The Bridges of Venice: Beautiful, Famous and Fun to Find
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Venice… It’s such a romantic city!
One of our favorite cities in Italy, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in the country, especially if this is your first trip.
A beloved muse of poets and writers over the centuries, this City of Canals is also known as the City of Bridges.
But who knew more than 400 bridges crisscross Venice’s calle (streets), campi (squares) and countless canals?
Originally built from wood, most of Venice’s bridges were later replaced with graceful stone arches, designed to let gondolas and boats pass beneath.
Having gotten delightfully lost many times wandering all over the city, we’ve set foot upon our fair share of these Venice bridges.
From grand stone structures to tiny footbridges tucked away in quiet corners, each one tells a story – and crossing them is part of what makes exploring Venice such a joy.
Here’s our guide to the most beautiful, famous and hidden bridges to discover…
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Famous bridges in Venice
Bridge of Sighs
Venice’s most famous bridge – and certainly the most poignant – is the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri).
Named by Lord Byron, this enclosed white limestone bridge links the Doge’s Palace with the old prisons across the Palace Canal. It was built in 1600, designed by Antonio Contino (whose uncle designed the Rialto Bridge, covered next).
When prisoners in days gone by crossed the bridge on their way to their cell or execution, they’d glance out the small stone-barred windows at their last view of Venice – and, supposedly, let out a forlorn sigh.
To cross this bridge today, you’ll need to take a tour, like this skip-the-line Doge’s Palace tour.
You’ll dive into the fascinating world of Venetian intrigue, politics and power – including seeing the “secret denunciations” letter slot, where you could tattle on someone you thought was breaking the law by slipping a note through the mouth of a sculpted lion.
Getting back to the Bridge of Sighs… Legend also has it that if you kiss your honey under it at sunset, just as the bells of St. Mark’s Campanile ring, you’ll enjoy eternal love.
Now that’s a romantic reason to seek it out!
Rialto Bridge
Dating back to 1591, the current Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) is the oldest of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal.
We’ve crossed it more times than we can remember – especially when hunting down a particular restaurant in the area we’d heard was very good. (We never did find that restaurant, though!)
Shops selling leather goods, Murano glass and jewelry line the Rialto Bridge. We once bought a pair of colorful glass bead earrings from a little stall midway across.
Nearby, you’ll find the Rialto Market, a bustling spot where locals shop for fresh fish and produce. Head there early in the morning if you want to catch the authentic, working side of Venice – before the market winds down and the tourist crowds take over.
Academy Bridge
Venice’s wooden Ponte dell’Accademia (Academy Bridge) is another standout.
Built originally of iron in 1854, it was rebuilt with wood in the 1930s.
Its curved plank‑decked structure invites you to linger mid‑canal for sweeping views of the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute and the steady procession of gondolas.
Another one of the four bridges crossing the Grand Canal, it leads to one of Venice’s best museums, the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Fun fact: Once groaning under thousands of metal love-locks, local authorities have since removed them amid concerns and restoration efforts.
Bridge of the Barefoot Monks
It’s probably no surprising that the bridges spanning the Grand Canal are among the most famous in Venice. And The Ponte degli Scalzi, or Bridge of the Barefoot Monks, is yet another one of these iconic crossings.
Built in 1934, this graceful white stone bridge replaced an earlier iron structure. You’ll find it just outside the Santa Lucia train station, making it one of the first Venetian bridges many visitors encounter when arriving by train.
Its name? It comes from the nearby Chiesa degli Scalzi or Church of the Barefoot Monks. (We can’t help but smile at that name!)
The bridge offers beautiful views of the canal’s busy boat traffic and classic Venetian architecture. And as it’s less crowded than other Grand Canal crossings, it’s a good spot for snapping photos.
Bridge of Three Arches
Then there’s the Ponte dei Tre Archi (Bridge of Three Arches).
The only one in the city with three arches, it’s one of Venice’s most unique bridges. The bridge’s central arch is flanked by two smaller ones, creating its distinctive look. You’ll find it in the Cannaregio district, spanning the Cannaregio Canal.
Built in 1688, it replaced an earlier wooden version and has stood the test of time as a local favorite.
Unlike the more famous Rialto or Accademia bridges, this one feels much more peaceful. It’s another great spot for photos, with gondolas gliding underneath and fewer tourists around.
Lesser-known Venice bridges and hidden gems
Other Venice bridges are less well-known.
For lovers of hidden beauty, slip along quiet canal alleyways to the Ponte del Paradiso, tucked away in Castello.
This petite stone bridge spans the Rio del Mondo Novo and is topped by a carved Gothic arch. Cross it, and you’ll enter Calle del Paradiso, a peaceful little passage lined with ancient wooden overhanging eaves.
Another hidden gem is the Ponte Chiodo. Found in Cannaregio, it’s one of the last bridges in Venice without railings!
Dating back centuries, this small stone footbridge crosses a narrow canal and offers a glimpse of what most Venetian bridges looked like before safety became a concern. Be careful as you cross.
There are plenty more…
In fact, Charl Durand, an intrepid photographer self-described Venetophile, took on a unique challenge in 2013 – walking across and photographing some 116 of Venice’s lesser-known bridges in just over 14 hours! A pretty creative way to experience the city’s quieter corners, don’t you think?
View from Venice’s gondolas
Traveling under the bridges?
Well, that’s famously done on a gondola ride in Venice.
And looking up from your gondola in the water, your view of the city changes.
In the words of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow…
“… White phantom city, whose untrodden streets are rivers, and whose pavements are the shifting shadows of the palaces and strips of sky.”
Enough said…
That wraps up our post on Venice’s beautiful bridges
Venice’s bridges aren’t just charming footpaths – they’re architectural storytellers, each one revealing a little piece of the city’s history and character.
Which ones have you crossed? Or do you have a favorite hidden bridge we should add to our list? Let us know in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
See our other Italy travel guides
- Planning a Trip to Italy
- 23 Most Beautiful Places in Italy (Not Big Cities)
- 11 Best Italian Cities to Visit for Every Traveler
- 17 Most Romantic Things to Do in Venice
- 10 Utterly Romantic Hotels in Venice
- Getting From the Venice Cruise Port to the Train Station
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa is Worth Visiting!
- How to Get to the Ancient Cave City of Matera
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About the authors
Regarding your first picture on the page with the caption, A favorite muse of poets and writers over the centuries, the “City of Canals” built on water is also known as the “City of Bridges.”, I wonder if you remember where in Venice you found this bridge. I took a picture of this same bridge in October of 1992. Our pictures look amazingly similar! I have no idea where it was. We had one day in Venice and we were lost for most of it. Anyway, we loved the picture so much we had my mother paint an oil painting of this scene. I am now returning to Venice next week (my first trip back since 1992) and I am taking my mother for her 80th birthday (her first trip to Europe). I’d love to be able to find this bridge so she can see it in person. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
What a lovely birthday present for your mother! She’ll love Venice :-).
We were lost for much of the time in Venice too. But I (Janice) have a suspicion this photo was taken near the American Hotel. It looks out over a canal (and on one Venice visit, we stayed here). I hope I’m pointing you in the right direction… Do let us know after your trip if you find the bridge — and if it is near the American Hotel :-).
Have an awesome trip!
I’m sure this is way too late, but that photograph is taken looking north from the Ponte dei Bareteri. The sign on the right is the give away: Ristorante Sempione.
Thanks, Jordan, for writing and confirming the location of the bridge in the lead photo here! Now we know :-).
Beautiful photos! Venice is such a romantic city with all these small streets and bridges.
It is so romantic, isn’t it? One of our favorite cities :-)
I haven’t visited Venice, but it’s beauty, food and threatened status puts in my top 10 cities to see in Europe … hope to see it in the next year or two!
Such lovely pictures! I visited Venice when I was a kid and have such great memories. I can’t wait to go back and explore as an adult and take in all the beautiful history and architecture! I’ll be on a mission to see as many of these smaller bridges as well! Thanks so much for sharing!
Your photos really capture the ambiance of this one-of-a-kind place~
I LOVED Venice!! It’s truly like a maze, with all the tiny streets and canals. I was lost there for 3 hours once looking for my hotel lol. I passed many bridges on that afternoon, but I don’t know any of the names so I can’t point out a favorite. The Rialto is a sight to see, in spite of all the touristy shops and such there.
The Rialto Bridge is a sight to see because of all the touristy shops there! Especially the stalls selling “genuine” Italian leather bags made in China :-).
Now you’ve got me thinking – wouldn’t it be awesome to spend a week and try to photograph every bridge?? LOL. These are great photos, love how you’ve brought out the colour. I’m not sure I could pick a favourite … probably the Accademia one.
If it took Durand 14 hours for 100 bridges, yes, it would probably take a week to photograph them all – what a marathon photo session that would be :-).
There are beautiful bridges and wonderful sights everywhere in Venice. Lovely photos!
The smaller, lesser known bridges of Venice are my favorite! lovely photos.
Yes, we thought the photographer Charl Durand’s idea of photographing some of the less-visited bridges was very interesting… Some have romantic names too, like the “Flower Bridge.”