In a nutshell
- There are countless options for city tours in Venice, Italy. But which ones are actually worth it? We’ve selected 5 tours in Venice that truly stand out.
- If it’s your first time in the city, we recommend the historical walking tour of Venice. You’ll see the top highlights along with some iconic sights. It’s one of the best walking tours in Venice.
- Only have one day in Venice and dreaming of a gondola ride? Try the gondola ride with audio app – a great way to combine sightseeing with a classic Venetian experience.
Historical Walking Tour
What you see: the main attractions in Venice – St. Mark’s Square with St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge. You’ll also discover lesser-known places like Marco Polo’s house.
What you need to know: This classic city tour in Venice is done on foot in a group. For larger groups, headphones are included, so everyone can hear the guide clearly. The tour takes about 2 hours.
Is it worth it? This tour is one of the best walking tours in Venice for first-time visitors or anyone on a day trip to Venice who wants a good overview in a short time.
Book the Historic Walking Tour in Venice
Venice City Tour Off the Beaten Track
What you see: hidden gems that are just as captivating – including Marco Polo’s house, the spacious Campo Santa Maria Formosa, and the grand Basilica of San Zanipolo.
What you need to know: It’s a 2-hour walking tour, and you can also add an optional gondola ride to your experience.
Is it worth it? Perfect if you’ve already seen the main highlights and want a deeper dive into lesser-known parts of Venice.
Book the City Tour Venice Off the Beaten Track
Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Tour
What you see: Skip-the-line entry to St. Mark’s Basilica, including the terrace, and a full tour of the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the New Prison. You can explore the palace further on your own after the guided tour.
What you need to know: This is the standard tour of the Doge’s Palace. It doesn’t include the lead chambers or prison dungeons. If you want to see those, you’ll need two separate tours in Venice: the Venice secret tour and the St. Mark’s Basilica tour.
Is it worth it? Yes, if you want expert insights into Venice’s two most iconic buildings – and to avoid the long queues.
Book the Guided Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
Gondola Tour in Venice
What you see: During the gondola ride, you’ll cruise through small canals, past Teatro La Fenice, and onto the Grand Canal, passing sights like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the majestic Santa Maria della Salute.
What you need to know: The ride takes 30 minutes and covers only a few landmarks. But with the included audio app, you’ll still get insights – so don’t forget your headphones!
Is it worth it? It’s not a full city tour in Venice, but it’s a fun and affordable way to enjoy a gondola ride with some added background info.
Book a Gondola Ride with Commentary App
Tour by Boat to Murano, Burano and Torcello
What you see: the three most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon – Murano, Burano, and Torcello. On Murano, you’ll see a traditional glassblowing demo.
What you need to know: On the boat, commentary is provided via loudspeakers. On the islands, a tour guide accompanies you. The full tour lasts about 6 hours.
Is it worth it? It’s a great option if you want to see all three islands in one trip and are short on time.
Book a boat tour to Murano, Burano & Torcello
Legends and Ghosts Tour of Venice
What you see: You’ll explore spooky spots in Cannaregio said to be haunted and hear tales of the district’s dark past.
What you need to know: This eerie walking tour takes place in the evening for full effect.
Is it worth it? If you’re into creepy stories and want a unique tour in Venice, this one’s for you.
Book the Legends and Ghosts Tour in Venice
Is the Venice Hop-on Hop-off Boat Worth it?
The Venice hop-on hop-off boat is basically just the vaporetto, which travels along the Grand Canal and around the city. The 24-hour ticket costs €25, the same as the vaporetto.
You can only see a few sights from the Grand Canal, and the hop-on hop-off boat can’t go through the narrow canals of the old town. So it doesn’t serve much purpose here.
If you want unlimited boat access for 24 or 48 hours, it’s better to just buy a vaporetto ticket.
These were our tips for the best city tours in Venice
Have you already done a tour in Venice you can recommend? Or are you planning one and still have questions? Leave us a comment!