Water activity

Venice: The Discover Walking Tour & Gondola Ride

4.3 / 5

21 reviews

Activity provider: Venice Events srl
Water activity

Venice: The Discover Walking Tour & Gondola Ride

Activity provider: Venice Events srl

From US$ 64.62 per person

Discover Venice’s most unusual and characteristic corners during this combination tour consisting of a charming walking tour and a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and minor canals, where you will see the city from the water.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Duration 2 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English, French, Spanish, German
Audio guide included
English, French, Spanish, German

Experience

Highlights
  • Embark on a guided walking tour away from the crowds to discover hidden Venice
  • Be led by a fully qualified local guide covering the area between St. Mark's Square and the Rialto
  • Enjoy an external visit of the most popular Venetian sights and hidden corners: the Fenice Theatre, the Bovolo Staircase and Rialto Bridge
  • Experience a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and minor canals
  • Have great photo opportunities from the water
Full description
First, experience a lesser-known Venice, wandering through its back streets and small hidden squares starting from St. Mark's Square and reaching Rialto Bridge. Then, board a gondola and learn a little about what its like living in this unique city. Meet your local guide in front of the Clock Tower in St. Mark's Square, and let yourself be led through the labyrinth of alleyways, squares or campi and hear about the history, stories and the local Venetian dialect. On leaving the square, you will stop in front of Fenice Theatre, one of the most famous opera houses in Europe. Learn about its glorious but also troubled history. Passing through other hidden corners of the city, you will be able to discover the history of Venice through its prominent architectural sights. Admire the Bovolo Staircase, a Renaissance masterpiece, and one of Venice's finest architectural jewels. This fascinating and complex spiral staircase is part of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and dates from 1499. It is tucked away in a small courtyard close to Campo Manin. Before heading back towards St. Mark's Square, you will make a stop close to the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal and discover what made it the historical center of the commercial area of the city. The walking tour will finish in Saint Moisè Square, the landing stage of the famous Venetian transportation, the gondola. Relax aboard this historic vessel, enjoying the thrills of both the Grand Canal and minor canals. Admire Venice from this amazing point of view, witness its magnificent architecture and whilst gliding under its bridges, discover secret entrances to the elegant palaces and hidden corners.
Includes
  • Live commentary (possibly bilingual)
  • Bovolo Staircase
  • The Fenice Theatre
  • Rialto Bridge
  • Gondola ride along the Grand Canal and through the minor canals
  • This tour does not include inside visits to museums or attractions
  • The gondola ride is not a guided tour
  • Optional gratuities
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Not suitable for
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your guide next to the San Marco post office on the opposite side of Saint Marks Basilica. Look for the yellow meeting point sign on the wooden kiosk.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Passport or ID card for children

Not allowed

  • Oversize luggage

Know before you go

  • This is an external walking tour only
  • This activity is not wheelchair accessible
  • The walking tour will take place rain or shine
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 21 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5
  • Safety
    4.8/5

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The gondola ride was a great experience. The city tour was unique, great guide and small group!

October 31, 2022

Very good city guide, good knowledge of German

August 14, 2021

absolutely amazing tour with a wonderful & knowledgeable local.guide. Thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommended.

December 17, 2019

Product ID: 132813