Sestiere Castello
Giardini della Biennale
Napoleonic Gardens
Venice’s first public gardens, now the heart of the Biennale art exhibition.
Featured in
Without Crowds
Giardini Biennale
www.labiennale.org
Additional resources
What makes it special
A first for Venice
Napoleon's creation of the park by draining an area of marshland marked the city's first public green space.
30 permanent pavilions
Today, these lush gardens serve as the central hub for the cultural exhibition Biennale, with permanent pavilions located inland, away from the lagoon. Access to this section is permitted with a valid ticket during the Biennale, but it is closed outside of the Biennale dates.
Public gardens
However, the strip along the lagoon, extending toward Via Garibaldi, is open to the public at all times.
A serene spot to recharge
Shade and benches offer a perfect spot to rest your weary feet.
Your experience here
- Be in the heart of the Biennale if you’re an art or architecture fan.
- Take a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Enjoy relaxed gardens with stunning views over the city and lagoon.
Things to do
Get to Giardini
Stroll the entire length of Riva degli Schiavoni, or if you think ~1km is too long, there's always the waterbus (stop 'Giardini').
Enter the Biennale
Visit the 30 national pavilions during the Biennale, which takes place from late April to November.
Go further
Since you've made it this far, just cross the Rio dei Giardini and you'll find another tranquil waterfront park that offers a taste of authentic Venetian life.
Plus, if you're with kids, this one even has a playground.
Don't miss
La Partigiana
Look near the waterfront for the haunting bronze statue of a lifeless woman, her hands still tied, commemorating the execution of Venetian partisans by the Nazis.
Resting on an irregular concrete base designed by Carlo Scarpa, it emerges and submerges with the tide.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from Giardini della Biennale:
tops 5 mins
Parco delle Rimembranze
15-25 min away
Naval History Museum
15-25 min away
Arsenale
20-30 min away
San Giorgio Maggiore
20-30 min away
Chiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church)
20-30 min away
Riva degli Schiavoni
20-30 min away
San ZaccariaMore like this
More peaceful alternatives to Venice’s busy hotspots:
