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
Famous local bookstore
Rialto Fish Market
Local English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Rialto Bridge
Expertly guided walking tour
Palazzo Grimani (exterior)
Gondola Ride (if option selected)
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
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
489 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Roberta!!! what an...
Theresa M,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Roberta!!! what an amazing guide! She is very informative and gives the group little tit bits as you walk along the streets A reminder that if you want to go into the St Marx Basilica you will need to cover your shoulders and knees. Not advisable for families with toddlers
Pickpocketing-Level Scam - Avoid!!!
Bridgette V,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00If I could provide a ZERO rating for this tour, I would. The option is not available. Avoid this tour at all cost!! In May, there were many labor strikes. It was all over the news (TV, radio). I received notification only 24-hours in advance that my train would not operate from Rome to Venice. It was impossible for me to go on this trip. When I called Viator (and messaged them), they were incredibly unprofessional and rude. Apparently, labor strikes in Europe are a common event so nobody cared. Ask yourself this: How can you cancel a tour package 4 days ahead of time for a refund if you only learn your train is canceled the day before you're supposed to visit Venice? That's impossible. There's no logic to this request. Not only did they refuse to refund me, the merchant was rude, and and then offered to charge me MORE $$$ to change the date of my reservation to another date when I was not in Italy. Imagine that? No thanks. I paid $128 for nothing and I have never visited Venice in my life. Now, I have no interest in ever seeing Venice at all.
Great walking tour
539meghanz,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fabulous walking tour. Our guide Sara told us so much history about Venice. She was polite and friendly. I would highly recommend this tour!
Fantastic experience!
tblair4172019,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved this tour. Sara speaks excellent English and is very knowledgeable regarding Venetian history and culture. We would gladly do this one again!
Great experience
mosmeyersellers,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ciara was amazing! So knowledgeable
Venice St Mark’s and gondola ride
davidpA3559NN,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chiara was an amazing tour guide. She knew things outside of the scope of the tour and of course she was an expert about all things included in the tour. Fantastic experience!
We learned so much about Venezia!
Lisa R,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alessandro is amazingly knowledgeable and kind!
Amazing Tour!
325katz,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing guide, a lot of information, good pace. Would book again
Elena is a WONDERFUL guide!!!!!!
Lindy M,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Elena was a wonderful guide! We enjoyed this tour very very much!! She had many interesting stories that tied in with all that she showed us. Highly Recommended this tour and Elena!!
Fantastic!!
Voyager821929,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Roberta did a great job!! Very knowledgeable.
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