Top Venice Historical Tours

Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Enjoy skip-the-line access to both popular attractions. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

Visit Torcello, Murano, and Burano—three islands in the Venetian Lagoon—on this tour from Venice by motorboat. With a guide, watch glass being blown at a Murano glass factory, see historical cathedrals on Torcello, and admire exquisite handmade lace on Burano. This is a great way to see more than just the central sights of Venice and enjoy a cruise on the water. Select a departure time when booking.

Explore the intricacies of two famed Italian handicrafts with a day trip from Venice to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano. Watch centuries-old glassblowing techniques in Murano, and marvel at the detailed stitches of exquisite Burano lace. Your knowledgeable guide will share the history of these two artisan islands while you visit local workshops and wander the picturesque streets.

First time in Venice? Maximize your time in the city with a full-day itinerary that ticks off all the most memorable attractions. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Next, access St. Mark’s Basilica and gaze down over the city from the cathedral’s rooftop terrace. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge’s Palace. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people ensuring a personalized experience.

See the wonders of Venice's St. Mark's Basilica without the crowds during this after-hours, small-group tour. Learn about the basilica's famed mosaics from your guide and explore the crypt below the church to see where St. Mark's remains are said to lie. Upgrade to see the Doge's Palace after the basilica and wander the former home of the Venetian Republic's government.

Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice on this guided tour of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Listen to your guide's commentary clearly with provided headsets and avoid hours-long queues with skip-the-line admission tickets. Entrance tickets to the Doge's Palace are also included for a hassle-free tour.

Discover three of the most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon on a private, half-day tour aboard a typical Venetian motorboat. See where the world’s finest blown glass is made in Murano, visit the home of artisan lace makers and famous biscuits in Burano and set foot on Venice’s oldest settlements in serene Torcello. Enjoy a customizable itinerary and the personalized attention of a private boat captain.

Explore Venice's famous canals on a guided gondola ride through the city. Meander beneath bridges and along quiet, peaceful stretches in a traditional Venetian boat, taking in sights such as the Rialto Bridge and Campo Manin as you go. Join up to five others—along with your expert gondolier—in enjoying one of Venice's most leisurely and original pastimes, and don't miss this chance to experience the Grand Canal from the water.

Discover the real Secret Venice with a native Venetian guide! The experience to live the uniqueness of the most authentic local districts. From Cannaregio, admiring its small canals and millenary legends, the tour will take you back in 1400s, learning the stories of the Venetian Republic, full of secrets and mysteries. During this exciting walk you will breathe a 100% local atmosphere, out of the beaten tracks, to admire the real life of Venice with its locals and crafts. The experience will arrive up to Rialto bridge where your guide will show the old trade center from completely a different perspective! Last but not least, an insightful exploration of San Polo where the oldest "mascareri" (creators of Carnival masks) are still working following the tradition of centuries ago. Histories, Legends and Secrets.. from the Venetian eyes!

Experience the magnificence and mystery of the Doge’s Palace in Venice with this skip-the-line ticket. Head to the front of the queue with your guide, and then wander through the palace’s ornate public rooms as you learn the history of Venice’s powerful rulers. Admire magnificent interior artwork, including Renaissance masterpieces by painters Tintoretto and Veronese. Explore the palace’s darker side with a visit to the prison quarters and a walk across the notorious Bridge of Sighs.

See the Doge's Palace, which served as the center of power in the Venetian Republic, with this skip-the-line 1-hour guided tour. Marvel at the artistic treasures in the palace, including paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. Walk through ornately-decorated halls and imagine Venice in its so-called Golden Age. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs from the Doge's Palace into the infamous prison, where Casanova was once held. Enjoy personalized attention from a knowledgeable local guide.

Enjoy the best of Venice on this guided walking tour plus skip-the-line entry to the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica. Explore the best that the canal city has to offer, winding your way through narrow alleys, and see Venice's top attractions.

The Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica are two of Venice’s most beloved destinations, but the two landmarks can have ticket lines to match. See both landmarks with a private guide on a 2-hour tour that includes skip-the-line access, so you can make the most of your time in Venice.

Experience the grandeur and history of Venice on this private tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Admire the shimmering mosaics and golden altars of the city’s most famous cathedral, and see masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto as you wander through the lavish chambers of the Venetian Republic’s one-time rulers. Skip the long lines at both attractions with priority access (from April to October), so you don't waste a minute of precious vacation time.

Discover Venice exactly the way you want to with this completely customized private tour. Your friendly local guide will create a 3-hour itinerary based on preferences you provide at booking. Whether you’re interested in architecture, local legends or Renaissance art, this tour is for you! Along the way, pop in at a local bar for a glass of regional wine and appetizers, and feel free to ask all the questions you like.

Step back in time to the golden age of Italian opera with this guided tour of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. Learn the history and legends of this decadent Baroque opera house, which was once the heart of Venetian high society and hosted performances by masterful maestros like Verdi, Rossini and Bellini.

Venice is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, and its crowds can be hard to avoid. With this tour, you’ll discover the quiet side of Venice as your guide leads you away from the throngs and along its hidden lanes through peaceful squares, secret courtyards, and tiny churches rich with artistic treasures. End your tour on sleepy San Giorgio island to enjoy its beautiful views.

Escape the crowds of tourists that congregate around Venice's most famous attractions by heading out onto the water to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Learn about Murano's glass-making heritage, stroll by the colorful houses of Burano, and soak up the scene on Torcello, the most ancient settlement on the Venetian Lagoon.

Skip the lines at Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace and opt a shared guided tour instead. Then, enjoy the quintessential Venice experience—a gondola ride through the city’s canals and waterways. Your ticket also includes access to several landmarks surrounding Saint Mark’s Square, as well as access to a mobile app that provides commentary to a walking tour of the city at your own pace.

Venice is full of historic landmarks and romantic views but it can be a challenge to get younger children excited about sightseeing. This private tour is specially designed for families, so you can visit sights such as Campo San Bartolomeo, the Marco Polo house, and the Rialto Bridge, and keep the kids amused with entertaining commentary and fun activities.

Discover the heart of Renaissance history with this independent day trip from Venice to Florence by high-speed train. All transportation essentials will be arranged for you, including a round-trip train ticket and a guided walking tour of Florence attractions such as the Ufizzi Gallery and the iconic red-capped Duomo.

See Venice’s tucked-away places as well as don’t-miss monuments on this walking tour. Your guide shares unusual stops not typically found on the tourist path, starting in Dorsoduro, the university district. Learn about the city’s history at sites like the Rialto Bridge and Marco Polo’s home, then meander through Campo San Giovanni e Paolo up to Piazza San Marco. Opt for a small group or upgrade to a private tour. 

Learn about Venice's history and culture on this kid-friendly private tour. Over the course of the tour in the canal-filled city, avoid long lines and dry historical commentary. Walk over the Rialto Bridge, visit the Basilica di San Marco, and stroll through bustling local marketplaces. This private tour is totally customizable and ensures personalized attention for your family.

Get an in-depth look at two of Venice's most popular attractions on this skip-the-line tour of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. See glittering mosaics inside the church and lavish rooms once inhabited by rulers of the Venetian Republic. Explore the fascinating history of La Serenissima in one combination tour.