Grand Canal

The basics

A sail down the Grand Canal is a trip through centuries of Venetian history, as palaces dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries rise out of the water along most of the route. Though stretches of the canal are lined with walkways, many of the important landmarks can be seen only from the water, so small-group Grand Canal tours by boat or combination walking-and-canal tours are by far the best way to go. Take a daytime sightseeing tour to admire the architecture, or for a romantic journey, choose a moonlit gondola ride. And for a truly Venetian experience, opt for a gondola ride with a serenade.

Things to know before you go

• Most Grand Canal gondola rides begin or end in St. Mark’s Square, home to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) and Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and include a few picturesque minor canals along the way.

• As one of the most popular destinations in Italy, Venice can get extremely crowded. To avoid a long wait at the motor launch, book your tour tickets in advance.

• The palaces along the Grand Canal have architectural styles that span from the Byzantine to the Renaissance periods, and are best appreciated with an expert tour guide who can explain their history and importance.

• Note that Venice and the Grand Canal feature a great number of bridges, many of which are not wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The Grand Canal snakes its way through the center of Venice from the train station to St. Mark’s Square. All of Venice is pedestrian only, so to get from anywhere in the city to the Grand Canal, you must either walk or take a boat.

When to get there

Venice is lovely all year round, and the Grand Canal is spectacular both by day and night. That said, if you want to avoid crowds, don’t visit in June, July, or August when schools are out and families are on vacation. These months are also when you’ll encounter the highest hotel rates. You’ll find the best hotel rates in the winter months, although don’t expect to find as many deals during the holidays. If you want the most pleasant weather, visit in the shoulder season months of September, October, November, April, and May. Just keep in mind these months may have more rainfall, and when Venice receives precipitation, it can be stinky at best, and hard to get around at worst.

The islands of Venice

Venice is made up of over 100 small islands, so for a different perspective of this unique city on the water, take a boat tour to one of the quieter outlying islands, such as Murano, famous for its glassblowing industry; Burano, known for its lace-making artisans; or Torcello, thought to be the first populated island in the Venetian lagoon.

Ways to explore

A cruise down the Grand Canal is a trip through centuries of Venetian history, as palaces dating from the 13th to 18th centuries rise out of the water along most of the route. Though stretches of the canal are lined with walkways, many of the important landmarks can be seen only from the water, so a small-group Grand Canal boat tour or combination walking-and-canal tour is by far the best way to go. Take a daytime sightseeing tour to admire the architecture, or for a romantic journey, choose a moonlit gondola ride. And for a truly Venetian experience, opt for a ride with a gondolier serenade.

Accessibility

Stretches of the Grand Canal are lined by paved walkways, some of which are accessible by wheelchair. The banks of the canal near St. Mark’s Square are the most accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunglasses, sunscreen, waterproof bag for boat tours, water bottle

What to wear

Most Grand Canal boat tours use open-air gondolas, so dress for the weather. Choose comfortable clothing to climb in and out of the boat easily.

Not allowed

Swimming is strictly forbidden in the Grand Canal and all of Venice’s waterways. The water is not clean, and heavy boat traffic makes it dangerous for swimmers.

Amenities

The canal is lined with tons of restaurants, cafés, and hotels.

Address

The Grand Canal snakes its way through the center of Venice from the train station to St. Mark’s Square. All of Venice is pedestrian-only, so to get from anywhere in the city to the Grand Canal, you must either walk or take a boat.

Driving

You can’t reach the Grand Canal by car, but boat tours depart regularly from near Piazzale Roma and the Santa Lucia train station at the mouth of the canal and St. Mark’s Square at its far end.

Public transportation

Venice’s ACTV vaporetti buzz up and down the Grand Canal all day, linking the Santa Lucia train station to canal-side locations in Venice’s historic center. Line 1 runs the entire length of the canal from Piazzale Roma to St. Mark’s Square and beyond into the lagoon.

Best times to visit

Opt for an early morning or late afternoon boat tour to avoid the heaviest traffic on the Grand Canal and take advantage of the best light for photos. A canal tour by night is the most atmospheric—and romantic—way to experience this iconic sight.

Best days to visit

Commercial boat traffic is limited on Sundays, making for a less hectic time on the water. Opt for a boat tour on Sunday or weekday evenings to avoid the rush of delivery and service boats.

Best months to visit

Venice’s temperatures can be bone-chilling in the winter, making boat tours along the Grand Canal a challenge. Time your visit for spring through fall to enjoy an open-air cruise for unobstructed views.

Special events

Many of Venice’s main festivals use the Grand Canal as the backdrop, including Carnival in February, the Historic Regatta in September, and the Festa del Redentore in July.