Welcome to Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Gondola Ride
3 hours
Max 18 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Venice, Italy
Full description
A first-timer to Venice, or don’t know where to begin your explorations? Over the course of this tour, experience many of the city’s top highlights. See the Rialto Bridge, fish market, historic mansions, and a quirky bookshop on a city walk before admiring the shimmering gold mosaics inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Plus enjoy a relaxing gondola ride and explore areas of the city that many tour groups miss. If you're short on time or want an introduction to Venice in just 2.5 hours, select the Welcome to Venice Express option at time of booking. Note: This option does not include a gondola ride.
Stop At: Mercati di Rialto, Campo della Pescaria Vicino il Ponte di Rialto, 30125 Venice Italy
Description: Meet near the Rialto Bridge and learn why it was initially considered a very bad idea to build it. Take a quick look at the Rialto Fish Market to learn about the long fishing history of the city and its famous cuisine. Get a couple of restaurant recommendations from your local guide! Admission: Free Time: 30 minutes
Stop At: Castello (Venice)
Description: Continue your walking tour to discover some of the city’s hidden gems. You'll learn what it is like to live on the island today as you meander through hidden alleyways. See a remarkable statue by Verocchio on the Campo San Giovanni and Paolo, where you will also see a variety of typical Venetian architectural styles.
Admission: Free
Time: 50 minutes
Stop At: Museo di Palazzo Grimani
Description: Pause to admire a unique mansion that belonged to a powerful Venetian family.
Admission: Not Included
Time: Pass by without stopping
Stop At: Libreria Acqua Alta
Description: You'll learn what it is like to live on the island today as you meander through hidden alleyways, stopping along the way at a quirky Venetian bookstore with a stunning canal view and friendly resident cats. Your guide will wait outside, allowing you few minutes inside to explore on your own.
Admission: Free
Time: 10 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di San Marco, Piazza San Marco 328, 30124 Venice Italy Description: With pre-reserved entry, you’ll bypass the often long lines and head inside this extraordinary church. Your expert guide will bring the basilica to life—revealing how its unique blend of eastern and western design came to be, uncovering the dramatic story of how St. Mark’s relics arrived in Venice, and helping you appreciate the shimmering gold mosaics that make this place unlike anywhere else in the world. Admission: Included Time: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bacino Orseolo Description: Your guide will then leave you to enjoy a 30-minute (approximately) gondola ride with a professional gondolier. Limited to only 5 people per gondola, this experience will be both intimate and relaxing. Punt through the quieter canals of Venice as you relax and enjoy the city at its best! Note: the Welcome to Venice Express option does not include a gondola ride.
Admission: Included Time: 30 minutes
Description: Meet near the Rialto Bridge and learn why it was initially considered a very bad idea to build it. Take a quick look at the Rialto Fish Market to learn about the long fishing history of the city and its famous cuisine. Get a couple of restaurant recommendations from your local guide! Admission: Free Time: 30 minutes
Stop At: Castello (Venice)
Description: Continue your walking tour to discover some of the city’s hidden gems. You'll learn what it is like to live on the island today as you meander through hidden alleyways. See a remarkable statue by Verocchio on the Campo San Giovanni and Paolo, where you will also see a variety of typical Venetian architectural styles.
Admission: Free
Time: 50 minutes
Stop At: Museo di Palazzo Grimani
Description: Pause to admire a unique mansion that belonged to a powerful Venetian family.
Admission: Not Included
Time: Pass by without stopping
Stop At: Libreria Acqua Alta
Description: You'll learn what it is like to live on the island today as you meander through hidden alleyways, stopping along the way at a quirky Venetian bookstore with a stunning canal view and friendly resident cats. Your guide will wait outside, allowing you few minutes inside to explore on your own.
Admission: Free
Time: 10 minutes
Stop At: Basilica di San Marco, Piazza San Marco 328, 30124 Venice Italy Description: With pre-reserved entry, you’ll bypass the often long lines and head inside this extraordinary church. Your expert guide will bring the basilica to life—revealing how its unique blend of eastern and western design came to be, uncovering the dramatic story of how St. Mark’s relics arrived in Venice, and helping you appreciate the shimmering gold mosaics that make this place unlike anywhere else in the world. Admission: Included Time: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bacino Orseolo Description: Your guide will then leave you to enjoy a 30-minute (approximately) gondola ride with a professional gondolier. Limited to only 5 people per gondola, this experience will be both intimate and relaxing. Punt through the quieter canals of Venice as you relax and enjoy the city at its best! Note: the Welcome to Venice Express option does not include a gondola ride.
Admission: Included Time: 30 minutes
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Gondola ride (if option selected)
- 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 San Giacomo di Rialto 255, Venice, IT
Campo San Giacomo di Rialto. Please meet outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.
- Sites visited on this tour occasionally close due to holy days, high tides, and/or flooding. If time permits, we will notify you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time. If a site closes, you will tour the exterior of the site.
- During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
- Large bags and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
- Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to Italy government guidelines for the most up to date information
Know before you go
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- This tour meets 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- If you cannot join your tour (running late, etc.) please contact us. We may be able to reschedule your tour (with an amendment fee) depending on availability.
- Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.
- Due to the religious nature of sites on this tour, all individuals (regardless of gender) must cover their shoulders and knees. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering a holy site. Walks cannot be responsible for anyone denied entry.
- Sites visited on this tour occasionally close due to holy days, high tides, and/or flooding. If time permits, we will notify you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time. If a site closes, you will tour the exterior of the site.
- During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
- Large bags and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to Italy government guidelines for the most up to date information
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours 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.