The Grand Canal is one of Venice top attractions, curving in a reverse S through the heart of the city, always busy with traffic, its Venice principal street. Venice’s Grand Canal is a natural monument and Venice’s most important thoroughfare.
In this post we are going to see the Top attractions along the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. The most famous canal of Italy its full with beautiful attractions to visit. The attractions are shown in the order you will see them as you travel from San Marco to Ponte della Costituzione, using vaporetto transportation line n. 1.
You can ride the entire length of the Grand Canal on the vaporetto, Venice’s floating public transport system, from San Marco to Piazzale Roma (the only place where to park in Venice). Line 1 (as in the video below) you can see every palace with several stops (in case you want to visit them). The Line 2 is an express service, that goes from Piazzale Roma to Rialto in a few minutes. You can also do it on a motor boat tour, with a guide who can not only point out the palaces you’ll pass, but pass slowly and pull closer for better views.
Video tour Grand Canal line 1 from St. Mark to Piazzale Roma
In this video tour (Youtube) you can admire the best attractions of Grand Canal in Venice, using vaporetto line 1 from St. Mark to Piazzale Roma.
Top attractions to see in Grand Canal
St. Mark Square and Doge Palace
Santa Maria della Salute Church
La Salute is a Ventian jewel of Baroque architecture. It was built to symbolize Venice’s return to health after the great Italian plague of 1629-31 that killed 95,000 Venetians. Built on top of over 1 million timber piles, it was designed by local architect Baldassare Longhena, who also built Ca’ Rezzonico.
Peggy Guggenheim Colletion – Ca’ Venier dei Leoni
The Guggenheim Museum is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in Dorsoduro. It holds one of the finest modern art collections in the world. Truly! If you love 20th century art, the golden age of modern art, this museum is a must visit in Venice.
Virtually every piece is a seminal work of art. Guggenheim’s collection includes works from the major movements of Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism, and Abstract Expressionism.
Palazzo Corner della C’ Grande
Academy of Fine Arts and Academy bridge
This is unique because it’s a wooden bridge. It replaced a 19th century iron bridge that was too low and restricted traffic.
The bridge connects the Dorsoduro and St. Mark districts. This is a great place to snap photos. The bridge is one of Venice’s best viewpoints. You can see all the way down the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge.
Ca’ Renzzonico
Ca’ Foscari
Rialto Bridge
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Palazzo Rezzonico
The Palazzo Rezzonico was also built by Longhena, the greatest Baroque architect in Venice, for the aristocratic Bon family. Inside, it’s a lavish Rococo affair with the beautiful furnishings, a Throne Room, and a Grand Ballroom.
Casanova once lived there before being imprisoned in the Doge’s Palace. English artist John Singer Sargent had a studio there. And the palace was the last home of the poet Robert Browning.
Ca’ Pesaro
Fondamenta Turchi and the Natural History Museum
Constitution brigde
Where to buy the vaporetto ticket
You get the Vaporetto ticket from an ACTV, the local transit authority, or at a Hellovenezia ticket outlet. There’s a ticket booth at most larger Vaporetto stations, such as the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, and Ferrovia station.
Price
7,5€ One-way Waterbus Ticket 75’Valid for 75 minutes from validation ONLY on ACTV water buses.
20€ ACTV 1 day TransportACTV Public Transport Services (vaporetto and buses in the City of Venice)
30€ ACTV 2 day TransportACTV Public Transport Services (vaporetto and buses in the City of Venice)
40€ ACTV 3 day TransportACTV Public Transport Services (vaporetto and buses in the City of Venice)
60€ ACTV 7 day TransportACTV Public Transport Services (vaporetto and buses in the City of Venice)
Guide tours on Grand Canal
If you want to enjoy Grand Canal on a private tour, here you can find the best recommended tours:
- Venice: Gondola Ride with Grand Canal Explore Venice from the water on a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Sail under charming bridges and see the beautiful sights lining the city canals.
- Venice: Gondola Ride with Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge
- Venice: Gondola Ride with Live Commentary Explore Venice from the water on a gondola ride with informative commentary from your gondolier. Sail under charming bridges and see the beautiful sights lining the city canals.
- From Venice: Murano, Burano and Torcello Boat TripEscape the crowds in Venice and visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello on a half-day boat trip. Stroll colorful streets and discover the islands’ glass blowing and lace-making traditions.