Grand Canal Tour in Venice: a unique experience with your Venice City Pass

Gondola in front of the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal

Highlights

The Grand Canal Tour is already included in your Venice City Pass.
No advance reservation is required for this attraction – your City Pass is your ticket.
During the summer months, we recommend booking the tour one day in advance.

Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto): one of the landmarks of Venice
Ca’ d’Oro: The “Golden Palace” is a magnificent example of Venetian Gothic architecture and one of the most impressive palaces on the Grand Canal.
Palazzo Grassi: This palace is famous for its contemporary art exhibitions and modern design.
Palazzo Franchetti: a Gothic palace characterised by its striking architecture
Ca’ Rezzonico: a magnificent Baroque palace that now houses the 18th-century museum
Peggy Guggenheim Collection: an impressive collection of modern art
Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute: This majestic basilica dominates the mouth of the Grand Canal and is an impressive example of Venetian Baroque architecture.
Accademia Bridge: one of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal
Gondolas and vaporettos: During the boat tour, you will see numerous gondolas, vaporettos and water taxis that use the canal as a main traffic artery.
Historical palaces and buildings: The Grand Canal is lined with historical palaces that were once inhabited by Venetian noble families.

The Grand Canal – the heart of Venice

What awaits you on site

This exciting sightseeing tour takes you along the largest canal in Venice. During the one-hour trip, you can marvel at the different architectural styles of Venice – Byzantine, Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic – see the Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most famous bridge in Venice, and admire the palaces on the edge of the canal. The city on the lagoon is impressive with its opulent palaces, impressive churches and beautiful gardens, which leave an unforgettable impression from the water. The Grand Canal is a symbol of the unique beauty and magic of Venice. A trip along this legendary waterway is an essential part of any visit to Venice.

Discover the treasures of the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal, Venice’s main waterway, is much more than just a waterway – it is the city’s beating heart, a living ribbon that winds majestically through its narrow streets. It is about 3.8 kilometres long and extends from the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in the South-East to the Santa Lucia railway station in the North-West.

The shape of the Grand Canal is characteristic: it winds through the city in the shape of an inverted S, and there are four important bridges on it. One of these is the famous Rialto Bridge, a symbol of Venice that is often seen on postcards. The Rialto Bridge connects the two districts of San Marco and San Polo and offers a great view of the canal and the surrounding palaces.

These magnificent buildings are a testament to the former power and wealth of the Venetian noble families. Some of the most famous palaces are the Ca’ d’Oro, the Palazzo Grassi, the Ca’ Rezzonico and the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. The ornamentation and architectural styles of these palaces are impressive and reflect the artistry of the past.