Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride
Join a personalized guide to discover St. Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge, and Venice's hidden gems
Venice’s timeless beauty deserves to be seen without the stress of navigating it alone. With your private guide, use pre-reserved tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica, stroll through the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, and admire the iconic Rialto Bridge. End your tour with a peaceful gondola ride through the canals, offering a quiet perspective of the city. This carefully crafted experience lets you enjoy the best of Venice with a private guide, at a pace that’s all your own.
What You Get With This Tour
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Glide through romantic secret canals
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Pre-reserved St. Mark's Basilica tickets & tour
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Guided walking tour of Rialto Bridge
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Private 30-minute gondola ride
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Private group experience
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Guide tips
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Food and drink
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins in St. Mark's Square
Your tour begins between the two giant stone columns on the south side of St Mark's Square near the waterfront. Meet your personal guide in this historic 9th-century piazza, which serves as the grand social and political hub of Venice. -
2
Admire the glittering Church of Gold
Next, enter St Mark's Basilica with pre-reserved tickets for an immersive look at this Byzantine masterpiece. Gaze up at 85,000 square feet of luminous gold mosaics and view ancient treasures brought from Constantinople centuries ago. -
3
Walk the historic Rialto neighborhood
Then, wander away from the main crowds into the winding alleys and open squares of the Rialto district. Your guide will share stories of local life while pointing out architectural wonders like the spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. -
4
Photograph the iconic Grand Canal
Next, climb the steps of the famous Rialto Bridge, the oldest structure spanning the main waterway. Look out over the bustling traffic of vaporettos and traditional watercraft from the peak of the 24-foot stone arch. -
5
Finish the tour on a private traditional gondola
Finally, your tour finishes at a nearby canal dock where you will step into a classic Venetian wooden boat. Relax during a quiet 30-minute private cruise through peaceful residential waterways before concluding your experience back near the main square.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women to enter St. Mark’s Basilica; entry may not be permitted otherwise. Please avoid wearing sandals, hats, shorts, skirts, or tops that expose your shoulders.
ID Requirement: A valid government-issued ID is required for entrance to St. Mark's Basilica. The name on your ticket (entered at check-out) must match the name on your ID, or you may be refused entry.
Accessibility: As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be accommodated to for most mobility concerns. Please reach out to us to make the proper arrangements. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the boat, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Weather Advisory: Being an island and subject to problems related to high water, the gondola or boat tour cannot be guaranteed due to force majeure. If this occurs, you will be notified as soon as possible.
Bag Policy: Large backpacks or bags aren’t allowed inside the attractions, please leave them at your accommodation.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 2.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Pre-reserved entry tickets to St Mark's Basilica
Guided walking tour of St Mark's Square and Rialto neighborhood
30-minute private gondola ride
Private group experience
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Comfortable shoes
Camera
Covering for knees and shoulders
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Customer Reviews
The walking pace was comfortable and the tour felt smooth allowing enough time to enjoy views listen to stories and feel relaxed throughout the experience.
Walking through open streets and calm areas helped me enjoy Venice without stress. This walk made my day in Venice simple calm and happy.
This tour left me with lasting joy and appreciation for Venice that stayed with me long after it ended.
Irene helped me see Venice differently through clear explanations and thoughtful details.
The stories helped me connect with Venice in a simple human way that felt warm and genuine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Walking shoes and something to cover your knees and shoulders for St. Mark's Basilica. Sunscreen and a water bottle in the summer are also recommended.
What should I wear?
Since St. Mark's is a sacred place, 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 - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, you'll be walking plenty on this tour of Venice.
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this private excursion welcomes families and can easily be adapted to keep children engaged as you explore the canals and historic squares.
What to bring?
Walking shoes and something to cover your knees and shoulders for St. Mark's Basilica. Sunscreen and a water bottle in the summer are also recommended.
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.
I'm trying to book but I don't see any availability. What should I do?
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.
