Hey dear traveler, if you've always dreamed of seeing Venice from a completely different perspective—where the main sound isn't motors, but the splash of water and the rhythm of oars slicing through the lagoon—then you’re in the right place.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Vogalonga Venice 2025, one of the most beloved events by both Venetians and travelers from around the world.
Let’s discover everything there is to know in this post by Venice Insider Guide—your compass for not missing a single stroke of this extraordinary adventure.
What is the Vogalonga Venice 2025?
The Vogalonga in Venice is more than just a regatta: it’s a celebration, a peaceful protest, a tribute to the authentic spirit of Venice.
It began in 1974 as an idea from a group of Venetians tired of motorboat traffic in the canals. Today, the Vogalonga is a non-competitive event that celebrates rowing, tradition, and the breathtaking beauty of the Venetian lagoon.
It’s an eco-friendly, inclusive event, featuring every kind of human-powered boat—gondolas, private boat, caorline, kayaks, dragon boats, even Hawaiian canoes—parading through the city's iconic canals and the more hidden corners of the lagoon.
There’s no need for Olympic arms or racing spirit—just a love for the water, respect for Venice, and the desire to see the city from a truly magical perspective.
Where does the Vogalonga Venice 2025 take place?
The Vogalonga Venice 2025 takes place in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon.
The starting (and finishing) point is the Bacino di San Marco, right in front of the world-famous Piazza San Marco.
From there, boats follow a looped route of approximately 30 km, passing by some of the lagoon’s most enchanting islands—Murano, Burano, Mazzorbo—before returning to Venice through the majestic Grand Canal.
This is your chance to enjoy a quiet, motor-free Venice full of rhythm, tradition, and sheer wonder.
When will the Vogalonga in Venice take place in 2025?
The Vogalonga Venice 2025 will take place, as always, on Pentecost Sunday, a date that changes each year based on the Christian liturgical calendar.
In 2025, the event will be held on Sunday, June 8th.
Mark your calendar—on that day, the waters of Venice will turn into a colorful dance of boats, voices, and joyful oars.
Vogalonga Venice 2025 Dates
The information of the Vogalonga Venice 2025 is:
Official date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Start time: Around 9:00 AM, from Bacino di San Marco
Duration: Between 3 to 5 hours depending on your boat and stamina
Finish line closes: In the early afternoon
An entire day dedicated to water, community, and the most authentic version of Venice.
How can I participate in the Vogalonga Venice 2025?
Taking part in the Vogalonga Venice 2025 is an unforgettable experience—open to locals and international visitors alike.
Here are the key steps to join the event:
1. Find (or rent) your boat
Any human-powered vessel will do: gondola, kayak, canoe, traditional Venetian boat...
Don’t have a boat? No worries! Venice has plenty of services that offer rentals for individuals or groups.
2. Form your crew
Go solo or gather your friends—but make sure everyone has some basic rowing skills. You’ll need endurance, but remember: this is not a race!
3. Register officially (see next section)
4. Train a bit
While it's not a competition, 30 kilometers is no joke. Even a light training plan will help you enjoy it more.
5. Embrace the experience
Few things match the feeling of gliding through the Grand Canal, under the applause of the crowd, to the peaceful rhythm of your oars.
Vogalonga Venice 2025 Registration
Registration for Vogalonga Venice 2025 will open around March/April 2025 on the official website.
What to know:
- Registration fee: depends on the type of boat and number of participants (typically €20–30 per person)
- What you get: race bib, welcome kit, participation diploma, event flag
- Deadline: closes a few days before the event—register early as spots are limited!
- How to register: via the online form and payment by credit card or bank transfer
Why is the Venice Vogalonga 2025 so meaningful for locals and tourists?
There’s a special kind of magic to the Vogalonga Venice 2025—it brings together generations, cultures, and traditions.
For Venetians, it’s a day of reclaiming their waters: no motorboats, no disruptive waves, just human-powered movement and community. It’s a symbolic return to the city's roots.
For travelers, it’s an exclusive chance to experience Venice like a local—at water level, immersed in silence, navigating the secret waterways and feeling the heartbeat of the lagoon.
And above all, it's a chance to be part of something bigger: over 2,000 boats and 8,000+ participants from all over the globe. A celebration of connection, history, and beauty.
What is the route of the Vogalonga Venice 2025?
The Vogalonga Venice 2025 route is as spectacular as it is iconic, winding through some of the lagoon’s most stunning scenery.
Official itinerary (approx. 30 km):
- Start at Bacino di San Marco
- Paddle past the island of Sant’Elena
- Row through the northern lagoon toward Murano
- Continue around Burano and circle Mazzorbo
- Return via the Cannaregio Canal
- Enter the Grand Canal for a majestic finish
- Conclude back at San Marco with applause
It’s a "waterborne procession", a serene and powerful way to explore Venice from its soul outward.
Everything uou need to know about the Vogalonga Venice 2025
The Vogalonga Venice 2025 isn’t just another non-competitive event—it’s a wonderful event that transforms the entire city of Venice into a floating celebration of tradition, unity, and conscious respect for the lagoon and its fragile ecosystem.
Every year on Sunday morning, as the first light hits Mark’s Basin (Bacino di San Marco), thousands of rowers from around the world gather near the Doge’s Palace and Punta della Dogana. The atmosphere is electric. And then—BOOM!—the legendary cannon shot echoes across the water, signaling the start of the Vogalonga 2025. No motor boats, just the powerful, steady rhythm of oars, and the graceful glide of rowing boats, dragon boats, kayaks, and canoes making their way through the lagoon.
Participants come with all sorts of vessels: from traditional Venetian style rowing boats to modern private boats. Many choose to rent a boat from one of the numerous boat rental services available in Venice, making it easy for international crews to join in. Whether you're a solo paddler or part of a larger group, you’ll be welcomed among the participants with the same festive spirit.
The course is pure magic. After the ceremonial departure from San Marco, rowers pass by the stunning Basilica della Salute, round Punta della Salute, and continue along the Giudecca Canal. The journey winds through hidden corners of the lagoon, including the vibrant Burano Island, before entering the Cannaregio Canal (or Rio di Cannaregio), leading to the heart-stopping entry into the Grand Canal, one of the most iconic moments of the entire regatta. The finish line near Mark’s Basin is both an end point and a moment of triumph, often celebrated with hugs, cheers, and high-fives among crew members.
Don’t forget the essentials! The registration process is handled by the Comitato Organizzatore Vogalonga and usually opens a few months before the event. Once it does, hurry: spots fill up quickly! The registration fee includes a commemorative medal, official T-shirts, and access to the post-event prize draw. There are also technical commissioners overseeing everything, ensuring the non-competitive spirit is preserved while maintaining a safe and smooth flow for all.
Though it’s not a competitive race, there’s still a sense of pride and camaraderie among rowers who complete the route. More than a regatta, it’s a shared story. A moment where people from all over the world participate, not to win, but to spread knowledge, tradition, and respect for the waters that made Venice what it is.
If you ever wanted to experience Venice Vogalonga not just as a spectator, but as a living, paddling part of it—2025 is your year. Let your oars dip into history.
Vogalonga Venice 2025: What to eat in the city
After 30 km of paddling, you deserve a culinary reward!
Don’t miss these iconic Venetian flavors:
- Sarde in saor: marinated sardines with onions, raisins, and pine nuts
- Baccalà mantecato: creamy cod spread on crusty bread
- Cicchetti: Venetian-style tapas, best enjoyed with a glass of wine at a traditional bacaro
- Fritole: fried sweet dough balls—originally for Carnival, but often available year-round
- Spritz Veneziano: the perfect toast after your watery adventure!
Vogalonga Venice 2025: Final thoughts
Dear travelers, the Vogalonga is not just a regatta—it’s a poem written on water.
It’s Venice rediscovered, revived, and celebrated in silence, in effort, and in joy.
Taking part in Vogalonga Venice 2025 is an act of love toward this floating city.
Whether you row or simply watch from the bridges, this is an experience you’ll carry forever in your memory (and probably in your arms!).
See you in the lagoon—oar in hand, heart wide open, and eyes filled with wonder.
Until next time, from Venice Insider Guide!