The Grand Canal, Venice on the water

The geography of Venice, built on a hundred or so islands, is not always easy to grasp: it's really easy to get lost! But thanks to its size (it's the city's widest canal), the Grand Canal is an unmissable landmark. This wide maritime artery crosses the whole of Venice and its sestieri (districts): on its right bank, Cannaregio, San Marco and Castello; on its left bank, Dorsoduro, San Polo and Santa Croce.

The Grand Canal is the scene of constant traffic, with all the boats you can see in Venice in a never-ending ballet: vaporetti regular boats and water taxis in a hurry, gondolas battered by the waves, but also fireboats, ambulance boats, police boats and even dustbins... life is organised on the water in Venice, which has always been free of motorised traffic.

From the Middle Ages onwards, Venice established itself as a formidable maritime and commercial power, with links to the Levant. As a symbol of its wealth, splendid palaces and spectacular churches flourish along the banks of the Grand Canal: all the architectural beauty of the Serenissima is on display over a 4km stretch. It's a sight to behold!

Departing from Santa Lucia station, line 1 of the vaporetto takes you down the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco: take a seat and admire the spectacle! The superb facades of the Venetian palaces punctuate the entire route: built by the city's great families, they are the showcase of the Serenissima's success. Each one has its own history, many were home to great personalities, and all are true architectural feats, blending styles and influences.

The Ca'd'Oro ("Golden House"), for example, is the most emblematic of them all, with its Gothic style, the typically Renaissance Palazzo Corner Spinelli and the baroque Ca'Pesaro, now home to modern works of art. The ancient warehouses of the Fondaco dei Turchi, in the Venetian-Byzantine style, and the Pescheria, with its fish market, are reminders of Venice'sceaseless commercial activity, concentrated around the Rialto district.

This is the time to cross Venice's most emblematic bridge: the Rialto Bridge, the only bridge to cross the Grand Canal until the 19th century (today there are 4), where Venice's past meets its present, crowded with souvenir shops for tourists...

The cruise draws to a close as the dome of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute appears, guarding the entrance to the Grand Canal: for a grand finale, get off at Piazza San Marco, the heart of Venice, and take time to recover from your emotions!

How do I navigate the Grand Canal?

The easiest way to navigate the Grand Canal is to take the vaporetto, line 1. In either direction (or both), you can leave from the Santa Lucia station and cruise leisurely from stop to stop all the way to Piazza San Marco (35 mins). Note that line 1 continues all the way to Venice's Lido.

Vaporetto fares ?

A vaporetto ticket costs €9.50 for a single journey. If you are planning several journeys, purchase a transport pass via Venezia Unica. Valid for 24, 48, 3 or 5 days.

When should you take line 1 of the vaporetto?

The first boat leaves at around 5am, and the last service at around midnight. During the day, line 1 is almost always packed, and is the busiest line in Venice, so it's best to leave very early, at daybreak, for a magical show that's not too crowded. At night, the effect is also guaranteed.

Where to stay with a view of the Grand Canal?

Many of the historic buildings lining the Grand Canal have been converted into hotels. As you can imagine, the view is incredible, as is the setting.