Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour
Venice, Italy

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour

Outty Ranking 77 4.9 · 138 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $312
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 138 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour worth booking?

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour is a 3-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $312 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 138 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (138)
Duration
3 hours
From
$312 per person

This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Venice from a unique perspective! Get to know Venice on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Venice at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Doge’s Palace, Marco Polo’s house, Campo San Francesco della Vigna and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included. Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.

What you get

    About this experience

    This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Venice from a unique perspective! Get to know Venice on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Venice at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Doge’s Palace, Marco Polo’s house, Campo San Francesco della Vigna and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included. Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private Tour
    • Local Guide
    • 1 local drink/tasting

    Not included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Food

    What you'll see and do

    1. San Francesco della Vigna is a Roman Catholic church in the Sestiere of Castello in Venice, northern Italy. One of two Franciscan churches in Venice, originally built on a vineyard.

      60 minutes here

    2. Palazzo Ducale

      Palazzo Ducale: Get amazed by the beauty of one of the most important jewels of Venice, a palace built between the 10th and 11th centuries that holds plenty of histories. Palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo

      Marco Polo's House: Hear the story of Marco Polo's explorations and see the house where he used to live! Here lived one of the most well-known explorers with his family when he wasn't travelling the world.

      60 minutes here

    4. Piazza San Marco

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Ponte di Rialto

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Canal Grande

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Libreria Acqua alta

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    9. Canal Grande

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    10. Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    11. Riva degli Schiavoni

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    12. Riva degli Schiavoni

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    13. Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    14. Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    15. Dalmatian School of Saints George and Tryphon

      Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Venice

    Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, near the fountain

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, near the fountain

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, it
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 8 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Withlocals

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Private tour: only you & your local guide
    • CO2 Neutral: all tours carbon emissions are offset
    • 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
    • Post Covid-19 regulations are applied to this product with regards to the number of participants, delivery methods of the tour and content of the tour.

    Photos

    Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour, photo 2Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour, photo 3Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour, photo 4Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour, photo 5Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour, photo 6Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 138 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Small groups

    3 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    138 verified traveler reviews for Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    131
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    P2470EVscottd · September 2026

    Hidden Venice Tour with Nicolo Merlo

    Nicolo Merlo led us on an amazing private tour of Hidden Venice! He is very knowledgeable about the history of Venice in all things cultural , political and architectural. We loved all the insights that only a Venice insider such as himself could impart. Learned all sorts of details on the construction of Venice and on his ipad he showed us details most people would never learn. It was a great experience and he is a lovely person to boot! Thanks! Scott and Olga

    via Tripadvisor

    TheResidentDragon · June 2026

    A private guided tour, the best way to experience Venice

    My friend and I felt that a personal tour guide would be best when we visited Venice, as she is registered blind and wanted as much 'hands on' opportunities as possible. I found Withlocals via the internet and the site was easy to navigate. We messaged Monica to ask if we could book with her. The communication process was easy and her of our main requirements. My friend has experience of sailing and had asked if she could see how a gondola was constructed. Monica arranged an amazing tour of a construction and repair business, where we were able to have the process explained and touch the tools and materials. Watching my friend see with her fingers brought to life the skill of the boat makers. Monica took us to the Doge's Palace and gave us a tour which enabled us both to 'see' the incredible art work and to get a feel for the history of this remarkable place. St Mark's Square was busy but Monica's information whetted our appetites and we were able to return another day to fully explore. Monica's love of her city brought Venice alive for us and we were so glad that we had booked another day with her to visit the main islands. I would recommend a private tour guide when visiting somewhere as unique as Venice. Wthlocals made the booking process very easy.

    via Tripadvisor

    jackdO2398CA · December 2025

    Mediocrity in Venice

    Sadly the Crazy4Rome highlights of Venice and Murano private tour w/ private speed boat was not worth the money for our family. We thought highlights’ “admissions tickets” included tickets to the St Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace since this was a 5 hour tour. But alas our tour guide, Davide, did not have tickets for these places. The tour included glass making in Murano (which was well worth a visit but we were told by our hotel that they offered free boat rides to Murano so we didn’t need to spend money on this.) Davide offered very little information about the history of Venice but he did have some suggestions for places to get authentic Venetian food. We paid for 5 hours but the tour ended one hour early. We did get some money back, but would have preferred a more thorough experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    triack · October 2025

    Loved the experience

    Loved our experience, completely tailored to what we wanted. Nothing was too much trouble and our guide helped us fully immerse in the atmosphere of Istanbul

    via Tripadvisor

    Kelly_M · August 2025

    Take this tour, it's a must!

    Marco was absolutely brilliant! We learnt so much about the history of Venice from the perspective from a native Venetian. If you want to experience the true Venice (not just the tourist-side) then take this tour. We could not recommend Marco more! We'd even give him 10 stars if we could :-D

    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
    Every day
    Price range
    $312 to $536
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    48
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Withlocals, who run 170 experiences we rank across 55 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.4.

    See everything Withlocals runs

    Why this scores 77

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
    Review evidence (18% weight)67
    Booking momentum (14% weight)62
    Value for money (12% weight)50
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)91
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $312 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 138 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour?

    +

    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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour?

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    Around 48 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?

    +

    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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour?

    +

    Included: Private Tour; Local Guide; and 1 local drink/tasting. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; and Food. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour?

    +

    Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, near the fountain Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour offered in?

    +

    It is offered in English and Italian. 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour?

    +

    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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    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.

    What do travelers say about Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour?

    +

    Across 138 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, small groups. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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