Hidden Canals - Private Venice Boat Tour
Uncover the real Venice as you explore secret gardens, local neighborhoods, and sail the Grand Canal
Exploring Venice’s hidden canals and vibrant neighborhoods is something most visitors never get to experience on their own. Relax aboard your private boat as a friendly local guide shows you the true lifeblood of the city. Pass by famous residences, discover stunning secret gardens, and glide through Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto. End with a leisurely cruise along the famous Grand Canal, blending Venice’s renowned landmarks with its best-kept secrets for a truly unique adventure.
What You Get With This Tour
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Peer behind Venice’s closed doors
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Private luxury boat
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Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Secret garden tour
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Grand Canal and local canal cruise
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Private group experience
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide at your hotel
Your tour begins with a luxury pick-up directly from your hotel's water landing or the nearest reachable pier. Meet your private guide and step aboard a polished boat to begin your journey through the historic lagoon city. -
2
Cruise the majestic Grand Canal
Next, navigate the Grand Canal, the city's main artery, which served as the prestigious address for wealthy Venetian families for centuries. View the stunning façades of 170 palaces while learning about the architectural transition from the 13th to the 17th centuries. -
3
Explore the winding hidden canals
Then, your captain turns off the busy main waterway into the narrow, quiet canals where Venetians have traveled by gondola for generations. You will see the historic homes of the explorer Marco Polo and the master painter Tintoretto while watching local life unfold. -
4
Discover a Venetian secret garden
Next, step off the boat to visit a secluded garden, a rare green space hidden behind high brick walls. Venice is home to many secret gardens. These private oases offer a peaceful respite from the stone-heavy streets and provide a glimpse into tucked away pristine landscaping. -
5
Walk through the Jewish Ghetto
Next, explore the Cannaregio district and the world's oldest Ghetto, established in 1516 on a walking tour. Your guide will explain the origins of the neighborhood and the word itself while you admire the beautiful facade of the Levantine Synagogue. -
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Your tour finishes at your hotel
Finally, your private boat returns you to your accommodation or another convenient pier in central Venice. You will leave with a better understanding of the city's waterways and the history of its most famous former residents.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. If you have any mobility concerns please contact us in advance.
Please note: The itinerary of a private tour can be adjusted to your needs. Please reach out if you do not see a start time that fits for your party. We would be happy to check with our ticketing team to see if we can accommodate you.
Hotel: Please contact us with the name of your hotel after booking so we can coordinate your pick up and drop off.
Weather Advisory: Being an island and subject to problems related to high water, the boat tour cannot be guaranteed due to force majeure. We will be in touch if there are any weather concerns.
Dress code: During your walking tour you may enter churches, please come prepared with something to cover your shoulders and knees.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 3-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Private luxury boat tour of the Grand Canal and local canals
Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Venice
Guided Walking tour of Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto
Visit at least one secret garden (not usually open to the public)
Private group experience
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Camera
Water bottle
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Customer Reviews
Nothing flashy, just a thoughtful tour through hidden canals. The slower pace allowed us to observe architecture and local details we would have otherwise missed.
The quiet waterways offered a calmer view of Venice. The slow pace made it easy to appreciate details and understand how the canals shape daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Remember to bring water and wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking for part of this tour of Venice.
I'm trying to book, but I don't see any availability. Help?
If you are trying to book up to two weeks in advance, the website will show no availability. However, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
I have doubts about my mobility. Is this the right tour for me?
If you have reduced mobility, it's a good idea to take this private Venice tour. The itinerary is much more flexible and easily modified than a small group tour.
What should I wear?
Since this tour includes churches, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Venice are hot so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
How many people are allowed to book this tour as one group?
If you are a larger group with more than 10 participants, let us know prior to booking. There may be additional charges because we will need more than one boat.
How do I know if my hotel in Venice will work for a boat pick-up?
Ask your hotel for the name of the nearest dock or just reach out to us and we'll let you know. If your hotel doesn't have a dock, we'll set a central meeting point for you.
What to bring?
Remember to bring water and wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking for part of this tour of Venice.
