11 Best Tours and Day Trips in Venice

Venice is a truly unique city, a must-visit destination for any travel enthusiast; there is so much to see and do there. That’s why a guided tour is definitely the best way to make the most of your stay and ensure you don’t miss out on anything interesting. Below is a list of my personal favourites, which I hope will inspire you and help you have an incredible holiday.

Where else in the world can you enjoy a similar experience? I don’t think there’s anything more traditional than a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Travelling all the way to Venice and not enjoying this kind of experience is a real shame. Venetian gondoliers will take you on a shared gondola ride through the waters of the lagoon in gondolas with a maximum capacity of 6 people; you’ll have the option to hire the gondola for your private use.

What will you see on these tours?

The gondola ride is combined with a tour of Venice’s Grand Canal to admire the architectural gems built along this important trade route throughout history. Additionally, a talented singer will perform the most romantic Venetian ballads for you.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: These are usually short tours, but you should allow at least 30 minutes for the trip, plus the time it takes to reach the meeting point.
• Price: Gondola rides with a serenade included are available from €30 per person; if you require a gondola for private use, you will need to pay a higher price.

A professional guide takes a small group of tourists on a tour of the city’s main treasures; these tours usually take place during the day so you can admire the beautiful architecture of Venice’s buildings in detail.

What will you see on these tours?

This type of tour involves exploring architectural gems and important Venetian monuments. The itinerary may vary depending on the company you choose, but some options include: a guided tour of St Mark’s Square, a stop to visit the House of Marco Polo, a view of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, a walk past La Fenice Theatre, the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, etc.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: You should set aside at least an hour of your itinerary for this tour; when combined with other activities such as a gondola ride, the tour can last up to approximately three hours.
• Price: Depending on the duration and the itinerary of stops included in the tour, the starting price may vary between €30 and €60.

An expert guide in Venetian architecture and history will lead a small group of tourists to discover two of the most opulent jewels of Venetian architecture: the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. If you’re interested in art, history or architecture, this is a tour you shouldn’t miss. The best part? By booking a guided tour, you’ll skip the queue and the tour inside can be completed very quickly. It’s ideal for those who are only spending a day in Venice.

What will you see on these tours?

You’ll have the chance to explore the interior of the Doge’s Palace with all its secrets, as well as the interior of St Mark’s Basilica with all its marvellous treasures brought from other lands and distant times.

Useful information

• Duration of the tour: Tours of the interior of the Basilica and the Palace usually take at least an hour each; therefore, you should set aside at least two hours in total for this type of experience.
• Price: This experience includes skip-the-line entry to St Mark’s Basilica and skip-the-line entry to the Doge’s Palace, as well as an expert guide. The total cost is therefore at least €80.

This excursion is the ideal choice for those on holiday in Venice for three days or more, as it allows you to discover the traditional islands of Murano and Burano, located to the north of the lagoon and famous for centuries for their delicate craftsmanship.

What will you see on these tours?

You’ll have the wonderful opportunity to explore the island of Murano, with its remarkable glass industry; you’ll also get to discover the island of Burano, famous for its lacework and its striking colourful houses; Burano’s cuisine is equally spectacular. Some tour options also include a visit to the island of Torcello from Burano, famous for being the first island in the lagoon to be inhabited.

Points of interest

• Duration of the excursion: This may vary depending on the company you book with and the set itinerary; however, you should allow at least 3 hours for this type of excursion. If you’re considering a longer trip, you can opt for full-day options on the islands to explore them in depth.
• Price: You’ll find various tours to Murano and Burano from Venice, with premium options and more standard ones, with prices starting from €30 per person.

Those who enjoy hearing intriguing stories, supernatural legends and ghost tales will find this experience fascinating. Led by an expert guide, you’ll have the chance to take a walking tour through narrow alleyways and labyrinths whilst discovering secrets and ghost stories rarely found in books.

What will you see on these tours?

This tour will take you through the districts of Castello and Cannaregio to hear unsettling tales of Venice’s former leaders and its most notable citizens. You’ll also explore the Rialto area, which was once the island’s most important commercial hub. Some options combine the experience with a stop for an aperitif at a bacari.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: The average duration is 1½ hours. This tour always takes place at dusk or in the early evening, making it perfect to combine with other activities.
• Price: Around €25

Amidst all the architectural and cultural riches that the city of Venice has to offer, you might fancy escaping the crowds of tourists and spending a day unwinding in nature. A highly recommended option is to take a trip to the Dolomite mountain range to admire idyllic landscapes, spectacular lakes and charming villages.

What will you see on this excursion?

Accompanied by a driver-guide in a small group, you’ll discover picture-postcard landscapes, including: the impressive rock formations known as the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the tranquil Lake Misurina, and the beautiful Alpine village of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: Approximately 9 hours
• Price: From €166 including transport in a minivan with a driver-guide

If you’re on a trip to Venice and plan to stay in the city for five days or more, one of the activities you should consider including in your itinerary is a cruise to the city of Padua. Located in the Veneto region, it has a truly beautiful historic centre and is situated just 38 km to the west. The destination is one of the favourite day trips for residents of the greater Venice area.

What will you see on these tours?

These types of excursions include a cruise along the Brenta Riviera; the idea is to take tourists not only to the final destination in Padua but also to show them the highlights you’ll encounter along the way. Although this may vary slightly depending on the company you book with, some stops that might be included on your trip are: Villa Foscari, the National Museum and gardens of Villa Pisani, and the historic centre of Padua.

Points of interest

• Duration of the excursion: The full tour, including the return journey to the centre of Prague, lasts a total of 9 to 10 hours. To undertake this type of excursion, you will need to set aside a full day of your itinerary, making it ideal if you are staying in Venice for several days.
• Price: This type of experience is usually available from €100; the price includes transport and, in most cases, entry to the gardens and palaces on the itinerary.

Take a tour to discover the wine-growing region on the outskirts of Venice. A local guide who is an expert in wine takes the group of tourists from the centre of La Serenissima to the countryside itself to soak up the beauty of the landscapes, the splendid vineyards and the process of making this delicious drink.

What will you see on these tours?

Enjoy tastings and learn about the step-by-step production process of Prosecco, the local name for the famous Italian sparkling wine. The experience includes entry to the vineyards, tastings at the wineries and a visit to a local restaurant for lunch.

Points of interest

• Duration of the excursion: With an average duration of 6 to 7 hours, you should set aside a full day for this adventure. Excursions of this type usually depart early in the morning from a major meeting point in Venice, such as St Mark’s Square, heading for the Italian wine regions of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano.
• Price: These types of experiences are available from €130 per person.

It’s impossible to leave Venice without sampling its fabulous cuisine. On this tour, a guide specialising in Italian gastronomy takes a small group of visitors to explore the Rialto Market, whilst delving into the culinary traditions of La Serenissima. The experience is enriched with historical insights and hidden gems not usually found in travel guides.

What will you see on these tours?

As well as visiting the famous Rialto Market and admiring its intriguing architecture, you’ll have the chance to sample various tastings in restaurants and bars highly rated by locals; Italian wines are usually included as part of the experience.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: This may vary slightly depending on the company you book with, but I recommend allowing at least 2.5 hours for this tour; some may last up to 3.5 hours in total.
• Price: When several bars and restaurants are included, the price is approximately €90 for the experience.

Once you’ve experienced classic Venice —which includes a cruise along the Grand Canal, a visit to the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica—the next step is to take a tour of alternative Venice to explore those architectural and historical gems not seen on more conventional sightseeing tours. It’s an ideal addition if you’re on holiday in Venice on a four- or seven-day itinerary.

Most companies offering this type of tour employ native Venetian guides, specialising in art, architecture and/or history; the guides are also usually trained to speak at least two languages: English and Italian. Before booking, you can check the availability of Spanish-speaking guides if the tour does not specify this.

What will you see on these tours?

Your itinerary includes a tour of Venice’s hidden gems, and whilst the route may vary depending on the company you choose, you can expect to visit some of the following destinations: a visit to Campo Barnaba, and an exploration of Venice’s more artistic side in the Dorsoduro district, with its palaces, most beautiful churches and museums.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: Depending on the route included in your trip, you may need to allow more time, but as a general rule, this type of experience usually lasts around 2 hours on average, always starting from a well-known point near the Grand Canal.
• Price: More specialised historical tours are usually a little more expensive; you can expect to pay an average of €30 for this experience.

Explore Venice away from the crowds by taking a tour of the Jewish Quarter of La Serenissima. Located in the Cannaregio district, locals know it as il Ghetto. Jews who arrived in Venice from the 16th century onwards were forced to settle in this area, which was previously somewhat separated from the rest by large canals. Today, centuries later, the area boasts a unique architecture and charm that certainly sets it apart from the rest of what you’ll find in Venice.

What will you see on these tours?

Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the Cannaregio district, its history and its evolution; depending on the tour you choose, a small tasting of local street food may be included. All tours of this type include a mandatory stop at the Jewish synagogues and a visit to the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. From the Cannaregio area, you can see St Mark’s Basilica from a different perspective – bring your camera to take photos.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: This may vary depending on the company you book with. The minimum time required to explore Cannaregio and its secrets is two hours; longer tours can take up to four hours.

• Price: These types of experiences are run in small groups of tourists, so the price is around €80 or more per tour.