Bridge of Sighs Tours and Tickets

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, was built in the early 17th century as a passage for prisoners to cross from the Doge's Palace over the Rio di Palazzo canal to the New Prison or vice versa. It often offered a last view of freedom. It's the only covered bridge in Venice.

Legend has it that the Bridge of Sighs in Venice was named for the “sighs” of the prisoners who passed over its enclosed passageway on the way to prison or court at the Doge's Palace. Tradition holds that couples who kiss underneath the bridge while passing in a gondola will love eternally.

The only covered bridge in Venice, the Bridge of Sighs is unusually photogenic. If you're looking for the best spots to take photos of the baroque-style bridge, try the Ponte della Paglia on the Riva degli Schiavoni or from the Ponte della Canonica. Alternatively, try from a gondola.

Among Venice's famous bridges, the Bridge of Sighs isn't quite a must-see, but it's a short walk from St. Mark's Square, has an unusual history, and is worth visiting during interior tours of the Doge's Palace. Otherwise, the bridge is covered and not accessible from the outside.

It depends on whether you want to see the interior of the covered bridge. You can spot the exterior of the Bridge of Sighs from nearby bridges on the Rio di Palazzo canal or gondolas on the water. To see the inside, book guided tours of the Doge's palace, which can last one hour or longer.

Yes, guided tours are available to explore the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. These tours access the interior of the covered bridge through the Doge's Palace, where visitors can walk through the bridge and learn about its history, architecture, and the stories of the prisoners who crossed it.