Venice’s most treasured boulevard, the Grand Canal is a 3 km strip of glistening water dotted with gondolas, vaporettos, tragettis and many other water crafts. Considered Venice’s ‘busiest street’,the Canalazzo as it is commonly called divides the city of Venice into 2 halves. This truly Grand canal serpentines from the central neighbourhoods of Venice and ends near the St Mark’s square. In its course, it passes under 4 bridges crossing buzzing markets, well-manicured gardens and regal canal-front restaurants, lined by grand museums, churches and iconic structures. In essence, the Grand Canal not only connects the top attractions of Venice, it is a top attraction by itself.
Let us paint a picture of the Grand Canal for you
Have you ever seen pictures so postcard perfect that you end up convincing yourself it’s a painting? Grand Canal is one of those surreal picturesque beauties you can’t believe exists.
The Grand Canal is flanked by a total of 170 structures, a mix of Byzantine Romanesque buildings, Renaissance Palazzos and Neoclassical mansions. Pastel yellows, mellow greens and creamy orange buildings rising out of clear blue water, cobbles streets lining its periphery and tourists and locals whizzing past its shore is a basic bird’s eye view of the Grand Canal.
This bustling canal is never idle. Being the artery of Venice, you have water crafts shuttling people at the oddest of hours simply because there is no other way to get around this Floating City. Be it the bedecked gondolas, the public vaporettos, the private acquei or the tragettis, the Grand Canal is perpetually astir. Before you get on your chosen mode of transport to glide on the Grand Canal, take a few minutes to consume this brewing commotion.
If you happen to cruise the Grand Canal around sunset, you are in for a soulful treat. In the backdrop of cotton candy sky, the sun’s soft yellow hues creates a golden glow so magical that the city looks akin heaven. Adding on to this beauty is the stirring reflection of the grandeur structures on the emerald water you are cruising on. You are not likely to forget this scenario for a long long time…
Evolution of the Grand Canal - An architectural delight
The Grand Canal is believed to be a branch of the ancient Brenta River that opens into a lagoon. In the 10th century, the Byzantine Empire settled and sprung on the banks of the Grand Canal. Trading flourished due to the easy accessibility via sea and most of those who stayed by the peripheries of the canal were established merchants and traders.
By the 12th century, houses along the canal became ornate with Byzantine arches and loggias. The oldest building along the canal namely Ca’ da Mosto is a 13th century palazzo which flaunts the Venetian-Byzantine style of architecture. Cut to 15th century when the European Gothic style of construction spread across Europe like blazing fire and Venice too succumbed. The Ca d’Oro( House of Gold) plastered in bright colours with skinny arches and intricate carvings is a fine blend of Venetian Gothic architecture by the Canal.
The 16th century saw the Renaissance architecture creeping into buildings around Venice. Pastels were replaced by clean whites and windows started becoming curvy from its pointed stance. The Palazzo Dario and Palazzo Grimani are fine examples of the Classical Renaissance architecture. During this period, having a palace facing the Grand Canal was considered a status symbol.
By the 17th century, the Grand Canal was crowded enough but certain Baroque styled constructions made its way to the pier. This prolific era saw the creation of the Santa Maria di Nazareth Church and the world renowned Santa Maria della Salute Basilica. These were perhaps the last few structures to adorn the Grand Canal because by the 18th century, construction along with Grand Canal saw a complete halt.
Ever since, it has just been restoration and preservation works to maintain these splendid structures that are the pride of Venice.
What are the best ways to cruise the Grand Canal?
The Night Safari is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore. It is heavily crowded and over a million tourists visit it every year. For tourists looking to save time while visiting, there are a variety of tickets that you can book online that will help you get quicker entry into the Night Safari.
Great Savings Combo - Grand Canal Serenade Tour + Romantic Italian Dinner
- Enjoy a traditional serenade on a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and venture into the meandering venetian canals during your ride.
- Explore parts of the Grand Canal and other hidden canals under the magical evening sky
- Savor authentic Italian cuisine with fresh seafood and local delicacies at a fine dine restaurant
- Lay your eyes on important landmarks like the Accademia Bridge, La Fenice Theatre, St Mark's Basilica and more while you're traversing the Grand Canal.
- Be transported to a time in history without the rush and noise of vehicular traffic and simply the sounds of the water and people enjoying their evenings.
Super Saver Combo : Venice Walking Tour + Grand Canal Gondola Ride
- Enjoy benefits of a combo tour that allows you a Walking Tour + Grand Canal Cruise at an unbeatable price.
- Feast on the history of the Basilica San Marco, Piazzetta Dei Leoncini, Clock Tower, Procuratie Vecchie and many more buildings of importance around Venice during this tour
- This guided tour is available in 5 languages
- Enjoy 30 minutes of blissful cruise on the Grand Canal with your gondolier and guide enlightening you with lores, facts and stories of yore
Grand Canal Gondola Ride + St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour
- This combo ticket brings you access to two of Venice’s most top rated tourist experiences, Grand Canal Ride and the St Mark's Basilica Tour.
- This ticket includes all the benefits of the Skip the Line ticket for the St Mark's Basilica Tour.
- Experience the quintessential Venetian affair, a Gondola cruise on the Grand Canal at the best price on the internet.
- Avail a free coupon for a visit to the Island of Murano and back with this very ticket.
Grand Canal Guided Boat Tour
- Enjoy the sights of Venice along the Canal Grande in a motorboat.
- Learn about the history and architecture of Grand Canal and its surroundings with an expert local guide on board.
- Admire exquisite Venetian buildings lining the Grand Canal namely- Santa Maria Della Salute, Ca’ Venier Dei Leoni, Palazzo Corner Della Ca’ Grande, Palazzo Grassi and Ca’Rezonnico.
- Spend an hour on the busiest canal in Venice alongside bobbing Gondolas and witness the unique Venetian way of life.
Learn about the 4 Bridges connecting the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal stretches across the whole city in the shape of an inverted S, and during its course, 4 bridges connect different parts of the canal. Each of these have been built in different eras and are integral connecting points.
Ponte Di Rialto
The Rialto Bridge is the first and oldest bridge connecting San Marco and San Polo. It took 3 years to erect this ornate structure engraved with Istrian stone reliefs depicting St Mark, St Theodore and the Annunciation.
Ponte dell’Accademia
This bridge is a wooden bridge which derives its name from the Accademia galleries close by and connects Dorsoduro and Saint Mark's district and is very close to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum as well. Its virtue lies not in its appearance, but in its terrific vantage point over the Grand Canal. It is considered one of the best place to get a classic photo looking down the canal towards Santa Maria della Salute.
Ponte degli Scalzi
Ponte degli Scalzi translates to Bridge of Barefoot Monks and is a stone arch bridge connecting two frequented areas - Santa Croce and Cannaregio.If you arrive by bus or train you are likely to use this bridge to move into the city as it connects the Santa Lucia Railway Station and Piazzale Roma Bus Station.
Ponte della Costituzione
TThe last and latest bridge connecting the Grand Canal is Ponte della Costituzione commonly called Calatrava Bridge. It crossed the Grand Canal at the terminus of 3 modes of transport - Buses, Boats and Railways. It is a long, sweeping curve of glass and steel designed to complement both the historic buildings on the Piazzale Roma side of the canal and the 1950s modernity of Venice's main railway station. Though it is considered the gateway to Venice, it has received much criticism as it is not luggage and wheelchair friendly.
Insider tips for the perfect Grand Canal ride
- The Grand Canal is lovely year around, both by day and night. So whenever you go, rest assured it will be a feast for your senses.
- Booking tickets online will save you the hassle of standing in mile long queues.
- Combo tickets with a serenade, dinner or walking tour works out economically and enhances your experience further.
- Taking the public vaporettos to cruise the Grand Canal for pleasure is least advised due to the incessant stops and crowd.
- A private boat/taxi or gondolas are the best modes to cruise the Grand Canal as you can travel into lesser visited parts of the Canal and experience calming solace.
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