3.2(77 reviews)
Venice Grand Canal Panoramic Tour
From€45
1 hour
Venice, Italy
About this activity
Experience Venice's Grand Canal on a guided boat tour, passing under the Rialto Bridge and viewing historic palaces, all in a small group setting.
Highlights
- Cruise along Venice's iconic Grand Canal
- Pass under historic Rialto Bridge
- View opulent palaces lining the canal
- Learn about Venice's rich architectural heritage
- Enjoy a small group setting for an intimate experience
Full description
Discover the heart of Venice on this intimate boat tour along the Grand Canal. Glide past the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Rialto Bridge and opulent palaces, while an expert guide shares insights into Venice's rich history and architecture. With a small group setting, you'll enjoy personalized attention and a deeper connection to the city's unique charm. This tour offers a perfect blend of relaxation and education, making it an ideal choice for those looking to immerse themselves in Venice's captivating waterways.
Included / Excluded
- Guided boat tour of the Grand Canal
- Expert commentary on Venice's history and architecture
- Small group experience for personalized attention
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
1
Pass by: Navigate on board an elegant water taxi the famos s-shaped canal, the Grand Canal
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2
Pass by: St. Mark's Square has always been the most important Square in Venice and it has been defined as "the most beautiful drawing room of Europe".
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3
Pass by: The Doge's Palace is one of the finest example of Venetian Gothic style. It was the residence of the Doge, and the political and judicial heart of the city.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4
Pass by: The island of San Giorgio Maggiore is located right in front of St. Mark's Square. On the island there is a 6th-century Benedictine church designed by Andrea Palladio.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5
Pass by: The Church of the Redeemer was designed by the architect Andrea Palladio and built as a votive church to thank God for the deliverance of the city from a major outbreak of the plague.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6
Pass by: The Ca' Pesaro is a Baroque marble palace facing the Grand Canal built by the Venetian architect, Baldassarre Longhena, who also designed the church of the Salute and Ca' Rezzonico, for the noble and wealthy Pesaro family.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7
Pass by: At the beginning of the Grand Canal, the "barefoot bridge" connects the Railway station to the rest of the city.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8
Pass by: It is a particularly notable example of the 18th century Venetian baroque and rococo architecture and interior decoration, and displays paintings by the leading Venetian painters of the period, including Francesco Guardi and Giambattista Tiepolo. Nowadays it hosts a public museum dedicated to 18th-century Venice (Museo del Settecento Veneziano).
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9
Pass by: Designed in the 16th century, Ca' Vendramin Calergi now hosts the casino of Venice.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10
Pass by: The Ca' d'Oro or Palazzo Santa Sofia is a palace on the Grand Canal . One of the oldest palace in the city, its name means "golden house" due to the gilt and polychrome external decorations which once adorned its walls.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11
Pass by: Pass under one of the most iconic symbol of Venice: the Rialto Bridge.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
12
Pass by: The Accademia Bridge is the only wooden bridge in Venice.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
13
Pass by: The Peggy Guggenheim collection is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an 18th-century palace, which was the home of the American heiress Peggy Guggenheim for three decades.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
14
Pass by: In the 17th century Venice experienced an unusually devastating outbreak of the plague. As a votive offering for the city's deliverance from the pestilence, the Republic of Venice vowed to build and dedicate a church to Our Lady of Health (or of Deliverance, Italian: Salute).
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour operates in English; please ensure you understand the language.
- The tour is subject to weather conditions; check the forecast before booking.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for a boat ride.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning views along the canal.
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Operated by a multi-lingual guide
- If you're planning a day trip to Venice and staying outside the city, please note that an access fee will be required on certain dates. For more information, including details about exemptions and the specific dates when the fee applies, please visit (https://cda.ve.it).
Traveler reviews
3.277 reviews
5
27
4
10
3
13
2
6
1
21
Average tour
Nice boat ride but the commentator was not very friendly. He seemed board and only spoke on the way there, not the way back. He spent that time on his phone. Was extremely had to hear and understand him.
Mary_TMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Nice tour but a bit short
Tour very nice and well organized. The guide, a young lady, was very professional and friendly. But only about 45 minutes instead of an hour. The boat was moving fast. You could have slowed down a little to watch things in peace.
Monica_PApr 18, 2026VIATOR
Short time and above leave us hanging
Unpresentable. We took the tour of the islands of Murano- Torcello- Burano. The guide gave excellent explanations but the time they give to go around each island is insufficient. Bad luck meant that from the last island, Bursno, the ship left the moment we reached it. They saw us arrive and left without waiting. We were speechless, see how they came out the moment you set foot on the jetty! I do not recommend this type of guide at all.
237mariatMar 29, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Not worth it!
Waste of time and money! Guide was very unprofessional without any knowledge about anything! Very poor experience for not so little money
Michael_TAug 25, 2025VIATOR
Lovely
Small group tour with guide on part of the grand canal. Easy to find. Easy to book. Lovely start to Venice.
Bonnie_HJul 7, 2025VIATOR
Additional information
Operated by a multi-lingual guide
If you're planning a day trip to Venice and staying outside the city, please note that an access fee will be required on certain dates. For more information, including details about exemptions and the specific dates when the fee applies, please visit (https://cda.ve.it).