The no.1 Vaporetto Grand Canal Tour (Venice)

Think of Venice, and floating down misty canals in the moonlight, being serenaded by a handsome gondolier immediately springs to mind. This is of course a time honoured Venetian classic city breaks activity that never fails to impress, but nowadays costs a small fortune. It is not the only option for a romantic trip through history on the water, as a Vaporetto water taxi does the job just as well. Although you will be sharing the ride with numerous other awe struck tourists, it is the perfect way to tour the city’s most iconic sights and pretty much the whole city is accessible this way.

 

The most popular route is the#1 Vaporetto which winds its way from Piazzale Roma to St Mark’s Square along the Grand Canal passing the vast majority of Venice’s most captivating sights. There are 20 designated stops en route and it is easy to hop on and off and linger awhile at chosen places of interest. You very rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes or so for the next boat and it runs throughout the day from early morning until late at night. It is definitely the most rewarding and cost effective way to sightsee, especially if time is limited during short breaks in Venice. 

 

Single trips cost €7.00 but you will save a packet by investing in a pass offering unlimited travel for 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours. The #1 Vaporetto is both the longest and most captivating route for sightseeing, offering unrivalled views of the gothic Doges Palace, the diminutive Palazzo Dario and the beautiful baroque church of Santa Maria Della Salute just for starters. Venice weekend breaks for art lovers will want to alight at the Museum of Modern Art or see the fabulous fine art of the Accademia. Floating under the iconic Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge is bound to be a major highlight for most people too.