Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), Venice

Getting to the Rialto Bridge in Venice

Rialto Bridge: first bridge to be built over Grand Canal

On this page

• Overview of Rialto Bridge, Venice

• Getting to Venice's Rialto Bridge

Overview of Rialto Bridge & vicinity for the first-time visitor

Rialto Bridge was the city's first bridge over the Grand Canal connecting the highest points on the Venice islands settlement.

 

The first bridge was built in 1180 and the current solid marble one was built in 1588-92.

The bridge is an elegant arch with steps and shops, a mass of water traffic passing underneath, and huge numbers of tourists and locals heading across it.

Today, Rialto Bridge is one of the most photographed images in Venice and a major stop on the tourist trail.

Rialto Bridge is located about the mid-point of the Grand Canal connecting the main arrival point for visitors at St Lucia Railway Station and Piazzale Roma where the bus station and car parks are located with St Mark's Square being the main visitor destination.

In the immediate area of Rialto Bridge, on the southern bank is the main Venice market, the fish market being especially popular with visitors.

Apart from the market there are lots of shops, restaurants and bars, a major area for visitors just to hang out. After St Mark's Square it's one of the most popular areas for visitors to take gondola rides.

Getting to Rialto Bridge, Venice

As said before, Rialto Bridge is midway along the Grand Canal and there is a water bus stop by Rialto Bridge where among others the main water bus between Santa Lucia Statio and St Mark's Square stops.

You have two options of getting to the Rialto Bridge:

- By foot - we include notes on the main walking route from the station to St Mark's Square via Rialto Bridge to St Mark's Square.

- By water - An extensive water bus service covers all of Venice, the busiest water bus route between Santa Lucia Station and St Mark's Square stops at the Rialto Bridge jetty.

Tours & Fast Track Admission Tickets In Venice
St Mark's Square, Basilica & Doge's Palace Tours
Skip the Line: Saint Mark's Basilica Tour (1 hour)   €39.00 Orientation of St Mark's Square plus tour of Basilica
Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Guided Tour (1 hour)    €36 See the best of Doge's Palace .
Skip the Line: St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Tour    €91.00 See the best of Doge's Palace .
Skip the Line: Best of Venice Walking Tour including Basilica di San Marco    €64.00 2 Hour Walking Tour Including Rialto Bridge + St Marks with skip the line basilica tour
Best Of Venice Tours
Skip the Line: Venice in One Day Including Boat Tour    €86.00 Three-hour combination walking and boat tour of Venice
Skip-the Line Doge's Palace, St Mark’s Basilica Tours + Venice Walking Tour    €110 Experience all the highlights of Venice around St Mark's Square In 1 Day
Skip-the Line Doge's Palace, St Mark’s Basilica Tours + Venice Walking Tour & Canal Cruise    €191.00 Experience all the highlights of Venice around St Mark's Square In 1 Day + canal cruise
Venice Gondola Rides  A selection of gondola ride opportunties in Venice
Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour    €20.00 Tour the outer islands of Venice by boat
Venice Shore Excursions From Cruise Ships Docked
Cruise Ship Shore Excursions  A choice of Venice tours independent of the pricey ship offerings