In Venice, bridges are crossed every day on foot. But there is another way to admire them, perhaps even more fascinating: passing beneath them in a gondola.

Whenever I see visitors stopping on the Rialto Bridge or the Accademia Bridge to take photos, I always think that there is a completely different perspective waiting on the water.

From there, Venice’s bridges reveal a new character: you can appreciate their structures, the details of the stonework, the arches reflected in the canals, and the way they connect different parts of the city.

During a gondola ride, you pass beneath dozens of bridges, some world-famous, others almost unknown. Some tell the story of the Venetian Republic, while others hide legends, curiosities, and views that are often missed by those who explore Venice only on foot.

The Rialto Bridge from the Water

Among all the bridges in Venice, the Rialto Bridge is probably the most famous.

As the gondola approaches along the Grand Canal, its grandeur looks very different from what you see standing above it. The central arch appears even larger, and the shops built on the bridge become easier to appreciate.

For centuries, Rialto was the commercial heart of Venice. Merchants from across the Mediterranean arrived here with their goods, while boats and gondolas constantly passed beneath the bridge.

Today, passing under the Rialto Bridge by gondola remains one of the most photographed moments of any Venetian tour.

The Bridge of Sighs

Few bridges in the world are surrounded by as many stories as the Bridge of Sighs.

Seen from the water, it offers a unique perspective of the enclosed passageway connecting the Doge’s Palace to the historic prisons.

According to tradition, the sighs were those of prisoners catching their last glimpse of Venice before imprisonment. The historical reality is more complex, but the legend continues to captivate visitors today.

Gondolas glide slowly beneath the bridge, offering one of the most iconic views in the city.

The Hidden Bridges of the Inner Canals

It is not only Venice’s great monumental bridges that make a gondola ride special.

Some of the most memorable moments happen in the quieter canals, where gondolas pass beneath small stone bridges used mostly by local residents.

Here Venice reveals its most authentic side: windows overlooking the water, laundry hanging between houses, hidden courtyards, and reflections that constantly change with the light.

Many of these bridges are unknown to most visitors, yet they often provide the most intimate views of the city.

The Accademia Bridge and the Grand Canal

The Accademia Bridge is one of the few wooden bridges remaining in Venice.

From the water, its elegant structure can be fully appreciated as it spans one of the widest sections of the Grand Canal.

Gondolas passing through this area also offer wonderful views of the Basilica della Salute and the palaces lining Venice’s main waterway.

It is one of the places where the relationship between architecture and water becomes most apparent.

Every Bridge Tells a Story

Venice has more than four hundred bridges, and each represents a small piece of the city’s history.

Some are linked to trade and commerce, others to religious confraternities, noble families, or the daily lives of Venetians.

Observing them from the water allows visitors to notice details often missed during a walk: the proportions of the arches, the stones worn by time, and the reflections that change with the tides and light.

For this reason, a gondola is not simply a means of transportation or a romantic experience. It is also one of the best ways to understand Venice from a different perspective.

If you would like to learn more about the history of the gondola, its evolution through the centuries, and the secrets of its construction, visit the Gondola Gallery in Campo San Gallo, just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square. Afterward, taking a gondola ride through Venice’s bridges will feel even more meaningful.