Venice Sightseeing, Venice Tours and Venice Attractions:
Below are links to a wide variety of tours (more than thirty) covering many aspects of Venice and the Lagoon, and also some to outlying areas (several of these are to wine regions).
The tours range from one hour to a very full day, and use all means of transport – foot, gondola, water taxi, motor boat, minibus, coach etc. They have been put together by Viator, our affiliate partner who operate throughout Europe. Even if you don’t want to book an organised tour, it’s worth checking them out to see what the experts think is worth doing!
How does my booking work?Travel Voucher Local Operator Information |
You can book all these tours and excursions online before you leave home.
I have grouped together and summarised the tour descriptions so that you can quickly get the gist of what each tour is about; for the full details and booking info click on the link. Several of the tours can be done in both private and small group formats.
Note: This is Venice, and frankly I think some of the Gondola tours are over-priced by the locals. Viator offers them, but in all honesty I can’t say they offer value for money. So don’t get carried away with the romance of it, some of the other tours are really interesting, and in my view give you more bang for your buck.
If you just want to read through the full tour summaries directly (they’re worth reading), you can go here: Viator: Venice
The Tours
The Lagoon and Islands
Burano, Venice
Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands Excursion
4 hours Starting from USD $26.55 per person (morning or afternoon)
A visit to the famous islands, known throughout the world for picturesque scenery, handicraft and history. Murano is well known for its glass making, Burano is famous not only for its lace but it is also a pretty fishing village – its streets lined with bright coloured houses. Torcello is a delightful little island, the earliest centre of civilisations in the estuary.
Private Tour of Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands
4 hours Starting from USD $157.64 per person
Similar to above but travel by private water taxi and learn from the professional tour guide.
Murano Glass and Burano Lace Tour from Venice
4 hours Starting from USD $51.77 per person
Discover the Venetian islands of Murano and Burano on an afternoon half-day trip from Venice. Go behind the scenes to see quality Murano glass and Burano lace being made first-hand.
Gondolas and the Grand Canal
Grand Canal Boat Tour of Venice
70 minutes Starting from USD $53.10 per person
Cruise along the Grand Canal in a luxurious motor boat on a guided tour of the Grand Canal. See the palaces and churches that line its banks and learn how it has developed over the centuries while enjoying a glass of Italian champagne. This tour is ideal for photographers.
Private Evening Tour of the Grand Canal
1 hour 10 min Starting from USD $102 per person
A tour of the Grand Canal by private water taxi and professional guide. Admire the main Venetian palaces and the monuments overlooking the Canal plus much more.
Gondola Serenade
35 minutes Starting from USD $58.41 per person
A group of gondolas share a romantic Gondola Serenade complete with music on a trip along the canals of Venice. The best way to soak up the atmosphere and feel part of this unique city is on the water, but it seems expensive to me. Each gondola holds six passengers and there are around ten gondolas per tour. Really, I can’t recommend this unless you’re keen on group experiences.
Gondola Ride in Venice
Gondola Serenade and Dinner
2 hours Starting from USD $112.84 per person
The above tour plus. After the cruise, you get off at at the Campo Santa Maria del Giglio and enjoy a two-course dinner and drinks in a typical Venetian restaurant, the Hostaria Ai Coristi Restaurant, near La Fenice Theatre.
Private Gondola Serenade
35 minutes Starting from USD $104.54 per person (from USD $134.41 after 6pm)
Create a memory with that special someone as you glide through quaint canals guided by a charming gondolier "serenading you with songs of love". But it’s expensive, the above prices are for four in a gondola, double it for just two!
City sightseeing by gondola and on foot
2 hours Starting from USD $58.41 per person
An afternoon walk through the typical narrow streets of Venice from the Piazza San Marco. The half-day tour continues with a 35-minute gondola ride along Venice’s famous Grand Canal.
Walking Tours
Skip the Line: Venice Walking Tour with St Mark’s Basilica
2 hours Starting from USD $28.56 per person
This two-hour tour combines a visit to St Mark’s Basilica (no waiting in line!) with a comprehensive walking tour highlighting all the important monuments, from San Marco Square to the Rialto Bridge..
Skip the Line:Best of Venice Walking Tour including Basilica di San Marco
2 hours Starting from USD $42.51 per person
Starting at the Rialto Bridge, this two-hour Best of Venice walking tour highlights all the important monuments, and combines a visit to St Mark’s Basilica (no waiting in line!) with a rare guided tour of its second level and terraces.
Venice by Night Ghost Walk
1 1/2 hours Starting from USD $26.57 per person
Experience the romance and mystery of Venice by night. The streets dimly lit and deserted are a place where long shadows loom and footsteps echo in the distance. On this walking tour through narrow canals, the ghosts of the past and present day will keep you company. It startsand finishes near the Rialto Bridge.
Skip the Line: Venice in One Day
3+ hours (in all) Starting from USD $71.07 per person
If you only have one day to explore Venice – this is the package for you. Basically, it’s the Venice Walking Tour combined with the Grand Canal Boat Tour, which will give you a fully comprehensive introduction to the world’s most beautiful and unique city. Exact times will vary depending on the season, however most walking tours will conclude at approximately 1:10pm (except Sunday at 4:00pm), with the boat tours starting between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.
Save over 10% by booking this combination package.
Hidden Venice Half-Day Walking Tour
2 hours Starting from USD $29.22 per person
Venice off the beaten track, from the old red-light district to some of the oldest houses in Venice, experiencing both its past and present. Includes a guided visit of the Frari church and its masterpieces by Bellini, Titian and Canova. Learn about how life used to be in Venice and how life is today for the modern day Venetians.
Skip the Line: Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour
Walking Tour 2 hours Starting from USD $78.37 per person
This Doge’s Palace tour is the most in-depth tour of Venice’s most important building, combining the palace’s magnificent public rooms with rare access to the Piombi attic prison and the Bridge of Sighs. Tour highlights are: Chambers of the Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Prisons, works by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese, Tiepolo and many others.
Private Tour of St Mark’s Square, Basilica and Palazzo Ducale
2 hours Starting from USD $59 per person
This private tour of Venice is exclusive to you. A visit to Venice would be incomplete without a walk around Saint Mark’s Square and the Basilica. Soak up the magic of this unique city and explore the narrow streets, walk along the canals and over the famous bridges. The tour also includes Palazzo Ducale.
Private Tour: Venice Half-Day Walking Tour
3 hours Starting from USD $99.63 per person
The unique city of Venice is best explored on foot and this wonderful walking tour offers the opportunity to escape the crowds. Discuss the places you wish to see with your guide (examples given on the booking page) and plan the itinerary of your in-depth, personalized walking tour. At the end, you’ll visit a traditional Venetian ‘bacaro’ (local bar) and taste local wine and a snack.
Private Tour of the Rialto Fruit and Fish Market, San Polo Square and Frari Church
2 hours Starting from USD $48.15 per person
This tour includes a visit to the San Polo area and Frari Church with artworks by Titian and Bellini, and a visit to the famous open-air Rialto fruit and fish market, over 600 years old.
Private Tour: Venice Art and Architecture Walking Tour
2 hours Starting from USD $48.70 per person
Private guide, focus on areas of architectural and artistic richness away from the well-trodden pathways. See the interior of the grand Gothic San Giovanni and Paolo church, with the largest stained-glass window in Venice, and the jewel-box Renaissance exterior of the Miracoli church.
Private Tour: San Polo Walking Tour – Merchants, Courtesans and Painters
2 hours Starting from USD $48.70 per person
Skip the Line: St Mark’s Square Highlights Tour
60 minutes Starting from USD $19.93 per person
This highlight tour of St Mark’s Square includes entry to St Mark’s Basilica to see the "Pala D’Oro" (golden altar).
Venice Photography Walking Tour: A Day in Life of Venice
3.5 hours Starting from USD $99.63 per person
Venice Photography Walking Tour: Twilight Sunset Tour
3.5 hours Starting from USD $99.63 per person
Special activities:
Wine Tasting Evening in Venice
2 hours Starting from USD $62 per person
Venice is located in the region of Veneto, which produces more different types of wine than any other in Italy. Learn about the wonderful wines from this region with a professional sommelier.
Experience Venice: Learn How to Make a Venetian Mask
2.5 hours Starting from USD $86.34 per person
Learn how to create a traditional masterpiece – a Venetian mask! Visit a traditional mask store. Watch a live demonstration at a real mask-making studio. Learn about the fascinating history of Venetian masks before painting your own to keep as a perfect memento of your time in Italy.
Further afield:
Dolomites Tour
8 1/2 hours Starting from USD $159.30 per person
For views and scenery that are truly awe-inspiring, visit the Dolomite Mountains. Just an hour out of Venice emerge into a land of towering peaks and spires, peaceful valleys with lively villages and white-washed farmhouses dotting the terraces above. See a typical Italian village where Titian was born, Lake Santa Caterina, Lake Misurina (view the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks), Cortina and much more. Limited to 8 persons.
Italian Gastronomy and Wine Small Group Day Trip
8 hours Starting from USD $197.80 per person
Tour the vineyards of the Veneto and Friuli; enjoy lunch served in a tiny trattoria near the Slovenian border and wine tastings. Travel is by minivan holding eight passengers. In the afternoon, take a guided visit of Cividale del Friuli, with its famous Devil’s Bridge and mysterious Celtic Hypogeum.
Hill Towns of Veneto
9 1/2 hours Starting from USD $152.66 per person
Enjoy the tranquil hills of Veneto and journey back in time to visit Asolo and Bassano del Grappa, renowned for its Palladian bridge. Also see medieval Marostica, famous for its living game of chess. Maximum eight people, includes a guided tour of Palladio’s Villa Barbaro and a visit to a local vineyard for prosecco.
Veneto Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour
5 hours Starting from USD $95.58 per person
Enjoy the tranquil hills of the Veneto and discover its famous wines on an informative and appetizing half-day excursion by air-conditioned minivan (maximum of eight people). Travel to a 17th century villa once the home of the famous Doge Giustinian to see winemaking, enjoy a tasting and appetisers.
More Links to Walking Tours:
Here’s a great link if you’d like to do a walking tour on your own; it suggests various routes and a restaurant or cafe to go with each one!
These are private guides (no affiliation to us):
Venice Art Walks Private half-day art walks for travelers who wish to see the best of Venetian art and architecture
Venicescapes Unique guided walking tours highlighting different aspects of the city for travelers and students interested in Venetian history and culture (neat website).
Walks Inside Venice Sightseeing tours of Venice led by professional guides
Take Better Digital Photos eBook
Guerrilla Travel Photography eBook
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I wanted to write
a little comment to support you.