Venice Canal Cruise: 2-Hour Grand Canal and Secret Canals Semi-Private tour

See the quieter side of Venice with this small-group canal cruise. Make your way to the departure point near St Mark’s Square to meet your guide and board a comfortable motorboat. Enjoy the quiet charm of Venetian backstreets and observe canal-side scenes of daily life.

Pass through the gates of Porta dell’Acqua to enter Venice’s 12th-century shipyard known as the Arsenale. Learn how this historic naval depot was once among the greatest in Europe during Venice’s reign as a maritime superpower. 

Next, glide through the narrow, picturesque canals of the Cannaregio neighborhood and make your way to Venice’s Jewish Ghetto. Disembark here for 15-20 minutes to explore the historic quarters by foot and capture photos of the centuries-old buildings that surround the main square.

Continue on by boat to the neighborhoods of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro, and pass a traditional gondola workshop where craftspeople carefully carve and finish these classic Venetian vessels by hand.

Finally, make your way out into the wider waters of the Grand Canal for a cruise past the opulent squares and churches that line its banks. Float beneath the famous Rialto Bridge before returning to the original departure point near St Mark’s Square.

• Hear live commentary about Venice's history, architecture, and legends
• Visit hidden waterways in picturesque districts as well as the Grand Canal
• Have time to stop for photo ops at key locations
• Small-group boat tour with a maximum of 9 people

Benefit from a small-group motorboat tour of Venice that accesses secret canals that most visitors miss. Hear live commentary from your guide as you glide through lesser-known neighborhoods such as Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, and the Jewish Ghetto, then cruise out to the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge to top off your sightseeing tour. Travel with a small group limited to nine participants, which allows for a more personalized experience.

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tour is not suitable for people in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties as passengers are required to step down onto the boat when boarding. The variation of the level of tides can make the vessel unstable
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Boats are partly covered and partly uncovered – In the open area there is room for 8/9 people "normal size"
During high water, the tour will take place, but it might happen we have to partly adapt the tour to the weather conditions
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Most travelers can participate
All passengers pay the same rate irrespectively from their age
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers