Top Venice Historical Tours - page 3

If you've already covered the main sights of Venice, then get ready to explore the city's lesser-known spots during this off-the-beaten-track small-group walking tour. Stroll along narrow canals and unique points of interest like Marco Polo's House. Plus, enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride and visit the Gondola Gallery to learn about gondola craftsmanship and enjoy a virtual gondola experience.

Perfect for travelers who are short on time, this small-group tour takes you on an adventure to discover the hidden secrets and historical wonders of Venice. Exploring the “City of Bridges” with a guide means there’s no need to follow a map or worry about getting lost. Instead, just enjoy having a whistle-stop itinerary planned out for you, with stops at Rialto Bridge, Marco Polo House, and St Mark’s Square.

Go beyond typical sightseeing and uncover Venice’s darker side without missing the stories hidden in plain sight. This guided experience brings the city’s eerie past to life, leading you through atmospheric streets while sharing chilling legends and lesser-known histories. Explore iconic locations from a new perspective and enjoy a more immersive, story-driven way to experience Venice.

Head outside Venice and into the countryside of the Veneto region on this tour that introduces you to prosecco—Italian sparkling wine. Learn about the production process of prosecco at a local winery and enjoy guided tastings. You also indulge in a light lunch made of local products before heading back to Venice.

Hiring a gondola on the fly in Venice can be stressful. Take the guesswork out of your experience on this pre-booked shared gondola ride that takes you through the most picturesque canals and beneath the iconic Bridge of Sighs. Kick off your ride with a brief explanation of the history and design of Venetian gondolas, then glide through the city to enjoy views of its sumptuous palaces from the water. Upgrade to visit Casanova's Palace, Ca’Rezzonico.

Embark on a scenic cruise through the northern Venetian Lagoon, escaping the typical tourist paths. Explore the art of glassblowing in Murano as you visit master glassmakers in their studios. Watch a live demonstration to see how these fragile works of art come to life, and get the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind Made in Italy masterpieces. Enjoy this unique experience with an expert guide and a comfortable boat ride offering stunning views of Venice and its surroundings.

Get a feel for the atmosphere of Verona on this short walking tour that covers the city center’s highlights. In addition to navigating, your guide offers trivia and stories often missed by visitors about each landmark on the itinerary, from one of the largest amphitheaters in Italy to the balcony that inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

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.

Wander the narrow streets of Venice like a local and find hidden gems you wouldn’t find alone with your local guide. Learn about the history of Venice as you explore the city, and hear stories about the legendary people who have lived, worked and died here over the centuries. See iconic locations such as the bridge of sighs and San Marco square.

Make the most of your visit to the Doge’s Palace in Venice with skip-the-line access and a guide who reveals details you'd miss on your own. Admire its stunning gold staircases, masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese, and unique Byzantine and Oriental architecture while listening to expert commentary through personal headsets. Choose the full experience or the "St Mark's Essentials" option for a tailored visit.

View two highlights of St. Mark’s Square in Venice without waiting in the main entrance lines on this time-saving walking tour. Bypass the ticket lines at the Doge’s Palace to see its gilded rooms, and cross the Bridge of Sighs to the Palazzo Delle Prigioni Nuove as you learn about the 1,000-year history of Venice’s republic. Then, tour St. Mark’s Basilica to admire the mosaics and treasures of this Byzantine masterpiece.

Delve into the lesser-explored corners of Venice with a small-group walking tour through the Cannaregio district and the historic Jewish Ghetto. Gain insights into the city's fascinating Jewish heritage as your guide highlights significant landmarks along the way, such as the Deportation Memorial. A visit to a synagogue is also included for a deeper understanding.

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.

Experience Venice from a different perspective on a guided boat tour of the Venetian Lagoon, including stops at Murano and Burano islands. Murano boasts a centuries-old glassmaking tradition, where you can watch a glass artisan at work inside a factory. Conclude your tour with vibrant Burano, known for its colorful houses and local sweets. Optionally, visit Torcello or enjoy an Italian happy hour.

Explore Murano and Burano in the Venetian Lagoon, without the hassle of navigating individual water taxis between them, with this group tour. Relax knowing a motorboat will take you between the islands, with insightful commentary provided by your guide as you go. Enjoy discovering each island independently before returning to Venice.

No trip to Venice is complete without visiting some of the most notable islands in the Venetian Lagoon—particularly those that are renowned for their handicrafts. This cruise visits two in just half a day. Begin at Murano, where you can watch a thrilling glass-blowing demonstration, before transferring to Burano, known for its tradition of lace-making.

Partake in one of Italy’s most time-honored art forms during this two-and-a-half-hour small-group glass-blowing workshop on the island of Murano. Suitable for beginners, workshops include a live demonstration and hands-on instruction in shaping molten glass. Make an original art object to take back home as a souvenir, ready for pickup the next day. Your glass piece can also be shipped worldwide at an additional cost.

Step back in time to the golden age of Italian opera with this guided tour of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. Learn the history and legends of this decadent Baroque opera house, which was once the heart of Venetian high society and hosted performances by masterful maestros like Verdi, Rossini and Bellini.

Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice on this guided tour the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Avoid hours-long queues with skip-the-line admission to both sites. Learn about Venetian doges and gain access to the terrace and museum of St. Mark’s Basilica. Expand your sightseeing with upgrade options such as a visit to Murano, entrance to St. Mark's Terrace and Pala d'Oro, and/or a 2-course lunch.

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 in just a few hours on a private 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, hotel pickup, and the personalized attention of your private boat captain.

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.

Take a course on mask-making from a local instructor 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.

Venice is at its most romantic after sunset, when the city is bathed in the glow of streetlamps and most of the crowds have left. Experience this golden hour in the “Floating City” with this night tour that touches on both its iconic sights and lesser-known treasures that many visitors overlook. Follow your guide by moonlight through the warren of quiet lanes and canals to learn about Venetian history and lore.