Welcome to Venice: Walking Tour, St Mark's Basilica & Gondola Ride

Please note: Entrance to St. Mark's Basilica is included on the 2pm tour only. Also it is not possible to bring large backpacks on the tour.

Get to the heart of Venice in three hours on an insightful walking tour.

Combining must-see sites and hidden corners, this Venice walking tour takes you to the heart of the city in just three hours. You'll gain a broad overview of the history, culture, and character of the Floating City, and be able to get the lay of the land for the rest of your stay.

Led by a local guide, you’ll start your walking tour of Venice by the Rialto Bridge. Hear how the structure was considered so daring in its engineering that critics at the time predicted it would fall (it’s still standing 430 years later!). Drop by the Rialto Fish Market to hear about the city's centuries-old maritime heritage before veering off the beaten path into Cannaregio, one of the loveliest and most authentic areas of Venice.

The carefully designed itinerary of your Venice walking tour will give you a real insight into the city. Sure, you’ll see the Rialto Bridge, but you’ll also delve into quiet streets, pass peaceful canals, and go beyond the areas that visitors usually see. This is where Venice is hiding its best architecture and secret stories—and that’s what we’re out to find.

As you wind through Venice’s hidden alleyways, your local guide will regale you with tales of the city’s past and present. Curious about real estate prices in the Floating City? Or how they handle flooding? Now’s your chance to ask a real insider!

Next, you'll visit the lively St. Mark's Square and admire the unique St. Mark's Basilica. You'll get a full introduction from your guide as you learn how the relics of St. Mark arrived here by dubious means and understand why its east-meets-west architecture is a perfect representation of the city of Venice. If you booked the 2pm tour, your tour includes skip-the-line access into St. Mark's Basilica. Once inside, you'll have a guided tour of this incredible church and soak in all the details such as the beautiful gold mosaics on the ceiling. (Please note: Entrance to St. Mark's Basilica is included on the 2pm tour only.)

Cross an essential Venice experience off your bucket list: an unforgettable gondola ride.

The best is yet to come! At the conclusion of your tour, your local insider will leave you in the expert hands of a professional gondolier. Climb onboard a traditional Venetian gondola for a half-hour excursion through the canals. Sit back and enjoy exploring Venice as it was meant to be seen: from the water!

This is your time to relax, unwind, and enjoy Venice at its best. And with no more than five other people on your boat, it’s sure to be every bit as romantic as you always dreamed. Venice gondola rides are normally priced at €80 and above—so not only are you ticking another must-do off your bucket list, you're saving money too!

Allow us to introduce you to our Venice on this walking tour. A city of winding streets, stunning canals, and stories untold awaits you.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.