Grand Canal facts at a glance
The Grand Canal (Canal Grande, called Canalazzo by locals) is the main waterway of Venice. It runs in a reverse S from the northwest to the southeast and probably follows an old riverbed. Nobody knows the year it was dug or which river came first, so any exact "founding date" for the canal is a guess.
The numbers below are the ones that matter for a visit. The easiest way to see the whole length is on the water: take a Grand Canal boat tour, ride vaporetto line 1 or book a gondola ride for a short stretch.
Key numbers
The short version, with a note on how far each figure can be trusted.
| Fact | Figure | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,800 m | About 3.8 km end to end |
| Width | 30 to 70 m | Narrowest and widest points differ a lot |
| Depth | Up to 5 m | This is the maximum, so most of the canal is shallower |
| Fixed bridges | 4 | Temporary event crossings are not counted |
| Palaces | 170 to 200+ | Counts vary with what is counted as a palace |
| Local name | Canalazzo | Used by Venetians for the Grand Canal |
Our pick: see it at water level
Our take: half an hour in a gondola shows the canal's width and traffic up close.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Grand Canal tours and boat rides
Boat tours, gondola experiences and private boats on the Grand Canal, with live prices and availability.
The four fixed bridges
Only four bridges cross the Grand Canal on foot. For everything else, use a boat or a traghetto.
| Bridge | Designer | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponte degli Scalzi | Eugenio Miozzi | Built 1934 | Stone bridge near the station |
| Ponte della Costituzione | Santiago Calatrava | Opened 2008 | Links the station area with Piazzale Roma |
| Rialto Bridge | – | – | The middle crossing, covered by Rialto Bridge and the Rialto market |
| Ponte dell'Accademia | Eugenio Miozzi | Opened 19 February 1933 | Began as a wooden stopgap, load-bearing parts later in steel |
Once a year a temporary floating crossing links the canal banks for the Festa della Salute on 21 November. It is not a fifth bridge. More on each crossing on the bridges page.
Dates worth knowing
A few facts that come up again and again along the canal.
Ca' d'Oro is closed
The gallery inside Ca' d'Oro has been fully closed for works since 2 February 2026. The reopening is planned for spring 2027, so for now you can admire the Gothic facade from the water only.
Palaces on the canal →Palazzo Venier dei Leoni
The house was commissioned in 1749, but only the first of five planned storeys was built. Peggy Guggenheim bought it in July 1949, and it opened as the foundation's collection in 1980.
Museums on the canal →Fondaco dei Turchi
Its main structures date from the 12th and 13th centuries. From 1621 to 1838 it was a trading centre for Turkish merchants, and it was heavily altered in the 19th century. Today it houses the natural history museum.
Canal history →The name Rialto
The name is explained from the Latin rivus altus, a deep channel, and refers to the Grand Canal and the neighbouring islands. It does not prove that this was ever the canal's official name.
Read more →What a ride costs in 2026
Fares as of 2026. Check the current tariff before you go.
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Vaporetto single ticket | €9.50 | 75 minutes of travel |
| Vaporetto 24 hours | €25 | Unlimited rides for a day |
| Vaporetto 48 / 72 hours | €35 / €45 | Longer passes for longer stays |
| Vaporetto 7 days | €65 | For a week in town |
| Gondola, daytime | €90 | 30 minutes, 09:00 to 19:00, up to 5 passengers, price per boat |
| Gondola, evening | €110 | 35 minutes, from 19:00, up to 5 passengers, price per boat |
| Traghetto crossing | €2 | Crossing only, not a ride along the canal |
Children under 6 travel free on the city water buses. Line 1 from Piazzale Roma to San Marco Vallaresso took 44 minutes on an early morning run, with a boat roughly every 12 minutes during the day. A 24-hour pass pays off from the third ride. For most first-time visitors, a 24-hour pass on line 1 plus one gondola ride or a traghetto crossing covers the canal well. See vaporetto line 1 for stops and the traghetto page for crossings.
Rules on the water
Swimming, jumping and bathing in the canals are not allowed. Do not feed pigeons or gulls, and do not sit on bridge steps or quay edges for a picnic. Speed limits on the Grand Canal are 11 km/h for the public water buses and 7 km/h for other motorboats, and wash still matters, so hold on when boats pass.
The canal is not a place for self-drive rental boats. Private leisure boats in the inner water zone are limited to certain residents and permit holders. If you want to be on the water, choose a tour, a taxi or a gondola.
Day visitors over 14 paid an access fee on 60 selected days in 2026, from 3 April to 26 July, between 08:30 and 16:00: €5 when bought early and €10 at short notice. Guests with a hotel booking in the municipality are exempt but must register. Details for the next season are on the Venice access fee guide.
Grand Canal facts: frequently asked questions
How long is the Grand Canal?
It is 3,800 m long, about 3.8 km. A ride on line 1 from Piazzale Roma to San Marco Vallaresso takes around 45 minutes, because the boat stops at every landing.
How deep is the Grand Canal?
The maximum depth is 5 m. Most of the canal is shallower, so do not treat 5 m as the average.
How many bridges cross the Grand Canal?
Four fixed bridges: Scalzi, Costituzione, Rialto and Accademia. Temporary crossings for events are not counted.
How many palaces line the Grand Canal?
You will see figures from at least 170 to more than 200, depending on what counts as a palace. Treat any exact number with care.
Can I swim in the Grand Canal?
No. Swimming, jumping and bathing in Venice's canals are not allowed.
Is grandcanal.org an official site?
No. It is an independent guide with no link to the City of Venice, ACTV, a gondoliers' association, boat operators or hotels. Check fares and timetables with the operators before you travel.