from
$161
Semi Private Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride
See the Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s in an ultra-small group with pre-reserved tickets
What's included
Venice’s back streets & top sites in one day
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed-entry ticket for St. Mark’s Basilica
Timed-entry ticket for the Doge’s Palace
Guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
Venice walking tour with Rialto Bridge
30-minute shared gondola ride
Semi private experience
Guide tips
Lunch
Itinerary
Meet your guide at St. Mark's Square
Your tour begins between the two stone columns on the lagoon side of St. Mark’s Square. Listen as your guide explains how this island city became a global trade power as you prepare for a day of exploring the most famous landmarks in the floating city.
Enter St. Mark’s Basilica
Next, use your timed tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, the 11th-century cathedral known for its golden interior. Spend time admiring the intricate mosaics and domes while your guide explains the religious significance and the legends behind the relics housed within these historic walls.
Walk Venice’s backstreets and see the Rialto Bridge
Then, follow your guide and semi private group through narrow alleys and over small stone bridges used mostly by locals. Learn about the daily Venetian lifestyle before arriving at the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, for a perfect photo opportunity.
Sightsee on a 30-minute shared gondola ride
Next, in groups of 5, board a traditional wooden gondola to experience Venice from its famous canals. Drift past ancient palazzos and under low bridges as you move from quiet residential waterways into the bustling activity of the Grand Canal for classic Venetian views.
Take free time for lunch
After the gondola ride, take time to enjoy a meal at your own pace. Your guide can provide recommendations for authentic spots where you can find traditional snacks or a full sit-down lunch. This break allows you to recharge before the afternoon palace visit.
Explore Doge’s Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs
After lunch, enter the Doge’s Palace, the gothic masterpiece that served as the center of the Venetian government. Walk through the massive council chambers and cross the Bridge of Sighs into the atmospheric old prisons, following the path of former inmates.
Your tour finishes inside the Doge’s Palace
Your tour ends inside the Doge's Palace, leaving you perfectly placed to continue exploring the museum at your leisure. Leave with a deeper understanding of the city's history and suggestions from your guide on where to find the best evening cicchetti nearby.
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 24 hours in advance!
Fri, 16 Oct 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
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 be refused 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.
Tour Changes: All St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace tours are subject to potential time change due to ticketing. Please keep the date of your tour flexible. The order of stops may change due to timed entry schedules, crowds, or operational reasons, but you will still visit the same key sights listed.
Accessibility: This tour involves extensive walking, standing, and climbing stairs. It is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Weather Advisory: Doge's Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice due to adverse weather events, maintenance, or safety reasons. If this occurs, you will be notified as soon as possible.
St. Mark's Basilica: Please note, the tour inside St. Mark's Basilica usually lasts around 20 minutes, as per the monument's rules and protocol.
Gondola Ride: The gondola ride is a shared experience, as each boat can hold up to 5 guests. While you will have a professional gondolier operating the boat, it is important to note that this portion of the tour is not guided.
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
Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
Timed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s Palace
Walking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas
30-minute shared gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)
Free time for lunch (meal not included)
Semi private experience
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Covering for knees and shoulders
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Camera
See what people are saying
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6 verified ratings
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Roko was a great guide!
Jane M.
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October 09, 2026
Our semi private tour in Venice was fun. Roko had lots of interesting facts to share beyond the usual. Highly recommend.
Susan Wiegand
Susan W.
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October 08, 2026
Paola was our guide. I let her know that I am hearing impaired and she did everything in her power to make sure that I could hear her comments. I appreciate her going the extra mile! She was very knowledgeable and gave a great tour.
Mr
Anthony G.
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September 28, 2026
Great Experience and wonderful guide!
Absolutely outstanding
Christopher W.
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September 26, 2026
Absolutely outstanding tour. Our guide Rita was brilliant and everything was organised well. She was an expert on the history of the Doge and I loved hearing her commentary. The gondola ride was a real highlight. All up a fantastic day
Worth every Euro
Richard K.
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September 18, 2026
Rita was the most wonderful tour guide we've ever had. The tour itinerary was perfect for an introduction to Venice and the access to the popular sites was great!
Excellent Venice Tour with Rita
Scott S.
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September 17, 2026
The tour was fantastic and highly recommend. Our guide Rita is the best, very knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommend tour and ask for Rita.