Grand Canal & Guggenheim

An absolutely thrilling tour which takes in a leisurely walk of 4km along the elegance of the Grand Canal, with its sumptuous palaces providing the backdrop to the daily life of the Venetians, the uninterrupted flow of gondolas, vaporetti, and water taxis. The Grand Canal is not only the main ‘street’ but also the heart of Venice, its oldest and most important highway as well as a living theatre which evokes the traditions and history (as for example in the historical regatta) and provides a sense of unity of this extraordinary city.
Our meeting place is in the centre, where your guide will escort you on board a private motorboat. Leaving the basin of Saint Mark we admire the island of San Giorgio to the left before entering the main body of the canal. Among the many wonders to be seen are the church of Santa Maria Della Salute (masterpiece of  Longhena erected to commemorate the end of the plague in 1630), Palazzo Contarini-Fasan (an elegant house also known as the home of Othello’s Desdemona), and Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (now home to the Guggenheim museum). Here we stop for an hour and a quarter to enjoy the modern art trearues on display in this architectural masterpiece, completed in 1749. Its white marble structure contains a plaque with an inscription to Peggy Guggenheim, founder of the collection.
Re-embarking on our boat we pass other gems along the Canal:Palazzo Gritti (dating from the 1500s, once home to the Gritti family, one of the most important in the city’s history, Palazzo Franchetti, the Accademia bridge, Palazzo Rezzonico, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Palazzo Grimani, Palazzo Farsetti, the unmissable Rialto bridge, symbol of Venice as well as one of the most fascinating structures in the city, Cà D’Oro, Palazzo Pesaro (now home to the Museum of Modern Art), Palazzo Loredan Vendramin Calergi (where the great German composer Wagner died in 1883), the Fontego dei Turchi (now the Museum of Natural History, with enchanting Byzantine architecture), the Scalzi church and bridge, arriving finally at the end of the Grand Canal, and the new Calatrava bridge by Piazzale Roma. Moving past the Tronchetto we now enter the Guidecca canal for our return journey to Saint Mark’s. The leisurely return gives you the opportunity to ask any questions about all the marvels seen along the Grand Canal.


* Tour begins at 3.30p.m.

• Technical information

  • Transportation: Small motorlaunch
  • The tour includes: Motorlaunch transportation, guide service, operational assistance, entrance fees
  • Total duration: Approx 3 hours
  • The tour timing: Panoramic drive: 90 minutes - Guggenheim collection: 90 minutes
  • Access: Walking time: approx.1 ½ hours - Stairs to climb: normal - Lift: no - This tour is not recommended to those with walking difficulties.
  • Difficulty:
  • Toilet facilities: Toilet inside the museum
  • Price/person: Cost per person  minimum 2    €  267,00
    Cost per person  minimum 4     €  140 ,00
    Cost per person  minimum 6    €   98 ,00