Attraction
St Mark’s Basilica
Venice's cathedral on Piazza San Marco, a Byzantine-influenced church consecrated in 1094 with gold-ground mosaics, the Pala d'Oro altarpiece and the original bronze horses.
Rialto Bridge
The oldest crossing of the Grand Canal, a single-span stone arch completed in 1591 to a design by Antonio da Ponte, lined with shops on both ramps.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic bridge
- Area
- San Polo / San Marco, Venice, Italy
Good to know
- Free
- Open at all times
- Shops on the bridge
Why we recommend it
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges across the Grand Canal and one of the defining images of Venice. The Rialto area was the city's commercial centre from its earliest days, and the first dry crossing here was a pontoon bridge built in 1181. It was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge with a central section that could be raised to let tall ships through. That bridge was partly burned during a revolt in 1310 and collapsed in 1444 and again in 1524, which finally pushed the Republic to commission a permanent stone structure.
The design competition was won by Antonio da Ponte, whose name is a happy coincidence, and the bridge was built between 1588 and 1591. It is a single stone arch, and its two inclined ramps carry rows of shops on either side of a central portico. Shops have lined the crossing since the fifteenth century, when their rents helped pay for maintenance of the old wooden bridge. Three walkways run across: the central one between the shops, and two outer ones along the balustrades with views up and down the canal.
For the classic photograph, stand on the outer walkways and look along the curve of the Grand Canal towards the palaces and boat traffic. The bridge is busiest from late morning to late afternoon, when groups and day visitors converge on it, so early morning or after dark is far calmer. It is free and open at all times, but the steps make it awkward with heavy luggage, pushchairs or wheelchairs; the waterfront paths on either side, the Riva del Vin and Riva del Ferro, give good low-level views of the arch.
The bridge suits everyone, and it works as a natural link in a walk between St Mark's Square and the Rialto Market. Allow a few minutes to cross, and longer if you want to browse the shops or wait for a gap at the balustrade.
The Rialto vaporetto stop, served by Lines 1 and 2, is beside the bridge on the San Marco side. On the San Polo side the Rialto Market's fish and produce stalls are a two-minute walk away, with plenty of bacari for cicchetti in the surrounding lanes.
Rialto Bridge FAQs
Is it free to cross the Rialto Bridge?
Yes. It is a public bridge, free and open at all times.
When was the Rialto Bridge built?
The present stone bridge was built between 1588 and 1591 to a design by Antonio da Ponte.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning or after dark, when there are far fewer people than in the middle of the day.
Where is the best view of the bridge?
The waterfront paths of Riva del Vin and Riva del Ferro give good views of the arch, and the bridge's outer walkways look along the Grand Canal.
Is the bridge accessible?
It has steps on both ramps, so it is difficult with wheelchairs, pushchairs or heavy luggage.
Which vaporetto stop is nearest?
Rialto, served by Lines 1 and 2, is right beside the bridge.
What is nearby?
The Rialto Market is a short walk on the San Polo side, and St Mark's Square is about ten minutes' walk on the San Marco side.