Hidden Venice Tour with Secret Gardens and Grand Canal Boat Cruise

Leaving the boat, you’ll stop off at one of the immaculately-kept Secret Gardens that are hidden throughout Venice, before experiencing the buzz of local life on a walking tour of Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto.

Hidden Venice Tour Description 

Your 3-hour tour includes:

• Luxury boat tour of the Grand Canal and local canals

• Visit at least one secret garden not usually open to the public

• Walking tour of Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto

• English-speaking guide with tons of local knowledge

• Maximum group size of 11

Grand Canal Cruise

The main avenue of Venice is the Grand Canal, connecting St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, the train station, and many more of the city's most important places—it's often referred to as Venice's artery. On your VIP cruise, you'll see the amazing palaces, bridges, and famous sites that line the Canal. It is a fantastic overview of the city, and you'll also pass by St. Mark's Square—home of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. 

Hidden Canals and Secret Gardens

You'll turn off the Grand Canal and into the small canals where Venetians have traveled by gondola for centuries. These winding canals were built without a grid in mind, and the buildings and streets that line the waterway are densely packed and full of local life. These hidden canals are both beautiful and practical, and Venetians have been using them to travel through the city for centuries.

There are over 500 secret gardens in Venice, tucked away behind nondescript doorways and offering a magical escape from the bustle of city life. Most people leave Venice without even knowing they exist, but your local guide knows exactly where they're hiding. Stopping at seemingly random doors, you'll get special access to seem some of the pristine landscaping and wonderful flora tucked away behind the city streets.

You'll see at least one Secret Garden on this tour, and possibly more. As they aren't public tourist attractions, which gardens are available to view can change from day to day.

Birthplaces of Marco Polo and Tintoretto

Throughout the last millennium, Venice was a major trading and cultural power. The home of the Church of Gold and the luxurious Doge's Palace, Venice was once a global hub. One of its traders, a man by the name of Marco Polo, famously made it all the way to China! Whether Polo actually brought back noodles or even went to China is up for debate, but his writings were the go-to source on the Far East for centuries. As you explore the city, you'll see the house where Polo was born, as well as the home of Renaissance master Tintoretto—one of the most influential artists of his time.  

Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto

After cruising through Venice by boat, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the vibrant Cannaregio neighborhood. Home to many of the city's best shops, bars, and restaurants, it's a hive of local life and one of Venice's hippest areas. You'll also see the Venetian Jewish Ghetto, which was established back in 1516. The entire Jewish population of Venice had to live in the area until the end of the 18th century, when Napoleon liberated the neighborhood. It is the oldest Jewish Ghetto in the world and also the origin of the word "ghetto" itself.