Vogalonga 2026 — Rowing People’s Regatta through the Lagoon on 24 May
In a nutshell: On Whit Sunday, 24 May 2026, the 52nd edition of the Vogalonga takes place — the famous 30-kilometre rowing “people’s regatta” through the lagoon of Venice. The start is at 9am in St Mark’s basin, after which the route goes via Sant’Elena, Burano, Mazzorbo and Murano, back through the Cannaregio canal to St Mark’s Square. Over 1,500 boats from all over the world take part — from the gondola and the sandolo to the modern racing eight. For spectators, the Vogalonga is one of the most spectacular lagoon experiences of the year, free of charge (Whit Sunday is not a valid access-fee day in 2026).
What is the Vogalonga?
The Vogalonga (“long row”) was created in 1974 as a protest against the increasing motorisation of the lagoon. A group of Venetians wanted to show that the lagoon remains navigable even without engines — and founded a 30-kilometre rowing tour, which has taken place every year since, except for the Covid years. Today the Vogalonga is no longer a pure competition but a people’s regatta: anyone may take part, whether in a traditional gondola, modern rowing boats, stand-up paddleboards or Venetian caorline and sandoli.
Motorboats are banned from the main course during the Vogalonga — for 4 to 6 hours the lagoon belongs to the rowers alone. This makes the event acoustically extraordinary: instead of vaporetto noise, you hear only the splash of the oars and the calls of the helmsmen.
The route — 30 kilometres through the northern lagoon
- 9:00am — start: St Mark’s basin in front of the Doge’s Palace, a cannon shot as the signal.
- Sant’Elena (the eastern tip of Castello) — all boats turn north.
- Burano — the midpoint of the route, where spectators can photograph the colourful boat convoy in front of the leaning tower of San Martino.
- Mazzorbo (a small island right next to Burano).
- Murano — passing through the Canale degli Angeli.
- Cannaregio canal — entering Venice from the north.
- Finish: before 3pm, at St Mark’s Square on the Riva degli Schiavoni — medal presentation and closing of the event.
The best viewing spots for spectators
St Mark’s basin — the start (from 8:30am)
To see the start, be on the Riva degli Schiavoni from 8:30am. The best spots: in front of the Doge’s Palace, on the Ponte della Paglia (the small bridge before the Bridge of Sighs) or at the San Zaccaria pier. Note: extremely crowded, so come early. The Punta della Salute on the other side of the canal is a quieter alternative with an equally good view of the basin.
Burano — the most spectacular photo spot (10:30am to noon)
On Burano the rowing boats pass between 10:30am and noon. If you are lucky, you see the whole convoy at once in front of the colourful fishermen’s houses — one of the best photo motifs of the Vogalonga. Best spots: on Burano’s main canal (Riva Lorenzo) or by the leaning tower.
Cannaregio canal — the finishing approach (1:00 to 3:00pm)
On the final stretch through the Cannaregio canal, the boats are already tired but proud. Best spots: at the Ponte delle Guglie or on the Fondamenta della Misericordia bank. Here there is a Venetian festival atmosphere — residents stand at the water with a spritz in hand and cheer on the rowers.
Getting there and vaporetto tips
- Main canals partly closed: vaporetto lines 1, 2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 run a reduced service between 8am and 4pm. Line 12 (to Burano) is overcrowded — if you want to go there, set off before 7am or only after 1pm.
- Overnight guests: Whit Sunday is not a valid access-fee day in 2026, so you can enter the city without extra registration.
- Day trip: from Punta Sabbioni, the Lido and Jesolo, vaporetto line 14 runs normally in the morning, but is heavily restricted from 9am. The last reliable return is 6pm.
- By your own car: the Tronchetto car park is full from 9am; the Mestre park-and-ride is recommended.
Taking part in the Vogalonga yourself
Registration is online via vogalonga.com. For 2026, registration is usually possible until early May — late entries on the day itself are theoretically possible but rare in practice. Requirements: your own or a rented rowing boat, a life jacket per person, at least 4 people per large boat, your own insurance recommended. Participation fee €25 per person, medal and T-shirt included.
If you don’t have your own boat: Venetian rowing clubs such as the Querini Stampalia Voga Club or the Reale Società Canottieri Bucintoro take guests along each year — enquire 6 to 8 weeks before the event; places are usually only available through a personal recommendation.
What else you can do after the Vogalonga
If you spend Whit Sunday in Venice, you can plan a relaxed late afternoon in Cannaregio after the Vogalonga (from 3pm) — the mood on the canal banks is especially Venetian after such a lagoon festival. A cicchetti walk at the Rialto market (open until 2pm — so get there in good time) or an aperitivo on the Fondamenta della Misericordia at sunset are the best ways to round it off.