Venice Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo Tours
128 Reviews

Burial place of 25 Venetian doges and one of the largest churches in Italy, the Italian Gothic–style Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is among the most important churches in the city. Known as San Zanipolo to locals, it is home to works by Bellini, Veronese, and two generations of Lombardo sculptors.
The Basics
The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is a highlight of Venice’s Castello district, the largest of the city’s six central districts (sestieri). Built in the 14th century, the basilica is the most important Dominican church in the city. It was the setting for every Venetian doge’s funeral from the 15th century on and is decorated with a number of works by important Italian and Venetian artists.
Visit the basilica as part of a Venice highlights walking tour that includes other district attractions such as the Basilica di San Pietro di Castello, the Arsenale and Naval Museum (Museo Storico Navale), and the Biennale Gardens (Giardini della Biennale). Many small-group and private Venice tours also include a gondola ride and skip-the-line entrance to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica San Marco) and the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale).
Things to Know Before You Go
- Venice tours that include a stop at the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo require a significant amount of time on your feet, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required to enter the basilica.
- There is a single low step at the basilica entrance, which may be a barrier for some wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is located in the Castello district, a short walk from the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) or St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco).
When to Get There
The best times of year to visit Venice’s highlights are early spring and late fall, when the high season summer crowds have left and the city is less crowded. The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is open daily all year round.
Highlights of the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
In addition to important works of art by notable painters and sculptors, the basilica is home to dozens of tombs, including those of Bellini (a number of whose paintings decorate the basilica), 25 Venetian doges, and the third Baron of Windsor, who died in Venice in 1574. The church is a minor basilica because it holds a relic of St. Catherine of Siena (one of her feet), still on display.
Address: Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, Castello 6363 30122, Italy
31 Tours and Activities to Experience Venice Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
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Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Explore the hidden corners of Venice on this walking tour and benefit from local knowledge. Stroll with a small group to the city square of Campo Santa Margherita, see the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Then cross the Rialto Bridge and walk past the Marco Polo House to St. Mark's Square. Upgrade for a private tour.
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From
$18.42
From
$18.42
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Group or Private Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola
First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze down over the city from the cathedral’s rooftop terrace. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people ensuring a personalized experience.
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From
$158.45
From
$158.45
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Semi Private Grand Canal 1-Hour Boat Tour
Experience the beauty of Venice by boat on this Grand Canal tour of the city built on water. Glide through the placid waters past palaces, churches, gardens, and bridges as you make your way along the iconic waterway. Then journey into some of the minor canals on this luxury motorboat. Bring the magic of these liquid streets to life on a tour that’s ideal for lovers, photographers, and travelers!
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From
$67.56
Price varies by group size
From
$67.56
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Welcome to Venice Small Group or Private Tour: Basilica San Marco & Gondola Ride
Experience quintessential Venice on this walking tour, including a memorable gondola ride. See iconic landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and the House of Marco Polo; get a taste of local life at the Rialto Fish Market and explore historic neighborhoods like Cannaregio. Then, admire the palatial architecture of St. Mark’s Square, enter the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and soak up the scenery on a romantic gondola cruise. This small-group tour is limited for a personalized experience.
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From
$84.75
From
$84.75
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Byzantine Venice Walking tour with Skip the Line Saint Mark's Basilica
No visit to Venice is complete without a tour of the awe-inspiring architecture of St Mark’s Square. Escape the crowds and discover highlights of Venetian history with a guided, small-group walking tour. Explore the magnificent Doge’s Palace and photogenic bell tower, and skip the front of the queue to see the dazzling gilded interior of St Mark’s Basilica.
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From
$68.79
From
$68.79
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Private Tour: Venice Art and Architecture Walking Tour
Explore Venice’s lesser-known artistic and architectural treasures on this 2-hour private walking tour. Your local guide will lead you through a labyrinth of narrow backstreets to discover fascinating churches, squares and other landmarks that lie off the beaten path. Learn the history of these sites and admire their stunning artistic elements while you enjoy the personalized experience of a private tour.
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From
$138.19
Price varies by group size
From
$138.19
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Skip the Line: Morning Venice Gondola Ride and Walking Tour with St Mark's Basilica
Enjoy two of the best experiences in Venice with this combined 3.5-hour tour of a morning gondola ride and a walking tour including St. Mark's Basilica. Explore the highlights of Venice on foot during a fascinating walking tour. Relax on a gondola ride through Venice's canals. Marvel at the golden mosaics inside St. Mark's. Do it all with this one combination tour.
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From
$109.23
From
$109.23

Venice Guided Walking tour
Many of Venice’s most important and intriguing landmarks are clustered around the city’s vibrant heart at St. Mark's Square. Explore this treasure trove of history on a walking tour that takes you through the winding sidestreets surrounding the famous piazza. Take a break from your guidebook and hear the stories behind Marco Polo’s house, the Malibran Theater, and many others on a leisurely stroll that's great for first-time visitors.
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From
$31.94
From
$31.94
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Venice Walking Tour of Most-Famous Sites Monuments & Attractions with Top Guide
See Venice’s tucked-away places as well as don’t-miss monuments on this walking tour. Your guide shares unusual stops not typically found on the tourist path, starting in Dorsoduro, the university district. Learn about the city’s history at sites like the Rialto Bridge and Marco Polo’s home, then meander through Campo San Giovanni e Paolo up to Piazza San Marco. Opt for a small group or upgrade to a private tour.
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From
$15.97
From
$15.97
Taking safety measures

Venice Walking Tour: Piazza San Marco and Historic center
Enjoy an overview of Venice’s main sights in just a little over an hour on this prompt, introductory tour. Meet your guide at St. Mark’s Square, and set off with just a small group for company (audio headsets are available so you can hear your guide’s every word). You’ll see St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, Marco Polo’s House, and more, and will learn about Venice’s wealth of history from your guide. At the tour’s end, opt to add on a complimentary visit to a local glass-making studio.
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From
$31.94
From
$31.94
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Venice Morning Walking Tour
Get views of Venice's most important landmarks during this 2-hour morning walking tour. As the city and its scenic canals awake for the day, pass Venetian highlights like the Doge's Palace, St Mark's Square and Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Listen to your guide's commentary about these famous locations, as well as little-known facts about some of the city's hidden gems. Use of personal headsets to hear your guide clearly is included.
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From
$34.22
From
$34.22
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Regular temperature checks for staff

Venice with a Local: Small Group City Center Walking Tour
Venice is a beautiful city “built on the water" as it is located in a lagoon. Walk among the alleys and characteristic bridges and explore the many beauties of this city such as the wonderful “Piazza San Marco”, the most important square of Venice with its marvellous basilica. Enjoy the view of the Grand Canal from Rialto Bridge and look the houses reflected in and then, resume your walk, discover the house of Marco Polo and Campo Santa Margherita, full of cafés and the crowd of young people. The city still has other wonders to show, it's time to visit the beautiful and medevial Basilica of Saints John and Paul, located in the homonymous “campo” (so are called most of the squares in Venice). Finally, a walk to reach the church of San Pantalon, whose origins are quite mysterious, could not be missed! At the end of this tour, you will know how to orient yourself and enjoy your stay in Venice.
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From
$27.02
From
$27.02
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

Hidden Venice Tour
We are licensed Italian freelance tour guides with a background of art history and tourism studies. We are originally from here, but we have decided to settle in here.
We have different interests but all our greatest passion of all is.
Living room, living room, living room, living room, living room, living room. , but we like to tell you something more about the local culture. Real estate, making it a real Venetian, making you life easier even if you are staying here.
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From
$98.27
From
$98.27

Venice Quick Overview: City Center Walking Tour with Local Guide
Spend two hours of your stay in Venice by joining our small group tour of the highlights of one of the most fascinating cities in Italy. You will meet your local English-speaking guide in Dorsoduro, see the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the Basilica de' Frari. Next you will cross Rialto Bridge and walk by Marco Polo’s House, Campo San Giovanni e Paolo and San Marco Square.
The tour is outdoor and is an introduction to the main beauties of the unique city of Venice. Go ahead and ask your guide for further instructions to how to visit the city, or for more things to do in the following days of your stay.
Enjoy your time in the unique city of Venice, jumping from bridge to bridge and discovering all its magnificent beauties.
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From
$26.68
From
$26.68
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Complete Venice Highlights Private Walking Tour
With its maze of canals, bridges, and hidden gems galore, perhaps no city in Italy benefits from a local guide like Venice does. Find all the picture-perfect spots, uncover the fascinating history, and see the complete highlights of the city on this private 4-hour walking tour.
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From
$552.74
per group
From
$552.74
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Private Walking Tour of Venice
See the Venice sights that you want to see with this fully customized private tour, for a group of up to 10 people. Just choose a duration that suits your schedule, then head out with a private guide to discover the city. Perhaps take a tour that gives you the history behind the famous sights of St. Mark's Square such as the Doge's Palace, or maybe focus on the tucked-away treasures of Venice such as the Fontego dei Tedeschi building near the Rialto Bridge. It's the perfect way to explore Venice at your own pace.
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From
$165.82
Price varies by group size
From
$165.82
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas

Piazza San Marco: walking tour & charming gondola ride
A good choice for first-time visitors and those looking for a quick overview of the city, this tour combines exploring by foot and boat. First, take a walking tour around the city to see and photograph some of the most well-known and historical landmarks. Then, take a relaxing gondola ride along the Grand Canal and minor canals. An optional tour of a glass blowing factory near Piazza San Marco is included in the price.
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From
$68.79
From
$68.79
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Venice Carnival: walking Theatre Show - Venice Secret
When visiting Venice during Carnival, break away from the crowds and explore the city’s rich past in an unusual way with a traveling performance. A costumed actor from the renowned Pantakin company brings to life the medieval traditions of the ‘Codega,’ leading visitors on an entertaining walking route through the city’s backstreets and legends.
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From
$35.62
From
$35.62
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Benvenuti! The Essence of Venice Private Tour
Discover the best of Venice in just two hours with a private guide who shares the highlights of the popular Italian city. Visit destinations such as Campo San Polo, the Grand Canal, and Rialto Bridge, and learn about the architecture and culture of Venice from your guide. End your tour at St.Mark’s Square where your guide provides you with a skip-the-line admission ticket for St. Mark's Basilica.
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From
$143.71
Price varies by group size
From
$143.71
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems: Best of Venice Private Tour
Please be aware that this tour is adapted to the local regulations post Covid-19. Our hosts will deliver this experience with the required equipment always keeping the distance suggested by local authorities. It will be safe and entertaining!
Want to see the best of Venice? How about some hidden gems? It’s all possible on this private tour! Join your favorite local and see main landmarks such as the San Marco square while discovering secret places like Acqua Alta bookshop with a local wine tasting for a perfect overview of the city.
Picturesque canals, elegant bridges, and breathtaking architecture; Venice, is a magical place! Join the local host on a tour that has it all. From a sight of the best highlights the city has to offer to the discovery of unique spots only the locals know about - this experience brings together the best of both worlds! So get ready, culture, history, and local lifestyle await!
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From
$223.55
Price varies by group size
From
$223.55
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

A bit of Venetian art and architecture (free tour to Murano included)
This two hours private tour is the perfect way to discover the art and architecture of Venice, away from the buzzing crowds, experience the hidden masterpieces in this glorious chocolate box city of delights.
If you have little formal knowledge of art or architecture but are keen to become fully immersed in the aesthetic beauty of Venice, then this is the tour for you!
Your expert guide will take you through the labyrinth of narrow alleys, “calli”, numerous bridges, winding canals and across wide picturesque “campi” or squares providing you with examples of the development of typical Venetian architectural genres.
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From
$325.50
per group
From
$325.50
per group

In the footsteps of Commissario Brunetti by Donna Leon
Take a city tour to the locations of your favourite television series and enter the Commissario Brunetti’s world, known from Donna Leon's novels and their film adaptations. Along the way you will learn a lot about Venice!
The fictional character of the Venetian "Commissario Brunetti" has been a success figure for years: discover personally on site the the wonderful film scene locations from Donna Leon's novels. It is not at all easy to find the “campos” and “palazzos” where Brunetti is often on the way, because most of them are off the city highlights and well know touristic sites. On the contrary, the films are mainly shot in a rather off the beaten path Venice, like the Questura. It is so beautiful when you find the places you fancied on TV or reading the books, from Brunetti's first cases, such as "Acqua Alta", through “Beastly thigs” or “Suffer the little children”, to the youngest, whereby Raffi and Chiara no longer want to live in Venice.
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From
$57.36
Price varies by group size
From
$57.36
Price varies by group size

Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
Discover the best of Venice by and by water on a combo walking and gondola tour. Stroll through the charming squares and narrow backstreets of the historic city center with a guide, learning the fascinating history of the Venetian Republic along the way. Explore highlights of St. Mark's Square and other landmarks like Santa Maria Formosa church and the Mercerie, and then hop into a classic Venetian gondola for a 30-minute ride through the city's captivating canals.
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From
$68.79
From
$68.79

Ducal Venice, Historical Walking Tour & Skip the line Doge's Palace
Skip the long lines at the Doge’s Palace and explore the historic heart of Venice on a 3-hour tour with a local guide. Walk through the neighborhoods of Saint Mark’s and Castello, where you’ll find a series of historic landmarks, and get a guided introduction to the magnificent Doge’s Palace. This 3-hour Venice tour features headsets so you won’t miss a word of the guide’s stories, and includes skip-the-line tickets at the Doge’s Palace.
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From
$98.27
From
$98.27
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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