Venice tours

On our tours of Venice, you’ll visit:

• St. Mark’s Square. Inside the city’s biggest square, you can shop, sip coffee, or visit St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. These two connected buildings are an exciting example of Italo-Byzantine architecture. St. Mark’s Basilica was originally the private chapel of the Doge, the leader of Venice between 726 and 1797. The Palace was his residence. Today, you can appreciate the ornate decorations and learn about Venice’s history in the Palace’s museum.
• The Grand Canal. This is the main s-shaped canal that cuts through the middle of Venice. You can take the public waterbus, the vaporetto, through the Grand Canal, or travel on other vaporetto lines to the nearby islands of Murano, Burano, and Lido. This is a great way to admire the colorful buildings that line the waterway, as well as get a unique view of Venice. You can also opt for a private gondola ride in Venice for a special and memorable outing.
• The Rialto Bridge area. The Rialto bridge is the oldest of the four bridges on the Grand Canal, and it’s a symbol of Venice. Inside, you’ll find the Rialto Market, a 1,000 year-old collection of fascinating shops. It’s fun to browse the market stalls and see the locals interact with the vendors—a true Venetian experience and a must for all Venice trips!
• The Pescheria. Fishermen at this authentic seafood market inside the Rialto Market sell their daily catch from the Venetian Lagoon.

Anytime is great for a visit to Venice, but there are benefits to traveling on our trips to Venice during the off-season: cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and more time to explore. Entrance prices to the museums and main sites are cheaper during the fall, so many art and culture aficionados choose to book their Venice tours between September and November. 

The winter is also a great time to travel to Venice. It’s an idyllic time when you may have some of the city’s main sites all to yourself. If you’re planning a trip to Venice over the winter holidays, you’ll find the city covered in beautiful lights and decorations. And if you arrive in late January, you’ll experience one of the most famous attractions in Venice: The Carnival of Venice. Locals and visitors design their own elaborate masks and dress up in elaborate costumes. Strolling the streets alongside local celebrants is a favorite activity on winter Venice tours.

Venice doesn’t have many vineyards, but there are two key island vineyards you can visit on our Venice trips: Orto di Venezia and Venissa. Orto di Veneiza is a small vineyard on the island of San Erasmo, and Venissa is a little-known wine resort tucked away on the tiny island of Mazzorbo.

If you’re interested in visiting more of Italy’s vineyards, check out our top 5 Italian wineries to check off your bucket list.

One of the best ways to make the most of your trip is to eat! Here are some must-try dishes on our Venice tours: 

• Cicchetti. This traditional finger food is the perfect quick snack to pick up as you stroll around the city. Cicchetti comes in many forms but, in essence, it’s a tiny open-faced sandwich on a slice of fresh baguette. 
• Sarde in saor. This common Venetian appetizer dates back to the Middle Ages when Venetian sailors and fishermen came up with a method to preserve their daily catch. This dish features sardines marinated in vinegar, onions, raisins, and pine nuts. It’s sweet and sour, and it’s always delicious!
• Risotto al nero di seppia. This traditional, jet black risotto dish is full of the flavors of the sea, thanks to the star ingredient: fresh squid.

The biggest tip for those planning to travel to Venice is to know when you should and shouldn't get coffee. There is an unspoken guide to drinking coffee in Italy, and knowing when to order what will separate you from the tourists and save you a little embarrassment, too. A regular cup is thought to be a breakfast drink. If you crave caffeine after noon, it’s more appropriate to order an espresso.

Check out this list of what to know before you go to Italy to learn more.

The main thing we tell travelers before they depart on our group tours to Venice is to pack a pair of rain boots—especially in the springtime. Every spring, Venice experiences a phenomenon known as aqua alta, meaning “high water.” High tides flood the streets, creating stunning reflections. You’ll want waterproof shoes to check it out for yourself.

You’ll also want to pack a pashmina or sweater to cover your shoulders if you plan on visiting any churches. Bare legs and shoulders aren’t permitted in famous places of worship, like St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

If you’re looking for more tips on what to pack for a tour in Venice, check out our Venice Travel Guide.

When you choose Venice guided tours, you get the luxury of being escorted to all of the top sites, without having to do any of the planning. You also won’t have to worry about transportation. Our Venice tour packages like Venice, Florence & Rome, include carefully curated trips and excursions, alongside days of free time to explore on your own.