
The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 64 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour worth booking?
The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour is a 1-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $200 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 64 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (64)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $200 per person
The most exclusive and unique tour of the Grand Canal, discovering its stories, legends and mysteries. A true Venetian will guide you in this fascinating itinerary to live the city from a different perspective: the water! Through this experience you will explore the entire city in just 1 hour, immersed in a magic 100% Venetian atmosphere! Please note: pictures are for illustration purposes only and to present the experience in its entirety. The boat is a private deluxe water taxi. A specific boat cannot be granted, since it is upon availability. For any inquiry or customization, feel free to contact us.
What you get
About this experience
The most exclusive and unique tour of the Grand Canal, discovering its stories, legends and mysteries. A true Venetian will guide you in this fascinating itinerary to live the city from a different perspective: the water! Through this experience you will explore the entire city in just 1 hour, immersed in a magic 100% Venetian atmosphere! Please note: pictures are for illustration purposes only and to present the experience in its entirety. The boat is a private deluxe water taxi. A specific boat cannot be granted, since it is upon availability. For any inquiry or customization, feel free to contact us.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Private Guide of Venice
- On-board WiFi
What you'll see and do
Canal Grande
We will discover all treasures and palaces on the Grand Canal, rich of stories, legends and traditions.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Rialto
We will pass under Rialto bridge, to admire it from a unique perspective! We will discover the secret and the curse of the bridge.
5 minutes here
San Marco
We will admire St. Mark area from the water to get to know its beauties and mysterious aspects.
5 minutes here
Ponte dei Sospiri
We will have the opportunity to see the famous Bridge of Sighs, to learn its mysterious story and secrets.
5 minutes here
Squero di San Trovaso
We will pass in front of the fmain "squero" of the city, where gondolas are still produced.
2 minutes here
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro
We will admire the incredible facade of Ca' D'Oro (the golden palace).
1 minutes here
Mercati di Rialto
We will pass in front of the famous Rialto Market.
1 minutes here
Ca' Pesaro Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna
We will pass in front of Ca' Pesaro palace.
1 minutes here
T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi by DFS
We will discover the legends of this palace.
1 minutes here
Fontego del Megio
We will explore the buildings of the Venetian Republic from the boat.
1 minutes here
Palazzo Labia
We will learn the meaning of being a "labia" through the story of this Spanish family.
1 minutes here
Ponte degli Scalzi
We will pass under Scalzi Bridge.
1 minutes here
Palazzo dei Camerlenghi
We will see from the boat the worst prisons of the world.
1 minutes here
Ca' Rezzonico
We will admire the palace from the water.
1 minutes here
Ponte dell'Accademia
We will pass under the bridge to explore its architecture and the story of the Accademia Art Gallery.
1 minutes here
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute
We will remember the black plague of Venice, with our still active Venetian traditions.
1 minutes here
Punta della Dogana
We will arrive up to the old entrance of the city.
1 minutes here
Ponte della Costituzione
We will discover this modern architecture.
1 minutes here
Palazzo Grassi
We will pass in from of Palazzo Grassi to know its facade.
1 minutes here
Palazzo Ducale
We will admire the palace from the water to learn the importance of the Doge.
2 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shome Venice
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice (so only if you are Not staying in a Hotel in Venice) who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 64 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
64 verified traveler reviews for The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Absolutely amazing! A must do!
Nico was an amazing guide! We had such a wonderful time learning about Venetian history and taking in the scenery. The boat was beautiful and brand new, and the whole experience was amazing! To end it off, Nico took a map and marked up all out his favorite places for us to try! We are only here for a few days on our honeymoon, so this was so helpful for us to maximize our time here! Thank you so much, Nico!!!
via Viator
Great tour with plenty of knowledge
Our guide Niko (sorry if it’s spelt wrong) was highly knowledgeable about everything. Made sure we we got as much information as possible. History of the area and the buildings. Great guide and highly recommend this tour too as we got picked up and dropped off our hotel which saved alot of walking in the heat. Absolutely loved it
via Viator
Perfect Tour and guide
Thank you to our wonderful guide Tommaso who took us on the Grand Canal Tour. On time, professional, courteous and knowledgeable. After the boat trip Tommaso took time to take us to a local bacaro to enjoy cicchetti and also helped us with a great restaurant booking at Osteria Ai Storti. We were on a special ‘big’ birthday weekend and this was the highlight! Grazie Mille
via Tripadvisor
Our Favorite Venice Experience
There was so much to see that it was hard to balance absorbing the experience and taking photos. I thought it had the best itinerary of all the boat trips on Viator, with the iconic sights that you see in every Venice travel guide.
via Viator
Best views of the city.
This is my favourite tour of our trip to Venice. It is relaxing, personal, informative and you get some of the best views of the city. For example, everyone talks about the Rialto Bridge (as they should) but it is only from being on the water you get the true splendour. Our guide was fantastic, extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic and able to deal with a very shy 16 year old and her chatty mum. I would recommend this for anyone visiting.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 22
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour cost?
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Prices start at $200 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 Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour 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 Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 64 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 Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour?
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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 Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour?
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Around 22 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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat 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?
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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 Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour?
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Included: Private transportation; Private Guide of Venice; and On-board WiFi. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 342 listed pickup locations in and around Venice. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour offered in?
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It is offered in 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 The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour?
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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.
Is The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour 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.
What do travelers say about The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour?
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Across 64 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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