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The Grand Canal is, so to speak, Venice’s main street. But it is not a typical street in the usual sense, because, as is well known, people in Venice don’t travel on asphalt — they move on water, or rather, along canals. And the Grand Canal is the city’s main one, and it was not created by people — it is a completely natural channel. While cruising along it, visitors get a wonderful chance to admire luxurious palaces and beautiful churches, so experiencing it at least once in a lifetime is simply a must!
A Venice excursion that consists of a Grand Canal ride can be done either independently or with the help of our company.
Quick essentials before your Grand Canal ride
The Grand Canal is Venice’s main water route and a natural channel.
Budget-friendly: take a vaporetto (public water bus).
Classic vibe: choose a gondola — especially with a guide.
Timing: Linea 1 ~ 40 minutes, Linea 2 ~ 30 minutes.
Bonus: after the tour you’ll receive a QR code to download a digital map with 2D images of Venice.
DIY ride: vaporetto or gondola
If you decide to organize your excursion without anyone’s help, it’s better to use a vaporetto, since it’s a cheaper option; but if your budget allows, you can also choose a gondola.
If you do choose a vaporetto, you can take Linea 1 or Linea 2. A ride on vaporetto Linea 1 lasts forty minutes, while Linea 2 takes about thirty minutes.
Gondola tour with a guide: landmarks and stories
By booking a Grand Canal gondola ride with our company, you’ll have a great opportunity to explore many of Venice’s sights, and a guide will accompany you during the excursion. For example, you’ll see Mozart’s house and Teatro La Fenice, and the guide will share interesting stories about gondolas and gondoliers. In general, the guide will tell participants about all the attractions that appear along the way.
Mozart’s house — one of the stops/landmarks mentioned.
Teatro La Fenice — a legendary landmark on the route.
Stories about gondolas & gondoliers — a key part of the guided experience.
Palaces, museums, and churches along the way
Your route will pass by the church of Santa Maria della Salute, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and beautiful palaces such as Ca’ Dolfin, Palazzo Grimani, and others.
Santa Maria della Salute — an iconic waterside church.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection — a major cultural stop mentioned in the route.
Ca’ Dolfin and Palazzo Grimani — palaces that shape Venice’s postcard views.
The final stretch + digital map
As part of the Grand Canal excursion, you’ll see Punta della Dogana and the St. Mark’s Basin, and after that your route will lead to Campo San Moisè. At the end of the excursion you will be provided a QR code, which you can use to download a digital map with 2D images of Venice.
Important: if you choose a group tour, in addition to the half-hour gondola ride on the Grand Canal, you’ll also get another twenty minutes of a guided walk through the city.
Price and how to book
The cost of this excursion starts from 45 euros per person. You can learn all the details on how to book a Venice tour and purchase a Grand Canal gondola excursion from our managers.
What to do
Cruise the Grand Canal and take your time: this is where Venice’s palaces and churches are best appreciated from the water.
Choose your style: vaporetto for value, gondola for atmosphere — depending on your budget.
If you go with a guide, listen for stories about gondolas and gondoliers, plus insights about the landmarks you pass.
1-day itinerary
Morning: pick your ride (vaporetto Linea 1 ~ 40 minutes or Linea 2 ~ 30 minutes) and cruise the main stretch of the Grand Canal.
Midday: focus on the landmarks mentioned on the route (Santa Maria della Salute, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Ca’ Dolfin, Palazzo Grimani, etc.).
Evening: wrap up around Punta della Dogana and St. Mark’s Basin, then head toward Campo San Moisè; save the digital map via the QR code.
2-day itinerary
Day 1: go DIY by vaporetto (Linea 1 or Linea 2) to get the big picture and settle into Venice’s waterborne rhythm.
Focus: views, palaces, churches, and the atmosphere from the canal.
Day 2: take a guided gondola tour to add stories, context, and details about key points like Mozart’s house and Teatro La Fenice.
Bonus: if you choose a group tour, you’ll also get an additional 20 minutes of walking with a guide after the 30-minute gondola ride.
How to get there
The source text does not specify flights or arrival routes. In Venice itself, for the Grand Canal experience you can choose between vaporetto (Linea 1/Linea 2) and a gondola, depending on your budget and preferred format.
FAQ: Grand Canal ride in Venice
Why is the Grand Canal called Venice’s main street?
Because it’s the city’s main water route and it runs past many palaces and churches.
Is the Grand Canal man-made?
According to the source text, it’s a natural channel rather than an artificial one.
What’s the most budget-friendly way to ride?
Taking a vaporetto is described as the cheaper option compared with a gondola.
Which vaporetto lines are mentioned?
Linea 1 and Linea 2.
How long does Linea 1 take?
About 40 minutes.
How long does Linea 2 take?
About 30 minutes.
What do you get on a guided gondola tour?
A guide accompanies you and shares stories about gondolas, gondoliers, and the sights along the route.
Which landmarks are mentioned in the description?
Mozart’s house, Teatro La Fenice, Santa Maria della Salute, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Ca’ Dolfin, Palazzo Grimani, and more.
How much does the excursion cost?
From 45 euros per person, as stated in the text.
What is Punta della Dogana in the route?
It’s one of the locations you’ll see as part of the Grand Canal excursion, according to the description.
What happens at the end of the excursion?
You’ll receive a QR code to download a digital map with 2D images of Venice.
Is there a walking part included?
Yes. With a group tour, besides the 30-minute gondola ride, you also get 20 minutes of walking with a guide.
Can I do the Grand Canal ride independently?
Yes. The text says you can do it on your own, for example by vaporetto.
How do I book and get more details?
The text states that you can get all details from the company’s managers.
Why is it worth riding the Grand Canal at least once?
Because it offers a chance to admire luxurious palaces and beautiful churches — one of Venice’s most memorable views.
