Discover Venice, City of Water… From the Water!

Thinking of a boat trip along Venice’s Grand Canal? Excellent idea! Relax as you enjoy some of the most spectacular and iconic of Venice’s landmarks in comfort, taking in the many towers, domed basilicas and accompanying gondolas on the waterway. Once you’ve chosen from the available Venice airport transfers at the airport and journeyed into the city, here are some of the best of the best to look out for while your charting your path down the canal.          

Basillica di Santa Maria della Salute

First to look out for is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (known locally as ‘Salute’). You likely won’t need to look too far – it’s one of the city’s greatest and most renowned landmarks. Constructed in the seventeeth century as a celebration to mark the end of the plague, the ‘Salute’ also houses a number of Titian works as well as Tintoretto’s ‘Marriage at Cana’.

Statues of Atlas

A little less high profile than the Santa Maria della Salute but equally impressive are the Statues of Atlas, perched atop the roof of the old customs house, Dogana da Mar. Most prominent is ‘Fortune’, the seventeeth-century statue which stands boldly on top of the golden ball and will turn gracefully in the wind as a guide to sailors past and present. Don’t worry, however – the drivers of our Venice airport transfers also come equipped with more modern navigational tools at their disposal!

The Rialto Bridge 

As you continue your voyage it won’t be long before you come across one of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the spectacular Rialto Bridge. For nearly 300 years it was the only means of crossing the Grand Canal on foot. The stone bridge in place today has a tumultuous history, being the product of a succession of wooden structures that were in place as far back as 1180, the last of which collapsed when the wedding of the Marquis of Ferrara drew such a crowd that the weight on the structure became too much. The bridge today draws similar crowds, though you’ll be able to take it in fully from the relative tranquillity of the canal.

Also look out for the magnificent Ca D’Oro (House of Gold), one of the most celebrated palazzos on the Grand Canal which will be sure to catch your eye.

Homebound Highlights

As your journey progresses, if you start to notice a narrowing of the canals and generally more enclosed look and feel, that means you’ve arrived in the Cannaregio District. The area has been home to the Venetian Jewish community who were forced to live there under Christian enforcement from the early 1500s to 1800s. From there you will pass the by the Madonna dell’Orto (Our Lady of the Orchard) before heading back in the direction of St Mark’s Square, with the cemetery island of San Michele on the horizon. 

Finally, as you approach the home straight, take in the magnificent sight of St. Mark’s Campanile towering impressively over the square. If you don’t take enough of this landmark in at this point don’t worry; it is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city and you may be able to catch another glimpse heading back home on one of Shuttle Direct’s Venice airport transfers. 

How to Get There

Venice Marco Polo Airport is conveniently situated just 15-20m away from the city, with a number of direct flights available to and from the UK. Our Venice airport transfers services will quickly and conveniently whisk you into the city. Take advantage of a private taxi and dedicated local driver from Shuttle Direct to make your journey as hassle free as possible.