In this article, I explain what is Venice's Grand Canal and how to find out easily.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Venice's Grand Canal
- The special features of this channel
- What you can see along the Grand Canal
- How to browse it easily
- Practical information for browsing
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Venice's Grand Canal, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Grand Canal Venice: article summary
Venice's Grand Canal, the city's largest canal
If there's one thing you won't want to miss at your stay in Veniceis the Grand Canal which winds its way through the city.
It crosses the historic center from one end to the other, dividing the city into two banks:
- a left bank with the districts of Cannaregio (where the Venice's Jewish quarter), Castello and San Marco, home of the famous Place Saint Marcthe Doge's Palace and the superb Saint Mark's basilica
- a right bank with the districts of Santa Croce, Dorsoduro and San Polo, where you'll find the Piazzale Romanumerous churches, palaces and academies
Introducing the Grand Canal of Venice
The Grand Canal begins west of Veniceand can be considered a real gateway to the city. Whether you arrive by bus or boat, it's one of the first things you'll see.
It crosses the city in an S-shape, leading to the the San Marco basin to the east of the city (> see map of Venice).
This grand canal is the most important in Venice, with a total length of 3.8 kilometers and a width of between 50 and 70 metres. Depending on the area, it can be 5 to 10 meters deep.
The a central feature of VeniceIt's the only way to get to the heart of the Serenissima! And you'll see that there are several ways to discover it.
Facts and anecdotes about Venice's Grand Canal
- It is crossed by 4 pedestrian bridgesThe Rialto BridgePont de la Constitution, Pont des Déchaussés and Pont de l'Académie
- To the northwest, 2 automobile decks and a railway bridge through it
- There are more than 170 palaces, churches and monuments of interest of all eras along its shores
- 45 minor channels flow into the Grand Canal
How to cross Venice's Grand Canal?
There are several solutions to discover the Grand Canal easily, alone or accompanied. Here are the best options!
The Vaporetto
The most popular means of transport in Venice is the Vaporetto. These boat-buses criss-cross the canal, and all you have to do is take one of the major lines (1 and 2 / line N at night) to let yourself be carried on the waters and get off at the stop that interests you.
There's nothing to stop you around the line to get a glimpse of Venice from the Grand Canal! Line 1 crosses the city in around 45 minutes, making 15 stops at strategic points.
This is the least expensive solution, one of the most atypicaland there are a Vaporetto Pass to save money during your stay. It allows you to take these vaporetti for an unlimited period, to sail on the Venice lagoon and even explore the nearby islands of Burano, Murano or Torcello.
Gondolas
My preferred solution for discover Venice's Grand Canalis to carry out a gondola ride. It's obviously more expensive than the Vaporetto, but the experience is well worth it!
Your gondolier will explain what you're looking at, take you through the Grand Canal as well as through some charming little canals, and he might even take you on a tour of the city. sing a song for you!
It's romantic, it's interesting and it's a must-do activity in Venice !
Cab boats
For maximum comfort, you can opt for the water cab (a Motoscafo)that will take you wherever you want to go. All you need to do is make a reservation to use this private means of transport and enjoy the wonders of Venice's Grand Canal for the duration of your journey.
It's quite expensive, but it's the fastest solution to get around Venice.
Tours with audio guide
You will also find guided tours, and a system of Hop On Hop Off bus boat very practical. It allows you to hop on and off wherever you like along the Grand Canal stops, and even includes excursions to visit the surrounding area.
It's a excellent way to discover Venice and its waters, if you stay briefly in the city.
What can you see along the Grand Canal in Venice?
Now you know how to navigate Venice's Grand Canal, all that's left to do is discover what you can admire on its banks.
Impossible to list them all here the richness of Venetian heritageBut I'd like to introduce you to some of the most important buildings you'll come across on your stroll along the Grand Canal:
- Visit Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore and its campanile, which you can see from the San Marco Basin on the island!
- Visit Basilica of Santa Maria della Salutelocated on the banks of the Grand Canal to the east of the Dorsoduro district. It's a real marvel!
- Visit Rialto marketsjust a stone's throw from the famous bridge of the same name. They'll give you a taste of local life!
- The sublime Barbarigo Palace with its mosaics, from Ca'd'Oro with its blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles, or the palace Ca' Pesaro in which the Venice Museum of Contemporary Art is located
- Visit Fondaco dei TurchiThis is the site of the city's Natural History Museum. The building was used as a warehouse by the Ottomans and as a residence for merchants. Its Venetian-Gothic style makes it one of the city's must-sees!
- The Palace Venier dei Leoni which houses the impressive art collection Peggy Guggenheim
- All the Venice bridgesthat cross the Grand Canal
- And so much more, you'll be amazed!
Sailing the Grand Canal and discovering its wonders is sure to be an unforgettable experience. one of the highlights of your stay. So open your eyes and enjoy!
Venice Grand Canal: tips and practical information
Here's some information you might find useful when discovering Venice's Grand Canal.
Which Vaporetto for Venice's Grand Canal?
The easiest way to get around the Grand Canal is to use the Line 1. It leaves from Piazzale Roma (to the west) and reaches Venice's Lido (at the other end of the city) in 45 minutes. You'll have crossed the entire canal!
You can also take line 2. It makes fewer stops, for a slightly faster crossing of the Grand Canal.
When is the best time to sail the Grand Canal?
I recommend a tour of Venice's Grand Canal as soon as you arriveThis will give you a first glimpse of the city's major monuments. Once you're back on foot, all you have to do is go back and see what made the biggest impression on you!
If you can, take a vaporetto (N line) at night for an unforgettable experience. Indeed, when night falls in Venice, the main buildings light up, lending a spellbinding atmosphere to the Serenissima.
What are the rules on the Grand Canal?
It is prohibited from swim in Venice's Grand Canal and/or jump off bridges, on pain of a fine of up to 1,000 euros! It may seem obvious! Yet in 2016, a tourist died after jumping off the Rialto Bridge and colliding with a water cab.
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Venice guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
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