Views & landmarks
Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is a bridge in Venice, Italy. It connects the Doge's Palace with the New Prison across Rio di Palazzo.
What it is
The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed limestone bridge arching over the Rio di Palazzo, linking the interrogation rooms of the Doge's Palace to the New Prison on the other side of the canal. Convicted prisoners were walked across it on their way to their cells, and the bridge's name refers to the sighs they were said to let out at this last glimpse of Venice through its small windows. Most visitors see it from outside, either from the canal-side bridges nearby or by boat; you can also cross it on the inside as part of a Doge's Palace visit, which is the only way to see its interior.
Getting there
It sits right beside St Mark's Square, a short walk from the main vaporetto stops (San Zaccaria or San Marco) and about 15-20 minutes on foot from the Rialto Bridge. There's no need for public transport within this part of the city centre; walking is simplest.
How long to allow
Viewing it from outside takes only a few minutes. If you're also visiting the Doge's Palace and crossing the bridge from inside, allow at least an hour or two for the palace itself, since the bridge is just one small part of that route.
When to go
The two small canal-side bridges that overlook it (Ponte della Paglia and Ponte dei Sospiri viewing spot) get crowded through the day, especially with tour groups and cruise-ship visitors mid-morning to early afternoon. Early morning or after sunset tends to be quieter for photos, and the bridge is lit at night.
Combine it with
- Doge's Palace (0.1km) - directly connected to the bridge; visit it to see the bridge from the inside.
- St Mark's Basilica (0.1km) and St Mark's Campanile (0.1km) - both on St Mark's Square, an easy combined stop.
- St Mark's Clocktower (0.2km) - also on the square, worth pairing with the above.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
