Top Venice Cultural Tours

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. 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. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

Go beyond simple sightseeing–and enjoy a more personalized experience–on this private tour of Venice led by a local guide and starting from your hotel, apartment, or other address in the city. Customize an itinerary to best suit your interests and hobbies, hear insider stories while exploring on foot, and discover highlights plus hidden gems that many visitors overlook. This tour is available in English, French, Italian, Arabic, and Spanish.

The entrance lines at Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice can sometimes feel like they last forever. Bypass the annoyance of waiting in long queues by prebooking a Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line tour. Perfect for those with a limited time in Venice, you’ll visit both big attractions with a guide leading the way and loading you with historical information you wouldn’t hear otherwise.

Discover the rich history of Venice’s longtime Jewish community with one of the few guides licensed to tour this area. You’ll visit the Jewish Ghetto/Ghetto Ebraico and go inside two of Venice’s most stunning synagogues, as well as several hidden gems and landmarks. Learn about the art and architecture of this special area as you hear stories and fascinating facts from your local guide.

Discover a side of Venice many tourists never see on this real 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 make traditional handicrafts.

With this small-group tour, you can effortlessly check off Venice’s most iconic sight with ease—St. Mark’s Basilica. Choose from a variety of tours to match your preferences, then enjoy skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica. Here, you can delve into its history and golden mosaics with your guide.

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.

With this tour, you can explore two stunning islands while visiting Venice—Murano, renowned for its centuries-old glassblowing tradition, and Burano, famous for its intricate lacemaking history. Travel comfortably by private boat, then enjoy the chance to disembark and learn about local crafts, including live demonstrations of both glassblowing and lacemaking, as well as free time to explore Burano alone.

Explore the picturesque islands of the Venetian lagoon on a guided boat tour from San Marco. Discover Murano’s famous glass-blowing traditions with a live demonstration, then stroll through its charming streets. Continue to Burano, known for its colorful houses and lace-making heritage. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights into the islands' history and culture, making this an immersive experience full of art, craftsmanship, and Venetian charm.

Experience one of Venice's landmarks without the crowds with this after-hours tour of St. Mark's Basilica. Marvel at mosaics, explore the crypt believed to house St. Mark's remains, and soak in the serene atmosphere. To explore more of Venice at this peaceful time, upgrade your experience to include a visit to the Doge's Palace, the historic seat of the Venetian Republic’s government, and the Bridge of Sighs.

Swap the crowded shared boat rides in Venice for the chance to peacefully ride a private boat to the Venice lagoon islands of Murano and Burano. First, head to Burano to see a lace workshop, have a walk around, and try some of its delicious cookie specialties and snacks—"bussolai". Then later, visit one of Murano’s oldest glass factories, where you can watch a live glassblowing show.

No visit to Venice is complete without taking in the Doge’s Palace, but this Gothic masterpiece has vast sections that most visitors never see. With this tour, enjoy exclusive skip-the-line access behind the scenes to explore the palace’s secret archives, torture chambers, and attic prison cells with a guide.

Venice’s blockbuster attractions on St. Mark’s Square are among the most visited in Italy. With this tour, you can skip the long lines to enter Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace and enjoy a more intimate visit with a small group and guide. Avoid the worst of the crowds and take a deep dive into the impressive art and fascinating history of these religious and civic landmarks.

Step inside Venice’s most iconic landmark with skip-the-line visits to St. Mark’s Basilica, where accredited hosts remain with your group start to finish. As everything flows smoothly, a curated audioguide also reveals glittering mosaics, sacred relics, and centuries of history. Choose the option that includes the Museum and panoramic Terrace, where sweeping views of Piazza San Marco await. For the most complete experience, select Full Access to also admire the dazzling Pala d’Oro, a golden masterpiece of Byzantine devotion. If you prefer a richer storytelling experience, join a Terrace Guided Tour. Led by a licensed, professional guide, this visit reveals how the Basilica grew from a chapel into a symbol of faith and power, with stories behind its mosaics, marble floors, and unique blend of Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance styles.

Explore Venice–and enjoy a more intimate experience at a time that suits you–on this private tour with a local guide, complete with half-hour gondola ride. Discover the city’s highlights, including St. Mark’s Square and Accademia Bridge, visit hidden gems you might otherwise have missed, and step inside historic buildings. Take a private gondola along the Grand Canal and enjoy plenty of time for photo opportunities on the water.

Explore Venice's famous canals on a guided gondola ride through the city. Meander beneath bridges and along quiet, peaceful stretches in a traditional Venetian boat, taking in sights such as the Rialto Bridge and Campo Manin as you go. Join our expert gondolier in enjoying one of Venice's most leisurely and original pastimes, and don't miss this chance to experience the Grand Canal from the water.

The Doge’s Palace is one of Venice’s premier sights, but the vast size of the palace and the long line to enter are daunting. With this guided tour, zip past the crowds with fast-track admission and cover the entire palace without feeling overwhelmed by the insights of your guide. Learn about this sumptuous building’s historic and cultural significance and admire its highlights.

Experience authentic Venice on a private walking tour with a local guide who contacts you beforehand to tailor the itinerary. Skip mainstream spots and discover hidden gems, including monument exteriors and museums if desired. Get recommendations and insider knowledge to make the most of your trip. Your guide can meet you at your accommodation for convenience, ensuring a unique and personal experience of this historic city.

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.

Skip the lines at Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge's Palace and opt for a small-group guided tour instead. Then, enjoy the quintessential Venice experience—a gondola ride through the city’s canals and waterways. Your ticket also includes access to several landmarks surrounding Saint Mark’s Square, as well as access to a mobile app that provides commentary to a walking tour of the city at your own pace.

Explore Venice with a small-group tour that dives into the city’s history, culture, and iconic landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. With your guide leading the way, skip the lines with pre-reserved tickets and step inside these stunning sites to uncover their fascinating stories. Wander through St. Mark's Square, cross the legendary Bridge of Sighs, and hear tales of Casanova while visiting the Old and New Prisons—then marvel at the grandeur of the Correr Museum, once home to Napoleon and the King of Italy.

Explore Venice’s vibrant soul on a private walking tour that balances iconic sights with lesser-known paths you wouldn't discover on your own. Discover the city’s beauty, stories, and art at your own pace—with guidance that reveals Venetian secrets not found in guidebooks. Plus, exploring with a private guide lets you stop for photos whenever you like.

As two of the most popular attractions in Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace draw huge crowds. Bypass the usual wait times on this skip-the-line tour, which guarantees you fast-track admission tickets to both sites, plus a guided tour. Upgrade to include admission to St. Mark's Museum and terrace or the bell tower (campanile), both offering stunning views.