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  • Walking Tours
  • Private Sightseeing Tours
  • Historical Tours
  • Gondola Cruises

Private Welcome to Venice Tour with St. Mark's & Gondola

5.0(9 reviews)Venice, ItalyOperated by Walks - Italy & Spain
  • Duration3 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • BookingInstant confirmation

About this activity

Experience the best of Venice on a private tour designed as the ideal introduction to the city. With an expert local guide, explore both iconic landmarks and hidden neighborhoods. Wander through the lively Rialto Market, where Venetians still shop for fresh seafood. Admire Rialto Bridge and discover quiet canals, palaces, and charming courtyards that many visitors miss. You'll even stop by a bookstore considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world, with a stunning canal view, quirky decor, and friendly resident cats. Afterwards, soak in the lively atmosphere at St. Mark's Square before stepping into the famous Basilica itself. Enjoy a guided tour of the church and see its stunning gold mosaic ceiling. End your tour in true Venetian style with a 30-minute private gondola ride, gliding through tranquil waterways for an unforgettable view of the city. Perfect for first-time visitors, couples, or families, this experience offers the best of Venice at a relaxed, personal pace.

What to expect

3 hours7 stopsPrivate tour

  1. Mercati di Rialto

    Calle Prima de la Donzella, 306, Vicino il Ponte di Rialto, Venice, 30125, Italy

    1 hour

    Explore one of Venice’s liveliest local markets, where vendors have sold fresh seafood for generations. See how Venetians still shop and enjoy this slice of daily life.

  2. Pass by

    Stroll across the city’s most iconic bridge and enjoy sweeping views of the Grand Canal while your guide shares the story of Venice’s rise as a maritime power.

  3. Castello

    Venice, Italy

    50 minutes

    Continue to a peaceful neighborhood filled with quiet canals, artisan workshops, and hidden courtyards. This sestiere reveals a side of Venice that few visitors see, full of atmosphere and history.

  4. Museo di Palazzo Grimani

    Castello Ramo Grimani, 4858, Venice, 30122, Italy

    Pass by

    Pause to admire a unique mansion that belonged to a powerful Venetian family.

  5. Libreria Acqua alta

    Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa 5176b, Venice, 30122, Italy

    10 minutes

    One of the highlights of your guided walk is a visit to a famous bookstore that feels authentically Venetian and uses gondolas and boats for decoration. Your guide will wait for you outside, allowing you to wander the stacks of books, see the friendly cats, and admire the view of the peaceful canal.

  6. St. Mark's Basilica

    P.za San Marco, 328, 30100 Venezia Ve, Italy, Venice, 30124, Italy

    30 minutesAdmission included

    Skip the line inside St. Mark’s Basilica with your guide to admire the gold ceiling, altarpieces, and incredible artwork. At each stop, your guide will reveal how this dazzling church came to symbolize Venice’s power, devotion, and artistry.

  7. 30 minutes

    After saying goodbye to your guide, conclude your experience with a serene private gondola ride through the city’s tranquil back canals, offering a timeless perspective of Venice from the water.

Pickup & meeting point

There is no pickup — all travellers meet at the start point.

Start

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour 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).

End

St. Mark's Square

Redemption

Attraction start point

- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows. - 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. - 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. - 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. - The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays. - Appropriate footware is advised. - Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

What's included

Included

  • Famous local bookstore
  • Rialto Fish Market
  • Gondola Ride
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • St. Mark's Square
  • Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
  • Rialto Bridge
  • Grand Canal
  • Expertly guided walking tour
  • Palazzo Grimani (exterior)

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • Guide (during gondola ride)

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 8 travellers per booking
  • At least one adult must be included in the booking
  • Age bands: Adult (2–99)

Additional information

  • 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.
  • Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Languages

Guide
English

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

  • 0+ days before0% refund

Important booking information

Confirmation
Confirmed immediately after booking.
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
Europe/Rome
Product code
15693P258

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Age of each traveller
  • First name of each traveller
  • Last name of each traveller
  • Any special requirements

Traveller reviews

5.0/ 59 reviews
  • 59

Ratings aggregated from Tripadvisor (9).

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Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.

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