dogs walk. You can safely prepare the yacht for departure, load the provisions and only then, in a good mood, set off towards San Marco.

How to rent a yacht in Marghera

The process is almost the same as renting in any other port in Italy. You need to choose a ship, decide on dates and decide whether you will manage on your own or take on a captain.

With a captain is the most popular option, especially if you are going to Venice for the first time. The captain knows the local rules, which are strict in the lagoon: speed limits, restricted areas, and the intricacies of mooring.

Without a captain (bareboat) — it is possible if you have a valid skipper’s license (IYT, RYA, ICC) and proven experience. Even so, yacht companies in Marghera are often asked to take a short local navigation test. The Venice Lagoon is not the easiest place to sail on your own: shoals, one-way channels, tides.

As for the price, Marghera is usually cheaper than island marinas. The cost of renting a yacht starts from 150-200 euros per day for a small sailboat and up to 800-1000 euros for a comfortable catamaran. Plus, the port fees are significantly lower in Marghera than, say, in Arsenal.

How to get from Marghera to the historic center of Venice

There are many ways to get from the port of Marghera to Venice. The most obvious one is on his yacht. From here you can walk to the Giudecca Canal and St. Mark’s Square for about an hour. You pass by the industrial landscapes of the port, then exit into the open lagoon and only then enter the famous Grand Canal. This is a journey of contrasts: from modern cranes and factory pipes to Venetian Gothic palaces.

You can leave the yacht at the port and go to Venice by public transport. Next to Marghera is the town of Mestre, from where trains leave every few minutes to Santa Lucia Station. The journey takes 10-15 minutes, and the ticket costs about 1.5 euros. This is an ideal option if you do not want to take the yacht out of the port every time, but plan to use it only for long walks.

What to see in Marghera itself

Marghera is not a tourist center, and you should not look for St. Mark’s Cathedral—level attractions here. But there is still something interesting.

Forte Marghera is a fortress that began to be built in the early 19th century, when the Republic of Venice had already fallen, and the Austrians were trying to strengthen their position in the region. Today it’s not the most popular tourist destination, but if you like fortification architecture and abandoned places, it’s worth a look.

Chiesa dei Santi Francesco e Chiara d’Assisi is a church that stands out among the industrial landscapes of Marghera. It is an important spiritual place for the locals.

Marghera Citta Giardino is an architectural experiment of the early 20th century, when they tried to turn Marghera into a garden city. The area was built on the principle of “every house is green,” and today it is pleasant to walk here, imagining what architecture looked like a hundred years ago.

Is it worth renting a yacht in Marghera

The answer depends on your goals.

If you’re dreaming of a romantic gondola ride along the Grand Canal, you don’t need a Marghera. Go to the center, hire a gondolier and enjoy.

If you want to spend a few days on a yacht, explore the Venetian lagoon, visit Murano, Burano and Torcello, and then perhaps move on to Chioggia or even Croatia, Marghera will be an excellent starting point.

You won’t pay a lot of money for parking here. You will have time to calmly prepare the ship. You can take a train to the center at any time, and when you return, you can go out to sea again.

And most importantly, you will see Venice from an unexpected side. Not only palaces and bridges, but also the port that has been feeding this city for a hundred years. The contrast between the industrial Marghera and the tourist center is so strong that it is remembered no worse than the famous sunset on the Grand Canal.

Anyships helps to arrange yacht rentals in Marghera and other ports of Venice. We will select a vessel for your budget, help with documents for bareboat charter or find an experienced captain. Let’s tell you where it’s cheaper to get up for the night and where it’s better to go on the first day. Contact us to plan your trip to the Venetian lagoon.