With its labyrinthine streets, impressive architecture, and endless views of the lagoon, Venice is the absolute gem of Italy. Although wandering through the narrow alleys of the Serenissima without a purpose is one of the best things to do in Venice, booking a guided tour will reveal hidden corners and marvelous spots. And that’s exactly what the best walking tours in Venice should offer: the very local things that a traveler might not be able to discover.
The wealth of landmarks and their historical significance can overwhelm first-time travelers to Venice. On a recent trip to the city, I spent adequate time strolling around its streets. While the waterbuses provide a great shortcut (read my Vaporetto guide), it’s only through walking that you’ll be able to unlock the city’s secrets.
That said, in this article, I handpicked the top guided tours in Venice based on the areas they explore and the quality of the services. In addition, you’ll also read information about the itineraries, see some of my photos, and find the tour prices.
So, let’s dive into the Venice organized walks and see what you can expect from them.
*Some links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The best walking tours in Venice & what to expect
As you can easily imagine, there are hundreds of Venice guided walks to choose from. Despite the overwhelming offer, most tours sell out quickly. Therefore, selecting the one that resonates the most with your interests will be time-consuming. To help you plan everything faster, I handpicked the following Venetian walks. Moreover, I tried to include a variety of itineraries and also walks that cover different interests.
So, here’s my Venice tours selection.
Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Tour (with Terrace Access)
Well, obviously, no journey to Venice is complete without a visit to the Doge’s Palace and the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica. This fascinating 3-hour walking tour around Venice will take you to some of the must-see spots in the city.
The St. Mark’s Square will be, of course, your first stop, and then you’ll step into the Basilica. This tour also offers a nice extra: a visit to the terrace on the first floor, from where you can enjoy fantastic lagoon views. As for the next stop, that’s the nearby Doge’s Palace, which will impress you with its stunning architecture. The Palace features -among others- famous paintings and state-of-the-art frescoes. Afterward, you’ll walk toward the Bridge of Sighs, and your guide will share background stories and local legends.
As you can see, these are the most famous locations in Venice, and visiting them leisurely is recommended. Millions of travelers visit them every year, and you shouldn’t miss them. The tour quality is excellent, and the guides are always skilled. Skip-the-line tickets are, of course, included in the price.
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 84 euros per person
How to book: Book the Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica tour here.
Venice street food tour with a local (with tastings)
Although Venice is known for its magnificent architecture and atmosphere, food is integral to its culture. While Bologna is interconnected with the food culture and Siena with wine tastings, Venice has its share in the food and drink tradition. Moreover, the local cuisine is delicious, and discovering the city through tastings is a must-do for food lovers.
This street food tour in Venice will take you to some of the city’s best eateries while crossing famous landmarks. The tour begins at the San Marco district, and from there, you’ll visit the Rialto Market, next to the world-famous Rialto Bridge. After spending enough time at the market and learning its colorful story, you’ll visit Campo San Polo, where the Basilica dei Frari is, before you finally reach Campo San Bartolomeo.
Of course, this is just the itinerary. Along the way, you’ll stop several times to taste local delicacies, like Buranelli biscuits and Venetian cakes. Obviously, a delicious tiramisù can’t be missing, because it was invented in Venice after all! Last but not least, you’ll immerse yourself in the Cicchetti, the Venetian version of tapas that accompanies every aperitif. I found them highly addictive, and I ended up consuming significant quantities.
Duration: ~ 2,5 hours.
Price: 48 euros per person.
How to book: Book the street food tour here.
Bonus food tour: If you’d rather have a night tour and discover one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods of Venice, there’s a food tour for you. The Venetian Ghetto food tour will take you to the city’s Jewish Ghetto, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover its rich culture and tradition. Cicchetti and Spritz are part of this tour, which lasts 2 hours and costs 71 euros. You can book the Ghetto food tour here.
Hidden Venice: The Most Unusual Walking Tour
For people enjoying unusual walking tours, this is a fantastic option. But what is really an unusual walking tour in Venice? Well, it’s a walk that takes you to the lesser-known and rather odd places of the Serenissima. The tour guide will share unconventional and unknown stories of the places you’ll visit. Yes, such places exist even in cities like Venice -and usually, they are close to world-famous landmarks!
Although a fair amount of surprise is part of this tour’s charm, I’ll share some locations you’ll see along the way. So, among the places you’ll have the opportunity to visit are Marco Polo’s house, the Campiello degli Orbi, where a fraternity of blind people used to stay, the Fenice, and also the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, probably the largest square in downtown Venice.
You also have the option to book a gondola ride as part of this tour. As I wrote in my Venice Gondola Guide, a ride is a must, even though it’s rather touristic, because it’s the only way to see specific parts of Venice. If that’s your only chance to get on a gondola, don’t miss it.
Duration: between 1 and 3 hours.
Price: from 28 euros per person (depending on the duration).
How to book: Book the unusual tour here.
Mysterious tales of ghosts and murders in Venice walking tour
Despite some similarities to the previous activity, this walking tour offers a whole different experience. While some of the places you’ll discover are relatively unusual, the soul of this tour lies in the narration. The guide’s expertise in ghost tales and real crimes that occurred in Venice guarantees a unique experience.
Although you might think this is a tour that might feel like an audio guide, I can assure you it’s not. On the contrary, it is highly visual, and you’ll come across peculiar spots like a bizarre engraving on a stone or a heart painted on a wall. All the tour elements are carefully curated by the tour guide and enriched by his deep knowledge of Venice’s mysteries.
If escape rooms intrigue you or ghost stories fascinate you, these tales of magic are the best way to explore Venice: narrow calle and dimly-lit alleys portray a Venice that lies off the tourist path.
Duration: 1,5 hours.
Price: 39 euros.
How to book: Book the ghosts and murders tour here.
Venice Rooftop Terraces (with prosecco)
For some people, Italy is synonymous with Prosecco and Aperitivo (myself included). If you are a traveler who always enjoys breathtaking rooftop views, one of the best walking tours in Venice is this guided walk around Venice. In this guided walk, you’ll see panoramic city views from various hidden rooftops.
Although the tour starts from the beautiful San Polo sestiere, you’ll soon find yourself visiting different neighborhoods of Venice. Entering a Venetian Palazzo is not something you can enjoy every day, and seeing rooftop views of the Grand Canal or the Rialto Bridge is a fantastic experience. The Red Light District of Venice, the iconic market of Rialto, and lesser-known terraces that travelers won’t easily find create an unforgettable tour.
At the tour’s end, you’ll enjoy a glass of Prosecco while discussing with your guide about one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.
Duration: 2,5 hours.
Price: 75 euros.
How to book: Book here the rooftop tour.
The Footsteps of Commissario Brunetti Venice Walking Tour
Last but definitely not least, a literary tour in Venice couldn’t be missing from this guide. There’s a plethora of books set in Venice, and some of them have sealed the city’s history. One such case is Commissario Brunetti, the character created by the American novelist Donna Leon, and it later became a successful television series.
This guided walking tour in Venice will take its participants to filming locations of the TV series, parts of which were filmed exclusively in Venice. Apart from meeting like-minded Guide Brunetti fans, you’ll also visit locations immortalized in the series while refreshing your knowledge about the whereabouts of the famous Commissario. Even the hardest-to-find palazzos that Brunetti visited are part of this walking tour in Venice, and your guide will share info about specific locations featured in the episodes.
And here’s a sweet extra: your guide is so knowledgeable that it will even take you to places where Guide Brunetti ate and drank.
Duration: 2 hours.
Price: 143 euros per person.
How to book: Book here the Commissario Brunetti tour.
Quick tips for your Venice walking tour
Due to the city’s unique landscape, I’ll add 5 quick tips for your walking tours in Venice. Even if you book guided walks in Venice that aren’t part of this guide, there are some things to keep in mind.
So, here are my tips for your Venice walking tours:
- Wear comfortable shoes. The city’s old and narrow alleys require a comfortable pair of shoes. Strolling around the city is fantastic but also tiring.
- Choose weather-appropriate clothes. Venice’s weather has a reputation for changing fast, so make sure to dress appropriately. Never underestimate how cold Venice can be in the winter and how hot it can be during the summer. Plus, the walking tours in Venice take place rain or shine.
- Have a small umbrella with you. It rains often in Venice, so it’s better to pack a small umbrella even if you visit during the summer.
- Aqua Alta season = boots. This is interconnected with the previous tips if you visit Venice between autumn and spring. Aqua Alta refers to high tide peaks that flood the entire city. Yes, it’s a misfortune if it happens while you are there, but it’s also part of the city’s story. Don’t let the Aqua Alta ruin your journey—bring boots and follow closely the authorities’ updates and the weather forecast.
- Arrive earlier at the meeting point. Unless otherwise stated in your Venice walking tour booking reference, there’s always a designated meeting point for the tours. Arrive at least 10 minutes earlier at the spot to ensure you’re not left behind.
The best walking tours in Venice: conclusion
Venice is one of the prettiest and most legendary cities in the world. Joining a walking tour in Venice is always recommended due to the city’s historical background. Without a guide, you won’t probably be able to explore everything the city offers and see its secret corners.
As you’ve read in the previous line, the handpicked selection I presented intends to cover every aspect of local life: from food tours to literary walks and from skip-the-line tickets to unusual city corners. All these guided walks in Venice have in common the excellent quality of services, the knowledgeable tour guides, and the overall experience they offer.
So, choose a walking tour in Venice (or more) that resonates with your interests the most and immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating cities you’ll ever visit.
More about Venice: Where to stay in Venice, Lido travel guide, Marco Polo Airport Guide, Burano guide, Ponte dell’Accademia, The Biennale
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring. Share this article about the best walking tours in Venice, Italy, with your friends.
Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos
){kind=link}
No Comment