Last Updated on April 29, 2026 by Tori Pines

Ahhhh Venice, the floating city. It’s gorgeous, and honestly I LOVE wandering around this city and just seeing what I happen upon. That being said, you can appreciate all the city has to offer if you book some tours while you’re here. You’ll be able to understand what you’re looking at, marvel at the history behind it, and see hidden spots that the average tourist doesn’t get to see. Oh, and be sure to include food along the way, as learning about Venice definitely includes your taste buds.

Why trust me?

Because I have been here and learned my lessons the hard way. I loved spending time in Venice and honestly wish I would have booked more tours. Sometimes it was so I could have learned more about the city and what I was looking at. Other times it was purely because public transportation can be hard on your own in a new city. Here’s some of the ones I’ve done and some I wish I would have done!

Top Sights Tours in Venice

1. Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets + Tour Options

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $80 per person
Length: 1.5-2.5 hrs

We have to start with the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Square, home to two of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. These are absolute must-sees on your first visit to Venice for obvious reasons!

While it’s possible to visit both on your own, booking tickets in advance, or better yet, joining a guided tour, makes a huge difference. With a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll skip long lines and gain a deeper understanding of the history, art, and hidden details that bring these incredible sites to life. Without them, you’ll probably wander through quickly not having a clue what you saw after you left.

2. Best Of Venice: Saint Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $125 per person
Length: 3.5 hrs

I love how this tour covers the major sights like the tour listed above but also comes with a gondola ride included. Because what is Venice really without a gondola ride?! You’ll get skip-the-line entry to the sights, and learn so much along the way from your local guide. Then hop on the gondola and see the city via canal for 30 relaxing minutes.

3. City Center Photoshoot

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: starting at $325 per group
Length: 30min-1 hr

There truly is nothing I love more than my family and traveling, and putting those two things together into gorgeous professional photos to hang on my wall could not be more perfect for me. There is something SO special about having family photos taken when traveling to a new place. We have started doing this for every single trip we take and the photos capture could not be more special to me. Plus I get to hang them on my wall where I can see them every day and make me smile.

So I recommend booking a city center photoshoot through Flytogropher. You get to pick a local photographer to work with, so not only are they great at photography, but they are also locals! They know the best spots to have the major sights featured in the background. And it’s a two-for-one because you also get a mini tour of the city while you take your photos!

But finding a photographer in another city, let alone another country can be difficult. But not with Flytographer! They have reputable photographers to book and you can trust that they will be reliable and do an incredible job. We had our done in Oahu, Las Vegas and soon in Florence!

Take $25 off your first Flytogropher photoshoot with my link!

4. Venice: Venetian Masks Workshop

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $69 per person
Length: 1.5 hrs

As you wander Venice, you’ll immediately notice the intricately decorated masks everywhere. Venice is famous for its masks thanks to the long-standing tradition of the Carnival of Venice, where elaborate masks were worn to hide identity and erase social boundaries. Back in the day, masks allowed people of different classes to mingle freely, nobles, merchants, and locals all blending together in the streets. Today, those beautifully crafted masks have become one of Venice’s most iconic symbols, representing both its mysterious past and its love of art and celebration.

Creating your own Venetian mask is a unique way to experience the city’s artistic side. This mask workshop lets you step into a traditional studio and try something hands-on instead of just browsing souvenir shops.

You’ll start with a quick introduction to the history of Venetian masks, then decorate your own using classic techniques with help from skilled artisans. It’s simple, creative, and you get to take your finished mask home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir, making it a fun and memorable break from sightseeing. While it’s great for all ages, this is an especially fun thing to do with kids in Venice!

City Tours in Venice

5. Venice: Walking Guided Tour of the City Must-See Sites

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $44 per person
Length: 2 hrs

One of the easiest ways to get a feel for Venice is by exploring its top landmarks on foot. This guided tour of Venice is perfect for first-time visitors who want more than just photos, it helps you understand the history and meaning behind what you’re seeing.

With a local guide, you’ll visit the city’s highlights while also discovering a few hidden corners along the way. It’s a simple, engaging way to experience Venice and make sure you don’t miss the essentials.

6. Venice: Sunset Kayak Tour in the Canals

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $103 per person
Length: 1.6 hrs

Seeing Venice from the water is already special, but doing it by kayak at sunset makes it even more memorable. Venice: Sunset Kayak Tour in the Canals offers a completely different way to explore the city, far from the usual crowds and busy walkways.

With a local guide, you’ll paddle through quieter canals and historic neighborhoods while learning a bit about Venice along the way. As the sun sets, the whole city takes on a calmer, more scenic feel that’s hard to experience any other way. It’s a more active, unique option, perfect if you want something beyond the typical gondola ride.

7. Venice: Crimes, Legends, and Mysteries Sunset Tour

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $45 per person
Length: 1.5 hrs

By far, one of the most fascinating ways to experience Venice is through its darker side, full of eerie stories, hidden secrets, and centuries-old legends. There’s such a rich history behind the city’s narrow alleyways and quiet canals, with tales of crime, betrayal, and mystery that most visitors would never discover on their own.

Even if you’re not usually into history-focused tours, this one is incredibly engaging. Having a guide is key here to really bring these chilling stories to life and help you see Venice from a completely different perspective. I recommend going with a guided sunset tour for the full atmosphere, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you could explore on your own and look up some of the legends beforehand, though it won’t be quite the same experience!

8. Venice: Mysterious Tales of Ghosts and Murders

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $56 per person
Length: 1.5 hrs

One of the most unforgettable ways to see Venice is by stepping into its shadowy past, where whispers of ghosts and tales of murder echo through the city’s quiet corners. Venice: Mysterious Tales of Ghosts and Murders invites you to look beyond the romantic canals and grand architecture, revealing a side of the city filled with eerie legends, dark secrets, and chilling true stories that have been passed down for centuries.

This experience isn’t just for history lovers, it’s for anyone curious about the hidden layers of Venice. With the help of a guide, each narrow alley and dimly lit square transforms into the setting of a gripping story, blending fact and folklore in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. For the best experience, consider going at dusk or after dark, when the atmosphere adds to the suspense. You can try to uncover these stories on your own, but hearing them told in the very places they happened makes it far more powerful and unforgettable.

9. Sunset Jazz Catamaran Cruise with Aperitivo and Live Saxophone

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $95 per person
Length: 1.5 hrs

Something about a sunset cruise gets me every time. I personally think this is the best way to start out a vacation, so I urge you to book this for your first night if you can! This 90 minute panoramic cruise takes you from the San Marco bay as the sun is setting, the sky turns golden and the city starts to tinkle with its evening glow. You’ll listen to live jazz music on the boat while sipping on prosecco or a spritz. You’ll get to see the city from an entirely new angle, and start to relax, you’re on vacation now!

10. Rick Steves Free Audio Guide

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: free!
Length: 1.5 hrs

I mentioned Rick Steves Audio tours in my Best Tours in Rome guide as well, because they’re an amazing resource all throughout Italy! These are great ways to learn more about the whole city, and are completely free. I highly recommend you book one of the other city tours and then use The Grand Canal Cruise (which is meant to be used as you ride along the vaporetto!) as a high level overview of the city.

Be sure to download them to your phone in advance, and bring headphones with you to listen. I also highly recommend this battery pack to carry around each day so you can recharge your phone for all-day use!

Food Tours in Venice

11. Prosecco Wine Tasting & Venetian Cicchetti at Vini al Bottegon in Venice

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: €59 per person
Length: 1.5 hrs

If I had to pick one truly memorable food and wine experience in Venice, this would be at the top of my list. Set inside the iconic Vini al Bottegon, this tour blends everything I love about traveling in Italy, beautiful atmosphere, incredible wine, and authentic local flavors. You’ll sip your way through five glasses of Prosecco DOC, each perfectly paired with traditional Venetian cicchetti like fresh seafood, cheeses, and marinated vegetables. It’s relaxed, intimate, and feels like stepping into a hidden local gem rather than a touristy tasting, exactly the kind of experience that makes Venice unforgettable.

Plus, the tour is through a company called Winedering, which is my new favorite way to book tours in Italy and throughout Europe. They are a local company and know the area so much better than the huge tour platforms. So they handpick tour options and partner with the locals to create incredible experiences for tourists. And the best part? It’s all centered around wine! It couldn’t be better.

12. Venice: Sunset Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tastings

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $99 per person
Length: 3 hrs

We have to include one of the best ways to experience Venice, through its food, wine, and atmosphere at sunset. It’s an absolute must-do on your first trip for obvious reasons! While you can wander the city and find places to eat on your own, you’ll likely miss the hidden gems that make Venice so special. That’s why joining a guided sunset walking tour is the perfect choice.

With a local leading the way, you’ll discover authentic neighborhoods, taste traditional Venetian dishes, sip regional wines, and hear the stories behind it all as the city glows in the evening light.

13. Venice: Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $56 per person
Length: 2.5 hrs

Exploring Venice through its street food is easily one of the most rewarding ways to connect with the city’s culture, and it’s something you shouldn’t miss on your first visit. Sure, you could stop at random spots along the way, but without guidance, it’s easy to overlook the places that truly capture Venice’s food scene.

This is where having a local guide makes all the difference. You’ll be led through lively streets and lesser-known corners, tasting a variety of authentic bites while learning how these dishes fit into Venetian life and tradition. From quick snacks to classic specialties, each stop adds something new to the experience. It’s a relaxed, engaging way to explore the city, perfect for anyone who wants to eat well while discovering a more genuine side of Venice.

14. Venice: Pasta Making & Gelato near St Mark’s Square

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $103 per person
Length: 3 hrs

Getting hands-on with Italian cooking is a great way to make your time in Venice more memorable. Probably the BEST thing we did during our first two weeks in Italy was a cooking class. Not only is it fun, you get to try delicious food AND you’ll bring those recipes and skills home with you to make again and again from your own home.

So that’s why I recommend this pasta making class in Venice. It lets you step away from the crowds and learn something new in a relaxed setting. Instead of just ordering these classics, you’ll actually see how they’re made.

Guided by a local, you’ll create fresh pasta and traditional gelato from scratch. The class is easy to follow, even if you’ve never cooked before, and it’s a fun way to experience everyday Italian food culture. Plus, its location near St Mark’s Square makes it a convenient break from sightseeing while still feeling like a unique part of your trip.

15. Venice: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $82 per person
Length: 3 hrs

There are many great options for cooking classes all over Italy. I mean, the country is REALLY well known for their food after all. This pasta and tiramisu class is another option for a great tour in Venice.

With a local guiding you, you’ll prepare fresh pasta and classic tiramisu step by step, then enjoy your meal with a glass of wine. It’s simple, interactive, and a great way to experience Italian food culture while picking up skills you can use again at home.

Tours in Venice Just Outside the City

16. Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat with Glassmaking

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $39 per person
Length: 5 hrs

Hands-down my favorite thing we did when in Venice was to visit the nearby island of Burano. It’s a must-do on your first trip for obvious reasons! While you can visit these islands on your own using public transport, it can be time-consuming and a bit confusing. Trust me on this one, we did it on our own and wish we hadn’t. Figuring out which vaporetto is reason enough to book this tour

Taking a guided tour by private boat is the way to go. Not only do you get a smooth, scenic ride across the lagoon, but you’ll also visit a traditional glass making workshop in Murano and learn the stories behind Burano’s vibrant houses with a local guide who brings it all to life.

17. Venissa: discover the unique wine from the walled vineyard in Venice

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: €45 per person
Length: 45 minutes

If you’re looking for something truly unique in Venice, this is the kind of experience I’d go out of my way for. Set on the stunning Venissa estate, this tour is all about the rare Dorona grape, an almost-lost piece of Venetian history that’s been beautifully brought back to life. You’ll explore the property with a guided visit, then taste their signature golden wines, Venusa and Venissa Bianco, each with subtle notes of citrus, wild herbs, and even a hint of the sea. It feels elevated, peaceful, and deeply connected to the land, perfect if you want a wine experience that’s a little more meaningful (and a lot less crowded).

Day Trip Tours from Venice

18. From Venice: Dolomites Day Trip

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $173 per person
Length: 9 hrs

If you’re looking to escape the canals for a day, a trip to the mountains is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have. This Dolomites day trip takes you beyond the city and into a completely different landscape, where dramatic peaks, alpine lakes, and fresh mountain air create a stunning contrast to Venice’s busy streets. While it’s possible to plan this journey on your own, it can be time-consuming and tricky to navigate. And if you only have a day here? It’s definitely worth it to book a tour.

That’s what makes a guided day trip such a great option. With transportation and logistics taken care of, you can simply relax and enjoy the scenery while learning about the region along the way. It’s an easy, refreshing getaway that adds something truly unique to your Venice itinerary.

19. From Venice: Verona, Sirmione & Lake Garda with Boat Cruise

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $132 per person
Length: 10 hrs

Another amazing full day from Venice, this one is perfect for any type of traveler. You’ll start by exploring the romance and history of Verona, wandering past Juliet’s house (yes, Juliet of Romeo and Juliet), and the stunning Arena di Verona, before heading to the dreamy lakeside town of Sirmione. The highlight for me? A boat cruise along Lake Garda, where you’ll pass Scaliger Castle and the ancient Grottoes of Catullus with incredible views the entire way. It’s the kind of easy, scenic day that mixes iconic sights with relaxed exploring. It’s honestly such a fun way to see more of northern Italy without the stress of planning it all yourself.

20. From Venice: Day Trip to the Prosecco Hills and Wine Tasting

Quick Facts about this tour
Price: $93 per person
Length: 5 hrs

I’m a big fan of wine, so I love trying the local wine from everywhere I go. And in Venice, it’s the best treat for me, because the area is home to Prosecco, my favorite. So when in Venice, this is the kind of dreamy countryside experience I always recommend. You’ll head into the stunning Prosecco Hills, winding along scenic vineyard roads and stopping at a family-run winery that feels worlds away from the big tourist spots. Here, you’ll learn how Prosecco is made and taste top-tier Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG paired with local bites like cheese and salami. Between the views, the wine, and the relaxed pace, it’s such a refreshing way to experience a more authentic side of Italy, and honestly, my favorite easy half-day trip from Venice.

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