Private Venice Walking Tour with St. Mark's Basilica & Gondola: A VIP Welcome to Venice
3 hours
Max 8 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Venice, Italy
About this activity
The ultimate Venice experience in just 3 hours. Explore St. Mark's Basilica, hidden streets, and glide through the canals on a private gondola ride.
Highlights
- The best of Venice in just 3 immersive hours – Experience the city’s history, architecture & canals with a private guide.
- Skip the lines at St. Mark’s Basilica – Admire the golden mosaics & hear the fascinating stories behind Venice's most famous church.
- Venture beyond the postcard views - Wander through hidden passageways & quiet piazzas and discover the real Venice beyond the tourist hotspots.
- Stop by Venice's most beautiful bookstore – An authentically Venetian locale with a stunning canal view and a favorite among both locals and travelers.
- Enjoy a private gondola ride through serene canals – Experience Venice’s beauty from the water, just as it was meant to be seen.
- A perfectly paced tour—see it all & still have time to explore – An unforgettable introduction to Venice, expertly designed for curious travelers.
Full description
A VIP Welcome to Venice: Gondolas, Hidden Streets & St. Mark’s Venice is a city unlike any other—a floating masterpiece of history, art, and elegance. But to truly appreciate its magic, you need to go beyond the postcard views.
On this Private Venice Walking Tour with Gondola, you’ll step into the world of the Venetian Republic, masked nobles, and storied canals. With your expert Walks guide, you’ll skip the line into St. Mark’s Basilica, wander secret alleyways, and glide through tranquil canals on a private gondola—all in just three unforgettable hours.
Step Inside St. Mark’s Basilica—Venice’s Most Dazzling Landmark
With its golden mosaics, soaring domes, and Byzantine treasures, St. Mark’s Basilica is nothing short of breathtaking. While most visitors wait in long lines, you’ll skip straight inside with your private guide, ready to uncover its secrets.
- Gaze up at 99,000 square feet of shimmering mosaics—a golden glow that tells Venice’s epic story.
- Hear the legend of St. Mark’s relics—stolen from Egypt and smuggled into the city in the most unexpected way.
- Admire the Pala d’Oro, a breathtaking gold and gemstone altarpiece, rarely seen up close by most visitors.
Discover the Hidden Side of Venice on a Guided Stroll Beyond the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, Venice reveals a quieter, more intimate charm. Slip away from the crowds and follow your guide into winding alleyways, elegant courtyards, and tiny bridges that connect centuries of history.
• -Step into charming local neighborhoods where Venetian life unfolds in secret squares. • -Learn the fascinating history behind Venice’s rise to power—a city built on water, wealth, and ambition. • -Cross centuries-old bridges & hidden passageways—see the real Venice, away from the usual tourist routes.
• -Visit Venice's most beautiful bookstore, a quirky shop that stores books in boats and bath tubs to protect them from flooding and is home to friendly resident cats.
End Your Tour in True Venetian Style: A Private Gondola Ride Venice was meant to be seen from the water. As the grand finale of your tour, relax aboard a private gondola and take in the city’s beauty as it was meant to be experienced.
• -Glide through peaceful canals, beneath historic bridges, and past ancient palazzos. • -Experience a moment of pure tranquility, away from the busy Grand Canal. • -Savor an intimate, exclusive ride—just you, your group, and the magic of Venice.
Why Choose This Private Venice Walking Tour? • -The perfect way to experience Venice in just three hours—without feeling rushed. • -Led by a top-rated Walks expert guide, handpicked for their storytelling and deep local knowledge. • -A balance of history, art, and relaxation—from grand basilicas to quiet canals, experience every side of Venice.
On this Private Venice Walking Tour with Gondola, you’ll step into the world of the Venetian Republic, masked nobles, and storied canals. With your expert Walks guide, you’ll skip the line into St. Mark’s Basilica, wander secret alleyways, and glide through tranquil canals on a private gondola—all in just three unforgettable hours.
Step Inside St. Mark’s Basilica—Venice’s Most Dazzling Landmark
With its golden mosaics, soaring domes, and Byzantine treasures, St. Mark’s Basilica is nothing short of breathtaking. While most visitors wait in long lines, you’ll skip straight inside with your private guide, ready to uncover its secrets.
- Gaze up at 99,000 square feet of shimmering mosaics—a golden glow that tells Venice’s epic story.
- Hear the legend of St. Mark’s relics—stolen from Egypt and smuggled into the city in the most unexpected way.
- Admire the Pala d’Oro, a breathtaking gold and gemstone altarpiece, rarely seen up close by most visitors.
Discover the Hidden Side of Venice on a Guided Stroll Beyond the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, Venice reveals a quieter, more intimate charm. Slip away from the crowds and follow your guide into winding alleyways, elegant courtyards, and tiny bridges that connect centuries of history.
• -Step into charming local neighborhoods where Venetian life unfolds in secret squares. • -Learn the fascinating history behind Venice’s rise to power—a city built on water, wealth, and ambition. • -Cross centuries-old bridges & hidden passageways—see the real Venice, away from the usual tourist routes.
• -Visit Venice's most beautiful bookstore, a quirky shop that stores books in boats and bath tubs to protect them from flooding and is home to friendly resident cats.
End Your Tour in True Venetian Style: A Private Gondola Ride Venice was meant to be seen from the water. As the grand finale of your tour, relax aboard a private gondola and take in the city’s beauty as it was meant to be experienced.
• -Glide through peaceful canals, beneath historic bridges, and past ancient palazzos. • -Experience a moment of pure tranquility, away from the busy Grand Canal. • -Savor an intimate, exclusive ride—just you, your group, and the magic of Venice.
Why Choose This Private Venice Walking Tour? • -The perfect way to experience Venice in just three hours—without feeling rushed. • -Led by a top-rated Walks expert guide, handpicked for their storytelling and deep local knowledge. • -A balance of history, art, and relaxation—from grand basilicas to quiet canals, experience every side of Venice.
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Gondola Ride
- Headset
- Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Guide (during gondola ride)
Meeting point
Start Location
Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto).
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
Know before you go
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
- Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
- Appropriate footware is advised.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 7 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 7 days of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Additional information
Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)