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.

Main image

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.
Palazzo Grassi
Campo San Samuele, 3231, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
45.4338, 12.3278
Tue-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm, closed Mon (hours may vary for exhibitions)
Permanent collection €14-€16 (adult); reduced rates available; check site for current ticketing

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.

Spring
Mar-May · 8-20°C (46-68°F)
Milder weather and thinner crowds than summer; best time for afternoon gallery hours.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 12-20°C (54-68°F)
Warm light and exhibition openings often scheduled in autumn; fewer canal-tour crowds.
Winter
Dec-Feb · 1-10°C (34-50°F)
A quieter Venice; visiting exhibitions is calmer though acqua alta (high water) can occasionally close areas.

Weather & Climate near Palazzo Grassi #

Climate

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).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.7h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.4h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 28°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.1h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 28°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
13.9h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 23°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

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.

65 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

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