Rio della Misericordia is one of the most picturesque canals in Venice. It runs from the former 16^th-century Jewish Ghetto to the busy shopping street of Strada Nova in the lively Cannaregio district. It's an excellent place to enjoy an aperitif in a quaint tavern.

While the Grand Canal is the most famous, many consider the Rio di San Barnaba or the Rio di San Trovaso in the Dorsoduro district to be the most beautiful and authentic canals in Venice. Rio di San Barnaba is iconic for its vibrant vegetable barges and its role in cinematic history, while Rio di San Trovaso is home to one of the city's last remaining Squeri (gondola workshops), where you can watch craftsmen repair traditional boats against a backdrop of historic Alpine-style architecture. For those seeking quiet beauty, the Rio della Misericordia in Cannaregio offers a stunning, wide perspective with colorful facades and local "bacari" (wine bars) lining the water. In 2026, the beauty of these smaller "rii" is enhanced by the city's focus on electric boat transitions, which has significantly improved the water clarity and reduced the noise pollution that once plagued the narrower waterways. Each canal offers a different aesthetic: from the majestic palazzos of the Grand Canal to the intimate, flower-draped balconies of the San Polo backwaters.