Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride
Venice, Italy

Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride

Outty Ranking 41 3.5 · 2 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $1,057
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Outty Ranking

41/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.5/5

Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride worth booking?

Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride is a 3-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $1,057 per person. It scores 41 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
41 / 100
Rating
3.5/5 (2)
Duration
3 hours
From
$1,057 per person

Enjoy a captivating private walking tour of Venice that begins with skip-the-line access to the magnificent Basilica di San Marco. With your expert private guide, explore the church’s stunning golden mosaics, rich history, and hidden details that most visitors miss. After the visit, continue on a leisurely stroll through the heart of Venice, uncovering the city's most charming and lesser-known corners. Wander through narrow alleys, quiet canals, and lively squares as your guide shares fascinating stories, local legends, and insights into Venetian life. This experience offers an ideal blend of iconic landmarks and authentic atmosphere, perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned travelers alike.

What you get

    About this experience

    Enjoy a captivating private walking tour of Venice that begins with skip-the-line access to the magnificent Basilica di San Marco. With your expert private guide, explore the church’s stunning golden mosaics, rich history, and hidden details that most visitors miss. After the visit, continue on a leisurely stroll through the heart of Venice, uncovering the city's most charming and lesser-known corners. Wander through narrow alleys, quiet canals, and lively squares as your guide shares fascinating stories, local legends, and insights into Venetian life. This experience offers an ideal blend of iconic landmarks and authentic atmosphere, perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned travelers alike.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private tour
    • Professional art historian guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Food and drinks
    • Hotel pickup

    What you'll see and do

    1. Piazza San Marco

      Piazza San marco

      60 minutes here

    2. Basilica di San Marco

      San marco Basilica

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Piazza San Marco

      Piazza san Marco

      60 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Venice

    by the column with the lion on the top

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    by the column with the lion on the top

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, pt, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Italian Vista Travel

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • For some special events or celebration the Basilica can close without specific advance communications so it can happens to find the basilica closed unexpectedly and we are not responsibl for that
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
    • On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it

    Photos

    Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride, photo 2St. Marks's Basilica, Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola RideDetails of the Horses on Saint Mark's facade, Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Rideview on the Grand Canal, Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola RideThe whisper's bridge, Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola RideBest of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride, photo 7

    Traveler reviews

    2 verified traveler reviews for Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    0
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    1
    2 star
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    Jose G · November 2017

    This is very misleading, Skip the...

    <p>This is very misleading, Skip the line? Our guide met us at the Square and we walked around where she explained and gave us an overview of the different buildings. But when I asked about going into the Basilica the line was long and she said there was no time for that. What was suppose to be four hours was cut to 2.5. Although I have to say, we really enjoyed the boat tour. That was the highlight of our stay in Venice. While on the tour she explained the different sites, the buildings, etc. You see so much more in a motor boat tour than a gondola ride.</p>

    Response from the operator: <p>TOUR OPERATOR COMMENT: Dear Jose, thank you for taking the time of writing this review! We are glad that you enjoyed the boat tour and our guide, and we are very sorry that you could get inside Saint Mark's basilica. The tour that you booked was 2 hours and not 4 hours as you are writing in the review. So the guide actually gave you 30 minutes more of her time, making 2,5 hours instead of 2. As mentioned in the tour description and in the voucher, between November and March there is no skip the line access to the basilica as lines are usually minimal but given the Italian festivity of Nov 1st you may have found more people than normal, we apologize for that, but this depends on the basilica's own management. Best regards, Elena.</p>

    via Viator

    Stephen C · July 2017

    Very good tour. Veronika was...

    <p>Very good tour. Veronika was informative. She did a good job of showing us around within the time available. Her English was good. Her knowledge of the area was strong. The boat tour was a good way to get familiar with the basic layout of Venice; a good first day tour.</p>

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Italian Vista Travel, who run 15 experiences we rank across 6 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.6.

    See everything Italian Vista Travel runs

    Why this scores 41

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)60
    Review evidence (18% weight)15
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)80
    Local standing (8% weight)38
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.

    How much does Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride cost?

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    Prices start at $1,057 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Venice usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride take?

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    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Venice is not rushed.

    Is Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 41 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride?

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    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Venice can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Venice and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Venice within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Venice?

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    On Outty we rank every Venice experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Venice Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with wine by Cooking Italy, Eating Venice Small Group Food & Drinks Tour, Tour of The Real Hidden Venice. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Venice?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Venice?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride?

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    Included: Private tour; and Professional art historian guide. Not included: Gratuities; Food and drinks; and Hotel pickup. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride?

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    by the column with the lion on the top Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride offered in?

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    It is offered in German, Portuguese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Best of Venice Tour: City Highlights & Gondola Ride if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Venice. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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