Canal Grande

Venice

DESTINATIONS italy venice Do & See Canal Grande

Canal Grande

Canal Grande is the largest canal in town, almost 4 km long and 90-metre-wide in some parts, with an average depth of 5 metres. Public transport is available in the form of Vaporetti – water buses –, gondolas, and water taxis. There is plenty of famous buildings located along the river, which is crossed by three stunning bridges.

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Address: Canal Grande, Venice
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More Do & See

Saint Mark's Basilica

Located in St. Mark's Square (Piazza di San Marco), next to the Doge's Palace, The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark – commonly known as St. Mark's Basilica – is the most important religious temple in the city, as well as one of the finest examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture – a must-visit on any traveller's…

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square is the biggest and the most well-known square in Venice. If you truly want to comprehend the power of the former Venetian empire, this is the right place to visit. The square is full of striking and inspiring sights, like the bell tower, from which you can grasp a splendid view of…

Doge’s Palace

Built in Venetian Gothic style and one of the most iconic landmarks of Venice, the Doge's Palace or Palazzo Ducale (in Italian) used to be the residence of the Doge of Venice, as well as the seat of power for the Venetian Republic, which lasted more than 1,000 years. Both the court and the prison…

There are several tour operators offering different types of Gondola tours. You can choose between a more romantic style with serenades sung to you and your beloved partner or a more classical sightseeing tour with a guide telling you the history of all the beautiful buildings around. There are even tours where you can learn…

Burano Island is famous for its brightly coloured houses, picturesque canals, and peaceful atmosphere. Other attractions include the Church of San Martino with its leaning bell tower and the Lace Museum. Lacemaking is a fruitful industry in Burano, and you will find many artisan lace shops on the island.

Murano Island is a popular tourist destination renowned for its glassmaking industry, which is the fruit of a centuries-old tradition. You can learn more about it by visiting the Murano Glass Museum or any of the numerous glasswork studios on the island.

Glassmaking Workshop

The island of Murano in Venice is famous worldwide for its long tradition of glassmaking. And if you are looking for a fun and unique way to spend an hour and a half on Murano and then leave with a glass treasure you made yourself, consider taking a personalized glassmaking lesson. In this 90-minute glassmaking…

Venice Carnival Mask-Making Class

A fun activity for both kids and adults while visiting Venice is to craft your own Carnival mask. Enjoy a course on mask making from a master artisan in Venice while learning all about the history of this ancient tradition. Choose between a production class, decoration class, or both. Whichever option you choose, you get…

Food Tasting Walking Tour

A great way to eat your way around Venice and discover the local cuisine is by booking a guided food tour. And in this 3-hour food tasting walking tour, you will get a chance to sample an array of local specialities, including fresh seafood, homemade gelato, traditional Venetian cookies, and regional wines, plus get tips…

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) has inherited its sad name from the condemned prisoners crossing it on their way to the execution. The covered bridge connects the prison to the interrogation room in the Doge's Palace and crosses the Rio di Palazzo. If you happen to pass under it at sunset, at the…

The Rialto Bridge is one of the several bridges crossing Canal Grande. Be prepared to meet many other tourists here since this is one of the most well-known landmarks of Venice. The architecture is impressive, especially considering it was built on approximately 12,000 wooden pilings over 400 years ago.

This fish and vegetable market has been around since the year 1097, and there is frantic activity here, especially early in the mornings. The fishmongers, the bustling scenes, the old facades and the fascinating canal combine to create a great experience for all senses. The city’s best butcher shops are located nearby as well.

Torcello Island

Torcello is a small island that does not lie on the typical tourist path in Venice. On this sparsely populated island, you will find the oldest Byzantine church of Venice, which is truly amazing during the sunset, after which it even gets a little spooky.

Canal Grande is the largest canal in town, almost 4 km long and 90-metre-wide in some parts, with an average depth of 5 metres. Public transport is available in the form of Vaporetti – water buses –, gondolas, and water taxis. There is plenty of famous buildings located along the river, which is crossed by…

Teatro La Fenice

La Fenice is a world-renowned opera house and a symbol of the Italian theatre tradition. Its name means "the phoenix", which suits the theatre very well, as it happened more than once that it burned down and had to be reconstructed. It was originally built in 1755 and witnessed several world-class performances, like the premiere…

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim was the artist Max Ernst's wife; the museum is housed in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which is her former home. Her art collection was opened to the public in 1951, and nowadays people can enjoy art from Europe and America dating back to the first half of the 20th century.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Let yourself be swept away by the beautiful renaissance paintings of this gallery. The Venetian painter Tintoretto was paid to provide art for the halls of the Scuola and his masterpieces are still there to be admired. Take the audio tour to get a deeper knowledge of the artist and his works.

Interpreti Veneziani

Whether or not you are a fan of classical music, the Interpreti Veneziani is a welcome break from the city's pulsating core. After its inauguration in 1987, its concerts have been performed all over the world, in countries such as the US, Japan, Canada, and across Latin America. Take one evening to enjoy the harmony…

Ca’ Rezzonico

Standing on the right bank of the Grand Canal, Ca' Rezzonico is one of the most magnificent buildings in the whole city, as well as a remarkable example of 18th-century Venetian baroque and rococo architecture. It was completed in 1756 and today serves as a public museum with an interesting display of 18th-century Venetian artefacts,…

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Built in the 13th century and dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually called the Friari, is the largest church in Venice and an important example of Venetian Gothic ecclesiastical architecture. It holds many masterpieces of Venetian art from the Renaissance period, which is simply a delight…

Ca’ Pesaro is the city’s modern art museum, located in an old baroque palace facing the Grand Canal. The first floor houses 19th and 20th-century paintings and sculptures, while the upper floor is dedicated to the Oriental Art Museum, exhibiting 30,000 objects from Japan, China, and Indonesia.

Musica a Palazzo (Palace Music)

Located in Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto, Musica a Palazzo is a cultural association started in 2005, created to transform the palace into an intimate environment where to meet and learn more about the Opera culture. Have a look at its website to know what is in the program while you are there–it will surely be a…

San Giorgio Maggiore

Occupied in the Roman period, San Giorgio Maggiore is one of the several islands around Venice. At the beginning of the 19th century, after the Republic fall, the island became a free port housing Venice's artillery. This is another perfect opportunity to capture a gorgeous panoramic view of Venice, especially from the top of the…

The Lido is a big island featuring the city's only public beaches as well as some private ones. It can be reached by ferry, and the journey can last from ten minutes to half an hour depending on the starting point. The famous Venice Film Festival takes place here every year in September.

National Library of St Mark's

The National Library of St Mark's (Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana) is located in a beautiful Renaissance building and takes its name after St. Mark, Venice's patron. Being one of the most ancient manuscript depositories of the city, it is an exquisite place to become more familiar with the history of Venice.

Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Santa Maria dei Miracoli is the most requested church for weddings in Venice, and if you step inside, you will easily see why. It is said to be built from the leftovers of St. Mark's Basilica, even if the latter is evidently bigger. Being one of the best examples of early Venetian Renaissance architecture, its…

Museum of Natural History

If your children are tired of walking around, then this is a nice place to visit. Here you will find a great collection of animals and botanical exhibits. The museum (Museo di Storia Naturale) houses an interesting display of fossils and preserved animals.