Palazzo Grassi
Museum 18th-century Venetian palace housing contemporary art museum
On Venice’s Grand Canal, Palazzo Grassi stages contemporary art exhibitions in a restored 18th-century palazzo; visitors arrive for major shows, rotating installations and the building’s waterside setting near the Punta della Dogana.
Palazzo Grassi is an 18th-century palace on Venice’s Grand Canal that has been converted into a contemporary-art exhibition space. The building is notable for its classical façade on the canal and for hosting large temporary exhibitions.
Exhibition galleries inside the palazzo present rotating shows of modern and contemporary art and the building is managed as a private museum space. The interior has been adapted from historic palatial rooms to gallery layouts suitable for major loaned exhibitions.
Originally constructed in the 1700s for the Grassi family, the palazzo has had multiple owners and uses over the centuries and was re-established as a major exhibition venue in the early 21st century. Its conversion has made it one of the principal private contemporary-art sites in Venice.
Situated on the Grand Canal near the Punta della Dogana and the central Dorsoduro district, the palazzo is accessible by water transport and is part of Venice’s main cultural axis.
- Current use: A historic 18th-century palace on the Grand Canal that has been reused as a contemporary-art exhibition space in the 21st century.
- Location: Located within Venice's central canal ring, the building is reached by vaporetto and is close to the Punta della Dogana and other major museums of the city.
What to See #
- Exhibition galleries: Large interior galleries adapted for temporary contemporary-art exhibitions operated by the Pinault Collection since the building's conversion to a museum space.
- Grand Canal façade: The grand 18th-century façade facing the Grand Canal, which marks the palace as an architectural landmark on Venice's principal waterway.
How to Get to Palazzo Grassi #
Palazzo Grassi sits on the Grand Canal near the Ponte dell’Accademia area. From Venezia Santa Lucia train station, it’s a 15-20 minute walk along the canal or a short vaporetto ride (Waterbus line 1 or 2, alight at San Samuele). The nearest vaporetto stop is San Samuele.
Tips for Visiting Palazzo Grassi #
- Buy timed-entry tickets online to avoid lines during high season (April-October).
- Walk along the Punta della Dogana side afterward for an alternate view of the Grand Canal and the Doge's Palace across the water.
- Inside, the rooms feel intentionally spare - take time with one or two works rather than rushing through.
Best Time to Visit Palazzo Grassi #
Visit outside the peak summer months for quieter galleries and easier access to timed-entry exhibitions.
Weather & Climate near Palazzo Grassi #
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (765 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.