The Bridge of Sighs, also known as ‘Ponte dei Sospiri’ in Italian, is located in Rio di Palazzo. It connects the Doge’s Palace with the New Prison.
The phrase ‘Bridge of Sighs’ originates from the belief that when prisoners passed through the bridge on their way to prison, they sighed on seeing Venice’s beauty for one final time.
The white limestone bridge dates back to the 17th century and depicts the era’s Baroque style of architecture.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Bridge of Sighs.
Table of Contents
What to expect
The Venice Bridge of Sighs is the only covered bridge in the city, with two narrow and distinct corridors to prevent a prisoner’s escape.
The design of the bridge and its construction are remarkable and worth learning about.
Access to the interior is completely prohibited for security purposes, as the bridge links the Doge’s Palace with the New Prison.
This attraction can be seen from the outside only from two other bridges—the Ponte Canonica to the north, and the Ponte della Paglia to the south.
This attraction’s tours are usually offered in combination with tours of the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Royal Palace, including a private gondola ride under the bridge.
| Tickets | Prices |
|---|---|
| Bridge of Sighs, Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Guided Tour | €95 |
| Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace & Royal Palace Tour | €100 |
| Private Gondola Ride under the Bridge of Sighs Tour | €150 |
Where to book tickets
Tickets to the Bridge of Sighs Venice are available online and at the attraction.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out.
Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Go to the Bridge of Sighs ticket booking page, select your preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and book them right away.
Once you purchase the tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you go on the tour.
Bridge of Sighs ticket price
The tickets for this tour depend on the nature of the ticket and the kind of experience you are seeking.
In fact, the Guided Tour of Bridge of Sighs, Basilica, and Doge’s Palace offers various combinations of tours like the Highlights English Tour, Legendary English Tour, Legendary English Tour Gondola Ride, and many more.
The cheapest of all these combinations is the ‘Highlights English Tour’. Adults aged 15 years and above pay €79 per ticket, and young guests pay a discounted price of €66.
Children under five years can enjoy the experience for free.
The Private Gondola Ride under the Bridge of Sighs Tour ticket costs €150 per group of up to five participants for a short 30-minute tour.
The Private Gondola Serenade experience, on the other hand, is priced at €389 per group of three participants.
Bridge of Sighs tickets
There are three ticket options for this Tour, each providing guests with a unique experience.
You can choose from the Bridge of Sighs, Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Guided Tour, Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace & Royal Palace Tour, or Private Gondola Ride under the Bridge of Sighs.
Guided Tour of Bridge of Sighs, Basilica, Doge’s Palace
With this ticket, you can enjoy a guided tour of Venice’s three monuments—the St. Mark’s Basilica, the bridge, and the Doge’s Palace.
The tour starts from Doge’s Palace, which was once Venice’s political center for centuries.
After this, head to the bridge and explore the Piombi Prisons.
The tour concludes at St. Mark’s Basilica, where you can witness the grandeur of the church’s domes, arches, and ornate façade.
The ticket includes the Venice City Audio Guide, and audio headsets for a group of ten or more will be provided.
Opt for the ‘Legendary English Tour’ for a shared, guided exploration of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral, including access to the terrace.
Upgrade to the ‘Legendary English Tour and Light Lunch’ for an extensive visit to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral, and enjoy a lunch break at Illy Caffè at 1 pm.
Level up the fun with the ‘Legendary English Tour and Gondola Ride’ option, combining visits to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace at 10.15 am, with a gondola ride at 2.10 pm.
For a more personalized experience, choose the ‘Private English Tour’, offering detailed insights into each attraction you pass by.
Please note that access to St. Mark’s Basilica museum and terrace are not included with the Private English Tour ticket.
Pick the ‘Highlights English Tour’ to explore both St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace within a span of 1.5 hours.
Ticket Prices
Legendary English Tour
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €95
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €80
Child Ticket (2 to 5 years): Free
Infant Ticket (up to 1 year): Free
Legendary English Tour and Light Lunch
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €123
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €108
Child Ticket (2 to 5 years): Free
Infant Ticket (up to 1 year): Free
Legendary English Tour and Gondola Ride
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €149
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €128
Child Ticket (2 to 5 years): €34
Infant Ticket (up to 1 year): Free
Highlights English Tour
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €79
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €66
Child Ticket (2 to 5 years): Free
Infant Ticket (up to 1 year): Fre
Private English Tour: €410 for a group of four
Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, & Royal Palace Tour
Book this tour that seamlessly blends visits to the bridge, Doge’s Palace, and Royal Palace.
At the Doge’s Palace, capture the beauty of artistic pieces crafted by renowned artists.
Head to the Old Royal Palace in St Mark’s Square and see what surprises the Empress Sissi Rooms and Napoleon Dance Hall has in store.
Select the ‘50-Minute Mysteries and Secrets English Tour’ option for a quick visit to the most iconic areas of the Doge’s Palace. This ticket is ideal for those with limited time.
You can also pick the ‘1.5-hour Legendary English Tour’ to gain more comprehensive insights into the Doge’s Palace.
If you are looking for a beautiful dining experience at Illy Caffè along with this tour, you can upgrade to the ‘Legendary English Tour and Light Lunch’ ticket.
And if you are looking for more adventure, you can opt for the ‘Legendary Morning English Tour and Gondola Ride’.
The tour of the Doge’s Palace begins at 11.20 am, and this is followed by the gondola ride at 3 pm.
Ticket Prices
Legendary Morning English Tour and Gondola Ride
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €100
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €85
Child Ticket (3 to 5 years): €38
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free
50-Minute Mysteries and Secrets English Tour
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €57
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €45
Child Ticket (up to 5 years): Free
1.5-Hour Legendary English Tour
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €64
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €46
Child Ticket (up to 5 years): Free
Legendary English Tour and Light Lunch
Adult Ticket (15+ years): €92
Youth ticket (6 to 14 years): €74
Child Ticket (up to 5 years): Free
Private English Tour: €293 per person
Private Gondola Ride under Bridge of Sighs
When you opt for this ticket, you get to glide through Venice’s enchanting canals on gondolas and enjoy stunning vistas along the lagoon.
The gondola ride begins at Danieli Station, winding through iconic attractions like St. Mark Square, Doge’s Palace, Palazzo delle Prigioni, the bridge, Querini Stampalia, Santa Maria Formosa, and many more.
Since this is a private tour, only your group will be allowed on the gondola.
Ticket Prices
30 Minutes Tour: €150 per group up to 5 participants
Private Gondola Serenade: €389 per group up to 3 participants
Save time and money! Buy the Venice Pass and get a skip-the line and Fast Track access to attractions in and around the city, including St.Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Vivaldi Church, etc. This pass entails a digital audio guide, a Gondola ride, and a boat island tour.
How to reach Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is located on the Grand Canal.
Address: P.za San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy. Get Directions
You can get to the attraction via public or private transportation.
By Air
The Venice Marco Polo Airport is the nearest airport. It is around 14 km (8.6 miles) away from the attraction.
From the airport, take a bus, ferry, or taxi to reach the Bridge.
By Ferry
Catching a ferry is the best way to reach the Bridge.
The S. Marco and S. Zaccaria ferry terminals are a 4-minute walk from the attraction, while Rialto is approximately a 10-minute walk away.
By Car
If you’re driving by car, turn on Google Maps and get started.
Opening hours of Bridge of Sighs
The attraction opens at 9 am on all days of the week.
During summer, it remains open till 7 pm, while in winter it closes at 6 pm.
How long does the tour take
The duration of the Bridge of Sighs tour can vary depending on whether you’re exploring the bridge independently or have combined the tour with other attractions.
A typical Bridge tour lasts for 15 to 30 minutes.
If you’ve booked tickets for this attraction with Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Royal Palace tours, including the gondola ride, the entire experience may take somewhere between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Best time to visit Bridge of Sighs
The best time to visit the attraction is when it opens at 9 am.
Few tourists are around in the mornings and this gives you an uninterrupted view of the city from the bridge.
Weekdays generally offer a more serene experience for touring the bridge compared to weekends, as the crowds are typically smaller.
Avoid visiting the attraction during the rainy season as the water level increases and this would make the gondola rides unsuitable.
Reviews
The Venice Bridge of Sighs is a highly-rated tourist activity.
Check out these two reviews we selected from Tripadvisor to give you an idea of what to expect at this attraction.
A must see!
A must-see, both from the inside of the Doge’s palace and from the outside. It is one of the most iconic historic bridges in Venice.
One of Venice’s iconic bridges
One of the iconic bridges of the city alongside Rialto has intricate designs. It was named as the Bridge of Sighs because it was the prisoners’ last view of Venice before being taken to prison. It’s one of those attractions where you take a picture and then walk to the next destination.
FAQs about Bridge of Sighs
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
Do I get a refund if I cancel my ticket to the Bridge of Sighs?
You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your ticket 24 hours in advance.
Should I book the Bridge tour tickets in advance?
The tickets for this attraction are very high in demand, so it’s better to book them in advance and select the most preferable date and time slot of the tour.
You can choose from the Bridge of Sighs, Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Guided Tour, Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace & Royal Palace Tour, or Private Gondola Ride under the Bridge of Sighs Tour.
Does the Bridge of Sighs tour provide refreshments?
Some combo tours like Bridge of Sighs, Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Guided Tour, Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace & Royal Palace Tour, provide lunch at Illy Caffè.
When is the last entry allowed on the bridge?
The last entry to the Bridge of Sighs is one hour before the closing time.
Am I allowed to go inside the Bridge of Sighs?
No, entry inside the bridge is severely restricted as it connects the Doge’s Palace to the prison.
Who built the Bridge of Sighs?
The bridge was built by Antonio Contin in the 17th century.
How tall is Venice’s Bridge of Sighs?
The Bridge stands at a height of 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) and spans 4 meters (around 15 feet).
Is there a passenger limit for the gondola rides?
Each gondola can carry up to five passengers, both adults and children included.
