Canal Grande, Venice, Italy

Visit duration: 1 hour Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Canal Grande

The Grand Canal (Canal Grande, locally Canalazzo) is the largest channel in Venice and one of the city's main water-traffic corridors. One end opens into the lagoon near Santa Lucia railway station and the other into the basin of San Marco; in between it makes a large reverse-S through the central sestieri. It is 3.8 kilometres long, 30 to 90 metres wide and on average 5 metres deep. Centuries-old traditions such as the Historical Regatta are still held on the canal every year.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The banks are lined with more than 170 buildings, most dating from the 13th to the 18th century, among them Palazzo Barbaro, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' d'Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca' Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, home of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, as well as the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Until the 19th century the Rialto Bridge was the only crossing; today there are three more: the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte dell'Accademia and Santiago Calatrava's Ponte della Costituzione of 2008.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

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Common questions

How long is the Grand Canal?

3.8 kilometres long, 30 to 90 metres wide and on average 5 metres deep.

How many bridges cross the Grand Canal?

Four: the Rialto Bridge, the only one until the 19th century, plus three more built since.

Where it is

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Nearby

Within 3 min on foot

1 hr 30 min
1 min walk
Casa di Goldoni
- High
- Museum
45 min
2 min walk
campo dei Frari
- Notable
- Historic site
1 hour
3 min walk
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
- Must see · Heritage site
- Place of worship