Grand Canal
Venice, Italy
The Grand Canal is the main waterway of Venice, 3.8 kilometers long and 30 to 90 meters wide. Along its banks stand over 170 Renaissance and Gothic palaces, built by patricians between the 12th and 18th centuries. The canal is shaped like an inverted letter S and is up to 5 meters deep. Four bridges cross the canal, including the famous Rialto Bridge, completed in 1591. It is a key communication route and a historical element of the city.
- Visit time: 1 h
- Local name: Canal Grande
What to look for
- Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most famous of the four bridges crossing the Grand Canal.
- Ca' d'Oro Palace, an example of Venetian Gothic, built between 1428 and 1430.
- Doge's Palace, although not directly on the canal, is visible from its mouth at St. Mark's Basin.
- Ca' Rezzonico Palace, a Baroque palace housing the Museum of 18th-Century Venice.
Before you go
- Best time: Preferably in the morning or late afternoon
- Crowds: The greatest tourist traffic occurs during midday and early afternoon.
- Note: No specific restrictions, caution is advised when boarding and disembarking from gondolas or vaporettos.
Good to know
- Along the Grand Canal there are over 170 buildings, most of which were built between the 12th and 18th centuries, representing various architectural styles.
- According to legend: Traditionally, gondoliers sang serenades during cruises on the Grand Canal, which became one of the symbols of Venice.
Sources: pl.wikipedia.org, veneziaunica.it
How long does it take to visit Grand Canal?
Plan about 1 h.
Nearby
- Time Social Bar — 300 m
- Scalzi Bridge — 310 m
- Venetian Ghetto — 340 m
- Chiesa di San Stae — 350 m
- Ca' Pesaro — 420 m
- Osteria Da Fiore — 440 m
Things to do in Venice — all places with visit times
Venice — 1 day · Venice — 2 days · Venice — 3 days
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