Welcome to Venice Group Tour St. Mark's Basilica & Gondola Ride
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
A first-timer to Venice, or don’t know where to begin your explorations? Over the course of this tour, experience many of the city’s top highlights. See the Rialto Bridge, fish market, historic mansions, and a quirky bookshop on a city walk before admiring the shimmering gold mosaics inside St. Mark’s Basilica. Plus enjoy a relaxing gondola ride and explore areas of the city that many tour groups miss. If you're short on time or want an introduction to Venice in just 2.5 hours, select the Welcome to Venice Express option at time of booking. Note: This option does not include a gondola ride.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
During times of high tides, flooding, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be substituted for another experience.
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
Mercati di Rialto
Meet near the Rialto Bridge and learn why it was initially considered a very bad idea to build it. Take a quick look at the Rialto Fish Market to learn about the long fishing history of the city and its famous cuisine. Get a couple of restaurant recommendations from your local guide!
Continue your walking tour to discover some of the city’s hidden gems. You'll learn what it is like to live on the island today as you meander through hidden alleyways. See a remarkable statue by Verocchio on the Campo San Giovanni and Paolo, where you will also see a variety of typical Venetian architectural styles.
What‘s Included
Local English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Headset
Expertly guided walking tour
Gondola Ride (if option selected)
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Guide (during gondola ride)
Options
Welcome to Venice
Duration: 3 hours: Learn the history of Venice on a walking tour, skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica, and enjoy a gondola ride.
Private - Welcome to Venice
Duration: 3 hours
With Gondola Ride: Learn the history of Venice, visit famous monuments, see St. Mark’s Basilica, and a gondola ride down the enchanting canals.
Welcome to Venice (No Gondola)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: Explore Venice’s highlights on a 2.5-hour walking tour with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica.
Reviews
446 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Shannon Walks of Italy Tour
D3964EZlaurenc,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shannon was amazing!! She was very knowledgeable and guided us through a wonderful tour. She was very kind and poised. Ending with the gondola ride was a treat!
The tour guide was very...
Christopher L,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. She made an effort to take us off the main streets and avoid the crowds. The gondola ride at the end was very nice.
Great tour! highly recommend with American Guide!
Rosie H,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the walking tour with Shannon. She was an amazing tour guide. With 3 little kids it was nice to have someone with an American accent so they could understand and ask questions. We learned a lot. Great tour!
Good walk and history tour
venkataramakrsihnay,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We booked directly through Walks of Italy. Matteo knows a lot about the history, and walked us through various alleys around the city, explained the significance and the stories only a local would know. I am giving four stars because we were surprised to learn that St. Mark’s Basilica was excluded just that morning (the operator should know about it and did not).
Walk tour
alansQ221PP,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic knowledge and personal experience. Fully recommend if visiting Venice.
A great walking tour
nicks2903,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great tour. Very friendly and informative guide.
Good tour guide.
Debra S,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Good overview. Guide took us to hidden places.
Roberta was fabulous....
Brian S,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Roberta was fabulous. Very nice ,sweet, knowledgeable and accommodating . We loved her. No one else booked so it was a private tour.
Beautiful Venice
354rosiew,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Explored Venice with guide Alessandro. He was excellent and gave us a great experience.
A Great Introduction to Venice with a Memorable Gondola Ride
Paul A,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Overall, this tour was a good way to start our time in Venice, especially if it’s your first visit. Alessandro was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and funny, which made the walking tour both informative and enjoyable. He did a great job explaining the city’s history while keeping things light and engaging. The gondola ride at the end was definitely the highlight and a perfect way to wrap up the experience. Access to St. Mark’s Basilica was included in the tour fee, but we never actually went inside, and it wasn’t clear whether we were supposed to do that on our own or if it was skipped altogether—so if you book this tour, be sure to ask about that ahead of time. Aside from that, it’s a solid tour that helps you get oriented and comfortable in Venice.
From €59.00
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Operated by Walks - Italy & Spain