. Rialto Bridge .

. Rialto Bridge .

One of Venice's most famous landmarks, the Rialto Bridge still comes upon many visitors as a surprise 

The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) on the Grand Canal is one of the most well-known sights in Venice, yet many tourists find themselves upon it by accident. I recently heard a young English visitor telling his girlfriend 'This is it. We're on the Rialto.' 'No we're not.' 'Yes we are!' There aren't many stretches of walkway alongside the Grand Canal, so the chances are you'll arrive at the bridge via some of Venice's long narrow lanes. You'll see a flight of steps ahead between yet more buildings, press through the crowds, climb the steps - and there you are at the summit of the famous Rialto Bridge. 

The bridge is made of fairly steep flights of steps. Two rows of shops, opening inwards, divide the inner steps from two external balustraded flights. It's a solid and unromantic construction - I was surprised at the scale on my first trip to Venice. If you are planning a romantic proposal, this isn't a good spot to choose, unless, perhaps, you visit in the dead of night when the crowds are smaller. 

Unlike most tourist attractions, the Rialto Bridge is actually visited by locals, largely because it is such an important crossing-place on the Grand Canal. Venetians stride over the bridge, cutting through the milling tourists and diving into the short-cuts which run behind the rows of souvenir stalls. Standing on top of the bridge as you await an overdue friend, you see all the world go by - including the less attractive faces of tourism: American students attempting to spit onto passing boats; pickpockets arrived in Italy for a life of crime; arguing couples; loitering elderly men vainly hoping to pick up foreign women. 

The shops on the Rialto aren't terribly exciting: they are mostly jewellers and souvenir shops. Climb the exterior sets of steps, though, at the back of the shops, or head through the arches on top of the bridge, and you can really admire the setting, with fine views over the Grand Canal, busy with gondolas and ferries.

Location

The Rialto is in the San Polo district of Venice, joining it to San Marco. It's a central point both within Venice and along the Grand Canal. The vaporetto stop 'Rialto' is alongside, and the bridge is easily accessible on foot from pretty much anywhere in Venice. Wherever you go you'll signs pointing you to the Rialto. It's about ten minutes' walk from St. Mark's.