11 Best Tours and Day Trips in Venice

Venice is a truly unique city, ranked among the must-see destinations for any travel enthusiast. There is so much to see and do in Venice. That's why a guided tour or excursion is definitely the best decision you can make to make the most of your stay and not miss anything interesting. Below is a list of my personal favourites, which I hope will inspire you and help you have an incredible holiday.

Where else in the world can you enjoy a similar experience? I don't think there is anything more traditional than a gondola ride on the waters of the Grand Canal. Travelling to Venice and not enjoying this type of experience is really a shame. Venetian gondoliers will take you on a shared gondola ride through the waters of the lagoon in gondolas with a maximum capacity of 6 people; you will have the option of hiring the gondola for your private use.

What will you see on these tours?

The gondola ride is combined with a tour of Venice's Grand Canal to appreciate the architectural gems built along this important commercial route throughout history. In addition, a talented singer will perform the most romantic Venetian ballads for you.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: These are usually short excursions, but you should allow at least 30 minutes for the trip, in addition to the time it will take to reach the meeting point.
• Price: Gondola rides with serenade included are available from €30 per person. If you require a gondola for private use, you will have to pay a higher price.

A professional guide takes a small group of tourists on a tour of the city's main treasures; these excursions usually take place during the day so that visitors can admire the beautiful architecture of Venetian buildings in detail.

What will you see on these tours?

This type of excursion includes exploring architectural gems and important Venetian monuments. The itinerary may vary depending on the company you choose to hire, but some alternatives include: a guided tour of St. Mark's Square, a stop to see Marco Polo's house, a view of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, a visit to the La Fenice Theatre, the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, etc.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: You should reserve at least one hour of your itinerary for this excursion. When combined with other alternatives such as a gondola ride, the tour can last up to approximately three hours.
• Price: Depending on the duration and itinerary of stops included in the tour, the initial price may vary between €30 and €60.

An expert guide in Venetian architecture and history will take a small group of tourists to see two of the most opulent jewels of Venetian architecture: the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. If you are interested in art, history or architecture, this is a tour not to be missed. The best part? By booking a guided tour, you can skip the queue and the tour of the interior can be completed very quickly. It is ideal for those who are only spending a day in Venice.

What will you see on these tours?

You will have the opportunity to explore the interior of the Doge's Palace with all its secrets, as well as the interior of St. Mark's Basilica with all its marvellous treasures brought from other lands and distant times.

Details of interest

• Duration of the tour: Tours of the interior of the Basilica and the Palace usually take at least an hour each, so you should allow at least two hours in total for this type of experience.
• Price: This type of experience includes skip-the-line entry to St. Mark's Basilica and skip-the-line entry to the Doge's Palace, as well as an expert guide. For this reason, the price is at least €80 in total.

This excursion is the ideal option for those who are on holiday in Venice for three days or more, as it allows you to discover the traditional islands of Murano and Burano, located to the north of the lagoon and famous for centuries for their delicate craftsmanship.

What will you see on these tours?

You will have the valuable opportunity to visit the island of Murano, with its prodigious glass industry; you can also visit the island of Burano, famous for its lace creations and striking coloured houses; Burano's cuisine is equally spectacular. Some travel alternatives also include a visit to the island of Torcello from Burano, famous for being the first island in the lagoon to be inhabited.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: This may vary depending on the company you hire and the itinerary established, but you should allow at least 3 hours for this type of excursion. If you are considering a longer trip, you can opt for full-day options on the islands and get to know them in depth.
• Price: You will find different excursions to Murano and Burano from Venice, with premium price options and other more general options, with prices starting at €30 per person.

Those who enjoy listening to intriguing stories, supernatural legends and tales of horror will find this type of experience fascinating. Led by an expert guide, you will have the opportunity to take a walking tour through narrow alleys and labyrinths while learning secrets and ghost stories that are rarely told in books.

What will you see on these tours?

This tour will take you through the districts of Castello and Cannaregio to hear disturbing stories about the ancient Venetian leaders and their most notable citizens. You will also visit the Rialto area, which was once the most important commercial area on the entire island. Some alternatives combine the experience with a stop to enjoy an aperitif at a bacari.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: The average time is 1 hour and a half. This tour always takes place at sunset or dusk, making it perfect to combine with other options.
• Price: Around €25

With so much architectural and cultural wealth on offer in the city of Venice, you may want to escape the crowds of tourists and spend a day disconnecting with nature. A highly recommended option is to take a trip to the Dolomite mountain range to admire idyllic landscapes, spectacular lakes and charming villages.

What will you see on this excursion?

Accompanied by a driver-guide in a small group, you will discover picture-postcard landscapes, including the impressive rocks known as the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the relaxing Lake Misurina and the beautiful alpine village of Cortina D'Ampezzo.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: Approximately 9 hours
• Price: From £145 including transport in a minibus with a driver-guide

If you are on a trip to Venice and plan to stay in the city for five or more days, one of the activities you should consider including in your itinerary is a cruise to the city of Padua. Located in the Veneto region, it has a truly beautiful historic centre and is only 38 km to the west. The destination is one of the favourite day trips for the inhabitants of Greater Venice.

What will you see on these tours?

Excursions of this type include a cruise along the Brenta Riviera; the idea is to take tourists not only to their final destination in Padua but also to show them the highlights along the way. Although it may vary slightly depending on the company you hire, some stops that may be included in your trip are: Villa Foscari, the National Museum and gardens of Villa Pisani, and the historic centre of Padua.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: The entire tour, including the round trip to the centre of Prague, lasts a total of 9 to 10 hours. To take this type of excursion, you will need to reserve a full day of your itinerary, so it is ideal if you are staying in Venice for several days.
• Price: This type of experience is usually available from €100, which includes transport and, in most cases, admission to the gardens and palaces on the itinerary.

Take a tour to discover the wine region on the outskirts of Venice. A local wine expert guide takes the group of tourists from the centre of La Serenissima to the countryside itself to soak up the beauty of the landscapes, the splendid vineyards and the process of making this delicious drink.

What will you see on these tours?

Enjoy tastings and learn about the step-by-step production process of prosecco, the local name for the famous Italian sparkling wine. The experience includes admission to the vineyards, tastings in the cellars and a visit to a local restaurant at lunchtime.

Details of interest

• Duration of the excursion: With an average duration of 6 to 7 hours, you should set aside a day for this adventure. Excursions of this type usually depart early in the morning from a major meeting point in Venice, such as St. Mark's Square, and head to the Italian wine-growing areas of Valdobbiadene Conegliano.
• Price: These types of experiences are available from €130 per participant.

It is impossible to leave Venice without enjoying its fabulous cuisine. On this type of excursion, an expert guide in Italian gastronomy takes a small group of tourists to visit the Rialto Market, while exploring the gastronomic tradition of La Serenissima. Accompany this experience with historical facts and secret places that do not usually appear in travel guides.

What will you see on these tours?

In addition to visiting the famous Rialto Market and enjoying its curious architecture, you will have the opportunity to sample various dishes in restaurants and bars highly rated by locals; Italian wines are usually included as part of the experience.

Details of interest

• Duration of the tour: This may vary slightly depending on the company you hire, but I recommend booking at least 2.5 hours for this tour; some tours can last up to 3.5 hours in total.
• Price: When several bars and restaurants are included, the price is approximately €90 for the experience.

Once you have seen classic Venice, including a cruise along the Grand Canal, a visit to the Doge's Palace, St Mark's Square and St Mark's Basilica, the next step is to take a tour of alternative Venice to explore those architectural and historical gems that are not seen on more conventional tourist routes. It is an ideal addition if you are on holiday in Venice on a four or seven-day itinerary.

Most companies offering this type of excursion use native Venetian guides, with some specialising in art, architecture and/or history; the guides are also usually trained to speak at least two languages: English and Italian. Before booking, you can check the availability of Spanish-speaking guides if the excursion does not specify this.

What will you see on these tours?

The itinerary includes a tour of Venice's hidden gems, and although the itinerary may vary depending on the company you choose, you can expect to visit some of the following destinations: Visit Campo Barnaba and discover the more artistic side of Venice in the Dorsoduro district with its palaces, beautiful churches and museums.

Details of interest

• Duration of the tour: Depending on the route your trip takes, you may need to allow more time, but as a general rule, this type of experience usually lasts around 2 hours on average, always starting from a well-known point in the vicinity of the Grand Canal.
• Price: More specialised historical tours are usually a little more expensive, but you can expect to pay an average of €30 for this experience.

Explore Venice away from the crowds by taking a tour of La Serenissima's Jewish Quarter. Located in the Cannaregio area, locals know it as il Ghetto. Jews who arrived in Venice in the 16th century were forced to settle in this area, which was previously somewhat separated from the rest by large canals. Today, centuries later, the area has a unique architecture and charm that certainly sets it apart from the rest of Venice.

What will you see on these tours?

With the help of a local guide, you will get to know the Cannaregio area, its history and its evolution in depth. Depending on the tour you choose, a small tasting of local street food may be included. All tours of this type include a mandatory stop at the Jewish synagogues and a visit to the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. From the Cannaregio area, you can see St. Mark's Basilica from a different perspective, so bring your camera to take photos.

Details of interest

• Duration of the tour: This may vary depending on the company you hire. The minimum time required to discover Cannaregio and its secrets is two hours, while longer tours can take up to four hours.

Price: These types of experiences are for small groups of tourists, so the price is around €80 or more per tour.