The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica
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Quick answer
Is The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica worth booking?
The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica is a 3-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $305 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $305 per person
You will begin your tour walking towards Venice’s pre-eminent bridge- Rialto Bridge. Famous for being the oldest bridge on the Grand Canal, its arcade full of small souvenir shops is the best place to buy beautiful Venetian masks and feathers. Your private guide will give you the history of the markets, as they have been operating for over seven centuries. Stroll around the bustling Rialto Markets, a picturesque shop primarily selling fish and vegetables. Take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the market. Venture through the most magical streets and canals of San Marco, and pass the iconic St Mark’s Square. Probably one of Italy’s most iconic locations and Venice’s largest urban open space, this square is enclosed by the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica and the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Your tour will finish with tickets to visit St Mark’s Basilica, where your guide will take you on a tour of the historic Basilica, deemed to be an icon of Italian art and culture.
What you get
About this experience
You will begin your tour walking towards Venice’s pre-eminent bridge- Rialto Bridge. Famous for being the oldest bridge on the Grand Canal, its arcade full of small souvenir shops is the best place to buy beautiful Venetian masks and feathers. Your private guide will give you the history of the markets, as they have been operating for over seven centuries. Stroll around the bustling Rialto Markets, a picturesque shop primarily selling fish and vegetables. Take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the market. Venture through the most magical streets and canals of San Marco, and pass the iconic St Mark’s Square. Probably one of Italy’s most iconic locations and Venice’s largest urban open space, this square is enclosed by the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica and the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Your tour will finish with tickets to visit St Mark’s Basilica, where your guide will take you on a tour of the historic Basilica, deemed to be an icon of Italian art and culture.
What's included
Included
- A friendly, professional English Speaking tour guide for your own private group
- St. Mark's Basilica entrance tickets
- Plenty of time to take photos of the spectacular sights
Not included
- Food and drink
- Hotel pick up/drop off
- Transportation throughout tour
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Mercati di Rialto
Explore the famous Rialto Markets and take a stroll down the famed fish market of Venice, which has been taking place here for nearly 1000 years.
15 minutes here
Ponte di Rialto
Cross over the iconic Rialto Bridge, designed by the architect "Anthony of the Bridge" in the late 1500s, and take in spectacular views of Venice's Grand Canal.
15 minutes here
Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Take a stroll down Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, one of Venice's most important squares, where you will also admire the Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo, one of the biggest churches in Venice and the official church for the funerals of the Venetian Doges.
30 minutes here
Palazzo Ducale
Stop by the Doge's Palace, the seat of the government of the Venetian Republic, known as "The Most Serene Republic of Venice", which existed for 1100 years and was once the greatest naval power in Europe.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Stand in awe of St. Mark's Square and the 99-meter-high Campanile (bell tower) of St. Mark's, once a lighthouse to guide ships.
30 minutes here
Enjoy a guided tour inside St. Mark's Basilica, the former political and religious centre of the Republic of Venice, magnificently decorated with golden mosaics completed in the 12th century.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
Your guide will meet you at the Rilato Mercato Vaporetto Stop, Fondamenta Vin Castello, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This tour ends in St. Mark's Square, and your guide will assist you with advising you on your journey.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel Curious
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
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
- Price range
- $305 to $570
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Travel Curious, who run 189 experiences we rank across 51 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.0.
See everything Travel Curious runsWhy this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica cost?
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Prices start at $305 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica?
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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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica?
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Around 0 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica?
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Included: A friendly, professional English Speaking tour guide for your own private group; St. Mark's Basilica entrance tickets; and Plenty of time to take photos of the spectacular sights. Not included: Food and drink; Hotel pick up/drop off; Transportation throughout tour; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica?
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Your guide will meet you at the Rilato Mercato Vaporetto Stop, Fondamenta Vin Castello, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica offered in?
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It runs in English. 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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica?
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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 The Best of Venice: Private Tour including St Mark’s Basilica if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Ready to lock in your spot?
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