Semi Private Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Tour Overview

Experience the grandeur of Venice with a semi private group that offers a more tailored pace and a close connection with your local guide. This tour showcases the gold-leaf domes of St. Mark’s Basilica and the gothic splendor of the Doge’s Palace, plus includes a stroll past the Rialto Bridge and a shared gondola ride on the canals. The small group size ensures you get the most out of your pre-reserved entry and provides a superior, personalized perspective of the world’s most famous water city.

What's Included

Your 6-hour tour includes:Expert English-speaking guideTimed-entry ticket and guided tour of St. Mark’s BasilicaTimed-entry ticket and guided tour of Doge’s PalaceWalking tour of Rialto Bridge and Venice’s quieter areas30-minute shared gondola ride (max 5 people shared experience)Free time for lunch (meal not included)Semi private experience

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tips or gratuity

Your Itinerary

1

Meet your guide at St. Mark's Square

Your tour begins between the two stone columns on the lagoon side of St. Mark’s Square. Listen as your guide explains how this island city became a global trade power as you prepare for a day of exploring the most famous landmarks in the floating city.

2

Enter St. Mark’s Basilica

Next, use your timed tickets to enter St. Mark’s Basilica, the 11th-century cathedral known for its golden interior. Spend time admiring the intricate mosaics and domes while your guide explains the religious significance and the legends behind the relics housed within these historic walls.

3

Walk Venice’s backstreets and see the Rialto Bridge

Then, follow your guide and semi private group through narrow alleys and over small stone bridges used mostly by locals. Learn about the daily Venetian lifestyle before arriving at the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, for a perfect photo opportunity.

4

Sightsee on a 30-minute shared gondola ride

Next, in groups of 5, board a traditional wooden gondola to experience Venice from its famous canals. Drift past ancient palazzos and under low bridges as you move from quiet residential waterways into the bustling activity of the Grand Canal for classic Venetian views.

5

Take free time for lunch

After the gondola ride, take time to enjoy a meal at your own pace. Your guide can provide recommendations for authentic spots where you can find traditional snacks or a full sit-down lunch. This break allows you to recharge before the afternoon palace visit.

6

Explore Doge’s Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs

After lunch, enter the Doge’s Palace, the gothic masterpiece that served as the center of the Venetian government. Walk through the massive council chambers and cross the Bridge of Sighs into the atmospheric old prisons, following the path of former inmates.

7

Your tour finishes inside Doge’s Palace

Your tour finishes inside of Doge's Palace, leaving you perfectly placed to continue exploring the museum at your leisure. Leave with a deeper understanding of the city's history and suggestions from your guide on where to find the best evening cicchetti nearby.