Gondola Ride & Venice Walking Tour
Discover hidden Venice on a 2.5-hour tour, explore Palazzo Contarini and enjoy a serene gondola ride
Finding the perfect blend of a walking tour and a gondola ride is rare but this experience offers both in one unforgettable adventure. Escape the crowds and discover a more intimate side of Venice with an off-the-beaten-path journey through hidden alleys and lesser-known treasures, such as the renowned La Fenice Theatre and Chiesa di San Moisè. Led by an expert guide, you'll uncover fascinating stories not found in guidebooks, before finishing with a gondola ride through Venice’s quieter canals.
What You Get With This Tour
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Professional English-speaking guide
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1.5 hour guided walking tour
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Hidden streets
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30-minute shared gondola ride
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Audio commentary on gondola
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Maximum group size of 15
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Guide gratuities
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Hotel pickup
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Food and drinks
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meeting Point in Campo San Gallo
Meet your expert guide a few steps away from Piazza San Marco. -
2
Guided walking tour
Begin your journey through Venice's charming hidden corners, discovering secret gems and lesser-known sights off the beaten path. -
3
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Visit the famous palace with its iconic spiral staircase, a true Venetian masterpiece, and learn about its history and unique architecture. -
4
Calle degli Avvocati & Calle degli Orbi
Wander through these quaint narrow streets, where you’ll discover Venice’s authentic beauty and hear fascinating stories of its past. -
5
Teatro La Fenice
Admire the grandeur of Venice’s renowned opera house and hear the history behind one of the most celebrated venues for music and performance in Italy. -
6
Chiesa di San Moisè
Pass by this beautiful baroque church, known for its intricate design and ornate artwork, offering a glimpse into Venice’s rich artistic heritage. -
7
Gondola Ride
End your walking tour with a peaceful 30-minute gondola ride, gliding through Venice’s iconic canals. -
8
Grand Canal
Ride along the Grand Canal, pass under the Bridge of Sighs, and enjoy views of the serene Bacino di San Marco. -
9
Ending Point
Your tour concludes back at the starting point in Campo San Gallo.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Accessibility: Unfortunately, due to the areas visited, this small group tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. If you have other mobility concerns, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to assist you.
Dress Code: Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.
Please Note: The gondola ride is shared with up to 5 people and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time.
Your 2.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
1.5-hour guided walking tour of Venice
30-minute shared gondola ride
Audio commentary on the gondola
Explore hidden gems like Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and the Chiesa di San Moisè
Maximum group size of 15
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Camera
Customer Reviews
Our guide was absolutely wonderful. We learned so much more than we could from trying to find all these places by ourselves, even if we knew where they were. The historical insights were great, as well as the information about salt water damage to Venice, flood mitigation, preserving St. Mark's and other pressing matters. I highly recommend this tour.
I would give this 3.5 if i could. This tour was a good experience. I enjoyed that we got to see more of the neighborhoods and learned a bit more about the area. However, my complaint is that it did not actually follow what was on the list. One of the reasons I signed up for this tour was because it included some of the sights that we had not yet seen, and we did not see them at all. It was the end of our time in Venice, so we didn't have time to go see them. That was very disappointing. Further, we spent too much time between the tour and the Gondola ride. We had to waste over 30 minutes sitting outside of the tour office waiting (we could have gone see the missed spots instead). We should have gone straight into the ride, or even started with it. The 3D experience before the gondola ride was unnecessary and a waste of time. Last, the gondola ride didn't include what was listed either. We went from the Grand Canal, which is too busy. We also had to walk quite a bit to get there, where we could have gone from 1 of the 10 spots we passed on the way there. I don't think I would recommend again unless it was actually run by The Tour Guy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Please bring a valid ID document matching the name provided at the time of the booking. We also recommend wearing comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a good camera and umbrella in case of rain.
What to bring?
Please bring a valid ID document matching the name provided at the time of the booking. We also recommend wearing comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a good camera and umbrella in case of rain.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, this tour is operated by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Venice.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, due to the areas visited, this small group tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. If you have other mobility concerns, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to assist you.
Is there any chance my tour might be canceled?
In rare cases when the tour is canceled, we will inform you as soon as possible. The tour does not operate during exceptional high tides, but in such cases, it can be rescheduled for the next day, or a refund will be provided.
Can I bring my pet?
No, pets are not allowed on this tour.
What happens if it rains?
The tour runs rain or shine. However, in cases of extreme weather, the itinerary may be adjusted, or the tour may be rescheduled or refunded.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
No, food is not included in the price of this tour, and we recommend bringing water with you. Your guide will be happy to point you in the direction of restaurants and bars after the tour.
Can I bring my kids and do I have to pay for them?
Children are welcome on this tour. Children under 2 years old can join the tour for free. Please note that strollers are not always accessible on this tour, and infants must not sit on laps due to limited seating.
How many people share a gondola, and how long does the ride last?
The gondola ride is shared with up to 5 people and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Does this tour include hotel pickup?
No hotel pickup is not included on this tour. You will meet your guide at the designated meeting point.





