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.
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.
Options
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.
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.
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)
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.
Reviews
471 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun and Personalized
samanthadB9930YU,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great introduction to Venice! Our guide took us to all of the popular spots, while also showing us some hidden gems. He balanced being funny with being informative. He also gave great restaurant recommendations and other activities to try on our own. Highly recommend!
Walking tour of Venice
GAgirl130,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour was excellent. Fun to see Venice with a true Venetian.
Excellent tour!
L4984MXfranm,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour! Our guide was very knowledgeable and professional! Very much enjoyed this tour!
Great tour
juliacE3662EM,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00very nice walking tour of venice
A fun tour and gondola ride experience in Venice.
Lonnie M,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun and enjoyable tour. Our guide was attentive and very knowledgeable. The gondola ride at the end was a nice touch and we even had a short break in the middle to use the restroom and grab a water and gelato!
Tour of Venezia
RForbes300,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chiara was a fun and informative guide. Her passion for Venezia was apparent. We learned and had a good time.
Excellent tour guide
annehE388VI,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guide was excellent and hugely informative. We really enjoyed our tour
Loving Venice!!
Y2527FZdeborahm,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Valentina was wonderful! So informative!
Great
175arianal,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience and very informative.
Great Venice Experience! 5 star
susanpH4412XI,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mateo our guide was extremely informative and provided detailed explanations of the sites of beautiful Venice. We only had to wait a short time to get into St Mark’s Basilica - which was breathtaking inside and out. Our gondola ride was fabulous my parents and teenage son thoroughly enjoyed this after our long walk. Remember to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and to your knees. And most importantly comfy shoes. Excellent value for money.
Related Experiences
Operated by Walks - Italy & Spain