Private Welcome to Venice Tour with St. Mark's & Gondola

Duration3h

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TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Experience the best of Venice on a private tour designed as the ideal introduction to the city. With an expert local guide, explore both iconic landmarks and hidden neighborhoods. Wander through the lively Rialto Market, where Venetians still shop for fresh seafood. Admire Rialto Bridge and discover quiet canals, palaces, and charming courtyards that many visitors miss. You'll even stop by a bookstore considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world, with a stunning canal view, quirky decor, and friendly resident cats. Afterwards, soak in the lively atmosphere at St. Mark's Square before stepping into the famous Basilica itself. Enjoy a guided tour of the church and see its stunning gold mosaic ceiling. End your tour in true Venetian style with a 30-minute private gondola ride, gliding through tranquil waterways for an unforgettable view of the city. Perfect for first-time visitors, couples, or families, this experience offers the best of Venice at a relaxed, personal pace.

What's included

Famous local bookstore
Rialto Fish Market
Gondola Ride
Local English-speaking guide
St. Mark's Square
Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Rialto Bridge
Grand Canal
Expertly guided walking tour
Palazzo Grimani (exterior)

Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Guide (during gondola ride)

What to expect

Mercati di Rialto
1h

Explore one of Venice’s liveliest local markets, where vendors have sold fresh seafood for generations. See how Venetians still shop and enjoy this slice of daily life.
Pass by

Stroll across the city’s most iconic bridge and enjoy sweeping views of the Grand Canal while your guide shares the story of Venice’s rise as a maritime power.
Castello
50m

Continue to a peaceful neighborhood filled with quiet canals, artisan workshops, and hidden courtyards. This sestiere reveals a side of Venice that few visitors see, full of atmosphere and history.
Museo di Palazzo Grimani
Pass by

Pause to admire a unique mansion that belonged to a powerful Venetian family.
Libreria Acqua alta
10m

One of the highlights of your guided walk is a visit to a famous bookstore that feels authentically Venetian and uses gondolas and boats for decoration. Your guide will wait for you outside, allowing you to wander the stacks of books, see the friendly cats, and admire the view of the peaceful canal.
St. Mark's Basilica
30m · Admission ticket included

Skip the line inside St. Mark’s Basilica with your guide to admire the gold ceiling, altarpieces, and incredible artwork. At each stop, your guide will reveal how this dazzling church came to symbolize Venice’s power, devotion, and artistry.
30m

After saying goodbye to your guide, conclude your experience with a serene private gondola ride through the city’s tranquil back canals, offering a timeless perspective of Venice from the water.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto).

End point

St. Mark's Square

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

5.0 (9)

From

€350.00 per person

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Operated by Walks - Italy & Spain · Booked through Viator

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