Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, and hidden areas of Venice

Travel Flexibly 4.9 / 5 See All 167 Reviews · 6.00h · Venice, Italy

Want to see the top attractions and hidden gems of Venice in just one day? How about a relaxing gondola ride to top things off? This Venice in a Day Combo Tour is the perfect way to see Venice if you’re short on time! Join a passionate Venetian guide with skip-the-line tickets to see the best of Venice in a day, from St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge’s Palace to the charming back streets and local canals of Italy's Floating City. There’s no better way to see Venice in a day!

  • Skip The Line
  • St. Mark’s Square
  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica
  • St. Marks Basilica - The Golden Church
  • Walking tour of Venice's quieter areas
  • Venetian gondola ride
  • Visit to Rialto Bridge and Market
  • Free time for lunch
  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Doge's Palace
  • Bridge of Sighs

You'll meet your local guide on the south side of St. Mark's Square, near the canal, between the San Marco and San Teodoro columns. Once you and your small group are there, your guide will share the incredible history of Venice and the piazza you're currently standing in. You'll get skip-the-line access to the two most important and famous buildings in Venice: St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. And our local guide will take you to some intriguing hidden gems in Venice, along with a tour of Rialto Bridge and Market. And of course, you'll also enjoy a serene gondola ride that's a must-do activity in Venice.

Venice in a Day City Tour Description

Your 6-hour tour includes:

  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica

  • Visit to Rialto Bridge and Market

  • Walking tour of Venice's quieter areas

  • Venetian gondola ride

  • Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Doge's Palace

  • An English-speaking tour guide

This Venice in a day tour is a combination of two popular tours. After enjoying lunch on your own, meet up with your group again to keep exploring the city with the same (or a new) guide. Booking a combo tour saves you money since you see more attractions at a lower price!

St. Mark's Square and Basilica Tour

Kick off your Venice in a Day Combo Tour in one of the most famous piazzas in all of Italy: St. Mark's Square (or Piazza San Marco). Before you head inside, enjoy the view of magnificent St. Mark's Basilica, also known as the "Church of Gold." Learn all about the importance of the basilica, when it was built, and the impressive list of historical events that have happened here.

If you're here during the busy summer months, you'll appreciate saving some waiting time and skipping the line with your guide. If you're here from November through March, St. Mark's Basilica does not offer skip-the-line entry to any tour groups since there's rarely a line to skip!

St. Mark's is a sacred place, which means both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry during this portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Venice are hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

Rialto Bridge and Neighborhood

After visiting St. Mark's Basilica, follow your local guide through the back streets along Venice's canals towards your next tour stop, the iconic Rialto Bridge. Learn about the stories behind the gorgeous and historic bridge before crossing over to one of the best neighborhoods in Venice, the Rialto District.

Take a stroll through the attractive streets and see Rialto Market, a place that’s been satisfying appetites for seven centuries. Remember to ask your guide where the best bacari (wine bars) and restaurants are so you can return later!

Hidden Gems of Venice

While visiting Venice's most popular attractions is important, so is getting away from the crowds and experiencing Venice off the beaten path. Instead of taking well-trodden routes, your local guide knows how to navigate the smaller back streets for an experience most tourists don't get.

Tucked away in these streets are secret places you’d never think to look for or would simply pass by without noticing. This is the authentic side of Venice.

Venice Gondola Ride

It may be touristy, but one thing simply you must do in the magical city of Venice is take a gondola ride. So of course, we included one on this tour! Here your guide will leave you with a trusted gondolier for a 30-minute, scenic cruise down Venice's Grand Canal and other hidden canals.

The privilege of working as a gondolier is not taken lightly. In fact, Venice only awards a limited number of licenses per year, and they'll make sure you glide safely through some beautiful canals for those forever photos.

Break for Lunch

After your gondola ride, your guide will lead you back to St. Mark's Square and mention several great spots for you to enjoy lunch on your own. Enjoy a freshly made panini, a slice of local pizza, or try some typical Venetian cicchetti (small plates of food) with a glass of delicious wine. Lunch isn't included as part of the tour, so this time is free for you to choose your favorite food!

After you've eaten, head back to your original meeting point so your guide can prepare you to see one of Venice’s most sought-after experiences: Doge’s Palace.

Doge's Palace Tour

Perhaps the most fascinating attraction in Venice, the stunning Gothic building known as the Doge's Palace was where the Venetian Empire's rulers once controlled the city until 1797, often using brutal methods. With your expert guide, you'll skip the line to explore this incredible Venetian palace over the next couple of hours. Alongside beautiful features such as the Golden Staircase and the paintings of Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, you’ll explore its darker side as you visit the torture chamber, prison cells, and the haunting Bridge of Sighs.

Prisoners walked across this enclosed bridge before spending years or even the remainder of their lives behind bars. If that wasn’t enough to sigh about, look out from the small windows carved into the bridge that once offered convicts their last glimpse of beautiful Venice.

What you get with this tour
Passionate English-speaking guide
Skip the line tickets
St. Mark's Basilica
Doge's Palace
30-minute Venetian gondola ride
Bridge of Sighs
Tripadvisor Logo

See what people are saying

167 total reviews

Leave a review
4.9/5 (based on 167 reviews)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 stars
26 March 2024
N
Reviewed by
Neil and Jenna Kruse

Saved so much time with this tour
20 March 2024
J
Reviewed by
Jay Cueco

Venice was the third stop in our honeymoon holiday and we wanted to find the most efficient way to hit all the most important tourist stops before we got lost on our own. Our tour guide was amazing and was quite the performer. We only had 10 persons in our group which made for a really friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend this tour since we also got excellent restaurant tips! Thank you for the gelato recommendation at Suso!

Venice in a day
14 March 2024
J
Reviewed by
James HOOPER

Our guide was very nice. He had an accent, but I could understand him most of the time. We hit nearly everything I wanted to do in Venice in the 3/4 day tour. We had time during and after to go up the bell tower and see a couple more things and get nice food. It was a great experience. The gondola ride was half an hour and was great! My wife and daughter thought that was the best part.

show more reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a water bottle. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed and will have to be checked before entering the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's. It's best to leave them at your hotel if possible.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking a private Venice tour so your needs can be better accommodated

What should I wear?

Since St. Mark's is a sacred place, we ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you might be refused entry and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Venice can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. Please also wear comfortable shoes since this is a walking tour.

Does the tour always skip the line?

Yes, you'll skip the line at Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, if needed. Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's is only offered during busier months. During November through March, St. Mark's Basilica does not offer skip-the-line entry to tour groups since there's rarely a line to skip!

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

No, lunch is not included in the price of your tour, but your guide will have lots of recommendations for tasty places to eat.

What to bring?

We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a water bottle. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed and will have to be checked before entering the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's. It's best to leave them at your hotel if possible.

Start From: as low as $122.00

available days discounted days

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

Reserve Now as low as $122.00
as low as $122.00
You may also like
Skip the Line
Up to 20% off

Skip the Line

St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Explore St. Mark's Square's most iconic attractions with skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide

Skip the Line
Up to 8% off

Skip the Line

Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano

Do more in a day: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, glassblowing and lacemaking demos, and a gondola ride

Boat Tour
Up to 8% off

Boat Tour

Murano and Burano in a Half Day Boat Tour

Easily explore these colorful Venetian islands and see traditional glassblowing and lacemaking

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride

Join your own expert guide to discover St. Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge, and Venice's hidden gems

Guided Tour
Up to 8% off

Guided Tour

Venice Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio with Authentic Sit-Down Dinner

Experience top notch Venetian cuisine and wine with a local foodie and dine at a premier restaurant

Private Tour

Private Tour

Venice Islands and Artisans Private Tour

Explore colorful streets and ancient trades in Murano and Burano with a private boat and local guide

New tour

New tour

St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour in Venice with Access to Terraces

Skip-the-line, admire the opulent interior, take in the view from above, and explore the museum!

New Tour

New Tour

Prosecco Hills Small Group Tour from Venice

Sample bubbly wine alongside an expert guide at two renowned wineries and savor a light lunch!

New Tour

New Tour

Taste of Venice Food Tour in San Marco & San Polo

Discover authentic Venetian flavors as you hop between backstreet bacari enjoying cicchetti and wine

New Tour

New Tour

Walking Tour of Artisanal Crafts in Venice

Uncover centuries-old trades on a stroll through authentic, artisan shops of the Floating City

New Tour

New Tour

Secret Venice Tour of Dorsoduro District

Get to know the quiet but trendy academic district that has a Banksy mural and cool movie locations

New Tour

New Tour

Venice Bacari Hopping Tour in Cannaregio

Spend your evening like a local, visiting hidden bars for spritz and cicchetti with a Venetian guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Venice Discovery Private Tour

Skip the line at St. Mark's, explore Rialto Bridge, and ride a private boat through the Grand Canal

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Venice Doge's Palace Private Tour

Dive into Venice's dark history at its grand Gothic palace, Bridge of Sighs, and ancient dungeons

Private Tour

Private Tour

Hidden Canals - Private Venice Boat Tour

Uncover the real Venice as you explore secret gardens, local neighborhoods, and sail the Grand Canal

New Tour

New Tour

Island Adventure Boat Tour to Mazzorbo, Burano, and Murano

Hop around the Venetian islands to discover glassblowing, colorful houses, and a serene lagoon

New Tour

New Tour

Semi Private Day Trip to Prosecco Hills from Venice

Complete with round-trip transport from Venice, sample 3 wines, and savor a 2-course lunch

New Tour

New Tour

Small Group Dining Experience at a Local Home in Venice

Savor a 3-course meal paired with wine in an Italian host’s home

New Tour

New Tour

Private Gondola Ride in Venice

Glide down the idyllic canals of San Moisè and admire historic sites from the Grand Canal!

New Tour

New Tour

Rooftops of Venice Small Group Walking Tour with Prosecco Tastings

Admire San Polo from above and uncover the hidden gems of Rialto market and the Red Light District

New tour
Up to 5% off

New tour

Unforgettable Dolomites Semi Private Day Trip from Venice

Admire stunning mountains while exploring Cortina, Lake Misurina, and the Three Peaks of Lavaredo