Top Venice Historical 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.

Explore the intricacies of two famed Italian handicrafts with a day trip from Venice to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano. Watch centuries-old glassblowing techniques in Murano, and marvel at the detailed stitches of exquisite Burano lace. Your knowledgeable guide will share the history of these two artisan islands while you visit local workshops and wander the picturesque streets.

Explore Venice's famous canals on a guided gondola ride through the city. Meander beneath bridges and along quiet, peaceful stretches in a traditional Venetian boat, taking in sights such as the Rialto Bridge and Campo Manin as you go. Join up to five others—along with your expert gondolier—in enjoying one of Venice's most leisurely and original pastimes, and don't miss this chance to experience the Grand Canal from the water.

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.

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.

Discover three of the most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon on a private, half-day tour aboard a typical Venetian motorboat. See where the world’s finest blown glass is made in Murano, visit the home of artisan lace makers and famous biscuits in Burano and set foot on Venice’s oldest settlements in serene Torcello. Enjoy a customizable itinerary and the personalized attention of a private boat captain.

Enjoy the best of Venice on this guided walking tour plus skip-the-line entry to the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica. Explore the best that the canal city has to offer, winding your way through narrow alleys, and see Venice's top attractions.

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.

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.

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.

Discover a different side of Venice away from the crowds on this 4-hour bike tour through the countryside. Travel outside the city with a guide and small group to cycle through charming villages and along beautiful country roads. Follow the Brenta River, passing historic estates like Villa Foscari in Malcontenta and the former summer homes of the Venetian Doges, and soak up local culture with a lunch stop in the town of Doro.

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.

Venice is full of historic landmarks and romantic views but it can be a challenge to get younger children excited about sightseeing. This private tour is specially designed for families, so you can visit sights such as Campo San Bartolomeo, the Marco Polo house, and the Rialto Bridge, and keep the kids amused with entertaining commentary and fun activities.

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.

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.

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.

See the magnificent St. Mark's Basilica with one of the most in-depth guided tours of the Byzantine jewel. Enjoy skip-the-line access to avoid the often-long queues outside the cathedral. Learn about the incredible history behind St. Mark's from a knowledgeable guide during this 1-hour tour. See the treasures inside the basilica, including the Golden Pall and the altar.

Tour the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the seat of political power in Venice throughout several centuries, with a guide's engaging commentary. Then, wrap up your tour with tickets to three other area museums (Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana), as well as an optional Murano Island glass factory tour.

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.

Saint Marks Basilica and the Doges Palace are two landmarks rarely left off any Venice Itinerary, but their popularity means that visitors often spend more time queuing outside than exploring inside. Visit both on this 4-hour tour, including skip-the-line entrance and a walking tour of romantic Venice.

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!

Breeze past the crowds with your own private guide and enjoy a walking tour of Venice with just your friends or family. You’ll have all of your questions answered while you stroll to St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and more. Or customize your half-day tour with shopping and sightseeing.

Visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace in Venice without having to wait in line on this 2.5-hour walking tour. Enjoy skip-the-line entrance and a guided tour of Doge’s Palace, explore the palaces and museums of St. Mark’s Square at your own pace, then enjoy an optional cruise to visit a glass factory on Murano Island.

Discover the golden mosaics, soaring domes and iconic architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica on a 1-hour guided tour of the cathedral. Learn about the history and culture of Venice through the treasures inside the Byzantine landmark, and hear the story of how St. Mark's body came to rest in the city. See how the unique building combines Eastern and Western architecture, and stand before the stunning Pala d’Oro altar, which glimmers with gold, gems and precious stones.

Soak up the best of Venice by land and by water in one convenient half-day package. Tour inside the splendid Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica with a guide, discover the ancient art of glassblowing with a live demonstration, and glide through the city’s famous canals on a romantic gondola ride. Later, continue exploring at your own pace with an included ticket to the Procuratie museums of St. Mark’s Square and a self-guided tour using a special smartphone app to navigate through the city’s maze-like heart.

St. Mark's Basilica is one of Venice’s most visited attractions and this skip-the-line tour ensures you don’t waste any time queuing outside. Enjoy priority access and a 1-hour guided walking tour of the Golden Basilica, followed by an optional cruise to visit a glass factory on Murano Island.

Enjoy another side of Venice with a guided motor-boat tour through the Venetian Lagoon, with stops at Murano, Torcello and Burano islands. Journey past a stunning 16th-century church, Lido beach resort, and Venice's stunning Public Gardens en route to Murano, known for its rich, centuries-old glassmaking history. Explore one of its factories, then set out for Burano, often regarded as one of the world's most colorful cities. Afterward, make a stop on Torcello, a peaceful, less-populated island where you'll find a series of exquisite Byzantine mosaics in a 7th-century cathedral. 

Learn about Venice's history and culture on this kid-friendly private tour. Over the course of the tour in the canal-filled city, avoid long lines and dry historical commentary. Walk over the Rialto Bridge, visit the Basilica di San Marco, and stroll through bustling local marketplaces. This private tour is totally customizable and ensures personalized attention for your family.

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.

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. 

Beneath Venice’s waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches lies an underground crypt filled with skulls and a mysterious painted skeleton. This walking tour takes you into the depths beneath Venice, where your guide will show you the hidden tomb—complete with religious frescoes and dark recesses. Then, explore two Venetian districts and learn about the city’s dark history of curses, revenge, and mysterious apparitions.

Cruise around the Venetian islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello on this daytime cruise. After leaving the city, you'll pass San Giorgio Maggiore on the way to Murano, an island known for its artisan glass. Visit one of the glass factories, then cruise onward to Burano where candy-colored fishermen houses and the famous Burano lace await. Your final visit is to the nearby island of Torcello, where you'll have free time to visit its striking cathedral.

Our tour is designed and created directly by us, gondoliers, we know this city like our own pockets and we want to offer the opportunity to show the most hidden and exclusive corners that only on board a gondola can be admired. We care about our city and our canals, we want to share it with all of you. Passengers on board from St. Mark's Area will enjoy the wonders of the small canals within the city, being lulled by the harmony of the water and the stunning view of this city-museum. Symbol of elegance, tradition and discovery, the gondola will alow to admire majestic architectural masterpieces overlooking the water and beautiful views, from an unprecedented view. Enjoy a shared gondola ride for up to 6 people. Are you ready to let yourself be lulled by the rocking of the water and immerse yourself in the magic of Venice? PLEASE BE AT THE MEETING POINT 20 MINUTES EARLIER

The banks of the Grand Canal have over 170 buildings, so exploring this area on a guided tour can sometimes feel rushed. This self-guided tour is ideal for travelers who like to discover a city at their own pace. You’ll avoid timetables and strict itineraries, and instead explore Venice at a time and speed that suits you. You can listen to the tour content easily by downloading a mobile app, and a boat ticket is included too.

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.

This self-guided audio tour gives you the insight of a guided tour with the flexibility of independent exploration. Skip the lines to enter the Palazzo Ducale and Saint Mark’s Basilica and explore them at your own pace.