10 Venice’s Best Bridges

Did you know that... more than 350 bridges link the 118 islands that make up Venice? That's why Venice is famous for its network of bridges and narrow streets that give the city a very particular atmosphere. Some of the bridges you'll learn about in this post are steeped in history and beauty, and from which you'll be able to get some photo-worthy views.

The Rialto Bridge is one of the four oldest bridges in Venice (built in the 16th century). It is one of the most interesting sights to see in Venice and is the focal point of both the city and the Grand Canal.

The bridge was built between 1588 and 1591 and took only 3 years to complete. The Rialto Bridge replaced four bridges that were there before and was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until 1854, when the Accademia Bridge was built.

You will see that it is a stone arch bridge that crosses the narrowest part of the Grand Canal. It has long been seen as an architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance. If you look closely you'll see that there are up to 6,000 wooden piles under each pillar, all in order to support the weight of the stone arch which is what gives it that baroque feel.

How to get to the Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is located in the San Polo district of Venice, joining San Marco. The 'Rialto' vaporetto stop is next to it, and the bridge is easily accessible on foot from almost anywhere in Venice. Wherever you go, signs will point you in the direction of the Rialto. For your reference, it's about a ten-minute walk to St. Mark's.

However, if you are at Venice airport or at another point away from the centre, you can opt for the bus lines (4L, 5, 6, 6L, 7E, 8E). You can also get there by train on lines (R, RV) and even by vaporetto via the Grand Canal on lines (1 and 2).

• Address: Sestiere San Polo, 30125 Venice, Italy.
• Recommendation: Here is a post about how to get around Venice that will certainly be very useful to understand the different means of transport available.

Ponte dei Pugni, or Bridge of Fists, is another of Venice's most famous bridges. This is because it was the place where, for years, two rival gangs, the Nicolotti and the Castellani, fought each other with fists.

Tradition has it that the victors threw the losers into the water, an action made easier by the fact that, until recently, the bridge had no railing. Fortunately, these fights were banned in 1705 because of their excessive violence.

In the case of the Puente de los Puños its attraction is directly related to its history, as footprints can still be seen on the floor of the bridge, signs that indicated to the two rivals where to position themselves.

Near the Ponte dei Pugni there is a large boat selling fresh fruit and vegetables, a characteristic feature of the place. I would also recommend photographing the Indiana Jones Library, a very famous building.

How to get to the Bridge of the Fists

The Ponte dei Pugni is a small bridge located in the sestiere of Dorsoduro, halfway between Campo San Barnaba and Campo Santa Margherita. Personally, I recommend walking, as the whole walk is worth taking your time to appreciate. However, if you want to shorten the distance, I recommend taking the Venice vaporetto line 1.

• Address: 30123 Venice, Italy.

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most important bridges in Venice. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century and its name comes from the sighs heard from those who crossed the bridge and were about to be imprisoned. This theory was popularised by Lord Byron, who mentioned it throughout some of his most famous writings, which also popularised the bridge.

The bridge is only 11 metres long and once gave access to the old palace prisons. It has a very baroque style, a white colour and a lot of historical weight. You know where to go if you want to relive the memories of the thousands of innocent prisoners during the long and harsh Inquisition.

How to get to the Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is located near St Mark's Square. To get there by train from Piazzale Roma, you can choose between the R or RV line and get off at the "Vallaresso" stop. If you prefer to go by vaporetto, you can disembark near the square thanks to line 1.

• Address: Pza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice, Italy.

The Ponte degli Scalzi (Bridge of the Barefoot) is one of the four bridges in Venice that cross the Grand Canal. It was designed by Eugenio Miozzi and completed in 1934 as a replacement for an Austrian iron bridge (all the iron bridges in Venice had been built by Austrians). The idea was to build something home-grown and to make Italy's rise clear.

If you look at the bridge, it borrows the main features of the Rialto Bridge except for the decorative lines and the fact that it is built of white stone. It's definitely one of the bridges you should visit at night in Venice, as you can see the illuminated cruise ships of the Grand Canal.

How to get to the Barefoot Bridge

The bridge connects the sestieri of Santa Croce and Cannaregio. To the north of the bridge are the Chiesa degli Scalzi (Church of the Barefoot Monks) and the Santa Lucia train station. To the south is the Piazzale Roma bus station. You can reach the bridge by bus lines (2 , 4L ,5 , 6 , 6L , 7E , 8E).

• Address: Ponte degli Scalzi, 30135 Venice, Italy.

Ponte dell'Accademia connects the San Marco district with Dorsoduro, where the Accademia Gallery is located. The bridge is known for offering the best views of Venice, as you can look out over the Grand Canal in both directions from a relatively high point.

Best of all, you will notice a great contrast compared to the other marble bridges in Venice, as this one was built of wood. Personally, even if you are only in Venice for a day, I would recommend you to get to this bridge as it gives you a better overview of how the city is structured.

Also, close to the bridge are some of the best places to eat cheaply in Venice.

How to get to the Puente de la Academia

The bridge is located at the final loop of the S-shaped Grand Canal, just before the canal passes through St Mark's Basin. I also recommend crossing the bridge if you're on your way from Piazza San Marco to the Galleria dell'Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or the Church of Santa Maria della Salute.

The bridge can preferably be reached by vaporetto thanks to lines (1 and 2). Bus lines (10A , 53E , 6 , 6E , 6L , 7 , 7E , 8E ) will also be useful if you are looking to shorten distances.

• Address: 30100 Venice, Italy.

The Ponte della Paglia (Straw Bridge) links the Castello district with San Marco. It was originally built in 1360 and rebuilt during the 19th century.

Its name comes from the boats that were fastened to the bridge while unloading straw to be transported to different areas. This activity was banned because of the risk involved. This famous bridge became an emblem for Italian painters, a detail that radically increased its popularity.

Ponte della Paglia is the perfect place to take a picture of the Bridge of Sighs, as it is very close to the bridge .

How to get to the Straw Bridge

I would recommend following the route to the Bridge of Sighs and from there to the Bridge of Straw, given the proximity and the interesting route that separates them. However, if you want to go directly to the bridge, I recommend the bus lines (10A, 24, 4L, 6, 6E, 6L) or the vaporetto lines (1 or 2).

• Address: Piazzetta San Marco, 30124 Venice, Italy.

Completed in 2008, the Calatrava Bridge was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It is the last of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, although it must be said that it was a controversial addition due to its modern appearance which contrasted with the Renaissance appearance of the city.

Venice's modern bridge, officially named Ponte della Constituzione, has a strong and important purpose: to connect the Santa Lucia train station with Piazzale Roma, thus linking the only area of the city accessible by car.
It's a great spot to watch the gondola rides, or even take a ride on one.

How to get to Calatrava Bridge

The bridge is 1.3 kilometres from the Rialto Bridge. To get to the Calatrava Bridge, you can take a cruise on the Grand Canal or opt for vaporetto line 2.

By bus, the most sensible way to get to the bridge is on lines 6E or 7E.

• Address: Ponte della Costituzione, 30135 Venice, Italy.

The Ponte delle Guglie is one of the two bridges that cross the Cannaregio Canal, situated at its western end, near where it joins the Grand Canal.

The bridge is near the Venezia Santa Lucia train station, not far from the Rialto Bridge. You will see that the stone and brick bridge is very ornately decorated, including gargoyles on its arch.
It is also known as the 'Bridge of Spires' because of its metal spires (the only bridge in Venice with this detail).

How to get to the Bridge of Agulhas

The bridge is only 1 kilometre from the Rialto Bridge, so you can walk there if you are in the middle of the city. You can also disembark near the bridge if you hop on Venice's vaporetto line 1.

• Address: 30121 Venice, Italy.

This bridge connects Italy with the islands that make up the city of Venice. The Ponte della Liberta used to be known as the Ponte Littorio. The bridge was inaugurated by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in 1933 and renamed after World War II to commemorate the liberation of Italy from fascism.

If you arrive at Venice Santa Lucia station you can see the parallel of the bridge from the ticket window. The bridge is 3850 metres long ! It's nothing like the length of the bridges linking the islands of Venice.

This bridge, more than a place to visit, is a way to get to Venice from the city of Menestre; in other words, it is the footbridge that will welcome you to this romantic city.

This bridge in San Polo has a long history, as it used to connect to the Venetian nightlife area. It is a reddish bridge with a short length and a striking appearance.

To better understand the name, you have to go back to the 15th century, when the Venetian government issued a decree that allowed prostitutes to advertise their services by showing their breasts out of their windows (all in order to collect taxes). It was this practice that gave the bridge its current name.

How to get to the Bridge of Las Tetas

Personally, I recommend you get to the Bridge of Boobs after visiting the famous Rialto Bridge, as it is only 500 metres away. On the way you will pass through Campo di San Silvestro and Rio de San Aponal.

• Address: Via San Cassiano, 30125 Venice, Italy.