from

$497

Venice
couple in front of gondola

Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride

Free CancellationSkip the Line

Join a personalized guide to discover St. Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge, and Venice's hidden gems

Free CancellationSkip the Line

2 h 30 min

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Venice’s timeless beauty deserves to be seen without the stress of navigating it alone. With your private guide, use pre-reserved tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica, stroll through the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, and admire the iconic Rialto Bridge. End your tour with a peaceful gondola ride through the canals, offering a quiet perspective of the city. This carefully crafted experience lets you enjoy the best of Venice with a private guide, at a pace that’s all your own.

What's included

Glide through romantic secret canals

Expert English-speaking guide

Pre-reserved St. Mark's Basilica tickets & tour

Guided walking tour of Rialto Bridge

Private 30-minute gondola ride

Private group experience

Guide tips

Food and drink

Itinerary

Skip the Line

Meet your guide at St. Mark’s Square

Your tour begins in St. Mark's Square

Your tour begins between the two giant stone columns on the south side of St Mark's Square near the waterfront. Meet your personal guide in this historic 9th-century piazza, which serves as the grand social and political hub of Venice.

Admire the glittering Church of Gold

Next, enter St Mark's Basilica with pre-reserved tickets for an immersive look at this Byzantine masterpiece. Gaze up at 85,000 square feet of luminous gold mosaics and view ancient treasures brought from Constantinople centuries ago.

Walk the historic Rialto neighborhood

Then, wander away from the main crowds into the winding alleys and open squares of the Rialto district. Your guide will share stories of local life while pointing out architectural wonders like the spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.

Photograph the iconic Grand Canal

Next, climb the steps of the famous Rialto Bridge, the oldest structure spanning the main waterway. Look out over the bustling traffic of vaporettos and traditional watercraft from the peak of the 24-foot stone arch.

Finish the tour on a private traditional gondola

Finally, your tour finishes at a nearby canal dock where you will step into a classic Venetian wooden boat. Relax during a quiet 30-minute private cruise through peaceful residential waterways before concluding your experience back near the main square.

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Select participants and date

Start times are in the product’s local time

Free cancellation up to 7 days in advance!

Sun, 27 Sep 2026

Meeting and drop-off point

You will meet your guide between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco e San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square near the canal. Look for the representative holding a sign. Your experience concludes back at St. Mark's Square after your gondola ride.

Important Details

Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.

Good to know:

  • Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may not be permitted otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.

  • ID Requirement: A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.

  • Accessibility: As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be accommodated to for most mobility concerns. Please reach out to us to make the proper arrangements. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the boat, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.

  • Weather Advisory: Being an island and subject to problems related to high water, the gondola or boat tour cannot be guaranteed due to force majeure. If this occurs, you will be notified as soon as possible.

  • Bag Policy: Large backpacks or bags aren’t allowed inside the attractions, please leave them at your accommodation.

  • Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.

Your tour includes:

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Pre-reserved entry tickets to St Mark's Basilica

  • Guided walking tour of St Mark's Square and Rialto neighborhood

  • 30-minute private gondola ride

  • Private group experience

What to bring:

  • Government-issued ID

  • Comfortable shoes

  • Camera

  • Covering for knees and shoulders

See what people are saying

4.93

117 Ratings

5

113

4

2

3

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2

2

1

0

LaTonya G.

Verified Review

June 27, 2026

Gentle City Flow

Vroni Y.

Verified Review

January 13, 2026

The walking pace was comfortable and the tour felt smooth allowing enough time to enjoy views listen to stories and feel relaxed throughout the experience.

Open Streets

Blue S.

Verified Review

January 11, 2026

Walking through open streets and calm areas helped me enjoy Venice without stress. This walk made my day in Venice simple calm and happy.

Lasting Joy

Telse W.

Verified Review

January 09, 2026

This tour left me with lasting joy and appreciation for Venice that stayed with me long after it ended.

Fresh City Perspective

Solo N.

Verified Review

January 06, 2026

Irene helped me see Venice differently through clear explanations and thoughtful details.

Easy Connection

Resi U.

Verified Review

January 03, 2026

The stories helped me connect with Venice in a simple human way that felt warm and genuine.

Venice Step Magic

Zen S.

Verified Review

December 31, 2025

Each step revealed something beautiful and the stories made Venice history feel easy interesting and never boring even for someone new to the city.

Liana K.

Verified Review

December 31, 2025

Simple Pleasure

Lilo D.

Verified Review

December 26, 2025

Walking through Venice without pressure made the experience very pleasant and allowed me to enjoy the city naturally.

Perfect City Introduction

Marga K.

Verified Review

December 21, 2025

This tour gave me a clear and friendly first look at Venice and helped me feel comfortable confident and excited to explore more of the city afterward.

Open Heart

Seven P.

Verified Review

December 16, 2025

This tour helped me open my heart to Venice and understand its beauty history and daily life in a gentle way.

Enzo D.

Verified Review

December 14, 2025

Comfortable Guided Walk

Susa H.

Verified Review

December 11, 2025

Maddalena answered questions patiently and helped everyone feel relaxed throughout the walk.

Happy Steps

Saint K.

Verified Review

December 06, 2025

Every step felt light and enjoyable as I learned about the city while enjoying beautiful views and calm streets.

Franka H.

Verified Review

December 02, 2025

True City Feeling

Betti R.

Verified Review

December 01, 2025

I felt connected to Venice while walking through famous landmarks and quiet corners that showed real local charm history and daily life in a simple friendly way.

Calm Discovery

Honor V.

Verified Review

November 26, 2025

Discovering Venice this way felt peaceful and stress free with a nice pace and clear stories that stayed with me.

Gentle Knowledge Sharing

Tilla B.

Verified Review

November 21, 2025

Simona shared information calmly which made learning feel easy and enjoyable.

Adriel G.

Verified Review

November 20, 2025

Soft City

Mark J.

Verified Review

November 16, 2025

Venice felt gentle during this tour with relaxed walking kind explanations and enough time to enjoy the views without feeling rushed or tired.

Walking With Wonder

Evie W.

Verified Review

November 11, 2025

Every step felt relaxed and full of beauty and the stories helped me understand Venice beyond photos crowds and guidebooks in a very natural and enjoyable way.

Ines P.

Verified Review

November 08, 2025

Natural Route

Ranger M.

Verified Review

November 06, 2025

The walk followed a natural path through the city that felt easy logical and enjoyable.

Easygoing Experience

Lone S.

Verified Review

November 01, 2025

The tour felt natural relaxed and friendly and I learned a lot without feeling tired or rushed.

Slow Wonder

Haze L.

Verified Review

October 27, 2025

Taking time to walk and listen made Venice feel special and meaningful and helped me notice beauty I would usually pass by.

FAQs

What should I wear?

Since St. Mark's is a sacred place, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Venice are hot - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, you'll be walking plenty on this tour of Venice.

Is this tour family friendly?

Yes, this private excursion welcomes families and can easily be adapted to keep children engaged as you explore the canals and historic squares.

What to bring?

Walking shoes and something to cover your knees and shoulders for St. Mark's Basilica. Sunscreen and a water bottle in the summer are also recommended.

Where to meet?

You will meet your guide between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square (columns of San Marco e San Teodoro) located on the south side of the square near the canal. Look for the representative holding a sign. Your experience concludes back at St. Mark's Square after your gondola ride.

I have doubts about my mobility. Is this the right tour for me?

If you have reduced mobility, it's a good idea to take this private Venice tour. The itinerary is much more flexible and easily modified than a small group tour.

I'm trying to book but I don't see any availability. What should I do?

If you are trying to book up to two weeks in advance, the website will show no availability. However, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to accommodate you.