Top Venice Shore Excursions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Venice is famous for its UNESCO-listed lagoon, but the city’s islands are also renowned for their handicrafts. This half-day cruise by private boat stops at Murano Island, to watch a thrilling glass-blowing demonstration, and Burano Island, to visit a lace-making factory.

Traverse the canals of Venice aboard a traditional gondola with your very own gondolier. Float along narrow waterways and hidden passages, admiring the beauty of one of Italy's most magical cities. Pass beneath centuries-old bridges and take in famous attractions such as St. Marks' Bell Tower and San Giorgio Island from the coziness of your flat-bottomed boat.

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.

Head outside Venice and into the countryside of the Veneto region on this tour that introduces you to prosecco—Italian sparkling wine. Learn about the production process of prosecco at a local winery and enjoy guided tastings. You also indulge in a light lunch made of local products before heading back to Venice.

Get out of Venice for the day to visit the UNESCO-listed Dolomite Mountains. Led by a driver/tour escort, visit the chic mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo and enjoy free time to explore. Then see the stunning Lake Misurina as well as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks, learning some history as you go. This small-group tour is reserved for up eight people to keep the experience as intimate as possible. Please note: From November 15th until the Tre Cime di Lavaredo re-opens this tour will visit Braies Lake and San Candido and substitute with Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Misurina. From November 23rd to January 6th you'll also visit the San Candido Christmas Market.

Explore Venice without the hassle of researching or planning on a food tour with multiple food and alcoholic beverage tastings, from fresh mozzarella to prosecco. Booking a private tour ensures the full attention of your guide, who provides little-known facts about Venice’s history and robust food scene as well as recommendations for the duration of your visit. A range of departure times is available for your convenience.

Skip the lines at Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace and opt a shared guided tour instead. Then, enjoy the quintessential Venice experience—a gondola ride through the city’s canals and waterways. Your ticket also includes access to several landmarks surrounding Saint Mark’s Square, as well as access to a mobile app that provides commentary to a walking tour of the city at your own pace.

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.

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.

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.

There’s much more to Italian food than pizza and pasta, and this Venice tasting tour offers a delicious introduction to Venetian cuisine. Get an insider’s perspective on where to drink and dine in the city, and sample an array of local specialties including fresh seafood, homemade gelato, traditional Venetian cookies, and regional wines.

Embark on a quintessential Venetian experience with a private, serenaded gondola ride through the famed canals of Venice. Glide past ancient palazzi and magnificent cathedrals on a traditional handcrafted gondola, while musicians serenade you with mood-setting Italian ballads. Gondolas have room for up to four passengers, so it’s the perfect opportunity for romance or an unforgettable family experience.

Explore the famous sites and hidden charms of Venice on this walking tour, followed by a ride through the city’s canals on an iconic gondola. Follow your local guide through a romantic maze of surrounding backstreets to discover some of Venice’s lesser-known gems. Learn the fascinating history of Venice as you wander through narrow alleys and over stone footbridges, and then hop aboard a Venetian gondola for a leisurely ride along the Grand Canal.

See the best of Venice in a day on a tour that combines a guided walk with a cruise along the bustling Grand Canal. Hear the history of St. Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge from a guide, and visit St. Mark’s Basilica with a skip-the-line ticket to beat the long admission lines. Discover the tucked-away treasures of Venice’s backstreets and charming canals, and then finish on a high note: a water taxi cruise on the Grand Canal.

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!

Treat your partner to a romantic evening in Venice with a private gondola ride followed by a traditional Italian meal at a charming Venetian restaurant. A private gondolier will guide you through the picturesque canals of Venice where you’ll take in such sights as the Barbarigo Palace and the Accademia Bridge. Then you'll enjoy a traditional, multi-course Italian meal at a lovely Venetian restaurant.

Kayak through the historic canals of Venice on this eco-adventure tour. Following your expert kayaking guide, paddle through the canals that are known as the arteries of Venice. Learn about the history and culture of the Italian city through your guides' commentary while getting a unique aquatic perspective. Participants of all levels are welcome; no kayaking experience is necessary. Instruction and use of all equipment is included.

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.

Book a shared Venice Link arrival transfer from Marco Polo Airport to your Venice hotel, and enjoy a stress-free start to your trip. It’s a simple, cost-effective boat transfer that’s available through the week.