Parco Fluviale del Po — Golena di Piacenza
Less than two kilometres from Piazza Cavalli, the Po riverbank opens into a broad, semi-wild floodplain of sandy beaches, willow thickets and oxbow lakes that feels a world away from the city. The Golena is where Piacenzans come to swim in summer, walk their dogs in autumn and watch migratory birds in spring — and almost no tourist ever finds it.
The Riverbank Experience
The easiest access point is via Via Sopramuro, which leads down from the old city walls to a gravel track running along the embankment. From here you can walk west for several kilometres through poplar groves and past fishing huts perched on stilts over the water — a landscape that has barely changed since the 19th century.
In July and August, locals set up informal beach camps on the sandy spits that emerge when the river is low. The water is not officially designated for swimming, but on hot evenings half the city seems to be in it regardless.
Wildlife and Birdwatching
The Po floodplain is one of the most important inland wetland corridors in Italy. Grey herons, great egrets and cormorants are year-round residents, while spring brings white storks and a variety of warblers to the willow scrub. The oxbow lake known as Lanca di San Nazzaro, about 8 km east of the city, is a formal nature reserve with a hide and guided walks.
Cyclists will find a flat, well-signposted riverside path (part of the EuroVelo 8 route) that runs east toward Cremona and west toward Pavia — a perfect half-day ride with the river always in sight.
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