Overtourism is a growing issue for travellers looking to visit much of Europe’s major cities this year. As the number of visitors continues to rise year on year, the pressure put on local residents and businesses as a result has seen demonstrations and in some cases, tourists forced to pay a fee to visit cities. 

Attracting an estimated 30million visitors annually, Venice became the first major tourist destination in the world to start charging tourists to enter last year, in an effort to reduce crowds of day trippers visiting the floating city. With the fee being raised to €10 this year, you might want to instead consider a trip to the equally-charming “Little Venice” just 15 miles away. Located further along the Venetian coast, Chioggia is a sleepy fishing town that was in the race to become Italy’s 2024 Cultural Capital. 

Home to one of the oldest ports in Italy and a 10km stretch of beach, according to Which? the town is “less commercial” and “less busy” than Venice, which has also banned tourists from sitting down on bridges to eat. 

Winding the length of the town, the Canal Vena cuts through Chioggia’s historic centre, lined with typical Venetian palaces and a number of pedestrian bridges that visitors can wander over, making for an experience that rivals Venice without the crowds. 

Exploring alleys full of ancient houses will lead you to the heart of Chioggia, where the Porta Garibaldi stands, a fortress dating back to the 1300s and one of the town's many historical landmarks. 

A walk through the town isn’t complete without stopping off at one of the many bars and restaurants for an Aperol Spritz or a traditional Choggian dish. Known for its seafood scene, bigoli in salsa - long pasta in a salted anchovy sauce - or peoci in cassopipia - mussels cooked in onion and garlic - are two of the most famous dishes on offer. 

If you prefer a more leisurely holiday, there’s plenty of options along the town's 10km of beach which has been awarded the Green Flag since 2008, an award that recognises beaches with calm seas that are particularly suitable for families with children. 

The sandy coast is also the recipient of the Blue Flag award for the cleanliness of its beach, and its Mediterranean climate means the weather is still favourable up until October, with highs of 20C. 

Chioggia is reached by flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport, and taking an hour bus or taxi directly to the town. Flights to Venice are available from major UK airports including London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham, with prices for a return flight on RyanAir costing £59 in May from London Stansted.