Top Venice Cultural Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

See the wonders of Venice's St. Mark's Basilica without the crowds during this after-hours, small-group tour. Learn about the basilica's famed mosaics from your guide and explore the crypt below the church to see where St. Mark's remains are said to lie. Upgrade to see the Doge's Palace after the basilica and wander the former home of the Venetian Republic's government.

See two of Venice's top sights in one tour of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Enjoy skip-the-line access to avoid the long lines that typically form outside these important attractions. Marvel at the golden mosaics that adorn the interior of St. Mark's Basilica, one of the finest masterpiece of Byzantine art. Walk through the ornately-decorated halls of the Doge's Palace and imagine life during the Venetian golden age. Immerse yourself in the history of Venice through two of its most important buildings.

Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice on this guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Listen to your guide's commentary clearly with provided headsets and avoid hours-long queues with skip-the-line admission tickets. Entrance tickets to the Doge's Palace are also included for a hassle-free tour.

Experience the magnificence and mystery of the Doge’s Palace in Venice with this skip-the-line ticket. Head to the front of the queue with your guide, and then wander through the palace’s ornate public rooms as you learn the history of Venice’s powerful rulers. Admire magnificent interior artwork, including Renaissance masterpieces by painters Tintoretto and Veronese. Explore the palace’s darker side with a visit to the prison quarters and a walk across the notorious Bridge of Sighs.

See the Doge's Palace, which served as the center of power in the Venetian Republic, with this skip-the-line 1-hour guided tour. Marvel at the artistic treasures in the palace, including paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. Walk through ornately-decorated halls and imagine Venice in its so-called Golden Age. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs from the Doge's Palace into the infamous prison, where Casanova was once held. Enjoy personalized attention from a knowledgeable local guide.

Immerse yourself in the dreamy landscapes of the Venetian Lagoon on this half-day island-hopping cruise from Venice. See a different side to the city as you cruise around Murano, Burano and Torcello islands by motorboat. Hop off along the way to discover the glass-making heritage of Murano, snap photos of picturesque Burano and spot landmarks like Devil's Bridge and Attila’s throne on Torcello.

If you’re looking to see most of Venice’s well-known sights all in one day, put your trust in this fun combination day tour. This package includes a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, a walking tour of the city, and a boat tour along the city’s most secluded canals. Plus, it gives you a skip-the-line privilege at Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and at St. Mark's Basilica.

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.

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.

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.

Discover Venice’s hidden gems on a 2-hour cruise through the city’s secret canals. Watch scenes of daily Venetian life as you glide through the lesser-known neighborhoods of Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and the Jewish Ghetto. A guide will share insight into the city’s history, architecture and local legends. For a grand finale, head out into the wider waters of the Grand Canal and float beneath the iconic Rialto Bridge. Numbers are limited to nine people on this small-group tour for a more intimate experience.

Experience the grandeur and history of Venice on this private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Admire the shimmering mosaics and golden altars of the city’s most famous cathedral, and see masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto as you wander through the lavish chambers of the Venetian Republic’s one-time rulers. Skip the long lines at both attractions with priority access (from April to October), so you don't waste a minute of precious vacation time.

Venture beyond the best-known attractions of Venice to explore the treasures of neighboring islands on this afternoon boat tour. Watch a glass-blowing demonstration at a workshop in Murano, admire Burano’s leaning tower and brightly painted fishermen’s homes, and set foot on the oldest settlement in the Venetian Lagoon in Torcello. Enjoy guided commentary plus time to explore each island independently, and still be back in St. Mark’s Square in time for dinner.

Discover Venice exactly the way you want to with this completely customized private tour. Your friendly local guide will create a 3-hour itinerary based on preferences you provide at booking. Whether you’re interested in architecture, local legends or Renaissance art, this tour is for you! Along the way, pop in at a local bar for a glass of regional wine and appetizers, and feel free to ask all the questions you like.

The Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica are two of Venice’s most beloved destinations, but the two landmarks can have ticket lines to match. See both landmarks with a private guide on a 2-hour tour that includes skip-the-line access, so you can make the most of your time in Venice.

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.

Discover the heart of Renaissance history with this independent day trip from Venice to Florence by high-speed train. All transportation essentials will be arranged for you, including a round-trip train ticket and a guided walking tour of Florence attractions such as the Ufizzi Gallery and the iconic red-capped Duomo.

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. 

Immerse yourself in the Italian caffè culture during this small-group culinary tour. Stroll through the neighborhoods of Castello and Cannaregio, listening to your guide's thoughtful commentary on Venice's gastronomic traditions. Taste some of the bold coffee that Italians like to linger over and a few of the city's best 'pasticcerie', or desserts. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people or fewer to ensure an intimate atmosphere and personalized attention from your guide. All tastings are included.

Discover the real Secret Venice with a native Venetian guide! The experience to live the uniqueness of the most authentic local districts. From Cannaregio, admiring its small canals and millenary legends, the tour will take you back in 1400s, learning the stories of the Venetian Republic, full of secrets and mysteries. During this exciting walk you will breathe a 100% local atmosphere, out of the beaten tracks, to admire the real life of Venice with its locals and crafts. The experience will arrive up to Rialto bridge where your guide will show the old trade center from completely a different perspective! Last but not least, an insightful exploration of San Polo where the oldest "mascareri" (creators of Carnival masks) are still working following the tradition of centuries ago. Histories, Legends and Secrets.. from the Venetian eyes!