Riviera del Brenta – Veneto: historic villas, navigable canals and charm between Padua and Venice. The Riviera del Brenta is the stretch of land that follows the course of the Brenta river between Padua and Venice, once traveled by the boats of Venetian nobles who reached their summer villas. Today it is an itinerary through art, river landscape and history, dotted with Venetian villas, Italian gardens and picturesque villages. 🏛️ Venetian villas and water stories along the Brenta: Along the Riviera there are dozens of patrician villas of the '500, '600 and '700, including the famous Villa Pisani in Stra, Villa Widmann in Mira and Villa Foscari known as "La Malcontenta", a masterpiece by Palladio. Many villas can be visited and host exhibitions, historic gardens and spectacular frescoes. 👉 Tip: Visit Villa Pisani and get lost in its hedge maze: one of the largest in Europe. 🛶 Slow navigation between villages and nature: The Brenta is navigable thanks to tourist boats and barges that follow the historical route of the Venetian burchielli. You cross villages such as Dolo, Mira, Stra and Oriago, with drawbridges, ancient mills and well-kept banks. An original way to discover the area. 👉 Tip: Book a day cruise from Padua to Venice: guided stops at the villas, lunch on board and relaxing river views. 🚴 Cycle paths between embankments and historic villas: The Riviera del Brenta cycle path runs along the banks of the river, among trees, cultivated fields and historic villages. It is a flat and accessible route, ideal for discovering the area slowly and stopping near the villas for a visit or a picnic. 👉 Tip: Start from Dolo and cycle to Stra: a short stretch but full of villas, ancient churches and viewpoints on the water. 🍷 Venetian cuisine between fresh water and countryside: The Riviera del Brenta offers a cuisine that combines lagoon flavors and inland traditions: river fish dishes, risottos, polenta, radicchio, asparagus and typical desserts. Numerous restaurants and inns overlook the river or are surrounded by greenery. 👉 Tip: Enjoy a risotto with bruscandoli and crayfish in a trattoria along the embankment between Mira and Malcontenta. 🛏️ Where to sleep along the Riviera del Brenta: Along the way there are historic residences, B&Bs in villas, farmhouses and hotels on the river. Strategic locations for your stay are Mira, Dolo, Stra and Fiesso d'Artico, perfect for visiting the area and easily reaching both Venice and Padua. 👉 Tip: Choose a B&B in a restored villa to experience the atmosphere of the Venetian nobility in a contemporary way. The Riviera del Brenta is a journey along the water between art, nature and history: sumptuous villas, elegant landscapes and the quiet of a Veneto that flows slowly between two unique cities.