Welcome to Venice: Walking Tour, St. Mark's Basilica & Gondola Ride

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Highlights

  • Learn the secrets and history of the Rialto Bridge.

  • Row down the hidden canals of Venice in a gondola.

  • See the Rialto Market and learn about Venetian cuisine.

  • Discover the house where Marco Polo lived.

  • Skip the line at St. Mark’s Basilica

Summary

Learn the history of Venice on a small group walking tour. Skip the line at St. Mark’s Basilica, and finally enjoy a gondola ride down some of the enchanting canals of the city center. 

Tour info

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
20
Pricing (From)
Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€74.00
Child (2-14): (2-14 years)
€69.00
Infant (0-1): (0-1 years)
€0.00
See all pricing
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

Campo San Giacomo di Rialto 255, Venice, 30100, IT

Dropoff location

Piazza San Marco, 52, Venice, IT, 30124, IT

Why take this tour?

A first-timer to Venice, or don’t know where to begin your explorations? Over the course of this small-group tour, experience many of the city’s top highlights: see the Rialto Bridge, visit St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica, and enjoy a relaxing gondola ride. You also explore areas of the city that many tour groups miss, from the sestiere of Cannaregio to the Rialto Fish Market. 

Discover the magic of Venice on foot and by water on a combined walking tour and gondola ride. Explore the city center with a local guide, marvel at the inside of St. Mark’s Basilica, and then take a ride down the canals on the city’s famous mode of transport. 
  
Meet near the Rialto Bridge and learn why it was initially considered a very bad idea to build it. Take a quick look at the Rialto Fish Market to learn about the long fishing history of the city and its famous cuisine. Get a couple of restaurant recommendations from your local guide! 
  
Continue to the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio, home to some of the city’s hidden gems. Discover the house where Marco Polo once lived, and go to the unique Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. See a remarkable statue by Verocchio on the Campo San Giovanni and Paolo, where you will also see a variety of typical Venetian architectural styles. Meander through hidden alleyways, and hear tales of the city’s past. 
 
Learn what it is like to live on the island today as you walk to St. Mark’s Square. Look inside St. Mark’s Basilica for a better understanding of how Venice built a mercantile empire that once spanned the entire Mediterranean. Gaze at exquisite mosaics and other treasures inside and hear how the city begged, borrowed and stole to grow from a tiny island to one of the biggest powers in the medieval world. 
  
Your guide will then leave you to enjoy a 30-minute (approximately) gondola ride with a professional gondolier. Limited to only 5 people per gondola, this experience will be both intimate and relaxing. Punt through the quieter canals of Venice as you relax and enjoy the city at its best! 
 

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What’s included?

  • Local English-speaking guide

  • Expertly guided walking tour

  • Skip the line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica

  • Gondola Ride

  • Headset

  • Gratuities

  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

  • Guide (during gondola ride)

Things to know

Before you book

  • Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.

  • Sites visited on this tour occasionally close due to holy days, high tides, and/or flooding. If time permits, we will notify you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time. If a site closes, you will tour the exterior of the site.

  • During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.

  • The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.

  • Due to the religious nature of the Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf or shawl is acceptable. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.

  • Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

Before you go

  • This tour is in English.

  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

  • This tour meets 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.

  • If you cannot join your tour (running late, etc.) please contact us. We may be able to reschedule your tour (with an amendment fee) depending on availability.

  • Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.

  • Due to the religious nature of sites on this tour, all individuals (regardless of gender) must cover their shoulders and knees. It is acceptable to bring extra coverings to put on just before entering a holy site. Walks cannot be responsible for anyone denied entry.

  • Sites visited on this tour occasionally close due to holy days, high tides, and/or flooding. If time permits, we will notify you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time. If a site closes, you will tour the exterior of the site.

  • During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.

  • Large bags and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.

  • The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.

  • Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

Covid Policy

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

Cancellation Policy

    Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.

Redemption information

    Mobile tickets will be accepted
    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

Pricing

PRICING VALID FOR HIGH SEASON MONTHS

Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€79.00
Child (2-14): (2-14 years)
€75.00
Infant (0-1): (0-1 years)
€0.00

PRICING VALID FOR LOW SEASON MONTHS

Adult (15+): (15-99 years)
€74.00
Child (2-14): (2-14 years)
€69.00
Infant (0-1): (0-1 years)
€0.00
Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.

Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...

Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.

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