Exclusive Private Venice Jewish Ghetto Tour
Description
Exclusive Private Jewish Ghetto Tour Discover the oldest Jewish Ghetto in the world on a walking tour led by a licensed local guide with special authorization from the Jewish Community This is a must-do tour in Venice and the most in-depth Jewish Ghetto experience you can book. It perfectly blends essential history that should never be forgotten with hidden symbols, local stories, and charming corners you won’t find in guidebooks. We’ll walk through the heart of the Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio, where you’ll learn why the Serenissima Republic confined the Jews here, the strict rules they lived under and how they preserved their identity for centuries. Along the way, you’ll uncover fascinating details known mostly by local sand even learn why the word “ghetto” comes from a Venetian term If you want to truly understand the real Venice, beyond the crowds and clichés, this tour is for you. Optional synagogue visits for an immersive, meaningful, experience, one of Venice’s hidden highlights
Tour Options
Itinerary
Let's start with an incredible view and the intro of our tour. The history of the Jewish Ghetto of Venice is quite complex, I will help you to have a better understanding of this place starting from the past to the daily life of nowadaysThe Jewish Ghetto tour of Venice is the right mix between the history that everyone should remember, hidden symbols, curiosities, details in a charming area of the Venice off the beaten paths! Explore Cannaregio, a lesser-known but magnificent corner of Venice with a private walking tour of the historical Jewish Ghetto of Venice, the first one of the world. Learn why and where the Serenissima forced to live Jewish residents under strict rules for centuries. I will show you the symbols of the ghettos and I’ll explain you the secrets of this area! Furthermore I’ll show you highlights and hidden gems of the northern part of Venice and why not… let’s taste together a local traditional Jewish cake. Highlights: – discover the origin of the word “ghetto” – How looked like this area during the Republic ? – Why Venice created the 1st Jewish Ghetto of the world? – Let’s discuss about the WW2 in Venice We can end this unique tour by enjoying a glass of wine from my favorite "bacaro" in Venice or tasting the best gelato in Venice. If you have any special requests, please let me know because this tour can be 100% tailored to your wishes.
Let's reach one of the three gates for entering to the ancient ghetto of Venice.
Let's wander to Ghetto Vecchio (The so called old but... new Jewish Ghetto of Venice) and discover the Venetian origins of the word "ghetto". It is so surprising, trust me! We can try to speak a little bit of Venetian together discovering the highlights of this living part of the Ghetto. See two historic Sephardic Synagogues and hear the stories behind these must-see buildings. The other three Synagogues are located on the Ghetto Novo (the oldest area of the ghetto of Venice) If you want to add the synagogues inside please contact me! I can run tours inside them but the entrance is not always possible. Take a breath and admire the "skyscrapers" of Venice, why they are here? How was it possible? We will discover all the secrets of these buildings
We will wander through the oldest Jewish Ghetto in the world. Hear local stories and find out how these Venetians lived under oppression Find out about and view Stolpersteine (stumbling blocks) of the area, as I explain how the Holocaust has left a deep mark on Venice. We will speak about the incredible people used to live here and you will discover the links to the history of nowadays. We will see (from ouside) three ancient synagogues and the Holocaust monuments, special wells and the Chabad of Venice. If you want to add the visit to the synagogues please contact me.
We say goodbye and end our tour in a beloved part of Venice and of the local Cannaregio district. Now we can unwind and enjoy Venice!
Final stop, it is time to say goodbye. I'll give you all info and tips to keep on discovering the incredible Venice even without me but let's keep in touch!
- ON REQUEST, not included in the standard tour - The Jewish Museum at the moment is closed but we can add the synagogues inside (I have the licence to run tours inside them). In case, if you want to add them contact me because these are available only some days and times. luciaveniceguide@gmail.com Entrance tickets not included
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Reviews(44)
We spent 2 days with Lucia. She was very informative and clearly very well educated. Day #1 we toured the Palazzo Ducale which was absolutely incredible. It rivals the Sistine Chapel with its hundreds of paintings on walls, ceilings, even some floors. She gave us very detailed descriptions of all areas. Day #2 we did a walking tour of several Venice neighborhoods. She knew the alleys and roads very well so we got to see much of Venice. Lucia really is a special guide. We highly recommend her. It’s well worth it and you will not be disappointed. We felt this was by far the best way to learn about Venice.
Lucia was a phenomenal guide! She was so well prepared and clearly very well educated. We had an incredible private tour of the Palazzo Ducale, an absolute marvel that rivals the Sistine Chapel. Not to be missed. Then the next day we went on a walking tour of several of the neighborhoods in Venice. Lucia knew every nook and cranny. We learned so much about this beautiful ancient city. We highly recommend Lucia. She was wonderful!! Thank you, Lucia, for two wonderful days!!
We loved our private tour with Lucia. She was very informative and managed to keep our teenagers’ attention the entire time. Highly recommend!
We were lucky to happen upon a guided visit as nowadays that is the only way to visit. Our guide Sylvia made our visit interesting and very informative. We leant the history of the Ghetto and Venice and also cultural information while we visited the synagogues
We spent two wonderful days in Venice with Lucia Bondetti as our guide, and she was exceptional. Extremely knowledgeable about both the city’s history and modern life, engaging, warm, and incredibly accommodating. She made Venice come alive for us. An 11 out of 10 experience! Highly recommended.
Lucia is a wonderful guide. She is able to explain with the perfect amount of detail, and allowed us to see so much and learn so much within our two hour time. We went with our six year old and five month old, and she managed with the children beautifully. We are very happy with our experience.
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! I’m happy you had a beautiful time with me, it was a pleasure meeting you and I had a great time with you as well! My best wishes for everything! Best regards, Lucia Bondetti
Lucia has a vast knowledge of Italian history and the jewish community of Venice. The tour was super interesting and the group was small. Highly recommended!!!
Thank you for your review! I am so happy you had a nice time on your tour with me! I hope to see you back to Venice soon!
Lucia is a passionate Guide, very competent, inserted in the context that enchants you with details and anecdotes. Time together flew, a precious time that made us more aware. It reveals an “unexpected” Venice.
Thank you so so much for your beautiful words, you made me extremely happy! I’m glad you had a great time with me and I hope you enjoyed the rest of Venice a lot! It was a pleasure meeting you and hope it will happen again soon! Best regards, Lucia Bondetti Lucia Venice Walks and Tours
An amazing tour! Lucia was very friendly, fun and personable. Her passion and knowledge of Venetian History and the Jewish Ghettos were outstanding. We highly recommend Lucia as your guide!
Thank you so so much for your beautiful review, it made me super happy! I had a great time during the experience and it was an absolute pleasure meeting you. I wish you all the best for the future! Best regards, Lucia Bondetti
My husband and a friend of ours toured the Jewish Ghetto and Doge's Palace with Lucia in early December. The tour was incredibly meaningful. You could really feel just how important the ghetto is to her, both from a historical perspective and by her deep love of the vibrant community of people that live and work there today. Her passion for the city was contagious and made our time with her so special. This day was truly one we will never forget. Lucia, thank you so much for sharing your city.
