Venice Deluxe Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Venice, Italy
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the magic of Venice on a half-day walking tour filled with history and beauty. Start at Piazza San Marco, exploring St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with skip-the-line access. Wander to the Rialto Bridge for stunning Grand Canal views and discover hidden treasures like the spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, all while your guide brings the stories of Venice to life.
- Experience Venice’s gorgeous architecture on a half-day walking tour
- See landmarks like Piazza San Marco and of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
- Learn about the city’s history and culture from an informative guide
- Enjoy skip-the-line admission to the beautiful Pałaso Dogal and cathedral
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Skip The Line Entrance Fees
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Riva degli Schiavoni, 4195, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Please be informed that the meeting point is in front of the Danieli Hotel just off St. Mark's Square. The hotel is the red Gothic building opposite the San Zaccaria waterbus stop.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.11:15 am
Itinerary
1
Piazza San Marco
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Palazzo Ducale
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
St. Mark's Basilica
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Rialto (Pass By)
Scala Contarini del Bovolo (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Large bags and rucksacks are also not allowed inside St Mark's Basilica.
- In case of high tides or religious ceremonies preventing access to the interior of the Basilica, an extended tour of the outside of the basilica will be given instead.
- The Doge’s Palace may also occasionally be closed to the public due to strikes, exceptional closures, state visits, or other special occasions. In that event, a possible alternative may be the Correr Museum in St. Mark’s Square with the Imperial Rooms and Venetian Collection. Entrance included in the Doge’s Palace ticket.
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough participants to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- The number of admission tickets available for the interior of St. Mark's Basilica is limited and operates on a first-come first-served basis. In the event of no availability, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- Access to St. Mark's Basilica now has a 72 hour cutoff time. Late bookings will be offered an alternative
- Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction. Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St. Mark’s Basilica.
- St Mark's Basilica tickets are priced at €12 per person for tour guides.
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 758 reviews
Maria_A, May 2026
Antonio did a very nice job of guiding us through the highlights of Venice spending a good amount of time at the Doges Palace which is stunning. He also treated us to gelato and a spritz at two of his favorite spots. He is very passionate about Venice and shared a lot of information with us.
Mark_D, May 2026
Antonio is an excellent guide and provides an educational and fun tour. We learned a lot from his explanations of the history of the places we visited and the multiple paintings we looked at. We were surprised and happy that he also paid for drinks and snacks at a couple of stops and brought us to a glass blowing demonstration that was not on the original tour. He also is happy to provide local suggestions for restaurants and other places. Absolutely worth the money. I will use him as a guide when I come back.
Christine_S, May 2026
Antonio seems to know everybody and everything in and about historic Venice. The only difficulty about the tour was taking it all in! Just when you think there is no more to see, he declares, “Let’s Go!” and you are off to the next fascinating, beautiful, historic, and perhaps slightly colorful site. A great tour and guide.
Response from Host, May 2026
....because , my dearest friends , millions of books have being written about this incredible city were I was born and the amount of stories ,anecdotes ,personnages , battles and details that I could relate is almost infinite, having dedicated my life to study this unique place . I do not know if ,as many think, Venice is the most beautiful city in the world but the most unique absolutely yes !!!
Lisa_D, May 2026
It was an excellent tour. Antonio was very knowledgeable guide. He took us to many sites. Lots of walking but very enjoyable.
Response from Host, May 2026
And at a certain point I noticed that you were a little tired and I cut the explanation a bit. Yet, it was four hours !! Fortunately ,if I remember well, you were few friends and I could adapt the tour tou your needs . It is much more difficult to do it when I have 10 or 12 people ( I do not take more )!!! Thanks for your nice review !
Mayumi_I, Apr 2026
The walking tour with Antonio was great fun, as he brings interesting and intriguing perspectives and information about Venice, especially being a Venetian himself. He also is a good story teller and highly knowledgeable - we thoroughly enjoyed the tour!
Response from Host, May 2026
I always suggest my clients to choose the right gondola ride, when in Venice . A smart , nice skillful and intelligent gondolier can make the difference ,as well as the route one chooses and the duration of the trip. So, many are the factors that make an experience bad or wonderful . The same thing happens with a sightseeing and a professional guide . My clients declare that they were very happy with my tour and I guess that reading the reviews when they booked helped a lot . Thank you for your appreciation !
Angela_C, Nov 2025
Antonio has an amazing knowledge and love for Venice. His love for the city shows during your day with him. We were so lucky to book his last tour of the season and had the most amazing day including Doge Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, coffee shop, and so many other hidden gems ending with the private glass shop. His knowledge of the history and art inside the Doge Palace was wonderful and we really just had an amazing day with him! The day went by so fast because we were having such an amazing day. Totally worth the price.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Some reviews ( like this one ) sponsor , advertise and promote my tour in a way that no modern technology can imitate ,as they come from the heart and they have the magic of raising a curiosity in the reader ...to try the experience . Thank you !
Beth_C, Oct 2025
What an amazing experience! Antonio was awesome! Having a local Venetian guide you around the City provided such a personalized experience. You're a VIP with Antonio as your guide! Don't hesitate to book this tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Grazie !!! I am a privileged guide because those who choose my tour are not like many other travellers who just want to be taken around a city just getting a general information ; I have a clientele of educated people , intelligent and eager to learn and I am very proud ot that . I respect all visitors but mine is a cultural tour and this should be very clear . There is no arrogance in stating this, but one should be prepared : I aim to give a lecture of history and art to my listeners , with joy, humour and amusement !!!
Marla_M, Oct 2025
Arrived in Venice under a cloud of challenges. Day two, we spent with Antonio and he was our sunshine. We had him to ourselves to enjoy his stories, share his experiences and get an insider’s view of Venice. He gave us five hours of insights when we only expected three. Bless you Antonio🥰
Response from Host, Nov 2025
I take the opportunity of this bright review to repeat and stress once more that the duration of the Venice Deluxe Grand Tour depends on so many factors : It is never short but it can be very long if you wish it to be so !!!
Bethany_L, Oct 2025
Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the topics he was teaching us. Covered doge palace, st marks basilica as well taking us to grand canal
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you, dear clients, for schowing your appreciation and for your kindness !
Jason_R, Oct 2025
This tour was exactly what we were looking for. Guide provided great insights to art and architecture that would have been missed by a novice. Easy to stay engaged the time. The more you pay attention the more you will get out of it.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
By intuition you perceived that the way Venice is presented by a real old-school official guide lecturer is light years away from the repetitive , flat and standardized explanations that most of the new guides without a knowledge of the humanities and the classics dump on the everage tourist . But we should also add : " You pay for what you get ". Anyway , thanks for your words and be happy and lucky !!!!
Harriet_C, Oct 2025
Antonio was a fantastic guide and we learnt and saw so much! It was a great day spent with a true Venetian. Thank you for a fabulous day.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
The tour should last from three to four hours but it is really stronger than me : if the clients show great interest, I willingly prolong it almost indefinitely as I get pleasure seeing them happy and the strong emotions in their faces ...like watching a child who savours his ice cream !!!
Shirley_M, Oct 2025
This tour is wonderful. I was looking for a small group tour and this was a great one. Antonio is very personable and knowledgeable. He is a local Venetian who loves his life here. We did and saw a lot and we enjoyed every bit of it. Get your walking shoes on and have a wonderful time! Thank you, Antonio for a lovely day!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Please come back to Venice in the coming years and I will show you so many other incredible places of Venice and tell you much more about our fabulous ancestors . Thank you !
PR_R, Oct 2025
Great day with Antonio Barbini. This tour was everything advertised and more. Antonio provided wonderful historical insight and commentary for all the sights. He was generous with his time and provided stops for tasty gelato and lunch. He maneuvered our tour around an unexpected visit from the President of Italy as a professional without any skipping in our tour due to sudden closures. We were able to see all we had been promised. It was a delightful experience and one we will certainly remember.
One additional note, I have never experienced the service we received from anyone that Antonio provided. At the end of the tour, he provided his personal information and told us that while here if we ran into any problems or concerns to please reach out to him and he would assist us. Such a kind and generous man with a wonderful willingness to help others as well as share his knowledge and love of country with others.
Thank you Antonio!
Peggy and Michael
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Peggy and Michael, what a laud you wrote to me ! I have no adequate reply to your words but you can guess how honoured I felt and still feel following your commendation . Yes , the sudden visit of THE PRESIDENT OF iTALY CAUSED SOME DIFFICULTIES BUT WE SURVIVED IT !!
Louise_P, Oct 2025
Excellent tour with Antonio! So much more than we expected.
Great way to see the highlights of Venice with a very knowledgeable Venetian! The pride that Antonio has in his city was undeniable!
We would highly recommend this tour especially if you are lucky enough to get Antonio as your guide.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Actually most of the times it is me guiding the tour , but if I call a golleague to substitute for me in a specific circumstance ,do not doubt that I pick the the cream of the crop for my customers . Thank you, dear friends, for your commentary !
Debra_M, Oct 2025
Antonia is SUPER knowledgeable and passionate about Venice and Italy. He was born and raised in the area. He is experienced in giving tours and honestly the best tour guide we've ever had!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
The last sentence and statement of your review means so much to me . it is top of the top of appreciation !
Diane_V, Oct 2025
The Venice Deluxe Tour with Antonio was exceptional. Antonio was very knowledgeable and passionate when explaining the areas we visited. This tour with Antonio is highly recommended. Antonio was so much fun too!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Passion is what makes you succeed in life; enthusiasm and curiosity save you from tedium....let'us try to maintain these three rare things ! thank you for writing !
Frank_B, Oct 2025
Antonio was absolutely fantastic! He met us with a big smile and was the perfect tour guide. He brought the history of Venice to life. This was the highlight of our trip to Italy!
Highly, highly recommend!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
So many compliments fill my soul with joy. Thank you !
Harriet_R, Sep 2025
Antonio was a fantastic tour guide, his knowledge of Venice is second to none. He was interesting and informative and the tour was customised to our interests. We were fortunate to be the only ones on the tour so we had his undivided attention.
At no point did it feel like this was ‘just a job’ he was passionate to educate us, and is a natural educator, not patronising but enthusiastic.
We could have done with more time and should we be fortunate enough to return to Venice we will be booking in for another tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
It does not happen often to be alone with me during the tour but when it occurs...you are reading now the enthusiastic reaction of the clients. I guarantee yet that both situations can be extremely pleasant : to be the only customers has the advantages that one may easily immagine ,but to be in a small group will also be very funny ,exciting and stimulating . My thanks go to my reviewers !
Samantha_D, Sep 2025
Antonio is fantastic and a wealth of knowledge being from Venice. Worth the extra money, if only for the skip the lines. He also stops for a treat - Prosecco, Spritz, Gelato.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
And the gelato is among the best in Venice, I promise.... Thanks for writing !
Craig_T, Sep 2025
Antonio gave a fantastic tour of the history and culture of Venice. His passion and love for the city shine throughout the tour. He managed our time well and we were able to enjoy so many of the city’s highlights. Skipping the lines at San Marco and the Doge’s Palace was a huge plus too. Antoniio’s tour really feels like you are experiencing something special with a city “insider”.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Well, when I created the "Venice Deluxe Tour" I had something in mind : that it should be different from all the others... and so... "special "... which is the word that you used at the end of your description. I could not ask for more as a definition .
Michael_B, Sep 2025
Antonio was fantastic! Very knowledgeable on the history and architecture of Venice and knows everyone in the city! We will definitely be recommending him to friends when they come to the city.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Yes, spread the word about the tour ,please ! Thank you !!!
alicepeng8, Sep 2025
Antonio was wonderful. Charming, informative, enthusiastic, and welcoming. As someone who grew up and lived his whole life in Venice, he was authentic and natural. He himself is traveled, multilingual, and very well educated, and this background was reflected in his perspectives on the fascinating history of his native city. We loved his tour and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly special Venetian tour experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Certainly the cultural background of a guide strongly determines and influences his explanations , contents and setting of the tour . My style and cut are classic because I had a humanistic education ....no doubt about it ! I do hope to see you again ,dear clients !
Steven_M, Aug 2025
Antonio is the best tour guide we've ever experienced! He is a native Venetian and this knows all the history and hidden gems of the city. He is friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. We highly recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Let us repeat the experience then.....come back again to Venice in the near future, please, and I will show you other gems which are in great evidence or ,as you seem to like , "hidden " and secluded !
Mark_L, Jul 2025
During our 2+ week tour of Europe and many tour guides and experiences, Venice was the last stop before heading back to the states. Antonio was the stand out, we were fortunate to have our best guide for our trip last. His tour of the Doge’s Palace was a highlight — he didn’t just recite facts, he told stories that made the history feel real and fascinating. He broke down the art, architecture, and Venetian culture in a way that was super approachable and actually interesting. Truly masterful explanations of the artwork and storytelling in Doge's Palace. So good even casuals who were not on our tour couldn't help themselves to stop by for a listen. He is a rare find in terms of knowledge of his country's history and storytelling. Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica with him was equally incredible. The way he described the golden mosaics and the church’s background gave us a whole new appreciation for it. We also really enjoyed wandering through the quieter parts of Venice with him. He took us to spots we never would’ve discovered on our own and filled the walk with fun, local insights. I would say this well above an average tour of Venice and most certainly worth the cost. Very glad we chanced upon Antonio as our tour guide and now have a lasting appreciation for Venetian culture and arts.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
This review is monumental . Sometimes my customers reveal incredible skill at describing what we did together and their feelings while watching masterpieces or listening to epic events of the history of Venice . I am surprised often by the enthusiasm that pervades their comments . The report could not be more laudatory for me . Thank you !!!
Linda_S, Jun 2025
Antonio was one of the best tour guides during our entire 2-month Italy trip. His tour of the Doge’s Palace was a highlight, bringing its rich history to life with fascinating insights and stories that captivated us. He masterfully explained the palace’s art, architecture, and Venetian legacy. The tour of St. Mark’s Basilica was equally impressive, with Antonio’s vivid descriptions of its golden mosaics and storied past making the experience unforgettable. His alley tours through Venice’s charming, hidden corners were a delight, revealing secret spots and local lore that brought the city to life. Antonio’s passion, knowledge, and engaging style kept us enthralled every step of the way. Highly recommend Antonio for an unforgettable Venetian experience!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
I am often surprised by the ability of my clients to synthetize the experience of the " Venice Deluxe Tour " , enhancing its principal aspects with wonderful words, and, being a little vain, I feel an enormous pleasure reading this kind of reviews . Thanks a lot !!
Ronald_B, Jun 2025
Antonio cares about your experience and wants to tailor it to the individuals he’s with. He’s an excellent guide and we highly recommend choosing his tour!!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear customers , thank you for exhorting implicitly the others to buy the tour !!
Cindy_K, Jun 2025
Antonio was a great local tour guide. Lots of interesting facts with some behind the scenes locations. We appreciated the couple of stops for gelato and a drink. The skip the line tickets were a huge time saver. And we really enjoyed the end with a glass blowing demonstration. Would highly recommend as a way to visit the highlights.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you. I do struggle in order my tour to be considered one ot the best of the "highlights " of Venice ;in other words in my intention it should be the ideal one as a global synthesis of the main events in which Venice was a protagonist through history reflected in and by some of her greatest monuments and works of art. Your review helps much in that sense !!
Sarah_O, Jun 2025
My 21-year old daughter and I had the very good fortune to book this tour with Antonio - it was the highlight of our time in Venice. He is a true erudite scholar with extraordinary passion and command of Venice's long and complicated history. Often tours can be scripted and generic, but our time with Antonio was anything but that! He is the real deal and the hours we spent with him were authentic as he somehow knew what would be of most interest to us and shared his vast knowledge accordingly. He exudes the sophistication, joy, pride and warmth of a true Venetian having gown up and been educated in the Most Serene Republic. We will be back, because as generous as Antonio was with his knowledge and time, he left us wanting more. Thank you Antonio for sharing your passion and beautiful city with us - it was truly a memorable time and we are grateful to have a new friend now with whom to share a spritz or a meal in Venice. ~Sarah and Kaleigh
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Sarah and Kaleigh , now that I am getting old ( but slowly) culture is my main tool to impress ladies and captivate their attention....I am happy that it works . I am joking of course ! Yet I am so happy that we made friends almost instantly and as, Sarah, you are back in America, but Kaleigh is still in Italy studying , we can keep on writing to each other and Kaleigh can even see me if is she wishes ......You both have my telephone and Whats App number ......ciao e grazie, belle !!!
Jeff_G, May 2025
What an amazing afternoon discovering Venice! Antonio is an incredible guide, super knowledgeable, personable, and kept the tour lively. He kept a great pace and was able to hit all of the highlights without leaving us walking away exhausted. We stopped for a brief bite complements of Antonio which was a nice break before we continued on the second half of our tour. Oh yeah, also the skip the line tickets are a game changer. It just happened that the President of Italy was visiting that day which threw the schedule off. Without the skip the line tics we would had waited in line longer than our entire tour took. This disruption caused Antonio to have to alter our tour so we could still see all the sights and he did so effortlessly, true professional. We highly recommend Antonio and the Deluxe Venice Tour!! Worth every penny!
Response from Host, May 2025
Some of my clients have an incredible capacity for enhancing what they found exceptional about the tour and they describe it so accurately that I should pay them for promoting my work in such a natural and spontaneous way . So I feel that I am in debt to you, Sir !
Michael_C, May 2025
Antonio was the best tour guide I have ever had period!! His knowledge and sincere interest was amazing. I can’t wait to come back to Venice and use him again with my other family members who could not attend this time
Response from Host, May 2025
Please , come back with the rest of the family and I will try to surpass myself driving you crazy with great history !! Yes : I have many flaws but I am honest and sincere
From $260.32
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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