Private Welcome to Venice Tour with St. Mark's & Gondola

5.0 (9 reviews) 3 hours Private tour

out of 5

9 reviews

5.0

Private Welcome to Venice Tour with St. Mark's & Gondola — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Private Welcome to Venice Tour with St. Mark's & Gondola, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience the best of Venice on a private tour designed as the ideal introduction to the city. With an expert local guide, explore both iconic landmarks and hidden neighborhoods. Wander through the lively Rialto Market, where Venetians still shop for fresh seafood. Admire Rialto Bridge and discover quiet canals, palaces, and charming courtyards that many visitors miss. You'll even stop by a bookstore considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world, with a stunning canal view, quirky decor, and friendly resident cats. Afterwards, soak in the lively atmosphere at St. Mark's Square before stepping into the famous Basilica itself. Enjoy a guided tour of the church and see its stunning gold mosaic ceiling. End your tour in true Venetian style with a 30-minute private gondola ride, gliding through tranquil waterways for an unforgettable view of the city. Perfect for first-time visitors, couples, or families, this experience offers the best of Venice at a relaxed, personal pace.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Gondola Cruises Water Tours Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: Walks - Italy & Spain

Ages: Adults (2–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Famous local bookstore
Included: Rialto Fish Market
Included: Gondola Ride
Included: Local English-speaking guide
Included: St. Mark's Square
Included: Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Included: Rialto Bridge
Included: Grand Canal
Included: Expertly guided walking tour
Included: Palazzo Grimani (exterior)

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Not included: Guide (during gondola ride)

Itinerary

Mercati di Rialto

one hour

Explore one of Venice’s liveliest local markets, where vendors have sold fresh seafood for generations. See how Venetians still shop and enjoy this slice of daily life.
Stop 2

Passing by

Stroll across the city’s most iconic bridge and enjoy sweeping views of the Grand Canal while your guide shares the story of Venice’s rise as a maritime power.
Castello

50 min

Continue to a peaceful neighborhood filled with quiet canals, artisan workshops, and hidden courtyards. This sestiere reveals a side of Venice that few visitors see, full of atmosphere and history.
Museo di Palazzo Grimani

Passing by

Pause to admire a unique mansion that belonged to a powerful Venetian family.
Libreria Acqua alta

10 min

One of the highlights of your guided walk is a visit to a famous bookstore that feels authentically Venetian and uses gondolas and boats for decoration. Your guide will wait for you outside, allowing you to wander the stacks of books, see the friendly cats, and admire the view of the peaceful canal.
St. Mark's Basilica

30 min Admission included

Skip the line inside St. Mark’s Basilica with your guide to admire the gold ceiling, altarpieces, and incredible artwork. At each stop, your guide will reveal how this dazzling church came to symbolize Venice’s power, devotion, and artistry.
Stop 7

30 min

After saying goodbye to your guide, conclude your experience with a serene private gondola ride through the city’s tranquil back canals, offering a timeless perspective of Venice from the water.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto).

End point

St. Mark's Square

Using your ticket

Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
Appropriate footware is advised.
Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
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.
Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.