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Bucket list destination:

Last updated: 19 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

La Serenissima is one of the world’s great romantic destinations, a unique and exotic city built on water by architects who looked to Constantinople, Cairo and Aleppo rather than Rome or Florence.

Home to some of the world’s finest painters – Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto – barely a church is without a masterpiece. Yet so spectacular is the city with its narrow calle (streets) and quiet campi (squares), polychrome marble palaces and gondola-dotted canals, it’s a pleasure just to wander and observe.

What’s more, Venice is no mere floating museum; the Biennale and Punta della Dogana contemporary art centre add a thoroughly 21st-century vibe.

Orientation

A fish-shaped island bisected by the serpentine Grand Canal, Venice is divided into six sestieri (neighbourhoods), each of which possesses its own unique charm.

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), with its serried arcades and exquisite basilica, is still the city’s beating heart but is often flooded with tourists; it’s at its best after dark.

For world-class art, including the Accademia Gallery and Peggy Guggenheim Museum, head for elegant Dorsoduro. For a picturesque, local feel, head to Cannaregio and Castello.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Venice Walking Tour of Most-Famous Sites Monuments & Attractions with Top Guide

Venice

Venice Walking Tour of Most-Famous Sites Monuments & Attractions with Top Guide
Explore the unmatched  majesty and beauty of the city . The tour will start  in Dorsoduro district, a lot of unusual stops  will make this tour different from any other ones. The hidden secrets of The City of Bridges together with the most famous places to discover. From  the Scuola Grande di San Rocco to the Basilica de' Frari where painter Titian is buried,  from Rialto Bridge to the  Marco Polo House continuing through Campo San Giovanni e Paolo up to  San Marco Square where the tour will end. Let yourself be involved in the  history and memories of the past in a 2 hour outdoor walking tour with an expert english speaking local guide. Join to the morning tour or to  the afternoon one and you can decide if sharing the tour with a small group of  people( English language) or choosing the private tour option( English, Italian, Spanish and German)

Price: €24

Min age: 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [123 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice: Historic Walking Tour

Venice

Venice: Historic Walking Tour
Discover Venice, the most magical city in the world, on our epic walking tour and self-guided routes! Join our guided Venice walking tour to discover how the wealth and ambition of these influential people shaped this distinguished city. Rising from the Adriatic Sea to form a maze of canals, bridges, churches, and palaces, it seems so artistically constructed that it must be a Hollywood movie set. But no, the Floating City was, in fact, created by some of the finest Italian minds in art and architecture during the Renaissance. With our tour, you will discover all sides of this multifaceted city, from the most pictured palaces to the most discreet side streets. Your ticket includes 2 self-guided routes in the Vox City App so you can continue your experience at your own pace and make the most of your visit to Venice. So, after witnessing the Floating City’s beauty with your guide, use the free Vox City app to discover more of Venice and its incredible sights.

Price: €27

Min age: 0

Rating 4.33 / 5 [18 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Venice

Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Explore the most fascinating city in the world with a local guide that knows every corner and secret of it. You will meet your guide in Dorsoduro,at Campo san Pantalon,see the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the Basilica de' Frari where painter Titian is buried. You will cross Rialto Bridge and walk by Marco Polo House, Campo San Giovanni e Paolo and San Marco Square. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, it is all outdoor and is available private or in small group. It is a great experience to explore the highlights of Venice in short time led by a local expert that will give you precious suggestions on your holiday in the city. The Small group tour is offered in English language , if you choose the private option it can be offered in English, Italian, Spanish and German.

Price: €38

Min age: 0

Rating 4.71 / 5 [760 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Real Hidden Venice

Venice

The Real Hidden Venice
Discover the real Secret Venice on a special walking tour with a native Venetian guide! The experience to live the uniqueness of the most authentic local districts. From Cannaregio, admiring its small canals and millenary legends, the tour will take you back in 1400s, learning the stories of the Venetian Republic, full of secrets and mysteries. During this exciting walk you will breathe a 100% local atmosphere, out of the beaten tracks, to admire the real life of Venice with its locals and crafts. The experience will arrive up to Rialto bridge where your guide will show the old trade center from completely a different perspective! Last but not least, an insightful exploration of San Polo where the oldest "mascareri" (creators of Carnival masks) are still working following the tradition of centuries ago. Histories, Legends and Secrets.. from the Venetian eyes!

Price: €39

Min age: 1

Rating 4.89 / 5 [998 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice: Private Tour with a Local Guide

Venice

Venice: Private Tour with a Local Guide
With our walking tours, you’ll skip the mundane historical tours and discover the city through a local’s eyes. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Our local guides (Lokafyers) are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and perspective. Since Lokafyers are not professional guides and tour occasionally, they provide an experience that’s authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around their city. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay.

Price: €55

Min age: 0

Rating 4.45 / 5 [74 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Hidden Venice walking tour & Gondola ride experience

Venice

Hidden Venice walking tour & Gondola ride experience
Already ticked off the main sights? Then get ready to explore Venice’s lesser-known spots during this off-the-beaten-track guided walking tour, which also includes a thirty-minute gondola ride. Get to know exclusive insider and local tips on locations, such the world-renowned La Fenice Theatre and Marco Polo’s House, as you discover hidden gems and narrow canals. • A behind-the-scenes guided tour of Venice under-the-radar locations, with gondola ride • Combine two of Venice most quintessential experiences in one full-service excursion • Discover the fabled art heritage as your guide points out special locations of interest • Away from the crowds: Get to know a more relaxed side of the tourist-packed Renaissance city

Price: €60

Min age: 0

Rating 4.2 / 5 [80 ratings]

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Off the beaten path walk in Venice

Venice

Off the beaten path walk in Venice
Discover the floating city of Venice without following the beaten routes with bustling crowds. We will walk in selected hidden alleyways and paths that lead to hidden jewels and we will wander through local neighbourhoods, stunning palaces overlooking the canals and beautiful gardens. As you take in the peaceful vibes, you’ll get a glimpse of day to day Venetian life, before stumbling upon a church that was used as the setting of a movie. Head towards the canal where locals love to buy their fruits and vegetables straight from a boat. Every corner you will explore has something unique in store for you. Like a hidden 14th century church with a calming ambiance and a very beautiful and richly decorated inside. Continue strolling around between narrow "calles" and "campos" where local kids play. Follow your local guide among beautiful palaces, must-see hidden churches in quiet corners, ending up in one of the most scenografic spots of Venice.

Price: €62

Min age: 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [58 ratings]

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Venice: St.Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets

Venice

Venice: St.Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets
Join a small group guided tour for a more personalized and interactive experience. Benefit from pre-reserved tickets to make the most of your valuable vacation time. See the major highlights of the city St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace in one 3-hour tour. Explore Venice and its major monuments with an expert local guide with insider knowledge. Leave your tour and guide with enough knowledge to enrich the rest of your visit to this unique Italian city.

Price: €69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [238 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Welcome to Venice Small Group Tour: Basilica San Marco & Gondola Ride

Venice

Welcome to Venice Small Group Tour: Basilica San Marco & Gondola Ride
A first-timer to Venice, or don’t know where to begin your explorations? Over the course of this small-group tour, experience many of the city’s top highlights: see the Rialto Bridge, visit St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica, and enjoy a relaxing gondola ride. You also explore areas of the city that many tour groups miss, from the sestiere of Cannaregio to the Rialto Fish Market.

Price: €69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [235 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Discover secrets and hidden gems of Venice with a local: sightseeing small group

Venice

Discover secrets and hidden gems of Venice with a local: sightseeing small group
Immerse yourself in the real Venice with a secret itinerary tour! A unique walk, far from the beaten paths and from the most touristic areas to discover the essence and secrets of my Venice! I have selected for you the best calli and alternative routes that lead to hidden treasures. We will discover the Venice of the Venetians, we will cross historical bridges to enjoy unique views and we will even reach a hidden garden! A few quick quizzes or riddles and even challenges await you, be ready to immerse yourself in the Venetian spirit! We will meet in Campo San Barnaba at the well in front of the church, a place of legends and cinematographic enterprises. We will discover "life on the water" and a unique floating market. We will immerse ourselves in the dorsoduro district, the most artistic of the floating city, with its palaces, churches full of charm and architectural elements of rare beauty! We will end our experience in San Marco's district discovering something you can't imagine.

Price: €70

Min age: 5

Rating 5 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Highlights and Hidden Gems Night Tour in Venice

Venice

Highlights and Hidden Gems Night Tour in Venice
As the sun sets, Venice shows its most intimate side. Enjoy the dreamlike beauty of Venice by night, while discovering hidden gems among dark and mysterious "calles". This is a night tour you will remember: Venice is even more beautiful at night when the most amazing monuments of the city and the most secret hidden gems are enlightened by dim street lights. Loose yourself in the myriad reflections created by the buildings in the waters of the Grand Canal and immerse your soul in the magic that pervades Venice after sunset You will enter the intricate maze of narrow streets that wind through Venice to discover ancient stories, legends and mysteries that will be revealed to you in this unique tour of Venice at night. You will walk thorugh the most significant corners of Venice at night when churches and ancient palaces are silhouetted against the magic night sky.

Price: €73

Min age: 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [94 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Ducal Venice, Historical Walking Tour & Skip the line Doge's Palace

Venice

Ducal Venice, Historical Walking Tour & Skip the line Doge's Palace
A combined tour that allows you to discover the most important historical places and buildings of Venice. This tour is guided and divided into two parts. From a centrally located meeting point you will be lead from a professional guide through the most characteristic places around the areas of Saint Mark's Square and Castello. After this walk of two hours, you will visit the interiors of the Doge's Palace, once the seat of the power of the Republic of Venice. The guided walk inside this building lasts one hour.

Price: €89

Min age: 0

Rating 4.6 / 5 [20 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Withlocals Venice Away from the Crowds PRIVATE Tour with a Local Expert

Venice

Withlocals Venice Away from the Crowds PRIVATE Tour with a Local Expert
Please be aware that this tour is adapted to the local regulations post Covid-19. Our hosts will deliver this experience with the required equipment always keeping the distance suggested by local authorities. It will be safe and entertaining! Discover the floating city of Venice without following the bustling crowds. That’s right! Your private local insider has carefully selected the best hidden alleyways and paths that lead to hidden jewels. Wander through local neighbourhoods, beautiful gardens, and even a crowd-less island.

Price: €113

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [84 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice in one Day: Grand Canal, St Mark's Basilica, Walking Tour

Venice

Venice in one Day: Grand Canal, St Mark's Basilica, Walking Tour
If it’s your first time in Venice, see all the highlights of this magical city on a combination walking including St Mark's Basilica and a boat tour on the Grand Canal. From Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) to the Rialto Bridge, your informative guide will offer historical perspectives on this fascinating medieval city. Plus, you'll skip the long lines at St Mark's Basilica – there’s no need to waste time waiting in lines when you're on vacation!

Price: €119

Min age: 0

Rating 4.15 / 5 [3326 ratings]

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2 Hour Natural Lagoon Kayak Tour in Venice

Venice

2 Hour Natural Lagoon Kayak Tour in Venice
Venice Kayak transmits the magic of the lagoon by offering an unforgettable experience to all customers, which makes them happy and spiritually satisfied that they themselves change the world around them. By using kayaking as a travel mode to enjoy a tour, we want to support eco-sustainable tourism. Venetian culture is sustained and preserved by taking guests to local places, managed by local people.

Price: €120

Min age: 6

Rating 4.94 / 5 [17 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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4-Hour Venice guided walking tour with Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica

Venice

4-Hour Venice guided walking tour with Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica
Enjoy this combined guided walking and the best way to see Venice, part of our tour is off the beaten track and away from the main tourist sites giving you a great overview of the city, also included on the tour are two of the most important monuments in Venice, we skip the line into Saint Marks Basilica and the Doges Palace. A combined walking city tour that allows you to discover the most important historical places and buildings of Venice. This guided tour is divided into three parts. The tour starts with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights. You will be lead then by a professional guide through the most characteristic places around the areas of Saint Mark's Square and Castello. After this walk you will visit the the Doge's Palace, once the seat of the power of the Republic of Venice, and to conclude, a visit to the interiors of Saint Mark's Basilica, with is golden mosaics and its byzantine history.

Price: €123

Min age: 0

Rating 4.34 / 5 [23 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

Venice

 Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze in awe at the stunning gold mosaics. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace. This small-group tour is limited to 20 people ensuring a personalized experience.

Price: €125

Min age: 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [1554 ratings]

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Venice Walking Tour plus Skip the Lines Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tours

Venice

Venice Walking Tour plus Skip the Lines Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tours
This tour combination is the right one for those who crave a full immersion into Venice and its ever lasting symbols. A tour not only to see Venice, but to experience this City through its history and glorious past, still shining in its historical sites and legendary characters. A walking tour, to explore the hidden corners of the city and to learn interesting facts about life in a water city and the past of Venice. The Doge’s Palace, Venice’s symbol and architectural masterpiece. The Basilica: One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

Price: €131

Min age: 0

Rating 4.56 / 5 [135 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice Small Group Walking Tour with Saint Mark's | with Private Option

Venice

Venice Small Group Walking Tour with Saint Mark's | with Private Option
Enjoy a leisurely 2-hour walking tour in the morning through Venice in a small group (maximum 6 people) or in your very own Private Tour - both options available! Take in the splendor of Venice while your guide explains the importance of its history and architecture and provides entertaining anecdotes about the powerful families that created the magnificence of the City on water. This walk takes you through both grand piazzas and small alleys, from San Giacometto to the Rialto Bridge, from San Bartolomeo, through tens of different bridges and alleyways to Campo Santa Maria Formosa, and finally ending in Saint Mark's Square. Take in the sites and admire the architecture in this joyful bustling piazza. HIGHLIGHT: On this tour you will have the chance to enter the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica with your expert guide, with pre-arranged Skip the Line entry tickets and no waiting!

Price: €139

Min age: 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [6 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Family Friendly Venice Private City Tour

Venice

Family Friendly Venice Private City Tour
City exploring with kids has never been easier! On this Venice private tour, your family is in good hands, under your local guide's care. The best part, this tour is for grown-ups and kids alike. Embark on a journey where you'll get to see Venice through your kid's eyes. Visit main highlights like Acqua Alta Bookshop, Marco Polo’s house, and Rialto Bridge, and discover hidden gems through a series of activities like treasure hunts and pop quizzes. Your kids will be able to learn about a new culture, their language, and history, thanks to your local host's stories and knowledge. This tour is both entertaining and educational! Withlocals Family Friendly City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes

Price: €144

Min age: 1

Rating 4.74 / 5 [31 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride

Venice

Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride
Is your time in Venice limited? Would you rather spend your days in Venice eating, drinking, shopping and relaxing? Many visit Venice for just a day or two, meaning time is restricted if you're wanting to squeeze in the main sights. Experience the best of Venice in 3.5 hours, leaving you ample time to wander down romantic canal sidestreets and enjoy yourself without any need to rush. This 2.5 hour tour includes: • St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica • Enjoy Skip the Line Entry into the Doges Palace • An English-speaking professional guide • A gondola ride

Price: $145

Min age: 0

Rating 4.44 / 5 [136 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Tour: Venice Half-Day Walking Tour

Venice

Private Tour: Venice Half-Day Walking Tour
See the sights you want to see in Venice on this 3-hour tour with a private, professional guide. Customized entirely on your preferences (based on the information supplied at the time of booking), the itinerary is totally flexible. See the world-famous attractions that Venice is known for, such as the Rialto Fish Market, or visit the Cannaregio Quarter and other lesser-known sights. Stop at a traditional bar for a glass of wine and a snack, and receive personalized attention from a private guide.

Price: €150

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [121 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice in a Day: the main highlights of the city

Venice

Venice in a Day: the main highlights of the city
Venice in a day tour is a combination city tour, of 4 of our most popular tours taken in Venice and the best way to spend your time in Venice. Starting in Saint Mark’s square, this atmospheric walking tour will then whisk you away from the crowded streets into the treasure filled pockets of the Castello area. A qualified guide will walk you through the hidden squares, winding canals and historical buildings providing you with a perfect introduction to the origins, symbols, traditions, architecture, and life in current day Venice. The tour then continues with the guided visit inside the Doge's Palace and the Saint Marks Basilica. The walking tour ends in Saint Mark's square at 1.00 pm At this time you will have approx 2 hours free to stroll around the area or to have lunch (not included) The last appointment of your package is the 30 min classic gondola ride at 3:00 pm or 5.15 pm (verify the availability on your date).

Price: €161

Min age: 0

Rating 4.18 / 5 [137 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice in A Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

Venice

Venice in A Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride
If you want to make sure you cover the highlights of Venice, this full day tour is your best choice. If you’re only spending a few days in Venice, covering the best attractions in a single day is a smart idea. That way, you can spend the remainder of your time in Venice sipping Prosecco by the canals. This tour includes stops at St Mark’s Basilica and Square, the Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace (including Casanova’s prison cell), a half hour gondola ride and plenty of hidden gems along the way. A lunch break is scheduled into the tour - we would never let you go hungry in Italy!

Price: $163

Min age: 0

Rating 4.42 / 5 [196 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Best of Venice Walking Tour with Gondola, St Mark's Basilica and Doge’s Palace

Venice

Best of Venice Walking Tour with Gondola, St Mark's Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Join a guided tour of the highlights and of the most authentic places of the city, enjoy a Gondola ride to admire the city from the water and discover the wonders of Doge’s palace and Saint Mark’s basilica with a local friendly guide. Admire the most beautiful places of Venice, walk through the picturesque “calli”- tiny and fascinating streets. Admire the Ponte di Rialto and the majestic and world-famous Piazza San Marco. Here your Gondolier will be waiting for you. Sail through the Venetian canals with the Gondola and discover the beauty of the city from the water. After the Gondola ride you can enjoy some free time before meeting your local guide again to start the second part of this day-tour. First enter Doge’s palace and learn about the masterpieces of Italian painters such as Tintoretto, Tiziano and Veronese. Finally, reach Saint Mark’s basilica, the world-famous Golden cathedral that preserves an invaluable treasure made of golden mosaics.

Price: €215

Min age: 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [49 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour for Kids and Families

Venice

Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour for Kids and Families
Enjoy the highlights of Venice on a 2 hour guided walking tour tailored on kids and their family. With a local specialized guide, your children are the center of activity. With interactive visual learning tools, pop-up books, games and trivia show children Venice as it used to be in its golden age. Tailored learning materials tie in with points of historic interest in a treasure hunt format that children love. Tour will start from Rialto Bridge and market then head out over Campo San Bartolomeo and Piazza San Marco. You will see also Marco Polo house and so many other famous monuments. The tour can be taken in small group or privately with you guide at your exclusive service.

Price: €219

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [52 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venice for Kids: Family-Friendly Small-Group Walking Tour

Venice

Venice for Kids: Family-Friendly Small-Group Walking Tour
Introduce your kids to the beauty of Venice on a 2-hour family friendly walking tour that won’t leave them bored. Take an interactive guided itinerary that stimulates your children’s imagination but also engages adults, so that the whole family will experience Venice under a different light!

Price: €240

Min age: 0

Rating 4.42 / 5 [7 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Secret Venice, an unusual walk - Private Walking Tour

Venice

Secret Venice, an unusual walk - Private Walking Tour
Come with me and discover the hidden parts of this amazing city! I will take you to the most authentic Venetian neighborhoods, for intriguing stories, weird discoveries, and wonderful locations. The purpose of this tour is to show you the real, hidden Venice, leading you to less touristic locations, off the beaten track. You’ll get to experience hidden spots full of interesting stories and architecture. I offer tours in specific districts of Venice, and I am sure to bring you to places that you would not be able to reach and find without me, in order to obtain the most authentic experience possible. There’s a whole secret Venice that deserves to be discovered too: that’s what you will do thanks to this Venice tour. Through a nice and relaxing walk around the city called, you’ll feel and behave more and more like a real Venetian – and this is going to help you enjoy Venice in the best way!

Price: €375

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [60 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private One Day Tour in Venice!

Venice

Private One Day Tour in Venice!
Discover the jewels of Venice in just 1 day! Experience the real essence of the city with your native Venetian guide, who will be showing you around this fascinating labirinth rich of histories, legends and traditions. From Rialto bridge, with its millenary trade center, to St. Mark's square, surrounded by the 3 "cousins": the Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Arriving in Cannaregio, where the merchants had developed their main activities, you will enjoy an authentic atmosphere, exploring an original atelier of Carnival masks. You will also have lunch like a Venetian, with the delicious "cicheti" accompanied by the famous 'ombra' (small glass of local wine). After the little break, you will reach by private luxury water taxi one of the oldest Murano glass factory and admire the millenary blowing glass art. There is no better ending then a private boat ride through the Grand Canal, reflecting the sunset colors on the nobles palaces, and leaving you with the last amazing view of the city. Ready to say.. ARRIVEDERCI VENEZIA!

Price: €450

Min age: 1

Rating 5 / 5 [16 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The best of Venice in a day

Venice

The best of Venice in a day
This is the perfect Venice tour for you. This walking tour in Venice will save your day, starting with the train station we will give you the chance to enjoy everything you need. We have put together a private walking tour. You will be able to enjoy a complete Venice tour, but also to take advantage of the secret areas. Feel like a local for one day, the true soul of Venice, and head off the beaten tracks through unique neighborhoods. Walk the atmospheric streets of the hidden Venice, admire its main highlights and treasures, and taste local, traditional food and drink with a professional tour guide. The perfect way to get a taste of what Venice has to offer in a single day.

Price: €620

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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When to go

Venice is a busy tourist destination all year round, apart from January; that’s the time to visit if you want the city to yourself in all its misty, ghostly glory. From November to February, and occasionally at other times of the year too, acqua alta (high water) sees the city flooding from water coming up through the paving stones.

It’s jammed for the Carnivale (the two weeks prior to Lent). July is hot, but the Redentore festival on the third weekend, with a sea of boats in St. Mark’s Bay and a stunning fireworks display, is worth the trip. Forget August unless the beach appeals.

May and September are idyllic thanks to clement weather, and the Film Festival is an added bonus in early September.

Getting there and away

Marco Polo Airport, Venice’s international gateway, is just north (4 miles) of the city. The easiest way to get to the city from the airport is via the ATVO bus, which stops at Piazzale Roma on the west of the city.

Alternatively, a taxi to Piazzale Roma costs around EUR30. If you’re staying on the eastern side, near San Marco, consider the Alilaguna waterbus.

Getting around

Due to the city’s diminutive size – you can walk from one side to another in under an hour – and its extraordinary beauty, the best way to get around is on foot (cars are banned). Get a copy of Calli, Campielli e Canali, the only comprehensive map of this labyrinthine city. But at 22cm x 23cm, it’s too big for pockets. Smaller but also accurate is the Italian Touring Club’s 1:5000 Venezia map.

Otherwise, vaporetti (waterbuses) depart from stops throughout the city. For crossing the Grand Canal (there are only four bridges), there are traghetti – public gondolas rowed by two oarsmen that shuttle back and forth at various points. No need for a ticket; you pay the boatman as you board.

Water taxis, available throughout the city and at the airport, are exorbitantly expensive but fast and fun. They’ll also drop you exactly where you want to go.

Where to stay

Venice is small, so rather than stay near the two central hubs of Piazza San Marco and Rialto – both of which are disagreeably touristy – consider the quieter districts.

Castello is truly popolare (local), with a little market on Saturday mornings at Via Garibaldi and washing still strung across the narrow streets.

Lively bars, some with music, line the long canals of Cannaregio, making the area a favourite with younger visitors.

Dorsoduro, home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Punto della Dogana contemporary art space, is classy and cultured.

Where to eat or drink

In Venice, it pays to steer clear of the most touristy areas to avoid inflated prices and mediocre food.

Instead, wander through some of the quieter neighbourhoods (along the Fondamenta Misericordia in northern Canareggio, in and around Via Garibaldi in Castello, the area in and around the Zattere in Dorsoduro) to find places where Venetians go to eat and drink.

Venetian resident Monica’s blog about life and food in Venice is a reliable and interesting source of information about the city, and has excellent foodie recommendations.

A fun way to enjoy the ciccheti tradition and to sample the wide variety on offer is to take a ciccheti crawl.

Where to shop

The major international A-list brands such as Gucci and Chanel cluster around Piazza San Marco. A colony of Venetian artisans has set up shop in Castello, near Campo alla Bragora.

Higher up the luxury scale are the galleries, Murano glass and homewares stores close to Palazzo Grassi in the area known as San Samuele.