Best Tours in Venice
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Venice
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Duck out of the thronging crowds at St. Mark's Square, and enjoy a little holiday in the mind of a genius, with a ticket to Negozio Olivetti. Designed by celebrated Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, this boutique museum is the perfect counterpoint to Venice's Gothic and Moorish architecture - and its bustling crowds! Epitomizing Scarpa's innovative use of space, the understated elegance of Negozio Olivetti offers a bite-size slice of calming modern design, without a single pigeon in sight!
Once the home of Venetian nobles, two world-class museums occupy the space inside this opulent ex-palace. Explore a huge collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings, as well as Expressionist and Surrealist art in The International Gallery of Modern Art. In the Oriental Art Museum, ogle the many treasures from Prince Enrico di Borbone's jaunt across Asia from 1887–89. Marvel at beautiful antique Islamic ceramics, an exquisite carved Chinese chess set from the 18th century, and more.
With this combo ticket you'll get skip-the-line access to two of Venice's most interesting museums! Explore the art of Venetian lace-making from the 16th to the 20th centuries at the Lace Museum, then check out the largest collection of Murano glass in history at the Glass Museum.
Discover the interiors of the enchanting La Fenice Theatre in Venice with this skip-the-line entrance ticket! Whether you're a lover of opera or simply want to immerse yourself in the beauty of one of Italy's most celebrated theaters, this opera house is sure to leave you captivated and inspired. This ticket offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at La Fenice, taking you to areas typically overlooked by the public, such as the Royal Box and the Apollo Rooms boasting some magnificent details of the Baroque interiors. You'll be able to explore the stunning architecture and ornate interiors of La Fenice securing the heritage of the incredible performances that have taken place within its walls. Photos and artifacts will tell you the story of the theatre's founding, its tumultuous past, and its triumphant rebirth after devastating fires. Experience the magic of one of the most renowned opera houses and admire the artistry of this iconic venue. WeGoTrip is an authorized reseller of Venezia Unica services.
Start with a tour guide at the Gondola Yard Gallery. Learn about Venice's past with a fun virtual reality experience. See Piazza San Marco and the Doge's Palace as they were in medieval times. Next, skip the line at St. Mark's Bell Tower with fast-track tickets. Take a quick elevator ride to the top, standing 98 meters high. Enjoy views of Venice's famous sights, including St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, and the iconic lagoon. Get the chance to take photos from this high viewpoint and capture Venice's architecture and lively atmosphere from above.
You must try the local cuisine to truly understand a city! If you wish to learn more about Venice and experience its taste, this tour is for you. Your tour will begin at Santa Lucia railway station, where you will enjoy a marvelous view of the Grand Canal and discover why Venice's names often refer to past events. In close proximity to the ancient church of Tolentini, famous for being a big part of local wine tradition, you will discover the authentic culture of Venetian bacaki. Near Palazzo Medicci dei Leoni, a wonderful palace built at the beginning of the XV century, you will learn how Venetian noble houses were built. In Campo San Pantalon, you will see the vault famous all around the world and learn how to get the maximum by visiting the churches of the city. Your tour will finish at the main square of Venice and the place for the most important celebrations and ceremonies, Piazza San Marco. There you will find the first coffee shop women could visit in Venice. Discover lifehacks to truly understand the menu in local restaurants and learn why you should follow gondoliers to choose the best spot to eat. Get ready for your journey through Venitian cuisine and traditions!
Discover the Treasure of Venice with this official self-guided audio tour of the Saint Mark's Basilica! Note! This tour DOES NOT include a ticket! Buy it at www.st-marks-basilica.com Located in St. Mark Square, right next to the Doge's Palace, the Saint Mark's Basilica has always been the center of Venice's public and religious life. Today it is open both for prayer and for the opportunity to admire its extraordinary artistic heritage. Starting with an incredible journey, the Basilica's story is a tale like no other. Venice brought Byzantium's spiritual and material heritage to the West and preserved it till now so travelers from all over the world could experience its grandeur. Be lucky to see 8000 square metres of mosaics covering the Basilica walls, vaults, and cupolas. Marvel at a unique architectural collection consisting of masterpieces of different types, epochs, and origins. Visit the Saint Mark's Museum, which houses precious exhibits such as Persian carpets, liturgical vestments, and illuminated manuscripts. There are only a few places in the world so rich in their history and heritage. Be sure not to miss it!
This in-app audio tour with a city pass valid for 24 hr will guide you through top Venice's landmarks by public water bus known as Vaporetto. You may hop on and hop off the boat at each stop to walk around. (!) Convert your voucher on a regular ticket via ACTV AUTOMATIC TICKET MACHINES at Ferrovia C: enter your PNR personal booking code. Or present your PNR code at VENEZIA UNICA TICKET POINT. Then go to Ferrovia Compartimentale (ex F30) and take Line #1 of the water bus. Venice's wide boulevard of water, the Grand Canal, is a sight in itself, and the only way to see the magnificent palaces of the island city. Take this nautical joyride down the Canal as it snakes through the heart of Venice, and learn what makes this city so unique. The tour starts at the main station, Santa Lucia, where you will catch Vaporetto #1 and start cruising past the moody Riva de Biasio quarter, which gave us the English word "ghetto." Spot Venice's Casinò securing the story of the infamous Italian mafia as you pass by colorful facades of the city's palace-like houses. Get to the commercial Rialto district with its market, gondoliers, and iconic Rialto Bridge. On your way, you will learn the history of Venice and local life hacks on how to navigate through its cozy canals. Sailing through the San Marco district, you will see the art museums and hotels frequented by celebs, the fascinating La Salute church, and the pearl of the city, San Marco Square with the lacy pink Doge's Palace.
This self-guided audio walking tour explores Venice beyond the busiest postcard sights, focusing on Cannaregio’s layered history, artisan traditions, and quieter canals. It will appeal to first-time visitors who want a more intimate side of the city, especially travelers interested in Jewish heritage, sacred art, local crafts, and everyday Venetian life. The route begins in the Jewish Quarter, one of the most historically significant areas in Venice, where synagogues and the Jewish Museum preserve the memory of a centuries-old community. From there, you continue through Cannaregio past rowing landmarks and traditional boat culture, then on to Associazione Arzanà, Campo dei Mori, and the Church of Madonna dell'Orto, known for its Gothic beauty and strong connection to Tintoretto. The walk then leads south and east to the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, the handcrafted masks of La Bottega Dei Mascareri, and the grand Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, burial place of many Venetian doges. Near the end, you pass Squero Vecio, linked to the city’s boatbuilding heritage, before finishing at San Michele Cemetery, the serene island burial ground just beyond the main urban fabric. Along the way, the most memorable experiences include standing in the historic Ghetto, discovering hidden courtyards and canals, seeing master mask-making up close, stepping into monumental churches, and ending with the unusual calm of Venice’s cemetery island.
This self-guided audio walk introduces first-time visitors to the heart of Venice through its grand squares, churches, theaters, and canal-side lanes. It will suit travelers who want an accessible route that blends famous landmarks with the quieter rhythm of everyday Venetian streets. The route begins in Piazza San Marco, where the domes of St. Mark’s Basilica, the tall bell tower, and the Clock Tower set the scene. From there, you head through Chiesa di San Zulian, Campo San Salvador, Campo San Luca, and the tucked-away Calle Contarini del Bovolo, then continue across Campo Manin and Campo Sant'Angelo to Teatro La Fenice and Santa Maria Zobenigo. The walk carries on through Campo Santo Stefano to the Gallerie dell'Accademia, then into the San Trovaso and Carmini area, passing Scuola Grande dei Carmini, Campo San Pantalon, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and the vast brick church of the Frari. In the final stretch, you cross into San Polo, pass Campo Sant' Aponal, and finish in Rialto, one of Venice’s liveliest districts. Along the way, the most memorable moments include the sudden opening of sunlit campi, the curl of the Bovolo staircase, the elegant facade of La Fenice, the glow of Venetian art near the Accademia, and the busy market atmosphere and canal views around Rialto.
Cities in Italy
About Venice
The must-see attractions in Venice for a first visit are:
The best walking tours to do in Venice are:
Insider tips for visiting Venice
Alina Carini is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2022 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Venice on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Venice.
When I’m in Venice, I always start early in Cannaregio, when the canals are still quiet and locals are out buying bread. For me, the most rewarding attractions in Venice are not just the big sights but the small moments: climbing San Giorgio Maggiore’s bell tower for the cleanest lagoon view, then walking Dorsoduro until I reach Squero di San Trovaso to watch gondolas being repaired. If friends ask me what to see in Venice, I tell them to cross to Torcello in the late afternoon, when it feels almost abandoned. I also like small food-focused tours in Venice, especially around Rialto, where cicchetti bars are busiest just before dinner.
On a first trip to Venice, I recommend getting up early and walking from Rialto to St. Mark’s before 8 a.m., when Venice still feels like itself. One of my favorite things to do in Venice is to slip into Castello after the square, where laundry hangs over narrow canals and you hear more Venetian than camera shutters. For classic attractions in Venice, I’d choose the Doge’s Palace, then balance it with a vaporetto ride to San Giorgio Maggiore for the view. When friends ask me what to see in Venice, I also suggest the Rialto market at lunchtime and, later, bacari in Cannaregio instead of standard tours in Venice.
When I visit Venice for shopping, I split my time by neighborhood. For handmade masks and small ateliers, I go to San Polo and the lanes just off Campo San Tomà, where Venice still feels intimate. If you plan to visit Venice for textiles, stationery, or beautifully curated home goods, I recommend Dorsoduro around Campo Santa Margherita and Calle Lunga San Barnaba. Locals know Cannaregio is better for everyday artisan food shops than flashy windows; I often stop there for biscuits, wine, and kitchen items. In any travel guide Venice usually points to Mercerie, but for me the real things to do in Venice include wandering one canal back from the main streets, where the most interesting shops hide.
In my travel guide Venice always depends on how you want to feel at night. When I visit Venice for a first stay, I usually suggest Cannaregio: you can walk to the station, eat well near Fondamenta della Misericordia, and still slip into quieter lanes after dinner. If you want museums and elegant evenings, I prefer Dorsoduro, especially around Campo Santa Margherita or the Zattere. Locals know San Marco is beautiful but tiring once day-trippers fill it. For me, the best things to do in Venice start early, so I like staying somewhere that lets me reach Rialto or St. Mark’s before breakfast crowds. If you visit Venice for atmosphere, Castello is another excellent choice.
When I’m showing friends Venice, I rarely keep them only around San Marco. For me, the most memorable attractions in Venice are spread across neighborhoods with very different moods. I love Cannaregio for its evening life along Fondamenta della Misericordia, Castello for quiet residential lanes behind Arsenale, and Dorsoduro for art, long waterfront walks, and the view from Punta della Dogana. If someone asks me what to see in Venice, I always add San Polo in the morning, when the Rialto market is still full of fishmongers shouting. I’m not big on standard tours in Venice, but wandering these areas on foot gives the best sense of how Venice actually lives.
When I’m in Venice with children, I usually head to the Natural History Museum in Santa Croce, then let the day unfold along the Grand Canal. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Venice because kids get space to move, and the dinosaur skeletons and lagoon exhibits actually keep them engaged. Afterward, I take the vaporetto to Burano, which for me is one of the most cheerful attractions in Venice for families: bright houses, no cars, and plenty of room to wander. If parents ask me what to see in Venice, I also suggest quiet campi in Castello instead of standard tours in Venice, where children can run a little without the usual crowds.
When I visit Venice, I eat the way locals do: standing at a bacaro with a glass of ombra and a few cicchetti. Venice is especially known for baccalà mantecato on bread, sarde in saor with its sweet-sour onion flavor, and little fried moeche when they’re in season. In my travel guide Venice always includes risotto di gò, a lagoon fish risotto visitors often miss, and fegato alla veneziana if you want something more traditional. One of the best things to do in Venice is go near Rialto before lunch, when bars fill with workers ordering small bites. If you visit Venice in winter, don’t skip fritole during Carnival season.
In my travel guide Venice, I usually tell people to stay at least two full days, but three is much better. Venice changes completely between early morning, midday, and late evening, and you only notice that if you sleep there. When I visit Venice, I like having one day for the classic walks around Rialto, San Marco, and Dorsoduro, then another for slower hours in Cannaregio or Castello, where daily life is easier to feel. A third day lets you add Burano, Torcello, or just long meals and aimless wandering. For me, the best things to do in Venice happen before breakfast and after dinner, when Venice finally exhales.