Top Venice Historical Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 22 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.

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.

Venice is home to hundreds of attractions, making it difficult to cover the highlights in limited time. Ideal for first-time visitors, this full-day tour of Venice checks off top sights. 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.

If you’ve got limited time in Venice, don’t waste time waiting to enter its top attractions. Instead, guarantee entry to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace with skip-the-line access and included tickets priced at €12 and €35 respectively. Get more from your visit than you would alone with insight from your guide.

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.

Experience the tranquil beauty of Venice from the water on a private gondola ride that takes you through the city's less-traveled canals. Relax onboard a traditional Venetian boat as a gondolier navigates past historic palaces, churches, and landmarks that most tourists miss. Booking in advance guarantees your party’s seats and saves you the hassle of payment on the spot, so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.

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.

Maximize your sightseeing time on your Venice vacation with this private walking tour, and orient yourself around the city's historical attractions, canal-lined neighborhoods, and sights. As it’s a private tour, the focus is on your interests, but typical itineraries include pass-by stops at top Venice attractions such as the Rialto Bridge, Rialto Fish Market, the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, La Fenice Theater, and more.

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 Doge's Palace is one of the most famous attractions in Venice, but the wait to enter can put a serious dent in your sightseeing time. Save hours with this pre-booked admission ticket that lets you bypass the line and visit at your chosen time to optimize your day. Once inside, admire the art and architecture at your own pace with the included official audio guide. Tickets bundle access to the nearby Correr Museum, the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana Library, and the National Archaeological Museum so you can take in cultural treasures that most tourists miss.

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.

Discover the political and artistic grandeur of Venice with skip-the-line access to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square Museums. Walk through the lavish chambers of Venetian rulers, cross the legendary Bridge of Sighs, and visit the old prisons where Casanova was once held. Enhance your experience with a detailed guidebook available in multiple languages, offering historical insights and a customizable itinerary. With your included ticket, explore the Museo Correr, uncovering Venetian lifestyle, Napoleon’s Royal Rooms, and the secrets of the Republic’s naval power.

Experience an evening of opera in Venice, surrounded by the historical elegance of a 15th-century palace. The singers and musicians of the Musica a Palazzo ensemble perform classics of Italian opera within the ornate salons of the Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. Move from room to room with the performers and soak up the drama of epics such as “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto” in a truly intimate, immersive environment.

Discover Venice’s Cannaregio district and Jewish Ghetto on a small-group food tour that combines history, culture, and culinary delights. Escape the tourist crowds as a local guide leads you to hidden gems, including a historic bakery, traditional Venetian taverns, and charming cafes. Enjoy tastings of cicchetti, Venetian wines, and a decadent dessert (tiramisu or gelato depending on the season), while learning the stories behind Venetian cuisine and the iconic Spritz.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.