Venice by Night: Highlights & Hidden Gems Tour
Description
Step into Venice’s enchanting embrace by night! Join this guided walking tour to explore iconic sights and secret corners under the moonlit canals. Discover dazzling highlights and hidden gems as the city transforms after sunset—each corner whispering a story. Wander through a magical labyrinth of narrow alleys, where streetlights cast a golden glow on ancient facades, grand monuments, and elusive treasures. Let yourself be captivated by the reflections dancing on the quiet waters of the Grand Canal. Uncover ancient tales, legends, and secrets brought to life in the mysterious stillness of the Venetian night. From shadowed churches to majestic palaces, this exclusive night tour reveals the soul of Venice at its most intimate and unforgettable.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We begin at Combo, the former Convento dei Gesuiti, stepping out to admire the dazzling façade of the Church of the Jesuits. This 18th-century Baroque masterpiece will captivate you with its over-the-top grandeur and intricate design, impossible to fully capture in a single photo.
Off the Beaten Path: We’ll dive deep into the heart of Venice by night, wandering through its enchanting maze of narrow streets and hidden squares. The most magical part of Venice is its unpredictability—sometimes, the best way to explore is simply to wander aimlessly and let the city reveal its charm.
The Most Beautiful Hospital in the World Instead of a father-son Sunday soccer game, sculptor Pietro Lombardo and his sons created a high Renaissance polychrome marble façade for the Ospedale di San Giovanni e Paolo. Completed by Mauro Codussi, this masterpiece is breathtaking at sunset or night. The magnificent lions of St. Mark guard the entrance, while trompe l’oeil details captivate the eye. Today, it continues to serve as a public hospital.
An Equestrian Monument with Deception: Bartolomeo Colleoni’s bronze equestrian statue is one of only two public equestrian monuments in Venice. Commemorating one of Venice’s most loyal mercenary commanders, Colleoni served the Republic of Venice from 1448, occasionally switching sides when dissatisfied with pay or promotions.
Ponte dei Colafelzi This picturesque bridge is a hidden gem in Venice, offering a beautiful and peaceful spot to pause and admire the canal views. A perfect place to reflect on the beauty of Venice’s lesser-known corners, away from the crowds.
Pantheon of the Dogi Known as "San Zanipolo" in Venetian dialect, this church was designed to inspire awe with its vast interior. For centuries, it served as the final resting place for Venice’s rulers. The church’s stunning 15th-century stained glass and 25 Doge tombs make it a site of great historical significance.
Santa Maria Formosa and Spiderman: This beautiful campo marks the boundary between Venice’s tourist-heavy areas and its more authentic, local spaces. It’s also the setting for a thrilling moment in Spider-Man: Far From Home, where the superhero saves the bell tower from destruction.
A Final Magnificent View of Venice Highlights Piazza San Marco at night is serene and almost empty, offering a stark contrast to its busy daytime crowds. The square, illuminated softly by the lights of the cafés and basilica, becomes an intimate, tranquil space, making it a perfect moment to experience Venice without the usual crowds.
Tour Variations: Customizable Experience The tour route can vary depending on the time and type of tour. The 19:30 tour starts at Combo in Campo dei Gesuiti and ends at St. Mark's Square. The 21:30 tour begins near St. Mark's Square and ends near Rialto, following a reverse itinerary. Private tours can include hotel pick-up and drop-off within the historical center, with a route customized to your preferences.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Personalized pick-up is possible only if you book a private group. In case you did not book a shared tour in a small group but a private tour, please let me know if you wish to get picked up at any location in the historical center of Venice. Otherwise, meet your guide at the general meeting point. IMPORTANT: For small-group tours in German o in English The meeting point is: 7:30 pm: Campo dei Gesuiti, at COMBO, in the internal courtyard near the well. 9:30 pm: Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, Riva degli Schiavoni, in front of Londra Hotel Palace.
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 an access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Reviews(135)
I booked this tour about 6 weeks prior to our trip. On the day prior to the tour I was charged the full price, and then they immediately cancelled without any explanation. I sent the operator a message requesting a suggestion for a company that could accommodate 2 people and they sent me a link to their own site which didn’t have availability for over a week.
I understand your frustration about the cancellation, and I'm truly sorry that you didn't have the opportunity to join the tour. Unfortunately, the tour had to be cancelled for serious and unforeseen reasons. You received a full refund immediately, which I considered the only fair solution under the circumstances. I'm also sorry that I was fully booked over the following days and therefore couldn't offer you an alternative date. I did my best to help, but unfortunately my schedule was already full. I understand that this experience was disappointing for you. However, this review is about a tour that unfortunately never took place, rather than the quality of the tour itself. Fortunately, prospective guests can also read the many reviews from people who actually joined my tours and appreciated my professionalism, kindness, and knowledge. I hope you'll have another opportunity to discover Venice in the future.
Talkative, communicative through WhatsApp, gave links afterwards, knowledgeable.
Thank you so much for your review! I'm really glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the communication before and after our walk. I always like to share a few extra resources so guests can continue exploring Venice even after the tour ends. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to welcome you back to Venice someday for another adventure! Best wishes, Valerio
We cannot recommend more! Valerio showed us around Venice in the evening and pointed out things we walked past that had such a great history that we missed by just passing and not knowing! He was very friendly and knowledgeable, he made everyone feel very welcome and made sure everyone was included! We learnt so much about Venice on this tour! It was fantastic! Also would recommend taking children if you are unsure. Valerio was fantastic with the children on our tour!
Thank you so much, Alicia, for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure to explore Venice with you in the quieter evening hours and share the stories hidden behind places that many visitors simply walk past. I'm especially happy to hear that everyone felt included and enjoyed the experience. Thank you also for mentioning that the tour is suitable for children. I always try to make history engaging and fun for guests of all ages, so your words mean a lot. I hope to welcome you back to Venice someday for another adventure—there are still many hidden corners waiting to be discovered! Warm regards, Valerio
I would definitely recommend this tour and Valerio as your guide. The tour took us through the backstreets of Venice for a couple of hours from 7:30pm, where we discovered hidden gems definitely off the usual tourist track. Valerio was funny and very knowledgeable, being a local person, and revealed lots of surprising information about Venice and the other islands. Brilliant!
We had a great experience strolling through the lesser known and quieter streets of Venice. Great information about the city and its past.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😊 I’m really happy you enjoyed discovering the quieter and lesser-known corners of Venice with me. Exploring the city away from the crowds often reveals its most authentic atmosphere and stories. It was a pleasure sharing Venice and its history with you during the evening walk. I hope to welcome you again someday for another hidden side of the city! Valerio
We wanted to do a tour of Venice and booked this tour through our hotel and we were not disappointed. The guide Volerio was incredibly knowledgeable, had a very pleasant manner and took his time explaining everything to us. This was a great way to spend our last night in Venice. We would highly recommend this tour.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad you chose to spend your last evening in Venice with me—it’s always a special moment to explore the city at night, when it becomes quieter and more atmospheric. It was a pleasure guiding you, and I truly appreciate your recommendation. I hope to welcome you again in Venice one day! Warm regards, Valerio
Our family of 5, including 3 teenagers, loved Valerio's tour. It was informative & entertaining. Valerio also had some great suggestions for places we could go after the tour & restaurants to try. A locals suggestion is priceless in a city packed with restaurants that all appear to offer similar. Definitely recommend Valerio.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the tour—especially the teenagers, which is always the best compliment 😊 It means a lot that you appreciated not only the stories and hidden corners of Venice, but also the local tips. Helping you navigate the city beyond the obvious is a big part of what I love to share. Enjoy the rest of your time in Venice, and I hope to see you again for another detour! Warm regards, Valerio
Very friendly group leader. Valerio has responded to our wishes and has given us many great tips. It was a great night.
Danke dir, Karin! Es war mir eine Freude, euch durch das nächtliche Venedig zu begleiten – ich freue mich, dass ihr den Abend genossen habt. 🌙 Liebe Grüße aus Venedig, Valerio deTourist
Trip through the not heavy tourist part of Venice. You get the feel of the real life here now and in the past. Guide really knew his stuff.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad you enjoyed discovering the quieter side of Venice and its evening atmosphere — it’s one of my favorite moments to show the city’s real life, past and present. Hope to see you again on another tour! – Valerio deTourist
Valerio did a really great job. Was very informative and knowledgeable about Venice. He definitely knows the area very well.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed the night tour and the stories about Venice. It’s such a special atmosphere to explore the city after dark — I’m happy you joined! Valerio deTourist
