Venice Highlights Guided Walking Tour and Scenic Gondola Ride

Venice, Italy
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Duration2h - 3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 16 travelers

Overview

Explore Venice beyond the postcard views, combining celebrated landmarks with quieter corners and stories of everyday Venetian life.

Follow your guide through historic alleyways, across bridges, and into tucked-away squares. Walk by the Rialto Bridge, explore the neighborhood associated with Marco Polo, and discover unusual sights near the famous Acqua Alta Bookshop.

In St. Mark’s Square, admire the exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, then see the Bridge of Sighs as your guide brings Venice’s history to life.

Along the way, enjoy opportunities for photos and local recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.

For an extra perspective on the city, choose the optional gondola ride through Venice’s waterways—a classic way to round off your discovery.

Options

Tour without Gondola Ride

Duration: 2 hours
Without Gondola Ride: Choose this option if you are only planning to join a walking tour. This option does not include a gondola ride.

Tour with Shared Gondola Ride

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
With Shared Gondola Ride: Choose this option for a 30-minute shared gondola ride along the Grand Canal after the walking tour.

What's included

  • 2-Hour Easy & Well-Paced Walking Tour
  • Professional and licensed expert guide
  • Intimate Small-Group Setting
  • Headsets to hear the guide better
  • 30 minutes shared gondola ride (optional)
  • Transportation to the meeting point

What to expect

  1. 15m
    Discover Venice’s most iconic landmarks on a guided walking tour through historic squares, hidden streets, and picturesque canals, followed by a classic gondola ride along the famous Grand Canal.
    This Venice highlights tour is the perfect introduction to the city, combining history, local culture, and one of Venice’s most unforgettable experiences.

    Meet your expert guide in Campo San Bortolo, next to the statue of Venetian writer Carlo Goldoni, and begin exploring the historic heart of Venice near the Rialto Bridge.
    Walk through narrow streets, charming Venetian campos, and scenic canals while learning about the history, traditions, and daily life of the Venetian Republic.
    End your experience with a classic gondola ride through Venice’s canals before arriving near the magnificent St. Mark’s Square.
  2. 15m
    Continue toward the famous Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge crossing the Grand Canal and once the bustling commercial center of the Venetian Republic. Nearby, admire the historic Fontego dei Tedeschi, a former merchant trading house that once hosted German traders and still overlooks the Grand Canal today.
  3. 15m
    Along the route, pass the traditional site associated with Marco Polo’s House, where Venice’s most famous explorer is believed to have lived. Your guide will share the story of Marco Polo’s remarkable journeys along the Silk Road and how Venice became a powerful gateway between Europe and Asia during the medieval period.
  4. 15m
    Reach Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, one of Venice’s largest and most impressive squares, home to the grand Basilica of San Zanipolo and the elegant Chiesa dell’Ospedaletto, both reflecting centuries of religious and artistic heritage.
  5. Bridge Of Sighs
    15m
    Stroll through the quieter Campo Santa Maria Formosa, one of Venice’s most charming historic squares, offering a glimpse into everyday Venetian life. Then cross the Ponte del Remedio to enjoy an exterior view of the iconic Bridge of Sighs, one of the city’s most photographed landmarks connecting the Doge’s Palace to the historic prison.
  6. Piazza San Marco
    30m
    Your walking tour concludes at Piazza San Marco, the monumental heart of Venice. Admire exterior views of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile, and the Clock Tower as your guide shares essential insights into their history and significance.
  7. 30m
    After the walking tour, enjoy a optional gondola ride, gliding along sections of the Grand Canal and peaceful smaller canals — the perfect way to experience Venice from the water

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We meet at Campo San Bortolo, near the monument of Carlo Goldoni. Your guide will have a signboard that says “Walks In Europe.”

End point

The tour concludes with a brief introduction to Venice’s main monuments: St Mark’s Clock Tower, St Mark’s Campanile (Bell Tower), the Procuratie Buildings, historic Caffè Florian, St Mark’s Basilica, and the majestic Doge’s Palace, the symbolic heart of Venice.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as there will be a moderate amount of walking involved.
  • Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
  • Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
  • There will be 5 people on each gondola shared.
  • Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
€73.00 €49.50 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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