11 Best Tours and Day Trips in Venice

Venice is a truly one-of-a-kind city, a must-visit destination for any travel enthusiast. There’s so much to see and do in Venice. That’s why taking a guided tour is definitely the best decision you can make to make the most of your stay and ensure you don’t miss out on anything interesting. Below is a list of my personal favorites, which I hope will inspire you and help you have an incredible vacation.

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 waters of the Grand Canal. Traveling all the way to Venice and not enjoying this kind of experience is truly a 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 typically short tours, but you should allow at least 30 minutes for the trip, in addition to the time it will take to reach the meeting point.
• Price: Gondola rides with a serenade included start at €30 per person; if you require a gondola for private use, you will need to pay a higher price.

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

What will you see on these tours?

This type of tour includes exploring architectural gems and important Venetian monuments. The itinerary may vary depending on the tour 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 Theater, the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, etc.

Points of interest

• Duration of the tour: You should set aside at least one 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 explore 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 won’t want to miss. The best part? By booking a guided tour, you’ll skip the line and the tour inside can be completed very quickly. It’s ideal for those who are only in Venice for a day.

What will you see on these tours?

You’ll have the opportunity 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 marvelous treasures brought from other lands and distant times.

Important Details

• Duration of the tour: Tours inside 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 experience.
• Price: This experience includes skip-the-line admission to St. Mark’s Basilica and skip-the-line admission to the Doge’s Palace, plus an expert guide. Therefore, the total cost is at least €80.

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

What will you see on these tours?

You’ll have the valuable opportunity to explore the island of Murano, with its renowned glass industry; additionally, you’ll discover the island of Burano, famous for its lacework and its vibrant, colorful 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 inhabited island in the lagoon.

Points of Interest

• Duration of the excursion: This may vary depending on the company you book and the established itinerary; however, you should set aside 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, ranging from premium options to more standard ones, with prices starting at €30 per person.

For those who enjoy hearing intriguing stories, supernatural legends, and ghost tales, this type of experience will be fascinating. Led by an expert guide, you’ll have the opportunity to take a walking tour through narrow alleys and labyrinths while discovering secrets and ghost stories rarely found in books.

What will you see on these tours?

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

Points of Interest

• Tour duration: The average duration is 1.5 hours. This tour always takes place at sunset or dusk, making it perfect to combine with other activities.
• Price: About €25

Amid all the architectural and cultural riches Venice has to offer, you might want to escape the crowds of tourists and spend a day unwinding in nature. A highly recommended option is to take an excursion to the Dolomite mountain range to admire idyllic landscapes, spectacular lakes, and charming villages.

What will you see on this excursion?

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

Points of Interest

• Duration of the tour: About 9 hours
• Price: Starting at 166 euros, including transportation in a minivan with a driver-guide

If you’re on a trip to Venice and plan to stay in the city for five or more days, one of the activities you should consider adding to your itinerary is a cruise to the city of Padua. Located in the Veneto region, it has a truly beautiful historic center and is just 38 km west of Venice. The destination is one of the favorite 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 along the way. Although it may vary slightly depending on the company you book, some stops that might be included in your trip are: Villa Foscari, the National Museum and gardens of Villa Pisani, and the historic center of Padua.

Points of Interest

• Duration of the excursion: The full tour, including the round trip to the center of Prague, lasts a total of 9 to 10 hours. To take this type of excursion, you’ll need to set aside a full day of your itinerary, so it’s ideal if you’ll be in Venice for several days.
• Price: This type of experience is usually available starting at €100; the price includes transportation and, in most cases, admission to the gardens and palaces on the itinerary.

Take a tour to explore the wine region located just outside Venice. A local guide who is an expert in wine takes the group of tourists from the center of La Serenissima to the countryside itself to soak in the beauty of the landscapes, the magnificent 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 admission 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 to the Italian wine regions of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano.
• Price: These types of experiences start at €130 per person.

It’s impossible to leave Venice without enjoying its fabulous cuisine. On this tour, a guide who’s an expert in Italian cuisine takes a small group of tourists to explore the Rialto Market while delving into the culinary traditions of La Serenissima. The experience is enriched with historical facts and hidden gems that usually don’t appear in travel guides.

What will you see on these tours?

In addition to visiting the famous Rialto Market and admiring its unique architecture, you’ll have the chance to sample various dishes at restaurants and bars highly regarded by locals; Italian wines are typically included as part of the experience.

Points of Interest

• Tour duration: This may vary slightly depending on the company you book with, but I recommend setting aside 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 typically seen on more conventional sightseeing tours. It’s an ideal addition if you’re on a four- or seven-day vacation in Venice.

Most companies offering this type of tour use native Venetian guides with expertise in art, architecture, and/or history; likewise, the guides are 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 doesn’t specify it.

What will you see on these tours?

Your itinerary includes a tour of Venice’s hidden gems, and while 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, exploring the more artistic side of Venice in the Dorsoduro neighborhood with its palaces, most beautiful churches, and museums.

Points of Interest

• Tour duration: Depending on the route included in your trip, you may need to set aside more time, but as a general rule, this type of experience usually lasts about 2 hours on average, always starting from a well-known spot near the Grand Canal.
• Price: More specialized historical tours are usually a bit more expensive; you can expect an average price 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 starting in the 16th century were forced to settle in this area, which was once somewhat separated from the rest of the city 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?

With a local guide, you’ll get an in-depth look at the Cannaregio district, its history, and its evolution; depending on the tour you choose, it may include a small tasting of local street food. 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 view St. Mark’s Basilica from a different perspective—be sure to bring your camera to take photos.

Points of Interest

• Tour duration: 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 last up to four hours.

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