Mantua Lakes Panoramic Boat Cruise with Water Lift

Mantua, the city on three lakes

Mantua is surrounded on three sides by water. At the end of the twelfth century its engineers dammed the Mincio River to create three lakes, the Upper, Middle and Lower Lakes, which protected the city for centuries and still give it the look of an island. Under a powerful ruling family Mantua became one of the most refined courts of the Renaissance, and since 2008 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the nearby town of Sabbioneta.

How to get to Mantua? From Bologna it is about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half by road, or a little longer by train with a change in Modena; from Verona it is about forty-five minutes by regional train. A Mantua day trip from Bologna combines well with this cruise: book the morning departure and spend the afternoon in the old town, or the other way round.

The lakes and Mantua's skyline

Leaving the lakeside landing, the boat crosses the lakes with the best view of Mantua there is: the long façade of the Ducal Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in Europe, the square brick towers of the Castle of San Giorgio built at the end of the fourteenth century, and the domes and bell towers rising above the roofs. The Ponte di San Giorgio, the causeway that separates two of the lakes, frames the view.

In summer the edges of the lakes are covered with the large pink flowers of the lotus, introduced here about a century ago and now one of Mantua's most photographed sights, usually at their best in July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the softest light on the city's red brick, which makes both departure times rewarding for photos.

The protected nature reserve and the Mincio

Beyond the lakes the boat enters a protected wetland where the Mincio River spreads into channels, reed beds and patches of water lilies. It is a refuge for many water birds: grey herons and little egrets wading in the shallows, swans gliding near the bank, cormorants drying their wings and, overhead, marsh harriers and other birds of prey hunting over the reeds. The calm of the reserve is a striking contrast with the palaces only a few minutes away.

The cruise follows a stretch of the river itself, which flows from Lake Garda down to the Po and gives this whole area its character. Bring binoculars if you have them, and keep your camera ready: the slow pace of the boat is ideal for watching wildlife. Spring and early autumn are the best time to visit the Mantua lakes for birdwatching, with migrating species joining the residents.

The water lift

The highlight for many passengers, and especially for children, is the water lift. The boat enters a closed basin, the gates shut behind it and the water level is changed until it matches the level of the next stretch of the waterway; then the gates open and the boat continues. It works on the simple principle of communicating vessels, using the weight of the water itself to raise or lower boats by several metres.

On this cruise you ride the lift in both directions, going and returning, so you see the process twice from on board. Locks like this one link Mantua's waters with the wider network of rivers and canals of the Po plain, and the operation is calm and safe. Is the Mantua lakes cruise worth it? For an easy, scenic way to see the city and its nature together, most visitors think so.

Mantua after the cruise

The landing is a short stroll from Mantua's main squares, so you step straight from the boat into the old town. Around Piazza delle Erbe you find the medieval town hall, the clock tower and a small round church from the eleventh century, while the cobbled square in front of the Ducal Palace opens onto the castle and the cathedral. Further south, Palazzo Te is a pleasure palace with famous painted halls.

Allow at least half a day for the city itself; the Ducal Palace alone can take two hours. Mantua opening hours vary by museum, and many are closed on Mondays, so check before you plan your day. Mantua is also known for its pumpkin-filled pasta and its crumbly almond cake; halal food is limited here, while vegetarian dishes are easy to find.