Best Tours in Venice: Top Guided Excursions for Travelers

Venice, the so-called floating city, is home to iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and countless others. And what better way to explore these sights than by trying out the best tours in Venice?

Guided experiences are a fun and effective way to discover a new city and come with many welcomed perks. For starters, the main attractions in Venice, and Italy in general, aren’t well-marked. Tour guides can help you through these different sites so there’s no confusion about where you’re going. More importantly, tours provide insight into the culture and connect you with locals.

So, whether you want to take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal or taste the most delectable Venetian cuisine, these tours have got you covered.

General Venice Tour Recommendations

Before looking at specific tours, here are a few suggestions and tools that cover all your different tour needs for a more hassle-free experience.

• LivTours – For private and semi-private (6 people or less) tours, use LivTours. You can get 5% off with code – Untold Italy
• Walks of Italy – Walks of Italy has plenty of options for smaller groups between 16 and 20 people
• Devour Tours and Eating Europe – Devour Tours and Eating Europe are two excellent resources for food tours and getting a taste of local cuisine
• Context Travel – Context Travel is great for scholar-led trips and has some audio guides that give much-welcomed insight
• GetYourGuide – GetYourGuide is your go-to for bigger group tours, with a ton of options to choose from
• VoiceMap – If you prefer self-guided audio tours, you can find these at VoiceMap

Walking Tours

LivTours – Private Walking Tour with St. Mark’s and Gondola Ride

This private walking tour starts in Campo San Giacometto, where you’ll meet your guide and begin by exploring the surrounding area. See gorgeous attractions like Rialto Bridge, Rialto Food Market, and the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto.

The tour includes skip-the-line access to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, filled with wondrous mosaics and intricate architecture inside and out. Then, you’ll finish off with a 30-minute private gondola ride.

If you’d like, you can pay an additional fee for a traditional Venetian mask-making workshop.

LivTours – Semi-Private Walking Tour with St. Mark’s

Consider this semi-private Venice walking tour that takes around two hours and covers the main city highlights. The tour group is no bigger than six people, so there’s plenty of opportunity to interact with your guide and listen to their retelling of Venice’s history.

You’ll walk along the Grand Canal and discover local wonders, including Campo San Giacometto and Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo. Then, complete the tour with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica, where you can admire the breathtaking artwork inside. 

Walks of Italy – Walking Tour, St. Mark’s Basilica and Gondola Ride

This next walking tour is ideal for small groups. In only three hours, you’ll get a well-rounded view of Venice, from popular attractions to Venice’s hidden treasures.

It starts near the famous Ponte di Rialto, where you’ll learn about its architectural history, and then head to the nearby Rialto Fish Market. From there, the guide will take you down the beaten path into the Cannaregio neighborhood and then toward St. Mark’s Square. You’ll see the basilica from the outside, but it doesn’t include access.

Finally, the tour ends with a stunning gondola ride with no more than five people accompanying you.

VoiceMap Audio Tours – Heart of Venice

If you’d prefer to discover the city’s quirks on your own, then the Heart of Venice audio guide is your go-to. This one guides you along a mile-long route through Venice, taking you to the Piazza di San Marco (your starting point), Chiesa di San Zulian, and Teatro La Fenice.

The guide comes with a map, easy-to-follow directions, and some fascinating history about the city and some locations. The tour takes around 90 minutes to finish, but you have the luxury of pausing and exploring in your own time.

Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica (Combined)

LivTours – Private Tour: St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace

Whether you’re spending three days in Venice or an entire week, you can’t skip the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale. They’re two of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and this private tour lets you see both.

It starts outside in the Piazza di San Marco, where you admire the grandeur of the architecture. Once you enter the basilica, your guide will show you the highlights, including the glittering golden mosaics St. Mark’s is known for.

Then, you’ll move on to Doge’s Palace, where your expert local guide will detail the history of the building and the Doge himself. Your priority access includes a viewing of the Hall of the Great Council, the palace dungeons, and the famous Bridge of Sighs.

LivTours – St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace Tour: Semi-Private

LivTours also has a semi-private option to explore both sites. It includes skip-the-line access to both St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace while your guide shares historical retellings and insider knowledge.

Like the previous tour, you’ll see the art and architecture of the basilica, the palace and gain access to the Doge’s Apartments, the secret rooms, and more. Finishing the tour, you’ll cross the Bridge of Sighs and learn more about the city’s dark past.

Walks of Italy – St. Mark’s Basilica with Terraces and Doge’s Palace

The next Walks of Italy tour is fantastic for small groups of no more than 20 people. You can select any time between 08:00 and 17:00, but the 08:00 morning slot is the best. That’s the only time to gain VIP access to the Doge’s Palace before it opens to the rest of the public, letting you bypass the crowds.

Your tour includes skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the palace, as well as viewings of the Bell Tower and the exterior of the Marciana Library. However, the highlight has to be the balcony visit that most visitors don’t get to experience. You’ll gain exclusive entry to the terraces on top of St. Mark’s Basilica, which has one of the best views in the city.

Boat Tours

Walks of Italy – VIP Boat Tour with Grand Canal

Next, consider this small group boat tour along the Grand Canal, Venice’s primary waterway. This tour includes a trip on a luxury speed boat that comfortably seats eight people.

You’ll cruise along the canals for just over an hour, passing by some architectural wonders, including Doge’s Palace, the Cemetery of San Michele, Accademia Bridge, Ca’ Pesaro Gallery, and more. Your guide will tell you the history of some of these locations and even take you down smaller canals, where you catch glimpses of locals going about their daily routines.

LivTours – Private Grand Canal Boat Tour

LivTours also offers a private boat tour guided by a local expert on a Venetian water taxi. You’ll venture onto the Grand Canal and enjoy the views, sailing past countless bridges, cathedrals, and monuments.

You’ll see the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Palazzo Grassi, and the Guggenheim Museum, just to name a few. The experience includes a complimentary glass of bubbly Prosecco and ends at your starting point in Piazza di San Marco.

Gondola Rides in Venice

You can’t visit Venice without going on a classic gondola ride. Since they’re so quintessential to the Venetian experience, you can take a gondola ride at pretty much any location all over Venice. Major stations include the ones at St. Mark’s Square, Bacino Orseolo, and the one at Campo di Ghetto Nuovo near the Jewish Ghetto.

Gondolas generally hold between one and five people per boat, so they’re best for smaller groups or couples. There is a set price for gondola rides in Venice during the day your 25-30 minute ride will cost €80 for up to 5 people, after 7 pm the price rises to €100 for up to five people.

There is no need to prebook your gondola ride, simply catch one when the mood takes you. We recommend enjoying your ride through the smaller side canals for a magical experience.

Culture Tours

Doge’s Palace – Secret Itineraries Tour

If you head to the official Doge’s Palace website, you’ll find this tour, which includes access to the palace and the exclusive Secret Itineraries. This is a series of rooms and chambers that were once used to do important work for the Venetian administration.

It takes you through secret stairways and passages, including Casanova’s cell, the Pozzi and Piombi, hidden torture chambers, the Chamber of the Inquisitors, and more. This specialized tour also includes unguided access to the rest of the palace.

Note: The passages are narrow, and the staircases are steep, so this experience isn’t accessible to anyone with mobility issues or children under six.

Private Tour of Casanova Sites on GetYourGuide

If you want both a unique and memorable journey through Venice, then why not retrace the steps of the Venetian socialite and adventurer Giacomo Casanova?

Your guide will take you from site to site, visiting important locations related to Casanova’s life, like the Campo San Bartolomeo, Rialto Market, and the Castelletto district. You’ll stop for a break at a local Osteria for some appetizers and a glass of wine. From there, you’ll cross the Grand Canal via a gondola and continue your explorations, which end in Campo Santa Maria Formosa.

Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour on GetYourGuide

The Cannaregio district is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. This tour provides a deeper understanding of Venice’s history with Jewish culture.

You’ll start by strolling past artisan workshops, galleries, and delis before entering the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo. The tour continues toward Jewish-owned bakeries and restaurants, where you can choose to visit once it’s concluded.

You can also pay an additional fee for a Synagogue tour organized by the Jewish Museum. This doesn’t include access to the museum, but you can purchase tickets for that on your own time.

LivTours – Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Private Tour

Lovers of the arts will adore this private tour of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. It’s housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and has the most impressive collection of 20th-century American and European art in Italy.

Your guide will take you through each collection, where you’ll admire art by a few notable artists, like Salvador Dali, Picasso, or Kandinsky, and other temporary and permanent exhibits. You’ll learn all about Peggy’s life and legacy and then head out to the sculpture garden.

Night Tours

LivTours – Private Evening Gondola Ride and City Stroll

Get ready to admire the beauty of Venice from a whole new perspective with this private evening tour. It’s one of your best chances to journey through the city while it’s not so busy.

It all starts with a calm stroll through the streets and squares. You’ll meet your guide in Campo San Giacometto and then proceed along the Grand Canal toward the Ponte di Rialto. You’ll move past Palazzo Querini Stampalia and stop in Piazza di San Marco, where you admire the basilica and Doge’s Palace.

Then, end your tour on a 30-minute private gondola ride as the sun sets.

LivTours – Evening Tour: Inside St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace Tour

This semi-private tour offers yet another special way to experience the brilliance of St. Mark’s and the Doge’s Palace. It includes exclusive access to both locations as the sun goes down, meaning you can skip the lines and crowds.

It starts with a night tour of the palace, viewing all the best highlights, including the famous Bridge of Sighs. From there, you’ll enter the basilica through a special LivTours entrance and explore further. See the Pala D’oro altar alongside special access to the St. Mark’s crypts.

Mysterious Tales of Ghosts and Murders on GetYourGuide

Dark history buffs or lovers of more obscure stories should add this next tour to their itinerary. This Mysterious Tales tour is limited to a small group of ten people and lasts about an hour and 30 minutes.

The night starts in Campo San Bartolomeo and takes you to various sights, including Marco Polo’s Home and Campo S.S. Giovanni e Paolo, and ends in Piazza di San Marco. Along the way, your guide will tell stories on the darker side of Venice and share myths and local legends.

Food Tours

LivTours – Market and Cicchetti Private Venice Food Tour

If you want a quick taste of Venice’s cuisine, indulge in this private food tour near Rialto Bridge. You’ll start by exploring the Rialto Fish Market, one of the city’s oldest, and learn about the different generations of families and fishmongers there.

After that, your guide will take you to three different bacari, local wine bars that serve some delicious cicchetti. These small snacks can be anything from toasted crostini with salty prosciutto and cheese to deep-fried fritti (yeast donuts).

You can wash it down with some Prosecco and end the evening with a sweet dessert served while enjoying a gondola ride.

Walks of Italy – Food Tour with Rialto Farmers Market and Lunch

This next tour includes a tasting of eight different foods and four drinks, each covering a range of Venetian favorites. Meet your guide near the Ponte di Rialto and head toward your first bacari stop, where you’ll have some tramezzini sandwiches and a freshly brewed espresso.

From there, you’ll go to the Rialto Fish Market, explore for a bit, and then head to another bar for some more tasty treats. If you’ve chosen the 10:00 tour slot, you’ll go on a short gondola ride across the canal to the Cannaregio district and indulge in more food and wine tasting.

The tour ends with some classic gelato from a hidden gelateria.

Devour Tours – Cicchetti, Food and Wine Tour

Cicchetti, the Venetian equivalent of a Spanish tapas, is a key ingredient to Venice’s food culture, and this experience places it at the forefront. You’ll get the opportunity to explore the very best bacari in San Polo and Dorsoduro, where these cicchetti are served. The best part? This all happens during that picturesque golden hour.

It includes a full dinner spread across five locations, seven tastings, and four drinks. You’ll be spoiled for choice with different breads, fried snacks, and hearty plates of pasta. You can also enjoy some Prosecco, wine tasting, refreshing spritzes, and gelato for dessert.

GetYourGuide – Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings

A street food tour like this is the perfect way to enjoy local tastings while also admiring historical sites. You’ll meet your guide in Campo San Bartolomeo and embark on a two-and-a-half-hour trip to try the tastiest local street food.

This includes a visit to Rialto Market and stalls tended by local vendors. From there, you’ll move on to Campo San Polo, where you can enter the Basilica dei Frari. Throughout, you’ll sample delicacies like buranelli biscuits, classic tiramisu, cicchetti from bacari, and more.

You’ll end off in Campo Santa Margherita. Since drinks aren’t included, you might consider stopping at a local restaurant or bar for something to quench your thirst.

Family Tours

LivTours – Private Tour for Kids of Doge’s and St. Mark’s

Many think traveling with children is challenging, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are local guides who specialize in keeping the little ones busy while still giving the adults plenty to enjoy. This experience is no exception.

It includes skip-the-line access to both Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. You’ll see the basilica’s main floor, as well as the major halls, the armory, the prisons, and the Bridge of Sighs in the palace.

Throughout, the kids will be given an interactive activity book in which they can complete quizzes, solve riddles, and even win prizes.

Row Venice – Venetian Rowing Lessons

In true Venetian fashion, why not try an interactive outing onto the serene canals through some rowing lessons? It’s definitely not something you might think of at first, but there’s something charming about engraining yourself in an integral part of Venice.

Row Venice has a wonderful selection of rowing lessons directed by professional gondoliers. You can choose a simple 80-minute rowing lesson with four people or a special one for foodies that takes you rowing to two different bacari for some food and drinks.

Venice In a Day Tours

LivTours – Private Venice in a Day Tour: City Highlights

If you aren’t sure exactly which sites to add to your itinerary and just want to see a bit of everything, then tours like these are an excellent option. This private Venice in a day tour takes almost five hours but gives a pretty well-rounded view of the city’s main attractions all in just one day.

It includes access to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, as well as visits to Rialto Bridge, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, and Marco Polo’s house. Then, it ends with a 30-minute ride on a classic gondola.

Walks of Italy – Venice in a Day with St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Gondola Ride

To round off this incredible list of experiences, we’ve got this final Venice in a day tour. This small group excursion will take around six and a half hours and let you see some standout attractions. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for breaks along the way.

Your guide will keep you entertained all day with stories and the history behind each location, including the Ponte di Rialto, the market, the Church of Miracles, and other hidden spots, like the Arch of Paradise. That’s just the start.

And like any other excursion through Venice, it will include a gondola ride and end off with access to St. Mark’s and the palace.

Best Venice Tours Wrapped Up

Now that you’ve had a glance at the best Venice tours available, which ones will you try first? Whichever you decide, they are an unforgettable way to experience Venice and everything it has to offer. From the world of art and architecture to admiring views of the Venetian lagoon, La Serenissima is just waiting to be discovered.

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