5.0(11 reviews)
Welcome to Venice Express with St. Mark's Basilica
2.5 hours
Max 20 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Venice, Italy
About this activity
Explore Venice’s highlights on a 2.5-hour walking tour with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and insights from a local expert guide.
Highlights
- See Venice’s top sights in just 2.5 hours
- Discover Venetian food at Rialto Market
- Explore hidden alleys for a peek of local life
- Visit St. Mark’s Basilica and its golden ceiling
- Enjoy tips and stories from an expert guide
Full description
This 2.5-hour guided walking tour is the perfect introduction to Venice. Start near the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the Grand Canal then explore the lively fish market area as you learn about Venice’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. Your local guide will take you through quiet alleyways and hidden corners most visitors miss. See historic palaces and step inside a quirky canal-side bookshop before ending in St. Mark’s Square. Skip the long lines and step inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where shimmering gold mosaics and fascinating stories reveal Venice’s unique blend of East and West. In just a few hours, you’ll see the essentials and gain a deeper understanding of Venice from a local expert.
If you’ve just arrived in Venice, it can feel like stepping into a maze of canals and bridges. This 2.5-hour express tour is designed to help you make sense of it all—quickly, but meaningfully—through the eyes of a local expert.
Your journey begins near the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most enduring symbols. Nearby, you’ll pass through the historic Rialto Market area. You’ll hear about the city’s long fishing traditions and the ingredients that define its cuisine, along with a few insider tips on where to eat.
From there, leave the busier paths behind and slip into quieter corners of the city. As you wind through narrow alleyways and hidden passages, your guide will paint a picture of what it’s truly like to live in Venice today. You’ll pass by elegant palaces that once belonged to Venice's powerful families. And you'll stop by a quirky bookshop along a canal, known for its charming chaos and resident cats. You’ll have free time to step inside the store, explore at your own pace, and take in its unique atmosphere.
Your experience culminates in St. Mark’s Square, where the grandeur of Venice is on full display. With pre-reserved skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight inside St. Mark’s Basilica. As golden mosaics shimmer overhead, your guide will reveal the stories behind this extraordinary space—from the dramatic journey of St. Mark’s relics to the cultural influences that shaped its design.
In just a few hours, you’ll move beyond surface-level sightseeing and gain a deeper understanding of Venice. You'll learn about its history, its people, and the details that make the Floating City unlike anywhere else.
Important: You must provide the first and last name that matches a valid ID of every guest in your party at the time of booking. All guests must bring ID on the day of tour that corresponds with the name on their ticket, as it is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument. Name changes are not permitted.
Your journey begins near the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most enduring symbols. Nearby, you’ll pass through the historic Rialto Market area. You’ll hear about the city’s long fishing traditions and the ingredients that define its cuisine, along with a few insider tips on where to eat.
From there, leave the busier paths behind and slip into quieter corners of the city. As you wind through narrow alleyways and hidden passages, your guide will paint a picture of what it’s truly like to live in Venice today. You’ll pass by elegant palaces that once belonged to Venice's powerful families. And you'll stop by a quirky bookshop along a canal, known for its charming chaos and resident cats. You’ll have free time to step inside the store, explore at your own pace, and take in its unique atmosphere.
Your experience culminates in St. Mark’s Square, where the grandeur of Venice is on full display. With pre-reserved skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight inside St. Mark’s Basilica. As golden mosaics shimmer overhead, your guide will reveal the stories behind this extraordinary space—from the dramatic journey of St. Mark’s relics to the cultural influences that shaped its design.
In just a few hours, you’ll move beyond surface-level sightseeing and gain a deeper understanding of Venice. You'll learn about its history, its people, and the details that make the Floating City unlike anywhere else.
Important: You must provide the first and last name that matches a valid ID of every guest in your party at the time of booking. All guests must bring ID on the day of tour that corresponds with the name on their ticket, as it is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument. Name changes are not permitted.
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Headset
- Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Meeting point
Start Location
255 Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 255, Venezia, IT
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.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
- Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
- St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
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.
- Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
- Appropriate footware is advised.
- Due to the religious nature of the Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf or shawl is acceptable. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
- St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
- 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 3 days before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 3 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 3 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.
Reviews
5.0(11 reviews)
Lisa
Jun 20265.0
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
Matthew
Jun 20265.0
If you’re reading this, book it now! You’ll be one of the first on the boat and get the best spot before anyone else. Daniela (aka “Daniel”) treated us exceptionally well from start to finish. Her knowledge of the falls and the stories behind them was the perfect balance of informative and entertaining. She keeps you laughing throughout the tour and enjoys the experience right alongside you as if it were her first time seeing it. 10/10 — I would recommend this tour to anyone. As an added bonus, our group had only four people, which made the experience absolutely incredible and much more personal. Thanks again, Daniel! 😉
Lisa
Jun 20265.0
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
Additional information
Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)