Venice Art Walking Tour with Gondola Ride
Description
Discover the magic of Venice in 3 unforgettable hours. Start your day with a guided walking tour through hidden alleys, charming squares & iconic spots like the Rialto Bridge. Then relax aboard a 30-minute gondola ride through scenic canals — a truly Venetian experience! Led by a licensed English-speaking guide and limited to a small group, this tour is the perfect mix of culture, history, and atmosphere. A great way to explore the city’s highlights in a short time. HAVE MORE TIME? UPGRADE YOUR DAY! Choose the Full Venice Upgrade to enjoy the full 7-hour experience. After your morning tour, continue in the afternoon with skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica, including exclusive access to the stunning basilica terraces. You’ll dive deeper into Venice’s political and religious heart. Select the correct option at checkout for the full experience. Please note that for the Upgrade option, two meeting points (still at St Mark's) to be reached at your own pace.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Doge’s Palace is an impressive structure composed of layers of building elements and ornamentation, from its 14th and 15th century original foundations to the significant Renaissance and opulent Mannerist adjunctions. The structure is made up of three large blocks, incorporating previous constructions.
The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most famous and photographed symbols of Venice. Just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square, it connects the Doge’s Palace to the New Prisons. Known today as the "bridge of love," it was originally the bridge that prisoners crossed before being locked in the Venetian prisons, where they would sigh at the sight of the outside world and the last glimpse of sunlight. According to popular tradition, the name "Bridge of Sighs" was first used by the English poet Lord Byron.
St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, is the principal public square in Venice and one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Known for its stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere, the square is surrounded by some of Venice’s most famous buildings, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile (bell tower), and the Doge’s Palace. The square is often bustling with tourists and locals alike, drawn to its cafes, live orchestras, and historic charm. Its grand open space, lined with elegant arcades, serves as a focal point for events and celebrations. The square’s unique setting near the Venetian Lagoon adds to its allure, especially during high tides when it can become partially flooded, creating the famous "acqua alta" effect with reflective waters.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We are sorry to inform you that pets are not permitted on our tours
- 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
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
Reviews(24)
The tour was nice. There were issues hearing our guide. Going on a Gondola Ride was pleasant.
Wonderful overview of Venice
Great experience, guide was extremely knowledgeable!
This was fantastic. We learned much of the history.
Amazing experience, the tour guide led greatly and it didn’t last long enough
This tour was absolutely fantastic! Davide was a real gem, a fountain of knowledge full of quirky humor. We loved every second. Highly recommend.
Our guide was fantastic, walked us through the streets highlighting the history of Venice. Would definitely recommend
Dear Kim, Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring the streets of Venice with our guide — sharing the city’s unique history is what we love most. We’re passionate about offering authentic and memorable experiences, and we’re thrilled this tour met your expectations. We’d love to welcome you again on another guided tour or cooking class in our Towns of Italy destinations! Warm regards, The Towns of Italy Team
Simonette was very knowledgeable and upbeat. We had a wonderful tour and would highly recommend. She was friendly, flexible, knowledgeable, and upbeat.
I was disappointed with the tour especially for the price. It felt disorganized and was not an actual art tour- we got a few facts about the city at the beginning but it was more so just walking around the town with random stops to look at buildings along the way. The gondola ride was supposed to be 30 minutes but was shorter. Overall I didn’t think it was worth the 3 hour time commitment and price.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback — we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We’d like to clarify a few points to help avoid any misunderstanding. During the gondola ride, guests can choose on which side of the Grand Canal they prefer to disembark. The gondola itinerary itself is standard and cannot be shortened, although the duration may vary slightly depending on water traffic conditions. As for the walking tour, its content is also standardized and designed to provide a general introduction to the city — it is not an art-focused tour and cannot be personalized unless booked as a private experience. In this case, there were three different families in the group, so our guide followed the program as closely as possible, in line with the tour description. It seems there may have been some confusion regarding the nature of the experience purchased. Perhaps the expectation was for a more in-depth or museum-inclusive visit, which is not part of this standard tour — and could explain the perception of a higher-than-expected cost. We’re always here to assist and clarify, and we hope to welcome you again for one of our private or themed tours, which might better match your preferences. Warm regards, [ Towns of Italy Customer Care
Paula was a superb host for our first day and first tour in the city of Venice. As no one else booked in with our group, she catered the entire experience to our particular interests, and shared with us her incredible wealth of knowledge. She personalized our exploration of bridges, alleyways, Venice culture, Italian language, the history of Marco Polo, Libreria Acqua Alta book store, the history of Venetian masks, cisterns, and of course she connected us to our fabulous gondolier Fabio! What an incredible first day. Don’t hesitate to recommend!
