Grand Canal

The Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is the primary arterial waterway of Venice, Italy, a shimmering "S" shaped thoroughfare that encapsulates the city's maritime glory. Spanning nearly four kilometers, it serves as a living museum, flanked by over 170 majestic palaces that document half a millennium of Venetian architectural evolution and economic supremacy. History & Importance Historically known as the "Canalazzo," the Grand Canal likely follows the bed of an ancient river that flowed into the lagoon. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it became the most prestigious address in the world; the wealthy merchant class constructed "fondaco" houses—hybrid structures serving as both private residences and commercial warehouses—directly on its banks. Its historical importance lies in its role as the lifeline of the Venetian Republic, facilitating the transit of galleys laden with spices, silks, and precious metals from the East. Special Highlights • The Palazzi: Architectural icons like the Gothic Ca' d'Oro (House of Gold) and the Baroque Ca' Pesaro line the banks, showcasing intricate marble traceries. • The Four Bridges: The canal is traversed by the Rialto Bridge (the oldest), the wooden Accademia Bridge, the stone Scalzi Bridge, and the modern glass-and-steel Constitution (Calatrava) Bridge. • The Traghetto: While expensive gondola rides are famous, the "Traghetto" service—a shared gondola ferry—allows visitors to cross the canal for a few euros at specific points, a tradition unchanged for centuries. Accessibility and Navigation • Ways & How to Reach: Most visitors arrive via the Santa Lucia Railway Station or Piazzale Roma (the bus terminal). From there, the "Vaporetto" (water bus) Line 1 is the most scenic, making stops at every pier along the canal, while Line 2 is an express service. • Parking: There is no vehicle access or parking on the canal. Visitors must park at the Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma garages before continuing by water. • Tickets: A single 75-minute vaporetto ticket in 2026 costs approximately €9.50. However, most travelers opt for 24-hour (€25) or 48-hour passes to navigate the canal repeatedly. Atmosphere and Vibe • Aesthetics: The visual "decor" consists of weathered pastel facades, weathered mooring poles (pali), and the constant play of light on the water. • Noise & Crowds: The noise level is characterized by the rhythmic splashing of oars and the hum of diesel engines. Crowd density is highest around the Rialto and St. Mark’s area, though it becomes ethereal and quiet after midnight when only the "Night Line" boats operate. • Lighting: The canal is most evocative at dusk, when the chandeliers of private palazzi are reflected in the dark waters, creating a cinematic, old-world aura. Service, Quality, and Facilities • Amenities: Vaporetto stops are the primary nodes for facilities. Larger stops like Rialto and San Zaccaria offer ticket kiosks and small waiting areas. • Restrooms: Public toilets (managed by Veritas) are scattered near major stops like Rialto and Accademia; they are clean but typically require a €1.50 fee. • Connectivity: While public Wi-Fi is available in major squares near the canal, the signal on moving boats can be erratic. • Seating: Dedicated seating is rare on the canal banks; the best way to enjoy a seated view is to secure a spot at the bow or stern of a Vaporetto or dine at one of the many "fondamenta" (canal-side) restaurants.

This waterway runs the entire length of the Lagoon of Venice! There is much traffic on the waterway: water buses, water taxis, gondolas and private boats and amazing to see how they navigate it all. I purchased a 3-Day Water Bus pass and it allowed me to enjoy the beautiful views, massive buildings, Rialto Bridge and exquisite architecture of all the other buildings along the waterway.

The Grand Canal is the heart of Venice—beautiful palaces lining both sides, gondolas gliding by, and vaporettos buzzing through. Whether you take a boat ride or just admire it from the bridges, the views are absolutely unforgettable.

The Grand Canal is Venice’s main waterway, offering stunning views of historic palaces and iconic bridges — a must-see for first-time visitors.

Line 1 of the vaporetto is Venice’s best show. If you’re lucky enough to get the seats beside the pilot cabin, you feel the city open up: the thrum of the engines, the vibration of the deck plates, the water slapping the hull, and palazzi lit like stage sets as you glide past. Rialto was once the world’s trading floor, where goods from East and West were landed — and you sense that weight of history even now, slipping under its arch by night. A vaporetto ride is Venice’s greatest souvenir: not bought, but lived.

Nothing quite like it. For travellers, this body of water represent life, entertainment, livelihood, connection to ea SH other, services and beauty. So much history, so much beauty! At night time it glitters colours and lights from different establishments. During the day it becomes a guide, a marker for people to follow and wander to their destination. Venice and Grand Canal, where nature and people’s ingenuity combine.

It was amazinggg, We loved it.We took the gondola and it was a great experience. We paid 90€ in total for three people. The price does not change depending on the number of people. It is the same whether there are five people. The 30 minute gondola ride is priced at 90€.Definitely take a walk around the back streets, this is essential to understand the spirit of Venice. And definitely eat at more local establishments, it's cheaper and more original.

Mesmerising Grand Canal of Venice (Venezia) is dream land with exceptional breathtaking views. Highly recommended to take a Vaporetto ride or Gondola ride in Grand Canale. Heart line of Venice main canal splashes beauty on both shores with great restaurants and buildings.

Beautiful! This was on my bucket list for Europe. And I'm glad I got to see it! Awesome! The grand canal is quite busy. There's boats going back and forth and water taxis too. It was so fun to see it in person! You always see things like this in movies, and in real life it's just great.

Historically one of most influential city of Europe. There is so much to do in this floating city, day and night. The Venice Carnival can magically transport the place back into the dawn of the 13th century; even off season, the gift shops are filled with elaborate masks. When you travel in the right season, you can visit the lower levels (only presence of damp moisture). And don't forget the gondola ride, San Marco Square, the back streets, the opera house. With a map, you can easily navigate different streets, channels, and water taxis dropoff/pickup points.

The Canal Grande is the largest canal in Venice, which has been forming one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. It's always been busy among all the times throughout the day, and it draws the most traffic in Venice. I would say it's hard to miss the canal when visiting here.

There are no pictures that can quite prepare you for the beauty of the Grand Canal! I have seen a number of pictures of Venice growing up, and I can honestly say that none of them do Venice justice! We arrived to Venice on a train from Rome! As soon as we exited the train station, our jaws dropped like WOW! I highly recommend a ride on a gondola while you are in Venice! Try to get in a gondola ride with a rower that will tell you about Venice, while you are in the gondola. If you do, the gondola ride instantly turns into a small guided tour of Venice at a fraction of the cost of an actual tour with a tour company. A gondola ride will cost you anywhere between 90 to 140 euros, but it is worth every bit of the money. I would even venture to say that they should charge more, for the surprising peace and calm of the gondola ride and the beautiful scenery!

Beautiful place in Italy. This looks so pleasing in the morning , evening, and night. The place is so lively with a lot of people. There are plenty of places to eat but fewer places to pass and watch out for limited bathroom availability. Gondola services are available everywhere, but most of them will cut it short by 1o minute. Magnificent buildings and lot of history.

Venice is situated on 118 islands with 150 canals in between. Still, nothing can prepare you for the idea of Venice till you start exploring tiny passages, lively squares, with buildings that date to 13-16th century and with water almost always at your sight. It is one of a kind, for sure. Canal Grande as a name suggests is the largest and most popular canal, with only 4 bridges across and all kind of water traffic that you should definitely consider even at the stiff price of 100$ for 30-minute ride. You can try to negotiate the price, but if you're visiting in a busy hours 10-7, I doubt you'll find anyone interested. We stayed in Venice for few days in order to see Venice during sunrise and sunset hours, with no crowds. It was spectacular. I would never go back (and this was my 3rd visit) unless I can roam the empty streets during sunrise hours. There is nothing like it.

When I think of Venice, the Grand Canal is one of the first things that comes to mind. I've seen it on TV and in pictures, but gliding through this tranquil canal while soaking up the beauty of Venice first hand is an experience unlike any other. It is truly amazing is every sense of the word. It's easy to admire the canal whilst perusing the streets of Venice since it practically cuts right through the island itself. But if you have the time and money, I'd highly recommend hopping aboard a gondola. It's truly the best way to experience the Grand Canal and all of its' glory. Laying back and taking in the picturesque architecture of this island whilst traversing the canal by gondola is nothing short of amazing. It'll make you feel like you're in a storybook. So magical. Even if you don't take a gondola ride through the canal, you can still absorb the beauty by foot. Take advantage of these views and walk to the canal. There are so many different view points to choose from. And honestly, you're bound to catch some sort of scenic view of the canal while in Venice... even if you're not looking for it.

This is the way to travel and get around when in Venice! Our tour group used water taxis for the most part, fast and roomy. Also, did the tourist must and rode a gondola ( so much fun) With so many restaurants and hotels overlooking this canal, your gonna have a great experience where ever you are. Even walking over the many bridge's is a good time. It never seemed to be overcrowded or even confusing to navigate your way around. There are signs on most of the walkways and buildings, so many shops to check out along the canal too. I only spent a few days here, I can't wait to go back!

I saw Grand Canal in Venice many times on TV or in pictures. But it looks much more impressive with I see it in person. I have to say it still looks like a picture. So beautiful! One of the best ways to see the Grand Canal is by gondola. The canal is more magnificent than when I see it on the banks or on the bridges. The building standing upright on both sides of the Grand Canal is showing to me how the prosperity of Venice almost a thousand years ago. The water traffic is bustling after hundreds of years today. Of course, tourists from all over the world are making Venice's water traffic even busier! I'm one of them too! Lol!

Well! If you come to Venice!! Ya can't miss!! What's not to love. It's everything and a bag of chips for this floating city on the water. My first time, I was a teen and we came on a big boat. Pulling into the grand canal/ canal grande was a sight: a vision and a memory I can't ever forget. I've been here for Venezia, Morano, Lido film festival, Burano, Christmas, crazy summer and just rainy season in Venice visits. All have been great. Flying in, taking the train and water taxi to Piazza San Marco/ hotels being my preferred way. Gondola rides made famous in this Canal Grande but with so many moving boats, water taxi ( private boats) is the best way. $250 for one way anywhere (10-15 mins ride). Or you can try water bus! No luggages allowed since Venetians do use these as daily commute. Or simply cross one of many bridges, sit on the bridges, grab a latte or dine and take in the marvel that is Venezia !! The history, the cathedrals, the architecture of all things Venetian. What's not to love!

Cool to see, the building next to the water. How the city was designed and all. Has a rich history along with the rest of Italy. Another one of those sites were you should see if you are visiting even though it does not interest you.

Just beautiful with gondolas, water taxis moving across. Passing over the 4 main bridges or 500 smaller ones. Viewing the spectacular churches & palaces that line the canal, and watching the sunset. The waterways of Venice are like nothing else!

Canal Grande is one of those peak experiences in my life. I spent a couple days in Venice during one trip to Italy. My hotel was off St. Mark's Square. I definitely had to go for a gondola ride. Although I enjoyed it immensely and the gondola driver was educating me about my surroundings, it was not a romantic experience like I saw in the movies. Haha, how could it be as a young tourist girl alone. The canal was a much different waterway than I thought before my gondola ride. It's beyond words and must be experienced using any form of water transportation not just looking at it! There's no way you should pass up the opportunity to cruise the Grand Canal. The surrounding architecture is beautiful and it's relaxing to get off your feet for a while! It's a peak experience of a lifetime to me.

You cannot come to Venice and not transit through the Grand Canal - you're either going to do it via water taxi from the airport - or walk past - or catch a gondola ride through... or dine at one of the fancy restaurants overlooking the canal where you can watch the busy boat traffic while eating. It's wonderful and unique to this beautiful city on the water. It's one of the things that makes Venice so unique and is around 2 miles long if I remember correctly - and is the "main street" of Venice. There are several ways to get around - water taxis are plentiful but expensive (around $100), gondolas are touristy but also expensive (around $80-100) depending on if you share or want a private one, or you can take a city boat for about $7 per trip or $21 for a day pass for 24 hours. Whatever you choose - you should explore the waters and ride through the Grand Canal and marvel at this ancient city.

Anything less than 5 stars seems less than grand. Sure, Canal Grande is almost as photogenic as Ariana Grande (easy ... Arianators, I said "almost" ...), but as the biggest and most legendary waterway in Venice, the 2.4 mile canal clearly lives up to its grand title. If you've never been, go. If you've been, go again. Bucket list activities along Canal Grande include: * ride a gondola * snap some snaps * wander a walking tour * sip a spritz * marvel at the architecture * cross all 4 bridges * gloss some local gelato * shop along Ponte di Rialto * give Risi e Bisi a taste * experience a Vaporetto waterbus * sample some Sarde in Saor * explore San Marco * have a grand time! Canal Grande really is grande and anything less than 5 stars is simply less than grand.

This was such an incredible experience. We booked through Grand Canal by Gondola. The gondola was clean and the own driving the boat took our pictures happily. Even others we passed by were super kind. Got one of the best shots for my iconic travel pics. I thought it would be dirty or smelly but it was delightful.

Greetings and salutations yelpers. Besides being a foodie and always in somebody's restaurant stuffing my face I'm an avid traveler. Do not know the meaning of expired passport. One of bucket list check was Italy, visited many parts but we will focus on Venice for this segment . Yelpers what an amazing journey traveling the streets and seeing sights. Of Course I was there when high tide came in and flooded the square. However in time the water receded and it was business as usual. My bucket list excursion was a gondola ride and being serenaded. The most amazing experience. The scent around is not the best but when immersed in such culture and architecture you will get lost in the beauty of it all. Pictures do not do it justice. If you haven't already plan that trip and explore all what Italy has to offer. Now to find out how to post the parts I've been to.

Ride a gondola and get serenaded as you cruise through the Canal Grande and between buildings and seeing all the shops. Such a beautiful city and we were there Sep 2023 when it wasn't too hot. If I had to do over, I'd visit Venice in the spring or fall when it's cooler because we were fanning ourselves because of the humidity. We were part of a tour and it cost 59 EUR for the 30 min ride but I saw that it was less had we done it on our own. There were 3 other ladies with me and this is one of the highlights of coming to Venice. It was worth it!

Ah...the world renown Grand Canal... If you are going to Venice you will definitely be on or around the Grand Canal at some point. No matter how you get to Venice...via boat or feet...the first time you set eyes on the Grand Canal it will be a "wow" moment...guaranteed! It is the main vein (waterway) through Venice...sort of like the main road, only it is water. There are, without a doubt, a lot of sights to see along the Grand Canal, not to mention its beauty. The water bus (public transit) can take you from one end to the other and there are stops in between...you just need to know what stop to get off (Of course, you are welcome to take a private taxi or gondola as well). There are areas where you can walk along the Grand Canal too. It is amazing to know all of this was basically man-made. That said, instead of giving you all the regular fluffy stuff...I want to address a little history about it to give you something to think about while you are on or around the Grand Canal. Before all the magnificence and splendor we see today...it was a muddy swamp. The early settlers drained areas of the lagoon, dug canals and lined them with closely placed wood stakes (some lined with water-resistant alder wood) and shored up the banks to prepare for building. With no forest nearby, the wood was imported from Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia. Of course, on top of these wood stakes wooden platforms were placed, then stone and then this is what the buildings sit on. Voila...the Grand Canal and the rest of the canals were created! Through time, building, etc....it has evolved into the beautiful city it is today. Venice has withstood the test of time because of the lack of oxygen on the wood since it is submerged. Plus, saltwater, sand, stone and other particles have seeped into the wood hardening it like stone. People often ask (yes, I asked) how deep the canals are. There are a variety of answers and it depends on where you are referring to, the tide and dredging. From what I understand, the Grand Canal is about 5 meters deep, while the smaller canals (like a side street for the lack of a better term) are only 1 1/2 to 2 meters deep. However, the Canale Della Giudecca (main canal entering Venice) is 12 to 17 meters. No matter what canal you are on, walking along, around, crossing over or whatever the case may be...it's pretty awe inspiring to know the work that went into this by the early settlers. Wow! Enjoy!

What is more romantic than being cuddled up in a gondola, snogging your lover whilst riding down the canal towards the sunset, being serenaded in Italian song? I don't know; I haven't had this experience, but I had plenty of time to dream about it during my gondola ride! There's a lot of walking involved in touring Venice. Take a nice break from the summer heat, and a break for your feet, by hitching a ride on the often imitated Venetian gondolas. Your gondolist (I totally just made that up!) will row you down the canal at a relaxing pace, allowing you to completely chill as you take in the sights. God willing, you'll get an awesome breeze to accompany you on your journey. If you're lucky, your gondolist will sing you an Italian lullaby on your way. (I'm sure I dozed off once or twice.) I experienced the Canal Grande a second time via water taxi as I headed to Lido. Just take care before pre-booking any water taxi services or island stays that require transportation via water taxi as they go on strike from time to time and you don't want to be stuck for days, weeks, or longer. Or maybe you do?

We have been in Venice a bunch of times. But still amazes us the same as the first time. It's just a lovely place to be. Countless sights, great food and no (car) traffic. The Canale Grande is one of the most famous sights in the city. And rightly so. You could rent a private water taxi, take a tour boat or just hop on one of the water buses. For us the water bus was fine. Drive along the whole canale or hop and off (buy a day-ticket). You will pass endless interesting sights. Starting from the train station (Ferrovia) the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo, the Chiesa di San Geremia, Rialto Mercato and Rialto Bridge, the Ponte dell'Accademia, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, the Punta della Dogana and at the other end the Piazza San Marco with the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Marco. And that's just the very big sights along the way. Of course you also can walk through Venice (we love it) and you will pass the Canale lots of times. It's also fun just to wander around without plan and getting lost in the beautiful backstreets of Venice. This time we were lucky to rent an apartement for a few day directly on the Canale Grande. With views of the canal from every room. Be it in the morning during breakfast or in the evenings when the lights on the canal seemed magical: We never got and never will get bored of that sight. Light or dark, day or night, sunny or rainy. The Canale Grande is a sight to behold. Love it - and we love this town.

Grand Canal, Considered to be the main street of Venice, the 2-mile-long Grand Canal is one of the city's most popular and highly photographed attractions. if you want to cover the whole stretch, Vaporetto line No. 1 travels down the Grand Canal, stopping in the six or neighborhoods, along the way. The Vaporetto, or water bus, is a great way - and the least expensive - of exploring this canal, but water taxis are also available, as well as the typical Venetian gondolas, although tourists should be careful to avoid scams. You can buy extended passes that allow for multiple uses so you don't have to worry about buying a ticket each time you use one Once the main routes in Venice, teeming with merchants' ships, the Grand Canal is at present still a heavily transited waterway that runs through the center of Venice, from the railway station to San Marco. Grand Canal is a magnificent attraction and must be experienced during your trip. Tip: take a picture from Academia Bridge. That's the Grand Canal you see in pictures or youtube videos

This is one of the world's most famous waterways (in my opinion). It's absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Especially at sunrise or sunset. The beautiful bridges, water taxis, and architecture along the canal are most definitely going to be burned in your mind after a visit.

Looking over the Grand Canal, or going on it with vaporetto or gondola, it doesn't matter, the view is outstanding. The glistening water, the buildings either side or the bustling nature of the boats, the atmosphere is great.

Beautiful. Romantic. Amazing. During our all-too-short time in Venice, we took a very small group boat tour around the Grand Canal. (Set up online through Viator for $60 USD per person, there were only 7 total people in our group so it was a more personal experience. Definitely recommend). If you have limited time in this very beautiful(and expensive! lol) city, than this is a great way to see the Canals and the City in a short amount of time. Riding on the canal is beyond friggin' cool. The buildings are stunning to see just seemingly floating in the water . Back and away from the tourist hordes is really cool too. You will actually see laundry drying on a clothesline as you float on by! lol How quintessentially Italian! This place is like no other place I've ever seen. No cars. Just water taxi's lol. I love it! If you ever have a chance to come here and ride on the Grand Canal, don't hesitate! You will always remember it! 5 stars.

Beautiful canal! Scenic and picturesque! Worthy of many snapshots! Blue waters and rustic buildings with boats and people! Venezia is beautiful!

It is big, but not as big as the Grand Canyon we have in the States, that is why I only give 4 stars. Tip: If you are looking for a good Schlitz cocktail, try the Hotel Cà Favretto.

The Grand Canal was a magical spot. I was in the area around sunset, and had magnificent views from the Rialto Bridge. There are a lot of shops and restaurants lining the canal, so it made an interesting area to stroll and people-watch. I didn't have an occasion to take a boat through the canal, but I enjoyed my time there all the same!

Such an amazing canal, and it's part of history to the highest extent. You have seen it in films, art, and pretty any sort of media possible. It's the largest canal in Venice for crying out loud! I had heard that taking a gondola ride through this canal was overrated, but I beg to differ. You get an entire boat to yourself and it takes a good thirty minutes and you don't even see the entire thing! There are all kinds of boats on this canal which also proved interesting. You can't go to Venice and miss this or you will regret it for the rest of your life. It's beautiful and due to the water levels rising, who knows how long it will be here.

This is the main canal that runs through the centre of the city. There is an awful lot of traffic along here, and while going on a Gondala ride may be fun, it is also pretty expensive (and generally fairly short). Also, they tend to try to avoid this canal as much as possible, due to all the other boats on here. However, it is well worth going on a cruise, on one of the boat busses (or whatever they are called - I can't remember) just to check out all the old buildings.

Venice... The City of Canals... The smaller ones carry a great deal of appeal, but the city is best represented by none other than the Canal Grande (Grand Canal). Shaped like Bizarro's inverted-S logo, it stretches from the southeastern end of Ponte della Libertà (Freedom Bridge) all the way to the San Marco basin. It is a shade under 2.4 miles (3.8 km.) long and represents the major water traffic hub in the city. On our first day in Venice, we took the inland trail from the bus station at Piazzale Roma all the way to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square). We had the chance to view the canal along its banks and atop three of the four bridges that span it - Ponte degli Scalzi (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=iNX6kWdK_LNXMKx-kn_aQg&userid=BUeueHeX3mzlyEBEEK9quQ), Ponte di Rialto, and Ponte della Costituzione. We did not get to Ponte dell'Accademia because it was further west of St. Mark's Square. The next day, we were aboard Vaporetto #1 (waterbus) en route to the same destination. With several stops along the Grand Canal, there were plenty of Kodak moments that could be had. Location was crucial so I scrambled to make it to one side of the boat - a good distance to still take snapshots of my wife and daughters. In the afternoon, we took a gondola ride (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Rz8vIXpASdayvJStiv4_rQ&userid=BUeueHeX3mzlyEBEEK9quQ) which included a segment of the Grand Canal near the iconic Rialto Bridge (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mtZt8mqO89EYrtJ0-yObqw&userid=BUeueHeX3mzlyEBEEK9quQ). The canal had that distinctive smell that indicated it's a body of water, but it was not putrid at all. While the Grand Canal is an attraction in itself, its banks are filled with several landmarks. Churches, palazzi (palaces), bridges, and other beautiful buildings of equal significance, even centuries old, can be sighted. Water taxis and buses, private boats, and gondolas added to the grandeur. Boat tours were available, but Rick Steves' book and audio guide about Venice and the Grand Canal were our better alternatives. Venice is a very unique place and the Grand Canal plays a big part in this. Get close to the canal and breathe in history... breathe in life... Trust me, it smells just fine.

Our hotel was right on the grand canal. Attached is a photo of our view and it is breath taking. The water is so blue (but don't go swimming because I hear it is used as their sewage system? Correct me if I'm wrong).

When in Venice, you need to ride along the Grand Canal in some sort of transportation at least once. I liked taking the waterbus because it was fast and the breeze felt great. I was about 5 miles away from my hotel so I got to see a lot of cool views along the way.

One can not come to Venice and not take in the beauty of the Grand Canal. It's a postcard that has come to life when you finally see it. The colors are radiant with boats galore of all shapes ( and pricing !). The buildings that glaze the canal are just as beautiful as you would imagine from afar. The Rialto Bridge is a must for pictures of the canal. Be warned , as it's busy! I did love starting here in Venice and winding my way around and getting lost on the canals that are off the actual Grand Canal and more quiet and less 'touristique'. Take it all in, if you are lucky to be here .. either by water taxi; gondola ; or even by an Aperol Spritz or Prosecco on the one of many side cafes for beautiful people ... and scenery watching !

Venice is a unique City; like no other! The Grand Canal lives up to its name! Many people seem to agree with me once they see the Grand Canal for the first time they arrive. If you've been to Venice, you know that the City is surrounded by the Grand Canal, you can't miss this! The glorious views that you see as you walk around the city are surreal! If you are looking for Venice's public transportation, then you can look into a water taxi or a gondola ride to see the views of the City; you also get the benefit of being able to get on and off when you want to. While you are riding around the City, don't forget to check out the famous Rialto Bridge as you pass it, such a beautiful landmark. In addition to the Rialto Bridge, you can also view several other famous landmarks in Venice. The nonappearance of any vehicular traffic on the island does not mean one is left to the despair of only walking to see the various lovely sites like St Mark's Square, Academia, Murano Island, Doge's Palace, and Clock Tower. If you are not interested in the gondola ride, one also has the option of taking the public water-bus called the Vaporetto, which is another great transportation and is excellent and convenient to use as well as inexpensive. Just make sure you take your journey on the Grand Canal before sunset. There are not many lights, so you risk missing stuff if it gets dark. The rides in the day time along with viewing the beautiful pastel colors and the beautiful buildings make this experience like no other. TIPS FOR VENICE: Hop on the Vaporetto Line #1; It does a complete tour of the whole canal. Book a Day Pass and experience the ride in the day time as well as the night time. There are tons of boats that pass through the Grand Canal including the private boats that carry the goods and produce, the water buses (Vaporetto), the water buses, and of course Venice's famous gondolas. Honestly, when in Venice, you MUST ride the gondola ride, which is certainly one of the best experiences you would not forget. The enchanting gondola ride will take you to breathe away with sights like no other in the world. It's one of the most romantic and picturesque places on earth!

The Canal Grande has been a water-traffic corridor since ancient times. During Roman Times it was referred to as the Rio Businiacus and was possibly a branch of the Bienta River. At that time the Adriatic Ventiti people lived on fishing fishing and salt commerce. It winds its' way through Venice in an "S" shape configuration. The canal is 2,4 miles long with an average depth of 16'. One end of the canal leads into the lagoon near Santa Lucia railway station while on the other end leading into the basin at San Marco. Over the centuries Venice developed by virtue of many influences that formed its' character. In the early 9th century the doge moved his seat of power from Malamocco to a safer Rivoaltus site in Venice, thereby laying the foundation of economic expansion. Fondaco houses (warehouse + merchant residence) were established along the canal and still exist today. The Fondaco del Torchi (13th ) is a prime example. The canal at the Rialto bridge, the first bridge to cross the canal, became the center of commerce and finance. Byzantine influences came with the crusades and the sack of Constantinople in 1204 in terms of sculpture, friezes, columns and capitols which decorated patrician homes. The Polychrome, three partitioned facades which are still very evident on the canal represents another major architectural feature of the canal. The Venetian Gothic design of the Doge;s Palace is yet another example of influences which took hold along the canal. The Renaissance brought Venetian Baroque in the form of Palazzo Balhi (1582) to prominence. It features cornices, broken pediments and ornamental motifs. The Santa Maria Della Salute (1631) near San Marco Square is another example of this style of architecture. While the beauty of its' many architectural styles enhance the appeal of the Grand Canal, it is the total ambiance of the water, vaporettis and gondolas, restaurants and art galleries, that create the magic of this city.

Canal Grande (aka: the Grand Canal) is Venice's "major highway". Since there are no cars or bikes allowed in Venice the Grand Canal all of Venice's major traffic takes place on this body of water. You will find boats, private water taxis, water buses (vaporetti), and gondolas floating along the Grand Canal. The canal cuts through Venice, making it possible to get from the train station to St. Mark's Square in less than thirty minutes. Some of the prettiest photos I took in Venice were along the Grand Canal. Be sure to take the vaporetto at least once for beautiful photo opportunities!

It's a water feature not a business, but it's a beautiful spot for many of the pubs and restaurants along its edge. One of the few positives about the COVID shut down is that it's much cleaner than my previous visit a few years ago.

Zero potholes! No bumper to bumper traffic! No stoplights! Quite literally the best mode to travel!! All kidding aside - one can only truly appreciate Venice by boat on the Canal Grande!! You see a side of Venice only seen from your seat or spot on a boat! We traveled to Venice via boat taxi from the Venezzia - St. Lucia station (boat 2) and "exited" at the Rialto then a short "5 minute" (once you traverse Venice you'll find every local telling you it's only a 5 minute walk over the bridge...to anywhere to go to) to our hotel. Let me just say...traveling via the canal is far easier!!!

There is something magical that happens when you see the Grand Canal whether it is for the first time or multiple times We find it so enchanting each time we come to Venice. This is when you know you have truly arrived in Venice. You will be captivated by the beauty of the grand palaces on the canal. The canal is the main thoroughfare for the city. You will see all types of water vessels on the canal.

This is the best way to get around Venice. You get to see the actual city away from some of the crowds and traffic. You realize that people still actually live in Venice and it's not just a place for tourist. I would highly recommend this at a mode of transportation while in Venice!

Two and a half miles of majestic highway that flows through Venice. It's banks are lined with palaces and water is filled with gondolas, ferries and other boats. It is only 230 feet wide in the widest area and averages 15 feet deep. Cruise ships do not travel through Venice on this. When I cruised through the Canal Grand on a vaporetto one evening you could see inside some of the homes with their chandeliers gleaming through the windows. Other places looked boarded up and uninhabited. We also cruised past the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. When we came upon the famous Rialto Bridge the moon just happened to be shining right above. The Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591. One of the famous residents of Venice, Antonio Vivaldi, was born in 1678. His concerto known as The Four Seasons were composed in 1723. Here is a nice video with shots of the Canal Grande and the Rialto Bridge with Vivaldi's music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfh2h_xdHs0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Just AMAZING! I exited the train station and was in aw of the Grand Canal. It's just mind blowing how this city was built on sand & water with stilts and so romantic! Venice is just over twice the size of Central Park but it seemed much larger. Venice contrasts greatly from night to day and I enjoyed just wandering around and taking everything in. Built on 118 small islands with 435 bridges and 6 different districts. Venice at one time was the hub of trade at one time. Pilgrims and Marco Polo visited here and was once a major ship building industrial area. Venice floods around 6 times a year to where water floods the city for several hours - thank goodness I wasn't around to witness that. I found this great video on line I hope you enjoy it as much as I did on some of the history and culture of Venice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIZ_u-nqyws

In the City of Canals, Canal Grande (Grand Canal) is the main "highway". No lanes can drawn in the water of course, and all traffic - gondolas, water buses, speedboats - seem to free-style recklessly and yet still travel up and down the main throughput in an unspoken order. If you want a truly surreal sight that boats instead of cars are the main transport in Venezia, take a view or even participate on a vaporetto during daytime to witness the unique water traffic of the busy Canal Grande! However, my favorite moments of the Canal Grande are not during the bustling daytime. Instead, I love the Canal Grande at her calm moments either in early morning when Venezia is waking with only barges and workers moving about, or in nighttime when the only movements in the "highway" are the vaporetto and few stray gondolas. During my short 3-day stay, early morning cruise down the Canal Grande was a must. Don't sit in a gondola during the bustling daytime if you don't like to fight against the streams of wakes from the large vaporetto and the fast speedboats. Instead, the best experience of the Grand Canal is on the vaporetto. Sit in front or the back of the ship during any hour throughout the day to truly experience Canal Grande in her various moods, and let the beautiful scenes flow past you. You will be surprised how much the Grand Canal has maintained her ageless beauty.

Winding through Venezia, the Grand Canal is a serpentine waterway that takes you on a journey through history with an air of mystique, grief, horror and romance thrown in for good measure. The canal can be traversed by private water taxi or gondola (we took both on the tour). As we passed aging landmarks -- palaces, churches, bridges, piazzas (squares) -- with centuries of soot covering their crumbling facades, I couldn't help but shiver despite the sunlight and thick humidity. Perhaps it was the rich baritone of the lone serenading gondolier, or hearing the sad story of the Bridge of Sighs (prisoners would have their last glimpse of sunlight and families before they would be imprisoned in dark, dank dungeons), or seeing the oddly scary gilded masks looking at us through storefront windows ... whatever the case may be, the murky waters took on an foreboding gloom reminiscent of the 1970s suspense thriller "Don't Look Now." If you go, be sure to have a tour guide along for the ride to point out the landmarks and if you're there in the summer, bring a scented handkerchief to muffle the aromas of the canal.

Traveling up and down the Grand Canal in a vaporetto (water bus) is, for me at least, absolutely the most enjoyable way to cross through any city's centre. In fact, that experience has ruined riding buses and metros here in my city of residence for me because now it just seems like such a lackluster and unremarkable mode of transportation in comparison to taking a water bus through Venice. To reach my hotel, I took the vaporetto line 2 from the Piazzale Roma all the way to Piazza San Marco and it was just incredible for a first time visitor to Venice like me. Just gazing out as the beautiful city passes by is pure bliss, and of course it's such a thrill turning around that corner and finding the famous Rialto Bridge right in front of you. I just hope I'm fortunate enough to one day return to the charming and magical city that is Venice!

Loved Venice and Venice is basically surrounded by the Grande Canal. It has magnificent views no matter where on the Canal you are. We took a gondola ride and it was fabulous.

It's like a highway, but the people of Venice navigate it so well. You've probably seen the canal in so many movies with the iconic gondola operators singing some Italian song while two lovers him and haw over each other in loving bliss, but don't let the movies fool you as the Grand Canal is very hustle and bustle. It's like an interstate but on water with all sorts of different types of motorcraft and everyone is weaving in and out and around everyone as everyone pretty much has the right of way. Such is the way of Italy it seems. You can get a vaporetti pass just like a bus pass or just pay per ride. It's really fun to take the water taxis up and down the canal. It's much quicker than any other mode of transportation I think as it would take forever to walk to certain parts of the city or find where to cross bridges to get to other areas of the city. We took one taxi all the way down from the train station to the channels and open water to the Piazza San Marco where the basilica is. They have routes that go all over Venice but there are also watercraft that go from Venice to Hungary and Greece and other places. All of the routes start somewhere along the Grand Canal though. Someone mentioned the water smell. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary for a city built over water. It's also cool to be able to see how the city is pretty much sinking and has been for quite some time. The water taxi operator we had said that it was a good time to see Venice as someday he thought due the rate of the rise of the water, someday the whole city will be lost to the waves and be like the city of Atlantis. Whether you believe it or not, it's still a classic way to get to and from and all around the city with ease and speed and it's relatively inexpensive depending on if you get the pass or pay per use.

Definitely a sight with the Grand Canal feeding into small mini channels with gondolas and speed boats and the water taxis all coming through to the city! Gorgeous bridges, especially the famous Rialto Bridge.. a ton of shopping, restaurants and of course St Mark's Plaza! There's nothing else in the world like it.