Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge

Canal Grande / Ponte di Rialto

The S-shaped 'main street' of Venice, lined with more than 170 palazzi. Rialto Bridge is the oldest stone bridge and the most iconic photo spot, and Line 1 water bus is the cheapest sightseeing boat.

The Grand Canal is about 3.8 km long and 30 to 90 meters wide, winding from the train station to St. Mark's. Its banks are lined with palaces dating from the 12th to 18th centuries, including Ca' d'Oro (Gothic, now a museum), Ca' Rezzonico (the 18th-century Museum of Venice), Ca' Pesaro, Palazzo Grassi (the Pinault collection of contemporary art), and the Fondaco dei Turchi (Turkish Merchants' Hall). Only four bridges cross the canal: Constitution Bridge, Scalzi Bridge, Rialto Bridge, and Accademia Bridge.

Rialto Bridge was built between 1588 and 1591. Its single stone arch spans 28 meters, and shops line both sides of its central passageway, with three walkways in total. It is Venice's oldest canal bridge. From the bridge, you can look north up the Grand Canal. On the west side lies Rialto, Venice's oldest commercial district. The Rialto Market's fish and produce markets open early in the morning from Tuesday to Saturday. Nearby bacaro wine bars such as All'Arco and Do Mori are packed at midday with locals drinking ombra (small glasses of wine) with cicchetti (small snacks).

Suggested activities: 1) Take Line 1 water bus from Piazzale Roma to St. Mark's, and sit on the open-air seats at the bow to take in the palaces along both banks over the 45-minute ride. (Line 2 is faster but stops less often.) 2) Go early in the morning to photograph the empty bridge, then explore the market. 3) The rooftop terrace of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi (formerly a DFS department store) beside the bridge offers free reservation-based views over the Grand Canal. Note that the department store closed in 2025, so check the terrace's current status. 4) At the Santa Sofia traghetto landing, take a 2-euro gondola ferry across the canal to experience being rowed while standing.

Getting there: water bus, Rialto stop.

Note: Rialto Bridge is packed in the mid-morning and afternoon, so take photos early in the morning or at night. Shops on the bridge are expensive.

Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby