Europe
Italy
Veneto
Province of Venice
City of Venice
Venice
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Canal Grande
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Canal Grande

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Canal Grande
4.5
About
Venice's main water thoroughfare, lined with great Renaissance palaces, is a colorful and busy spectacle of gondolas and vaporetti.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
Neighborhood: San Polo
The Rialto Bridge is the most famous sight along the Grand Canal in San Polo, smallest of Venice's six sestieri (districts) and by far the busiest neighborhood. Morning Venetians arrive to peruse the markets for fish, fruit and vegetables, while shops display goods from cheese to wine to desserts. San Silvestro and Rialto Market vaporetto (water taxi) stops add to the steady stream of foot traffic. San Polo is defined by churches including Basilica dei Frari, one of the most important churches sought by art lovers.
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,417 within 3 miles
Gelateria Gallonetto
110
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Italian
I' Bacaro De' Bischeri
311
363 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Contemporary
Vineria all’Amarone
1,765
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Ravioleria Venezia
160
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Chinese • Fast Food
Ristorante San Silvestro
1,588
489 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Osteria da Bubi
96
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Seafood
Al Grill
839
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • Barbecue
Ca Dolfin
1,476
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Healthy • Northern-Italian
Da Carletto
1,277
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Ristorante La Piazza
2,702
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
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Attractions
968 within 6 miles
Riva del Ferro
19
159 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Ponte di Rialto
17,876
246 ftBridges
Gioielleria Eredi Jovon
537
318 ftAntique Shops
T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi
1,514
439 ftShopping Malls
Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto
224
268 ftArchitectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
Chiesa di San Salvador
147
484 ftReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Scuola Grande di San Teodoro
224
387 ftArchitectural Buildings • Theaters
Monumento Storico a Carlo Goldoni
59
455 ftMonuments & Statues
Teatro Goldoni
86
469 ftTheaters
Chiesa Rettoriale di San Polo
51
381 ftChurches & Cathedrals
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See what travelers are saying
  • 𝓝𝓪𝓽𝔂 ® 👑
    Moscow, Russia116,080 contributions
    Canal Grande
    The canal runs through the entire city. Starting from the lagoon at the station, it runs through the city, repeating an inverted S, and ends, connecting with the San Marco Canal and the La Giudecca Canal. The most beautiful buildings of the city are concentrated here. We rode on it several times and every time there was a different feeling. It’s faster on a boat, and on a gondola you can look at those nuances of architecture that you can’t always see from a boat.
    Visited July 2022
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 31, 2022
  • Arthur M
    Hamilton, Canada1,038 contributions
    A gondola ride is a must-do for Venice and don't panic if the gondola is tilted to the right! It's normal!
    No tourist leaves Venice without a gondola ride, even at the worst weather imaginable. We went on a gondola ride during heavy rain and in the middle of the ride, it stopped, and the experience was just pure magic. I can totally imagine how much better it is during sunny weather but alas, it is something every visitor must experience. The grand canal experience is totally unique in Europe (if not the world). I didn't know the gondolas naturally tilt to the right! I tried balancing it to make it more centred but the gondola driver masterfully tilted the gondola back. That was embarrassing. But yeah that's a tip that I can give!
    Visited December 2022
    Written January 15, 2023
  • Coconutmatting
    7 contributions
    Going to Venice is like the best dream you ever had and when you wake up, it's real.
    Everyone should experience Venice at least once in their life. Unique, magical, breathtaking - everything that can be said about Venice has already been said, and it's all true. Wander aimlessly and take in the atmosphere, plan a route to a famous historical landmark, idle your time away in a wonderful garden restaurant in a backstreet you chanced upon by accident or just get lost and enjoy finding your way back to somewhere you recognise. There is, literally, nowhere like Venice. Go now, go again, and again and again - Venice will never disappoint.
    Visited May 2022
    Written February 9, 2023
  • mavis332017
    Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom14 contributions
    Night time along the Canal Grande
    Taking the Vaporetto is a great way of travelling along the Grand Canal. Do be aware it is vital that you scan your ticket every time you get on. You can be fined if not. I do recommend a night time trip along the Canal Grande. We took the Vaporetto from the rail station to San Marco. Alighted, walked to the Square and then took the trip back. It was lovely to see Venice lit up at night and the lovely reflections on the water.
    Visited February 2023
    Written February 9, 2023
  • angela
    Southport, United Kingdom1 contribution
    Lovely stay
    The hotel was lovely, and very traditional. The service was excellent. We asked if we could have a kettle and when we arrived there was a kettle and cups and saucers etc in the room. It was lovely being able to have breakfast looking out onto the grand canal, and there was plenty of choice for the breakfast and it was lovely.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 26, 2023
  • paavery
    Plymouth, Michigan130 contributions
    Make Sure to Take a Boat Ride Down the Grand Canal
    We visited Venice for the first time in 1988 and took a ride on the Grand Canal in an overcrowded ferry boat. It was not a great experience. Fast forward 35 years later and we took a private taxi boat tour of the Grand Canal which was a highlight of the trip. It is quite beautiful, relaxing, and interesting. The taxi boat was much more reasonable than the gondolas, and we could stand and take pictures or sit and relax and enjoy the views. Best way to see this wonderful site.
    Visited February 2023
    Written March 10, 2023
  • tinylass
    Sheffield, United Kingdom4,364 contributions
    Amazing!
    Got to be one of the prettiest places in the world! The views from the bridges up and down the canal are breathtaking. We arrived at our hotel via private water taxi which took us the whole length of the canal; this was an amazing way to get a closer look at the whole of the canal which I would highly recommend. Make sure you have a decent camera and note that it does get extremely busy in places!
    Visited March 2023
    Written April 1, 2023
  • Lnihiser
    Dunedin, Florida144 contributions
    Awesome awesome
    There are no words to express how absolutely gorgeous the grand canal is. It literally takes your breath away as you stand on top of the bridge looking outward I recommend this when you come to Venice it’s a must as the other events are also. Venice is a very beautiful place and I highly recommend you try and visit Venice once in your lifetime.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written May 11, 2023
  • Zfy Ed
    Singapore, Singapore8,519 contributions
    Stunning and awesome scenic view!
    The Grand Canal, known as the Italian Canale Grande, is the main waterway in the City of Venice, Italy, following a natural channel that traces a reverse-S course from San Marco Basilica to Santa Chiara Church and divides the city into two parts. The wide canal is used by passenger ferries, which are the only means of public transport around the islands in Venice. The lines 1 and 2 of the so-called Vaporetti (name of the ships in Italian) travel along the entire length of the canal. The Canal Grande is the most important waterway of the lagoon city and therefore very busy. During our visit here in Venice, we had walked around through the several bridges that link from one island to another and also took the gondola service around. It was stunning and awesome scenic view of this "water city"! It's great to visit here as the city has been submerging in water year by year and flooding seemed more often according to our guide.
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 26, 2023
  • need2trvl
    Miamisburg, Ohio422 contributions
    A must do in life!
    Venice and the Grand Canal should be on everyone's bucket list. Sit and have a cup of coffee or glass of wine and just take it in. Just be in the moment. You are staying overnight. Go early in the morning and go at night. It's so much different when the day tourists have left. Amazing.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 30, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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The Reynards
Isle of Wight, UK509 contributions
Venice’s main artery.
Feb 2020 • Couples
Canal Grande, is the main artery of Venice offering the only alternative transport other than walking to get around this wonderful city. It is crossed in only four places so water taxis or the local vaporetti continually ply up and down. The number 1 & 2 are the main vaporetti for this route stopping frequently at most stations, recognised by their yellow markings, at the waterside stations. A trip on the canal really should not be missed, to view the many renaissance palaces which line these waters. A boat tickets cost €7.50, or you can purchase travel cards for varying amounts of time starting @ €20, for one day. There are many gondola stations near to prominent places where gondolas can be hire for a trip on the canal, (€80 for half hour) however in my opinion better views can be obtained from the vaporetti. There are a couple of places along the river where you can catch the local gondola which is basically just a quick canal crossing and it costs €2, but at least you can say you been on a gondola.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R V
56 contributions
Save money, use the water bus
Feb 2020 • Couples
You can save a lot by riding around the Grand Canal on one of the vaporettos (water buses) ans still see everything. There are regular stops along the canal. It is about €20 to ride from the top near tje train station (Santa Lucia) to the bottom, for 2 people or around four times that for a water taxi.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
McKenna N
Gainesville, FL119 contributions
You can really understand why people have visited Venice for centuries
Jul 2020
Venice is best seen by water. We did this tour shortly after arriving, and it was a great way to absorb the magic and get a sense of bearing. We got on at the train station and listened to the Rick Steves audio tour right at dusk to see a little in the light and a little in the day. It's just stunning!
Written February 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thenorthlondonguy
London, UK88 contributions
Just Beautiful
Feb 2020 • Couples
We opted to not bother with water taxis, instead me and the wife preferred to take everything in at our own pace on foot and try to avoid the lumped together tourist blobs.

There's plenty of major bridges to take in all the sites. You can get especially great views around the back of the Peggy Guggenheim museum! (Obviously this costs admission fees but also recommend).
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mlbtravels
Noosa, Australia2,767 contributions
Spectacular
Oct 2021 • Friends
We were able to get onto the water twice during this visit to Venice. The first time was via water taxi from the station to our hotel. The second time was by taking the vaporetto (local water bus) for Euro 7.50 per person. This is the cheapest way to get onto the water. It is crowded as it is used by tourists and locals to travel up and down the water ways. Fairly rough boats but a thoroughly enjoyable experience. On our next visit we will likely do a full circuit. Highly recommended.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J H
Toronto, Canada43 contributions
See Venice from the Canal!
Sep 2019
I was there in late September so it wasn't as crowded as it might be at other times of the year. It is definitely worth it to get a daily or even a multi-day pass to ride the water bus (Vaporetto) while travelling in Venice. Walking is also a great method to move around, but seeing Venice from the canals and being able to take it all in was really worth it, too.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
duck8to
Montville, NJ6,864 contributions
A Special City
Aug 2019
The Canal Grande has been a water-traffic corridor since ancient times. During Roman Times it was referred to as the Rio Businiacus and was possibly a branch of the Bienta River. At that time the Adriatic Ventiti people lived on fishing fishing and salt commerce. It winds its' way through Venice in an "S" shape configuration. The canal is 2,4 miles long with an average depth of 16'. One end of the canal leads into the lagoon near Santa Lucia railway station while on the other end leading into the basin at San Marco.

Over the centuries Venice developed by virtue of many influences that formed its' character. In the early 9th century the doge moved his seat of power from Malamocco to a safer Rivoaltus site in Venice, thereby laying the foundation of economic expansion. Fondaco houses (warehouse + merchant residence) were established along the canal and still exist today. The Fondaco del Torchi (13th ) is a prime example. The canal at the Rialto bridge, the first bridge to cross the canal, became the center of commerce and finance. Byzantine influences came with the crusades and the sack of Constantinople in 1204 in terms of sculpture, friezes, columns and capitols which decorated patrician homes. The Polychrome, three partitioned facades which are still very evident on the canal represents another major architectural feature of the canal. The Venetian Gothic design of the Doge;s Palace is yet another example of influences which took hold along the canal. The Renaissance brought Venetian Baroque in the form of Palazzo Balhi (1582) to prominence. It features cornices, broken pediments and ornamental motifs. The Santa Maria Della Salute (1631) near San Marco Square is another example of this style of architecture.

While the beauty of its' many architectural styles enhance the appeal of the Grand Canal, it is the total ambiance of the water, vaporettis and gondolas, restaurants and art galleries, that create the magic of this city.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peniludez
Nottingham205 contributions
A Must!
Jan 2020
Travelling on a gondola is a must do! It is such fun! It's not expensive if you share a gondola with others. One gondola should seat 5-7 people. If other visitors are near you, ask them if they want to share. it wil cut the price. We did it in Jan 2020 and cost 80 Euros for a 30 minute ride.....so possibly the prices are lower in Winter.?
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
einarse
Bodo, Norway281 contributions
The World's most beautiful high street
Jan 2020
In most cities, you can walk along the busy high street. It's central, it's noisy, it's packed with cars. Here you get a busy high street, which may be a bit noisy (but not compared to other cities' high street), but you can't walk it, you must take the bus (vaporetto), a taxi or a gondola.

But despite you have to pay to 'stroll' along it (with help of a transporter), it's indeed the world's most beautiful high street, with several old palaces, e.g. the Palazzo Gussoni Cavalli Franchetti (15th century, restorated in 19th century) or Fondaco dei Turchi (13th century). A true 'must' when you are in Venezia.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana G
Sydney, Australia431 contributions
Stunning
Apr 2019
I wasn't expecting much, people who told me about Venice said it was stinky, dirty, the water was brown and to not bother going.

But it was none of those things and the gondola ride we went on was a really relaxing way to see the beauty of the city.

The water was a beautiful shade of blue and there weren't any horrible smells.

I definitely enjoyed cruising down the canal.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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