The facade was originally embellished with lapis-lazuli, vermilion and gold leaf. Such was its splendor that the building was named and is uniquely remembered in Venice not by the family name of the initial owners (Contarini), but as the 'golden' palace.

In a dilapidated state

It's hard to imagine this treasure-box palace abandoned, but that's how Baron Franchetti found it when he purchased it around 1890 before restoring it to its former glory.

A personal art collection

The baron traveled far to collect paintings, sculptures and ceramics for the palace - and today, you can explore this remarkable legacy.

Views from the loggia

With a direct view overlooking the bustling Grand Canal, the loggia's Gothic arches create a magical atmosphere that invites lingering.

Marble mosaic floor

The inner court is paved with polychrome marbles sourced by the Baron from Rome, including rare types such as porphyry, serpentine, jasper and alabaster. He personally arranged each piece according to his own designs.

Ca' d'Oro : On the ground floor, stroll across the expansive mosaic floor designed by Baron Franchetti himself

Discover more about Ca' d'Oro through 11 photos with explanations.

Open gallery

What to experience here

Admire one of Venice's most elegant palazzos, built by one of the city's founding families.
Walk across expansive mosaics of rare polychrome marbles, arranged in intricate, eye-catching patterns.
Explore a formerly private art collection, carefully gathered over years and now generously open to the public.
Enjoy intimate, front-row views of the Grand Canal, perfectly framed by elegant Gothic arches.

Save with a combined ticket

For just €15, this combined ticket gives you access to both Ca' d'Oro and the extraordinary Palazzo Grimani: an unusual Renaissance palace with dramatic frescoed halls and a monumental room that could belong in a surreal film.

You're essentially getting a second €14 top attraction for only €7 more. Tickets are available at the entrance of either site.

Palazzo Grimani : The lunette painting depicts an allegorical Roman scene, symbolizing the origins and accomplishments of the Grimani family

Explore Palazzo Grimani

Admire Ca' d'Oro from the water

The magnificent facade, once adorned with gold leaf that gave the palace its name (The Golden House) is still considered one of the most beautiful along the Grand Canal.

The best way to admire it is from a cruise on the Grand Canal, where the perspective changes as you glide along.

There's more than one way to cruise Venice's most iconic waterway, which we discuss in the corresponding section on the canal.

All ways to cruise the Grand Canal

Contarini's irreverent project

Ca' d'Oro was built by the Contarini family, one of the founding families of Venice and among the oldest of the Italian nobility, producing a total of eight Doges of the Republic.

It's no surprise they owned more than one palace, but Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo stands out for its iconic spiral staircase, constructed unusually high in an era when towers were reserved for churches and state buildings.

Climb the romantic 80-step staircase, get delightfully dizzy along the way, and reward yourself at the top with sweeping views over Venice's rooftops.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo : At the top of the staircase is the covered Belvedere terrace

Climb the snail staircase

Your questions, answered

We've answered some of the most common questions about Ca' d'Oro to help you plan your visit:

From where on land can I photograph the facade in full?

Walk along Riva de l'Ogio from Rialto Market to its end at Calle del Campaniel. There, a wooden pontoon extends onto the Grand Canal, placing you directly opposite Ca d'Oro and giving you the entire facade perfectly in frame.

Is the art collection worth the ticket?

The highlight is Andrea Mantegna's third St. Sebastian, displayed in its own marble-clad chapel. Even if that alone doesn't draw you in, the intricate marble mosaics on the ground floor and the front-row Grand Canal views from the upper loggia make the visit worthwhile.