Grand Canal

There is a waterway in Venice, Italy, called the Grande Canal. It is a vital link in the city's network of waterways. The canal cuts a wide reverse-S shape through the heart of Venice, beginning near the Santa Lucia train station and ending in the San Marco basin. 3.8 kilometers in length, its average depth is 5 meters (16 feet).

How to explore the Grande Canal?

• More than 170 structures, most of which were constructed between the 13th and 18th centuries, along the Grand Canal attest to the prosperity and artistic achievements of the Republic of Venice. You may appreciate the architecture by taking a ride in a classic gondola, which is propelled by oars.
• At a few locations, you can take a ferry ride across the canal by standing up on the deck of a modest gondola called a traghetto, though this service is far rarer than it was even a decade ago.
• Basilica di Santa Maria is one of the canal-side churches worth visiting.
• Thousands of people line the banks and sit on the water on floating stands to watch centuries-old events like the Historical Regatta, a competition between Venetian boats. During the competition, costumed gondoliers sail in boats, characteristic of the 16th century.
• There are four bridges over the Grand Canal. Rialto Bridge is the oldest and most well-known of all the bridges in Venice. Photograph the stunning bridge from the tranquil canal. You can take pictures of the most stunning views of the sunset from the bridge.
• Accademia Bridge is the one you will see once you have made it across the canal. This footbridge was constructed in the middle of the nineteenth century at the canal's eastern end.
• Scalzi Bridge connects commuters to the city's train depot at the canal's western terminus.
• Located west of the Scalzi Bridge, the Constitution Bridge was opened to the public in 2008. It connects the Rome Square bus terminal and a parking garage with the train station.
• Watching the 'dance' of the boats is exhilarating whether you do so from a water taxi, a gondola, or on foot along the quays, where you can stop at a café for drinks or a meal.