Venice's
Islands, Canals & Bridges
Venice's
Islands, Canals & Bridges
How many islands is Venice made up of?
Of islands, canals and bridges
Venice: A City Built on Water. Venice’s historic centre is, quite literally, a city of islands. Around 127 islands, divided by roughly 150–175 canals and linked by around 398 bridges, form this remarkable lagoon city. The exact numbers vary depending on who you ask, so “approximately” is our favourite word.
Far from acting as boundaries, the canals are Venice’s true streets. They shape the city’s character, create its unmistakable atmosphere, and offer visitors an experience unlike anywhere else.
Essential
Things to Know
- Venice has no cars — only boats. There are no bicycles, buses, or mopeds in the historic centre. All transport must be water-friendly to navigate the lagoon.
- The islands began as a refuge. Founded in the 5th century AD, Venice grew from settlements created by people fleeing barbarian attacks on the mainland. The lagoon’s islands offered natural protection and later became the foundations of a city built on water.
- Nearly 400 bridges link the islands. Some of the smaller bridges have no railings — a quirky architectural feature unique to Venice. The oldest is the Rialto Bridge, spanning the Grand Canal since the 16th century.
- High water (acqua alta) is a normal part of life. Most common in autumn and winter, flooding is managed with raised walkways that allow residents and visitors to keep dry. Waterproof shoes are a smart idea.
- The Grand Canal is the city’s main waterway. By contrast, Venice’s narrowest canal is an unnamed passageway used only as a functional shortcut.
- The lagoon’s largest island is the Lido. The smallest inhabited island is Santa Cristina, once home to a single family — today, it hosts a hotel.
- House numbers follow a unique Venetian system. Instead of typical street numbering, buildings are identified by their position in relation to canals and squares.
Table of
contents
Canals of Venice
The Most Important Waterways
No one knows the exact number of canals in Venice — the city is full of tiny, unnamed waterways — but estimates range from 150 to 175. These canals vary greatly in size and importance, yet together they form the lifeblood of the city.
The Grand Canal is Venice’s main artery. Shaped like a gentle “S”, it winds through the city and serves as its central transport route. Vaporetti, water taxis, and sightseeing boats travel along it continuously throughout the day.
Another key waterway is the Canal di San Polo, which threads through the San Polo district and links several parts of the city. Remarkably narrow in places, it runs close to Campo San Polo, Venice’s second-largest square. Nearby stands San Giacomo di Rialto, one of the oldest churches in the city.
The Giudecca Canal separates the island of Giudecca from central Venice. It plays an important role in maritime traffic and offers beautiful views of Venice and the surrounding islands.
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Islands of Venice
The Most Notable Islands
The island that hosts Venice’s main sights — including St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace — shares the city’s own name: Venezia. Venice consists of countless small islands, separated by canals and spanned by bridges. You’ll see that when you visit!
Beyond the main island, the lagoon is dotted with several remarkable islands, each with its own character. Murano is world-famous for its glassmaking tradition and elegant workshops — a beautiful island that invites visitors to linger.
Equally unmissable is Burano, celebrated for its brightly coloured houses. With the charm of a painted fishing village, it’s a favourite destination for photographers.
One of the largest islands is Giudecca. Once an important centre for trade and industry, it has been home to nobles and workers alike over the centuries. Today, it is a largely residential district, offering a calmer, more local atmosphere away from the busiest tourist areas.
The island of Lido is a popular retreat for visitors and still feels more relaxed than the city centre. Stretching for around 12 kilometres along Venice’s eastern edge, it is known for its sandy beaches, its world-famous film festival, and its leisurely seaside ambience.
There is also a well-known island with only 11 residents — but many more resting there: San Michele, Venice’s cemetery island. It is the final resting place of notable figures such as composer Igor Stravinsky and writer Joseph Brodsky. The island features its own chapel and an impressive mausoleum.
Bridges of Venice
How Many Bridges Does Venice Have?
As with many things in Venice, the exact number is hard to pin down. The city has around 398 bridges — a figure that is widely used, even if not entirely official.
Venice’s bridges range from tiny crossings — some without railings, such as the Ponte de Chiodo — to major landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, both attractions in their own right.
Other important bridges include the Ponte dell’Accademia, leading directly to the Gallerie dell’Accademia, and the Ponte della Costituzione, the modern footbridge connecting Piazzale Roma with Santa Lucia Station.
Several bridges come with intriguing stories. The Ponte dei Pugni — the “Bridge of Fists” — bears four footprints at its top. These marks indicate the starting positions for fights once held here between rival clans who tried to force one another into the canal below.
There is also the Ponte del Diavolo in Castello (and another on Torcello). The Castello bridge has no specific legend, leaving room for imagination, while the Torcello version is said to involve a witch, a young Austrian, a local girl, and the devil himself.
The Ponte delle Tette (“Bridge of Breasts”), in San Polo, has a more factual history rather than a mythical one. It was used by prostitutes who stood topless on the bridge to attract — and supposedly “convert” — men suspected of homosexual tendencies.
By contrast, the Ponte dei Conzafelzi is noteworthy simply for being entirely made of iron. Its name recalls the craftsmen who once built and repaired the felze — the decorative cabins that adorned gondolas in earlier centuries.
One final curiosity: Building Bridges, located in the Arsenale, looks like a bridge but is in fact an artwork rather than a functional crossing.
Few Fascinating Extras
Fishing still takes place in Venice’s canals. Local fishermen use small boats to catch lagoon species such as mussels and squid — a tradition passed down through generations.
And yes, the reports during the pandemic were true: dolphins do occasionally appear in the lagoon’s outer waters. With the reduced boat traffic during lockdowns, they ventured closer to the islands than usual.
other
tips for Venice
Our Gondola ride
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Dos and Don'ts in Venice
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Public transportation
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