Venice Castello Area: Private Tour of Art, History & Arsenale

Venice, Italy

2 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Discover Venice’s hidden neighborhoods and maritime history on a private Castello and Venetian Ships Pavilion walking tour. With an expert guide, explore the charming Castello district for glimpses into the real city. Learn about everyday life here in the squares and 'calli' (streets) and then visit the Arsenale, Venice’s shipbuilding powerhouse during the Middle Ages. Enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the Ships Pavilion, the 16th-century oar workshop and storage facilities, and admire the collection of ships, including ceremonial barges and warships.

Castello district and Venetian Ships Pavilion walking tour, with an expert guide
Learn about Venice’s maritime history and everyday life in today’s city
Walk through charming Castello, the city’s largest residential neighborhood
Visit the grandiose Arsenale, once home to Europe’s most important and productive shipyard
Bypass the main lines at the Ships Pavilion to see its historical barges and warships
A private guide ensures a personalized experience

What's Included

Professional local guide
Live tour commentary provided in English, French or Italian

Gratuities
Food or drink
Admission Fee - Naval museum

€16.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Riva degli Schiavoni, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy
Meeting point 15 min before in front of the equestrian monument of Vittorio Emanuele along Riva degli Schiavoni. Look for your guide with a sign with your name on it.

End point

Museo Storico Navale di Venezia
Riva S. Biasio, 2148, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Start time
.10:30 am

Itinerary

Meet your dedicated guide near in central Venice to start your tour. A maritime republic during medieval times, Venice, or 'The Serene One’ (La Serenissima) dominated sea trade between Europe and Asia.

Each sight on route illustrates Venice’s historical maritime and economic power, and offers insight into everyday life in today’s city.

Delve into the residential neighborhood of Castello. Hear about daily life here as you explore the charming calli and squares, including the Calle Della Morte (Street of Death), where people condemned to death were murdered during the Middle Ages.

Visit the San Giorgio Degli Schiavoni School, home to works by 16th-century artist Vittore Carpaccio, and see the Church of San Francesco Della Vigna on the way to the Ponte del Cristo bridge.

Cross over and gaze at Murano and the San Michele cemetery island before taking the walkway around the Arsenale, once Europe’s most important shipyard.

Head inside the complex and uncover its history as a shipbuilding powerhouse during the Middle Ages. Then, make your way to the Ships Pavilion, once the oars workshop and storage facility, and skip the main lines to see its collection of boats.

Admire the historical vessels, including the Bucintoro, the doges’ ceremonial barge; and learn how and why they were used, gaining insight into Venice’s bygone maritime power.

Your tour concludes here.

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II (Pass By)

Bragora

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chiesa di San Francesco della Vigna

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Campo de la Celestia

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Arsenale di Venezia

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Naval History Museum

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

4.7

based on 3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Good tour, excellent and enthusiastic...

GraemeJ_F, Oct 2017

Good tour, excellent and enthusiastic guide. Recommended

We were extremely lucky as we were...

Jan E, May 2017

We were extremely lucky as we were the only two booked on the tour so we had our lovely guide Sylvia all to ourselves. She was very entertaining and knowledgeable and led us through a maze of streets in Castello, telling us about legends and folktales all the way. The rain was dismal but Sylvia was not deterred and kept us interested for 2 hours. Some lovely churches to visit and finally the Ships Pavilion which was small but interesting. Be prepared for a long walk and wear comfortable shoes!

Lorenzo was early and we set off...

Georgina N, Oct 2016

Lorenzo was early and we set off. His knowledge was fantastic, and he really knew Castello, and lives in this district. We learnt a huge amount abut this amazing district of Venice and left all the crowds behind. He showed us jewels like the convent garden. Our finale was the museum, which if you like boats is really interesting, especially the royal motor barge and the ww1 motor torpedo boat with its triple marinised aircraft engines. If you like history, architecture and seeing hidden jewels and away from the crowds, I highly recommend this trip.