Top Venice Art & Culture

Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Enjoy skip-the-line access to both popular attractions. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

As night falls on Venice and the crowds disappear, discover the city’s darkest secrets on this devilishly entertaining ghost tour. Wander through narrow passageways and past the blackened, vacant canals to uncover Venice’s haunted history. Listen to your ghost-hunter guide spin tales about the sinister deeds and tragic ends of the figures who once walked the streets—some of whom are believed to still wander as restless spirits.

Pay homage to the golden age of Venice with a night at the opera. Enjoy a thrilling program of baroque classics and operatic arias, performed by the orchestra and singers of I Musici Veneziani. The show whisks you back to 18th-century Venice, with performers dressed in traditional Venetian costumes and a spectacular setting in the exclusive Salone Capitolare at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro.

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of baroque music at this authentic chamber performance in Venice. The 17th-century Church of San Vidal provides an intimate historic setting and fantastic acoustics for concertos and symphonies by European masters such as Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. The talented members of the Interpreti Veneziani ensemble bring these musical masterworks to life for a night out you won’t soon forget.

Get an inside peek into the world-famous glassblowing factories of Murano on a 2-hour escorted tour. Meet your guide in central Venice, and ride a water bus across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Get a private glassmaking demonstration from a master craftsman, and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom featuring finished works of art. Finally, attend your choice of hands-on workshop to create a take-home piece of jewelry or mosaic using authentic Murano glass.

Hear Antonio Vivaldi’s magnificent ‘Four Seasons’ performed by Venice’s acclaimed I Musici Veneziani. The 1.5-hour show will whisk you back to 18th-century Venice, with performers dressed in traditional Venetian costumes and a spectacular setting in the exclusive Salone Capitolare at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro.

Take a course on mask making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. You can choose from a production class or a decoration class, or you can even take both. In the production class, learn how to make your own papier-mâché mask, and in the decoration class, you can paint or use materials to decorate your mask. No matter which option you choose, you get to bring home your creation—just in time for Carnival.

Step back in time to the golden age of Italian opera with this guided tour of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. Learn the history and legends of this decadent Baroque opera house, which was once the heart of Venetian high society and hosted performances by masterful maestros like Verdi, Rossini and Bellini.

Take a break from the usual sightseeing and snapping photos in Venice with this special experience that allows you to be an artist for the day. A local Venetian artist takes you to find the ideal corner of the city to paint, where you can create your own artwork with watercolors.

Take a musical adventure in Venice with a concert by Interpreti Veneziani and a visit to the city's music museum. Learn about the legacy of Vivaldi, a Venetian composer who left a distinct mark on the canal city, and see string instruments from the 17th-19th centuries in the Music Museum housed inside the San Maurizio Church. Listen later that evening as the Interpreti Veneziani ensemble performs works by such famous composers as Handel, Bach and Mozart.

Experience an evening of opera in Venice, surrounded by the historical elegance of a 15th-century palace. The singers and musicians of the Musica a Palazzo ensemble perform classics of Italian opera within the ornate salons of Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. Move from room to room along with the performers and soak up the drama of epics like 'La Traviata' and 'Rigoletto' in a truly intimate environment.

Skip the line for entrance to one of the most important symbols of Venice, the Doge's Palace, during this 1-hour guided tour. Walk through the impressive structure, once the first sight greeting ships coming in from the lagoon, full of gold staircases and paintings by masters like Tintoretto and Veronese. Admire examples of Byzantine and Oriental architecture as you listen to your guide's commentary on an included headset. Entrance fees included.

Get hands-on experience with one-to-one guidance during a private glassmaking lesson. Discover the secrets of Murano glassmaking techniques from one of the most renowned craftsmen of Venice. The 90-minute workshop includes all materials—including your own marvelous glass artwork to take home—plus a 10 percent discount on glassworks from the artist.

When night falls across Venice, uncover a shadowy world of restless spirits and Old World legends on this 2-hour ghost tour of the historic Cannaregio district. Discover sinister tales that haunt the city’s former Jewish ghetto as you stroll through hidden backstreets and lamplit squares, listening to your guide’s retelling along with the gently lapping water of darkened canals.

For this private mask-decorating workshop in Venice, arrive at a traditional atelier, and get a blank sand-colored mask that’s ready for your artist eye. Use feathers, sequins, and other materials to make a masterpiece. Your guide will share facts about the history of mask making and can also show you some great techniques to use. Afterward, you’ll get to bring home your decorated mask.

Visit Torcello, Murano, and Burano—three islands in the Venetian Lagoon—on this tour from Venice by motorboat. With a guide, watch glass being blown at a Murano glass factory, see historical cathedrals on Torcello, and admire exquisite handmade lace on Burano. This is a great way to see more than just the central sights of Venice and enjoy a cruise on the water. Select a departure time when booking.

Visit the famed glassblowing island of Murano via private water taxi, and watch glass artisans at work. Explore the seventh century cathedral in Murano's historical center before learning about the skill required to blow glass. Step inside a traditional glass factory for a full demonstration, peruse showrooms, take advantage of discounts on glassware, and slip your foot into a glass slipper. If it's your size, you'll walk away with a specially made souvenir crafted from Venetian glass.

After the sun has set and the tourist crowds have departed, the mysterious side of Venice becomes apparent. Discover the myths and hauntings surrounding the popular city on a 90-minute ghost tour. Follow your guide through deserted squares, down quiet alleyways, and into the past. Learn about local legends, unexplained events, and of course, ghost stories that have been passed down through generations.

Hone your photography skills as you explore romantic Venice and capture the magic of the floating city on camera. Embark on a private 3- or 6-hour tour tailor-made for you and stroll along the Grand Canal, admire landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and Saint Mark’s Basilica, or get a feel for local life in Venice’s vibrant neighborhoods. With the help of your guide, a professional photographer, learn how to get the best out of your camera, master basic photography techniques and receive expert tips on angles and lighting along the way.

Take an artistic approach to Venice with this private photography walking tour. Whether you’re a novice or expert photographer, you’ll find endless opportunities for the perfect shot as you explore Venice’s picturesque streets, squares and canals. A professional photographer guide will lead you on a 3-hour walking tour of magnificent landmarks and hidden backstreets, giving you tips on lighting and composition along the way. Bring your camera or smartphone and leave Venice with a collection of beautiful, print-worthy images to memorialize your holiday.

Get an inside look into the centuries-old art of glassblowing with a factory tour on Murano Island, home to the world’s finest artisan glass. Tour the facilities at Colleoni Glass Factory and watch a master craftsman shape molten glass through a combination of heat, blowing and sculptural techniques. Visit the factory showroom to see beautiful finished works of art, and receive a special Murano glass souvenir to take home.

Enjoy a memorable night out in Venice with this package that includes dinner at a top-rated local restaurant, followed by a chamber music concert at a historic church. Enjoy a savory three-course meat or fish meal at Osteria Leon Bianco, and then make your way to the 17th-century Church of San Vidal for an intimate performance by the renowned Interpreti Veneziani ensemble. Immerse yourself in the atmospheric setting as the talented musicians bring to life classic Baroque compositions by maestros such as Bach, Mozart, Handel and Vivaldi.

Explore the magnificent architecture, fascinating history, and rich culture of Venice on a half-day walking tour. Visit landmarks like the home of the great explorer, Marco Polo, the recently renovated T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, and Venice’s vibrant center, Piazza San Marco. Learn the city’s stories and secrets from an informative guide and enjoy skip-the-line access to Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.

Get your ticket in advance to visit the Accademia Galleries in Venice and avoid any lines at the entrance. See works of art by Italian masters like Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese, Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, and more, from the 14th through the 18th centuries.