Il Frattiero as a cycling base
Every summer we host cyclists, often couples or solo riders, who stop with us before heading on into the Delta.
The countryside around Voghiera is flat almost everywhere and sits within the Po Delta Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; the EuroVelo 8 cycle route runs a few kilometres away. Our cycling guests usually make for Comacchio and its salt flats, where you can see pink flamingos in summer, or for the Ostellato wetlands and the Bando and Argenta oases.
Before arriving, guests almost always ask two things: a safe place to leave the bike, and a very early breakfast. For storage we offer three options, the garage, a wooden shed, or the portico of the old bread oven, so the bike stays sheltered and watched over. The room cyclists ask for most is the Mille Miglia, on the ground floor.
Would you like secure bike storage and an early breakfast? Tell us when you arrive and we’ll get everything ready.
Get in touchThe five routes we recommend
Depending on how far guests want to ride, we point them to five itineraries, from easy to demanding.
- Ferrara and its walls, ~16 km, easy. The simplest ride: you reach the centre in about 50–60 minutes on flat, quiet country lanes, then cycle the Renaissance walls, both along the base and along the top. Ideal for your first day.
- The Borgia Ring / Delizia di Benvignante, ~48 km, moderate. A loop past the historic Este country residences, through flat farmland. Good for a half-day with cultural stops.
- The Po embankment: Frattiero – Ferrara – Pontelagoscuro, half or full day, mixed. Our tip for first-timers: from Ferrara you head up to Pontelagoscuro and follow the Po embankment, on either bank, dropping down to visit the small villages beyond the flood meadows.
- The Comacchio Valleys cycle route, ~55 km, demanding. A loop among brackish pools, channels and traditional fishing stations, with good spots for watching wildlife. You can ride it independently or on a guided tour. One stretch (the Argine degli Angeli) has seasonal access hours: check current times on parcodeltapo.it before you set off.
- To the sea, the Lidi Ferraresi, ~55–60 km, for fit riders. There’s no climbing, but the distance calls for training or an e-bike; to avoid traffic you pick up the Basso Ferrarese cycle network along the River Reno.
“If it’s your first time in our area, I’d suggest planning a mixed route, nature and history, so you don’t get bored, and riding some stretches along the Po embankment too.”
— Marisa, Il Frattiero
By bike from Il Frattiero. Ferrara centre ≈ 16 km (50–60 min), Comacchio ≈ 40 km (~2h30), sea/Lidi Ferraresi ≈ 55–60 km (~3h30).
| Destination | Distance | By bike | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrara centre | ≈ 16 km | 50–60 min | Easy |
| Comacchio | ≈ 40 km | ~2h30 | Demanding |
| Sea, Lidi Ferraresi | ≈ 55–60 km | ~3h30 | For fit riders |
Our favourite corner: Aguscello and San Bartolomeo
Between Il Frattiero and Ferrara, at Aguscello, there’s a road we love more than any other.
It runs through the Borgo della Misericordia, with several 17th-century villas and the abandoned church of San Bartolomeo, one of the oldest monasteries in the area. According to a tradition recorded in the 17th century by Antonio Libanori, its origins go back to the 10th century; the medieval frescoes it once held were removed and restored in the 1970s and can now be seen in Ferrara’s Pinacoteca Nazionale. You won’t find it in the guidebooks, but we think it’s worth the detour.
What to bring
People arriving on the Po plain often forget one thing: mosquitoes.
We suggest a good natural repellent, a head torch (many of the back roads are genuinely dark) and a pocket camera, which captures the landscape better than a phone. For food along the way we point guests to an agriturismo near us, open only three days a week, so it’s worth asking first.
Frequently asked questions
Is there somewhere safe to leave the bike?
Yes. We offer three options: the garage, a wooden shed, and the portico of the old bread oven.
Do you serve breakfast early for cyclists setting off?
Yes, on request we bring breakfast forward for anyone who wants an early start.
Can you cycle to Ferrara from Il Frattiero?
Yes, very easily: about 16 km on flat country lanes, 50–60 minutes' riding.
How far is the sea by bike?
The Lidi Ferraresi are about 55–60 km away (over 3 hours): doable for fit riders or with an e-bike.
Cycle the Delta, sleep in the countryside
Book your best rate directly with us, with no middlemen: we welcome you to the Frattiero, keep your bike safe and help you choose the right route.
Il Frattiero Bed & Breakfast · Via Giotto 2, 44019 Voghiera (FE), Italy · +39 335 529 7724 · ilfrattiero@gmail.com
