Canal Grande
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
Neighbourhood: 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 neighbourhood. 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.
See what travellers are saying
  • tinylass
    Sheffield, United Kingdom4,399 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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 1 April 2023
  • Lnihiser
    Dunedin, Florida145 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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
    Travelled solo
    Written 11 May 2023
  • Zfy Ed
    Singapore, Singapore8,646 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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 26 June 2023
  • need2trvl
    Miamisburg, Ohio471 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 June 2023
  • WanderingOttersons
    Denver, Colorado1,380 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic - you can't miss it
    When in Venezia, it's hard to miss the Grand Canal. It winds through the middle and if you're walking you have to know where the very few bridges are to cross it (hint - there are only four and three of them are in the northern half of the city). The best views for us were from Ponte dell'Academia, which is also the only southern bridge so your sure to cross it at some point.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 July 2023
  • Phill147
    Sydney, Australia889 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastiv
    Is what it is.. "the Grand Canal" no where in the world can you experience a place like Venice! head there before they stop the masses and or make it even more expensive then what it already is. A good tip is to purchase a regular ferry ticket and cruise up down all day for the one price its a great way to explore Venice.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 28 July 2023
  • Kallang
    370 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highway of Venice
    A good way to see the grand canal is to take a water taxi from the train station to your hotel. Our hotel booked us a water taxi in advance as there was quite a queue to get one from the train station. Many old and ornate buildings unchanged for centuries line the canal.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 July 2023
  • Kendot52
    Denton, Texas389 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Know Before You Go
    Along the shores of the Grand Canal are so many beautiful and truly historic buildings. Take a few minutes before you go to Venice and research the canal so you will recognize those places as you pass them. Your pre-trip preparation will be totally worth the time.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 3 August 2023
  • GAR
    243 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the world’s most beautiful places
    It was a very happy accident that I ended up seeing the canal from the water. I ended up getting the Line 1 vaparetto from Lido to the train station, and the public transport boat meanders through the entirety of the Grand Canal. It was a surreal experience and I recommend doing this - much cheaper than a gondola!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 21 August 2023
  • Ken T
    Glen Oaks, New York609 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely Canal of Venice
    Water taxis are busy with tourists but definetely a must do in Venice. You can see the pretty canal, boats, gondolas and all the beautiful buildings from the taxi vantage point. Venice is such a picturesque city from the Canal grande.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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ZAH
Hertfordshire36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
Went to Ponte dell'Accademia to view the Grand Canal.
Stunning views from this point, a perfect photo spot.
It’s a little out the way from St Marks Square but definitely worth the walk.
Written 15 March 2024
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.

3Caldwells
Ipswich, UK124 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
A visit for daughter’s 21st. The canal is a hive of activity from small boats, gondolas and the ‘water bus’. The 24 hour tickets are good value if you want to move around a lot. Once you work out the ‘bus stops’ it really is efficient and a nice way to see the properties that line the canal. One minor nuisance was being told the airport trip was separate from the day ticket - having asked about a boat to the airport we were told it was a €10 trip - however when we got to the boat pontoon we were told it was the wrong ticket and that the €10 only took us to the train/bus station to get bus. So we were €20 down and had to buy different tickets (€16 each) for the Alilaguna. We were not the only ones caught out on our passage and it seemed almost intensional to mislead the water bus ticket as the boat to the airport. Rather spoilt the end to a pleasant trip
Written 11 March 2024
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.

Toffeee
London960 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
The Grand Canal is more than just the main water route in Venice. It's where most of the 'places to see and things to do' are.

If you have return tickets for the airport from the private boat companies like Alilaguna, make sure you exchange your QR code for actual paper tickets. Vouchers are not accepted. The orange line offers a direct service from the Grand Canal to the ground floor of the airport. Do not worry if your tickets to the airport do not work at the station barrier. The lady at the concierge let us in and we were in our merry way. If you do not have pre-purchased tickets, you can pay (cash or cards accepted) as you board. A one way ticket costs €16.

We met several travellers who bought tickets from the machine outside the station (ACTV Line 1 being one of them), only to be told that they weren't the right ones. Please check as it's not possible to get refunds from these ticket machines.

Always be wary of people walking too close to you. Walk away, turn around and check to see if their accomplice is helping themselves to your wallet etc. We were pickpocketed and it caused us a great deal of inconvenience. Yes, we didn't think it would happen to us too.

Be vigilant but don't let this spoil your holiday. Have a great time!
Written 5 March 2024
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.

Rigsby
Chichester, UK154 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Best way to see the grand is by private water taxi. These can be shared or just yourself. Gondolas struggle with the wake of passing motorised boats, so I'd advise against using one on the Grand Canal. Best view is from the rooftop terrace on Fandaco dei Tedeschi.
Written 3 March 2024
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.

cherryblossom2014
Wellingborough, UK92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Venice is absolutely beautiful no doubt about it, the Canal is very scenic, a must for a trip to Venice.We went in February but i can imagine in high season Venice can be hard work negotiating the narrow streets and many bridges
Written 23 February 2024
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.

djdhammond45
Cambridge, UK73 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
The hotel is located near the canal , you basically stepped out and the gondolas are there waiting for you . Was a lovely trip with some lovely staff . Our room was located at the courtyard we have a little garden outside . The breakfast area was lovely decorated and food was delicious . What an amazing trip .
Written 22 January 2024
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.

nasty K
Europe140 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Canalazzo! That's what the locals call this place. Bridges and palaces, a transport artery... Only lazy people did not write about this place, so there is practically nothing to add to the reviews. You have to try very hard while in Venice not to visit this site😁😍😁
Written 14 January 2024
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.

Herbert C
891 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
In a city with no cars and roads, the 3.8 km Grand Canal forms the major water-traffic corridor of Venice. The waterway, which is crossed by only 4 bridges and cuts a large reverse S shape through Venice, is lined on both sides by buildings from the 13th to 18th century, featuring a blend of Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Modern architecture. The best way to experience the Grand Canal is of course by following its course on a gondola or vaporetto (waterbus). Truly a quintessential Venice experience!
Written 11 January 2024
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.

Tommo
Melbourne, Australia50,434 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
The Grand Canal goes from the lagoon near the Santa Lucia railway stationto the basin at San Marco.

It is the main highway in Venice , not for cars but for boats. There are no roads.

We viewed the canal from land, from our gondola ride and via their public transportation the ACTV. I was in awe of Venice and this large waterway.
Written 9 January 2024
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.

azhad.s
Austria15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
A gondola a day keeps reality away.,​​Gone with the gondola.,I sent my family with gondola they enjoy the flooting house.. Happiness comes in canals.
Written 2 January 2024
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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CANAL GRANDE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Canal Grande

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