At your chosen time, meet your guide at the dock near the Royal Gardens Gate. The itinerary starts from St.Mark’s basin, from where you can admire San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th-century Benedictine church on the island of the same name, which is one of the three Churches designed by Andrea Palladio and visible from St.Mark: the Church of the Redentore (Redeemer) and the Church of Santa Maria della Presentazione is better known as Le Zitelle.
The Grand Canal is lined on either side by palaces, churches, hotels, and other public buildings in Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. Following the path, you can admire some properties of the important noble venetian families, for instance Palazzo Gritti and Palazzo Corner on the right side, and Palazzo Flangini on the left side. A little further on, on the opposite side, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi: the architecturally distinguished building was the home of many prominent people through history, and is remembered as the place where composer Richard Wagner died. Currently, it is home to the Venice Casino. Ever on the left, Ca’ d’Oro, one of the older palaces in the city, it is known as Ca’ d’Oro (“golden house”) due to the gilt and polychrome external decorations which once adorned its walls.
After the bow of the Canal, you will come face-to-face with one of the most famous attraction in the world: the Rialto Bridge. For centuries the Rialto has been the primary financial and commercial center of Venice. Several other palaces facing on the Grand Canal: Ca’ Farsetti and Palazzo Cavalli, headquartes of the Municipality of Venice, and, following the path, Ca’ Foscari, the palace of the Foscari family. Passing under the Accademia bridge, you can admire, on the left, Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti and Palazzo Barbaro, following on the right, Ca’ Dario well known as accursed Palace.
The tour finish where it starts: on St.Mark’s Basin, with a 360° wonderful view of the city, between the Santa Maria della Salute Church and Doge’s Palace, the most iconic building of the city.
At the end of the tour, the boat will return to the dock.
Points of Interest
- C8MQ+24 Venice
- Scenic motor launch ride along the Grand Canal
- Guided tour with a professional art historian
- Engaging live commentary during the tour
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Embark on a 1-hour small group journey along the Grand Canal – regarded as the world’s most beautiful street, onboard a motor-boat with a multi-lingual attendant. Spanning just over 3 km in length and varying between 20 to 70 metres in width, the Grand Canal splits the city in two and handles most of Venice’s transport needs, from private boats, water buses (vaporetti), water taxis, to the renowned gondolas. Selection of one of the four available trip times is required upon reservation.
- Operated by a multi-lingual guide
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
