Are you looking for the best guided tours in Venice to experience the city like a local? Then you’ve come to the right place! Venice is one of the most magical cities in the world, and what better way to discover its hidden treasures than on a guided tour?
From gondola rides and culinary tours to walking and boat tours, there are endless ways to experience Venice like a local. In this blog post, I’ll share my top recommendations for the best guided tours in Venice to help you get the most out of your trip.
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What does Venice have to offer?
Venice is a stunning city known for its many canals, beautiful architecture and incredible cultural heritage. Located in north-eastern Italy, Venice is a unique city with breathtaking views and centuries-old traditions.
The floating city is full of majestic landmarks, including St Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and the Doge’s Palace. As well as the famous sights, Venice has many hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered. From charming alleyways to quaint Venetian neighbourhoods, there is something for everyone and this article on the best guided tours in Venice will help you find your future favourite tour.
Of course, you can’t forget the traditional gondola rides or the delicious Italian cuisine available everywhere in the city. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or an unforgettable family trip, Venice has something for everyone.
The best guided tours in Venice
When it comes to visiting Venice, a guided tour is one of the best ways to experience this iconic city. With an experienced local guide, you can explore the most beautiful parts of the city, discover its hidden treasures and learn about its rich history and culture. From walking tours to boat tours to gondola rides, there are many great guided tours in Venice to choose from. Here is a selection of the best guided tours in Venice.
For all tours in Venice applies:
- Unfortunately, the many bridges and steep staircases, as well as the lack of lifts or other means of transport, make the itineraries unsuitable for people with limited mobility.
- As in the rest of Italy, churches can only be entered with appropriate clothing: shoulders and knees should be covered. (Exceptions prove the rule)
- Luggage and large bags are usually not allowed in museums and churches.
- Some tours take place in all weathers, even during floods.
The Saint Mark Tour
Venice is more than just the centre around St Mark’s Square, but St Mark’s Basilica and its tall bell tower are probably the first images that come to mind when we think of Venice. This tour gives you the opportunity to discover both St Mark’s and the Doge’s Palace, as well as the Bridge of Sighs. This is one of the most popular and best tours in Venice.
- This tour is also available in English
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Entrance to the second floor of St Mark’s Basilica and the terrace
- Entrance to the Doge’s Palace
The Food&Wine Tour in Venice
This popular tour takes all participants on a delicious journey through the best bacari and eateries in Venice. On this tour you will taste regional dishes, explore the lively markets of Venice and learn all about the unique ingredients of traditional Venetian cuisine. As the region around Venice is home to many excellent grape varieties, this tour includes tastings of Prosecco and wines, as well as the typical Venetian Spitz and even locally produced gin. (Those who don’t drink alcohol may be disappointed with this Venice tour).
- This tour is conducted in English or Italian.
- Many alcoholic beverages will be sampled – in reasonable quantities.
- Plenty of seafood will be sampled.
- Duration: 3 hours
Are you interested in Venetian specialities and would like to know more about them? Find out what Venetians traditionally eat and drink and where to find the best restaurants in Venice:
Venice Grand Canal Tour
A great way to experience Venice is to cruise the famous canals in a traditional Venetian gondola. On this guided tour, you’ll explore some of the city’s most famous sights, from St Mark’s Square to the Grand Canal. You’ll also enjoy a scenic gondola ride along the canal while the knowledgeable gondolier tells you stories about the city and its culture.
- These tours are in English or Italian
- Duration: 30-60 minutes
Venice by night
For those who want to actively experience the nightlife, these tours take you to some of Venice’s best bars and clubs. Not only will you get a glimpse of Venice’s vibrant nightlife, but you’ll also get to explore some of the city’s most beautiful sights in the dark and learn some of its spooky history and legends.
- These tours are in English, and partly also in German
- Comfortable shoes save lives – and feet
- Duration: 1,5-2 hours
Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice
Whether you’re an art lover or just curious about Venice’s history, this tour is a must if you already know the outside of the lagoon city.
The collection includes works by some of the most important artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst and many others. It also includes an important collection of Surrealist art, which was a particular passion of Guggenheim’s.
No matter which tour you choose, exploring Venice with a local guide is the best way to truly experience the city.
Hidden gem: Visit to one of the few gondola workshops in Venice
The squero of San Trovaso is located along the stream of the same name and dates back to before the 17th century.
It is one of the few squeri still in use in Venice. The building in which it is housed has the typical shape of a mountain house, which is unusual for Venice. There are two reasons for this: on the one hand, both the carpenters and the wood for the construction came from Cadore; on the other hand, the slope of the forecourt and the canopy that partially covers it were useful in case of rain and for storing tools.
It is possible to arrange guided tours inside the squero during which the characteristics of these particular boats and the techniques used to make them will be explained. The tour lasts about half an hour.
For information contact them by e-mail: info@squerosantrovaso.com
What makes a good guided tour in Venice?
When it comes to exploring Venice, a good tour is essential to get the most out of your experience, especially if it’s your first time in the lagoon. A good guide should offer in-depth knowledge and information about the city, its history and culture, and give you the opportunity to discover hidden gems and less visited areas of Venice.
A good guide should be passionate about the city and enthusiastic about telling the stories of Venice. A good tour should also offer opportunities to sample local food, visit iconic landmarks and sights, and make recommendations on what to see and do during your stay in the city.
For those looking for a truly unique experience, a food tour in Venice is one of the best ways to experience the city like a local. A good food tour will take you around the city, from traditional trattorias to market stalls and bacari, while an experienced guide teaches you about the history and flavours of Venetian cuisine.
When it comes to finding the best city tour in Venice, do your research and read reviews before you commit. There are many wonderful walking tours in Venice and this article will help you find the best walking tour in Venice for you.
Why use a local guide in Venice?
Visiting Venice for the first time can be overwhelming. It’s a city full of canals, bridges and stunning architecture, so it helps to have an experienced local guide to show you the way.
With a local guide, you’ll get a personalised tour tailored to your needs and desires. Many guides know the city like the back of their hand and can tell you stories and anecdotes from its long history.
Local guides can give you detailed information about various sights, such as where to find the best cicchetti in Venice or which temporary art exhibition might interest you. They can also take you to places that are not in the printed guidebooks, giving you an insight into the daily life of Venetians.
With a local guide, you’re also more likely to get tickets to popular attractions, because in Italy, personal relationships still play a big role. Finally, they will give you valuable tips on where to eat and where to stay in Venice.
Fun fact about getting lost in Venice? It is said that if you get lost in Venice, you can find your way back by looking for the tallest church. This is because in Venice all the streets radiate from the churches, which can be a good guide!
Now that you know why you should use a local guide for your trip, let’s take a look at some of the best culinary tours in Venice and the best guided tours in Venice.
Do you want to discover Venice on your own?
Discovering Venice on your own can be an exciting and rewarding experience. A travel book will be a valuable resource where to look up historical and cultural information, as well as practical information and language tips.
Here you can find my personal recommendations on the best Venice travel guides:
Beware of the tourist traps in Venice
Venice is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. No wonder tourists flock there to experience it for themselves. But what are the biggest tourist traps in Venice and how can you avoid falling into them?
Here are some other things to look out for.
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