must-visit in VeniceSquare & Landmark

Bridge of Sighs, Venice (Ponte dei Sospiri)

📍 Ponte dei Sospiri, Venice, Italy

1 photos

4.6/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Italy, Venice
Category: Square & Landmark
Duration: 15-30 min for the exterior; 2-3 hours including the Doge's Palace
Opening Hours: Exterior visible around the clock; the interior walkway forms part of the Doge's Palace route (generally 09:00-19:00, last entry earlier on Sundays).
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · The bridge is free to view from outside; crossing it requires a Doge's Palace ticket (EUR 30 full, EUR 15 reduced in 2026), which covers the palace and its permanent displays.
Address: Ponte dei Sospiri, Venice, Italy
Coordinates: 45.4341, 12.3409

Introduction

Ponte dei Sospiri is Venice's most famous and romantic bridge. Built in 1600, this enclosed white limestone Baroque bridge connects the Doge's Palace to the New Prison — prisoners sighed at their last view of Venice. Built 1600; by Contino. Enclosed bridge with small windows. Prisoners' last view of Venice. Best external photos from adjacent bridges or gondola.

✨ Highlights

Romantic legend

Prisoners sighed at last Venice view.

Baroque

Enclosed white limestone Baroque bridge.

Free exterior

Free exterior viewing.

Venice icon

One of Venice's most iconic sights.

Where the name comes from

Lord Byron coined the name in the 19th century: convicts crossed here from the Doge's Palace interrogation rooms to the New Prison, taking a last look at daylight and the canal through the stone windows - and sighing.

The last look through the grilles

Small stone-latticed windows pierce both sides of the corridor; from the canal outside you can see the dim light deep inside. Late summer sun turns the whole white bridge amber - one of the most photogenic corners of the San Marco district.

🛈 Practical Info

→Free：Exterior free; interior with Doge's Palace ticket.

→Photo：Best from adjacent bridges or gondola.

→Combine：With St Mark's, Doge's Palace and Rialto Bridge.

→Access：Vaporetto to San Marco; walkable.

→Season：Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct fewer crowds.

→Opening Hours：Exterior visible around the clock; the interior walkway forms part of the Doge's Palace route (generally 09:00-19:00, last entry earlier on Sundays).

→Transportation：On foot - just east of the Doge's Palace in the San Marco district; about 10 minutes from Rialto Bridge

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

The bridge is free to view from outside; crossing it requires a Doge's Palace ticket (EUR 30 full, EUR 15 reduced in 2026), which covers the palace and its permanent displays.

💡 Tips

• Exterior free; best from adjacent bridges or gondola.

• With St Mark's and Doge's Palace.

• Information is on-site.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Bridge of Sighs, Venice (Ponte dei Sospiri)?

Exterior visible around the clock; the interior walkway forms part of the Doge's Palace route (generally 09:00-19:00, last entry earlier on Sundays).

How much is the admission for Bridge of Sighs, Venice (Ponte dei Sospiri)?

Adult: Free; The bridge is free to view from outside; crossing it requires a Doge's Palace ticket (EUR 30 full, EUR 15 reduced in 2026), which covers the palace and its permanent displays.