The historic regatta in Venice, Italy dates back to the late 13^th century. The esteemed boating competition stems from Venice’s deep maritime roots and it aims to showcase the best oarsmen and women in the country.

The History of the Regatta

Always held on the first Sunday of September, the main historic regatta is formally known as the Regata Storica. The event is more than just a series of rowing races, and citizens will gather from all over to enjoy a ceremonial parade along the banks of the Grand Canal before the official event begins. The teams for each rowing race are broken down by neighborhood.

After the opening parade, there is a procession honoring the native Venetian Caterina Cornaro, who later went on to become the Queen of Cypress. Decorative boats and gondolas representing rowing clubs across the area will follow and once everyone is settled the official races begin. There are four main races: one for youth, one for women, one for the six-man caorline, and one for the gondoline.

Competition is fierce during the Regata Storica. Historically, the races were created in an attempt to bring an end to the bloody arguments between the various Venetian neighborhoods. The government encouraged the locals to settle their feuds on the water so that they wouldn’t lose strong soldiers to death in silly brawls. Old habits die hard and while the neighborhoods are now friendly, the spirit of competition and local loyalty runs deep during the races.

After the races, all of the canals throughout Venice transform into sites of celebration, complete with entertainment, food, and fun! Suddenly the waters are filled with boats celebrating the end of another successful day, while those on land celebrate with costumes, wine, and another parade!

The best places to view the races are from hotel terraces along the canal route, from the shores lining the canals, or from a boat drifting along the sidelines (if you can even get one). If you can find a Venice hotel room right along the canal, you’ll be able to watch from your own terrace. Otherwise, be sure to arrive early so you don’t have to fight the crowds for a seat along the shores.

Visiting Venice on a Budget

Sadly, even for avid travelers, a trip to Venice can become expensive very quickly. There are a few things you can do to keep your trip fun and affordable while you’re in town for the regatta.

Hotels tend to be expensive, but the further you get from the Piazza San Marco the more affordable they’ll become. When searching through guide books, check under the listings for youth hostels. Sadly, many discount hotels in Venice are misclassified and end up under this heading.

Oddly enough, Venice has a bit of a reputation for serving food that is not very palatable. Try to find local venues serving tapas and cicchetti where the food will be both edible and less expensive. Many restaurants in Venice add a cover charge to the bill and hike their prices for in-restaurant dining, so getting take-out and picnicking in a park will be a much more affordable option. You can sneak food into your hotel room, but it is not usually allowed.

There are plenty of free things to do in Venice as well. St. Mark’s Basilica is a popular free attraction and you can visit Murano for free glass blowing demonstrations as well. When in doubt, simply walk the streets and you’ll find plenty of spectacular artistry, architecture, and scenery to enjoy.

Museum lovers will be interested in the Venice Museum Card, also known as the Museum Card for the St. Mark’s Square Museums. You’ll pay one flat price (approximately 17 Euro) for a card that will gain you entry into Doge’s Palace, the Correr Museum, and a few others.

It’s in your best interests to consider purchasing a VeniceCard Orange or VeniceCard Blu as well. These cards give you access to public transportation and pay for two public bathroom visits per day - yes, you would otherwise have to pay to use the bathroom. They also include discounts on various eateries, museums, and shops. Junior versions of these discount cards are available for children as well.

Absorb as much Venetian culture as you can during your stay. Whether you’re simply visiting for the Regatta or extending your stay, you’ll be astounded by the pure beauty that is Venice!

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