Ponte delle Tette
Venice, Veneto
Ponte delle Tette is one of Venice’s most famous bridges, with a translation that will make you blush—the name means “bridge of the tits” in Italian. The name comes from a colorful piece of history: Renaissance-era sex workers used to lure customers here by flashing their breasts. It’s one of over 400 bridges that cross the emerald-colored lagoon, which connect islands in the Venetian archipelago.
The basics
If it’s half-dressed ladies you’re looking for, prepare to be disappointed: These days, Ponte delle Tette is mostly a photo opportunity. Venice’s Red Light district is a thing of the past, and this corner of the city is now quiet and mercifully far from the hordes at St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). It only takes a few minutes to visit the bridge and snap a photo. However, the neighborhood is home to many excellent off-the-beaten-track restaurants, so you may want to linger and grab a meal.
Things to know before you go
If you’d like to learn more about La Serenissima’s history under the Venetian Republic, consider booking a private tour. The Ponte delle Tette can be easily seen from street level, but one of the best ways to admire Venice’s system of antique bridges is to float down the narrow canals on a gondola. For the best photos, visit the bridge during the pre-sunset golden hour when the surrounding buildings will have a buttery hue.
How to get there
Ponte delle Tette is located close to the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), which is just a 10-minute walk away. If coming from further afield, the easiest way to reach the bridge is by vaporetto or Venetian water bus: Take Line 1 and get off at the San Silvestro stop, then continue on foot for about five minutes. Consider buying a multi-day vaporetto pass that will give you unlimited rides if you’re staying in Venice for a couple of days or more.
When to get there
Ponte delle Tette is open daily year-round, so visit whenever works best with your sightseeing itinerary. Venice can get stiflingly hot in summer, when the canals emit a muggy stench, and bitterly cold in winter, especially out on the open water. Consider a shoulder season visit in spring or fall for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Other famous bridges in Venice
It’s worth adding a few of Venice’s most famous bridges to your itinerary, including the usual headliners—the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. Ponte Chiodo is one of the last Venetian bridges to have neither handrails nor parapets, and makes for great photo opportunities.
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