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Getting to the Rialto Bridge in Venice
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.
Venice walking map route between Piazzale Roma / Santa Lucia Railway Station and St Mark's Square via the Rialto Bridge
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