Top Venice Historical Tours

First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Finally, visit St. Marks's Basilica and enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge's Palace. This small-group tour is limited to 20 people ensuring a personalized experience

Explore the intricacies of two famed Italian handicrafts on a fully guided day trip from Venice to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano with a group of up to 20 people. Watch centuries-old glassblowing techniques in Murano, and marvel at the detailed stitches of exquisite Burano lace. Your knowledgeable guide will share the history of these two artisan islands while you visit local workshops and wander the picturesque streets.

Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Enjoy skip-the-line access to both popular attractions. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Enjoy the stunning view on Piazza San Marco with your special access to St Marks' balcony, then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

See the wonders of Venice's St. Mark's Basilica without the crowds during this after-hours, small-group tour. Learn about the basilica's famed mosaics from your guide and explore the crypt below the church to see where St. Mark's remains are said to lie. Upgrade at time of booking to see the Doge's Palace after the basilica and wander the former home of the Venetian Republic's government.

Maximize time in Venice with an express tour designed to feature the city’s top sights in a short time period. Explore Venice with a walking tour that includes entry to St. Mark’s Basilica, and skip-the-line entry to the popular Doge’s Palace. To fully appreciate the grandeur of Venice, finish your tour in style with a scenic gondola ride.

Visit Torcello, Murano, and Burano—three islands in the Venetian Lagoon—on this tour from Venice by motorboat. With a guide, watch glass being blown at a Murano glass factory, see historical cathedrals on Torcello, and admire exquisite handmade lace on Burano. This is a great way to see more than just the central sights of Venice and enjoy a cruise on the water. Select a departure time when booking.

Venice is famous for its UNESCO-listed lagoon, but the city’s islands are also renowned for their handicrafts. This half-day cruise by private boat stops at Murano Island, to watch a thrilling glass-blowing demonstration, and Burano Island, to visit a lace-making factory.

This tour is the perfect pick for time-tight travelers visiting Venice. Save yourself the hassle of booking tickets and waiting in long lines and opt for this convenient one-day itinerary instead. As well as skip-the-line admission and guided tours of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, the trip also includes a scenic gondola ride and visits to Murano and Burano to watch glass-blowing and lace-making demonstrations.

Explore the hidden gems of Venice with this shared historical walking tour, unveiling off-the-beaten-track treasures often missed by tourists. Wander through the city's ancient heart, including Campo Santa Maria Formosa, the Rialto Bridge area, and the medieval center. Admire Marco Polo’s House and St. Mark’s Square along the way, with select tour options offering a scenic add-on of a shared gondola ride too.

As night falls on Venice and the crowds disappear, discover the city’s darkest secrets on this devilishly entertaining ghost tour. Wander through narrow passageways and past the blackened, vacant canals to uncover Venice’s haunted history. Listen to your ghost-hunter guide spin tales about the sinister deeds and tragic ends of the figures who once walked the streets—some of whom are believed to still wander as restless spirits.

Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice on this guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Listen to your guide's commentary clearly with provided headsets and avoid hours-long queues with skip-the-line admission to both sites. During the tour, learn about Venetian doges and gain access to the terrace and museum of St. Mark’s Basilica.

Discover a side of Venice many tourists never see with this 'secret Venice' walking tour. Join your Venetian guide for a stroll through authentic local neighborhoods and past captivating hidden gems. Delve into the history and lore of the Jewish Ghetto, Cannaregio, and San Polo districts, stopping to admire its quiet canals and tiny artisan workshops that still handcraft traditional masks and gondolas.

Discover the golden mosaics, soaring domes, and iconic architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica on a guided tour of the cathedral, with skip-the-line admission included. Learn about the history and culture of Venice through the treasures inside the Byzantine landmark, and then get access to either the Terrace and Museum of St. Mark’s Basilica, or the Pala d’Oro, depending on your chosen package.

Discover several Venetian attractions in one itinerary with this full-day tour. Visit St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Rialto Bridge with an art historian guide leading the way. Stroll along Venice’s romantic canals and climb aboard a gondola for a scenic boat ride. After free time for lunch, skip the line for instant access into Doge’s Palace to see Casanova’s prison cell and walk across the Bridge of Sighs.

Go sightseeing in Venice with a small-group tour of city highlights including St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Meet your guide for a half-day stroll focused on the history and culture of Venice. Maximize time with pre-reserved tickets at St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Go inside these landmarks and learn about their history from a local guide.

Take a course on mask-making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. See the traditional art of decorating a mask and see what goes into the preparation for the Venetian Carnival. Then create your own masterpiece to create a special memory from your time in Venice.

Book 48h in advance and Discover Venice’s hidden gems on a 2-hour cruise through the city’s secret canals. Watch scenes of daily Venetian life as you glide through the lesser-known neighborhoods of Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and the Jewish Ghetto. A guide will share insight into the city’s history, architecture and local legends. For a grand finale, head out into the wider waters of the Grand Canal and float beneath the iconic Rialto Bridge. Numbers are limited to nine people on this small-group tour for a more intimate experience.

Swap the schedules and historical focus of conventional tours for a private walking tour of Venice with a local who’ll show you the city like a friend. Tell them what you fancy doing, and enjoy a personalized tour enriched by their grassroots knowledge. Explore often-overlooked neighborhoods; discover sights and eateries favored by locals; and get transport and cultural pointers to help ensure you get the most from your visit.

Discover three of the most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon on a private, half-day tour aboard a typical Venetian motorboat. See where the world’s finest blown glass is made in Murano, visit the home of artisan lace makers and famous biscuits in Burano and set foot on Venice’s oldest settlements in serene Torcello. Enjoy a customizable itinerary and the personalized attention of a private boat captain.

Save yourself from the stress of standing in a long line to visit St. Mark's Basilica by choosing this tour with skip-the-line admission included. After meeting your guide at St. Mark’s Square, you can learn some background information and then discover the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica together. Highlights include the first-floor museum, the terrace, and the magnificent mosaics.

Experience the magnificence and mystery of the Doge’s Palace in Venice with this skip-the-line ticket. Head to the front of the queue with your guide, and then wander through the palace’s ornate public rooms as you learn the history of Venice’s powerful rulers. Admire magnificent interior artwork, including Renaissance masterpieces by painters Tintoretto and Veronese. Explore the palace’s darker side with a visit to the prison quarters and a walk across the notorious Bridge of Sighs.

The Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica are two of Venice’s most beloved destinations, but the two landmarks can have ticket lines to match. See both landmarks with a private guide on a 2-hour tour that includes skip-the-line access, so you can make the most of your time in Venice.

If you’re looking to see most of Venice’s well-known sights all in one day, put your trust in this fun combination day tour. This package includes a walking tour of the city away from the crowded streets into the treasure filled pockets of the Castello area, a skip-the-line privilege at Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and at St. Mark's Basilica and a gondola ride on the Grand Canal and smaller canals.