Italy · TOURS IN VENICE

The 15 Best Venice Tours & Boat Trips

103 tours  ·  from $5 a head

Venice is at its worst between ten and five, when the day boats are in. These 15 work around that: early glass furnaces, late palace entries, the back canals by gondola and the cicchetti bars after dark, each priced and timed.

Venice: Doge's Palace Reserved Entry Ticket - The Gothic exterior and Golden Staircase
Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Venice: Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket

1.Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 42,716 reviews · 1 day · from $41Our pick

Use a reserved digital ticket to enter Venice’s Doge’s Palace and explore at your own pace. See the Gothic palace, Golden Staircase, Great Council Chamber, prisons, and Bridge of Sighs. Your ticket also covers Museo Correr, the National Archeological Museum, and Marciana Library, but there is no guide or audio tour included.

“Seamless entry with the prepaid ticket. Our self- guided tour was interesting and the written information provided insights into the various areas of the palace.”

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Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary - The 15-minute introduction sets the scene
Gondola Rides, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary

2.Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 18,908 reviews · from $39

See Venice from a shared gondola on a 30-minute route through the Grand Canal and quieter canals near La Fenice, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Salute, and Punta della Dogana. A host adds a 15-minute introduction, while the app supplies commentary during the ride. The visit also includes the Gondola Gallery and a VR tour of Venice.

“Very educational and informative. The gondola ride was relaxing and enjoyable.”

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Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands - Murano: glass, furnaces, and a short wander
Cruises & Boat Tours, Murano & Burano Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands

3.Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 15,699 reviews · 4.5 - 5.5 hours · from $29

Take a 4.5 to 5.5-hour boat trip from Venice to Murano, Torcello, and Burano. Watch glassblowers at work, stroll quiet island lanes, and see Burano’s painted houses. A multilingual host gives commentary on board, while you explore independently at each stop. Bring lunch, arrive early, and keep a close eye on departure times.

“It was bit difficult to find the exact location, better to provide google map location to reach fast. Thanks for the tour to allow to get into the next trip though I was late.”

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Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary - Through Venice’s smaller canals
Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary

4.Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 13,681 reviews · from $44

Join a guided gondola ride through Venice’s narrow canals and the Grand Canal, with stories about palaces, gondoliers, and water traditions. A 20-minute walking introduction leads to a 30-minute shared ride, followed by the Gondola Gallery and its 3D presentation. Guides include Beatrice, Emma, Aurora, and others.

“5 Stars – Perfect Bite-Sized Venice Experience! This tour was exactly what I needed – short, sweet, and packed with just the right amount of charm. At 40 minutes, it was ideal for anyone with a limited attention span or tight schedule. The guide shared just enough interesting facts about Venice to be memorable without overwhelming us – it felt effortless to follow along. The gondola ride was peaceful and lasted longer than I expected, giving us plenty of time to soak in the beauty of the canals. We didn’t go under the famous kissing bridge, which was a slight letdown, but honestly, there were so many stunning photo ops…”

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Venice: La Fenice Opera House Entry Ticket with Audio Guide - The auditorium is the star of the visit
Audio Tours, Guided, Opera & Classical Concerts, Opera and Classical Concerts in Venice, Self-Guided Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Venice: La Fenice Opera House Entry Ticket with Audio Guide

5.La Fenice Opera House Entry Ticket with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11,742 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

Enter Venice’s La Fenice Opera House with a skip-the-ticket-line admission and self-guided audio tour in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish. You’ll see the grand auditorium, decorated rooms, paintings, and a small Maria Callas exhibition at your own pace. Bring ID and headphones.

“Great! Such a beautiful place and the audio guide was very informative”

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Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access Tour - St. Mark’s Basilica and the bronze horses
Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour

6.Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10,697 reviews · from $123

Spend three hours with a live guide at St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. See the basilica terrace, bronze horses, Great Council Chamber, Giants’ Staircase, Bridge of Sighs, and New Prisons. Choose a private or shared tour, with San Zaccaria or the Correr Museum as a substitute if the basilica closes.

“The tour guide Fredrica was excellent. She was very knowledgeable and good at communicating her enthusiasm for all she knew. The tour was well organised. It was clear where to meet and the meet and greet person at the start was helpful in organising all the different groups. I felt pleased that the tour started on time and that the tour was excellent quality.”

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Venice: Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing - Boarding near St. Mark’s
Cruises & Boat Tours, Murano & Burano Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Venice: Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing

7.Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 10,245 reviews · 6 hours · from $28

Spend six hours traveling by panoramic boat from St. Mark’s to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Watch a glass master work, browse with a 10% factory discount, photograph Burano’s painted houses, and hear multilingual commentary from your host. This is an escorted island sampler, not a guided walking tour.

“fantastic trip to see the venetian islands and experience the true culture. would definitely recommend”

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Venice: Murano and Burano Boat Tour with Glass Factory Visit - Murano’s glass factory demonstration
Cruises & Boat Tours, Murano & Burano Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Venice: Murano and Burano Boat Tour with Glass Factory Visit

8.Murano and Burano Boat Tour with Glass Factory Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 9,527 reviews · from $34

Cruise from San Marco or Venice train station to Murano and Burano on a comfortable boat with a panoramic terrace. Watch a short glass-blowing demonstration, learn about traditional glassmaking, then explore Burano’s colorful canals at your own pace. Commentary is offered in Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish.

“The guide was great and provided information about the islands and Venice in several different languages. I liked the chance to explore Murano and Burano your own, the time provided was perfect.”

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Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour - Murano: glass, canals, and a short introduction
Half-Day, Murano & Burano Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

9.Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 7,928 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $25

Travel by shared motorboat from Venice to Murano, Burano, and Torcello in about four and a half hours. You’ll watch a Murano glass-blowing demonstration, stroll Burano’s colorful lanes, and see Torcello’s Santa Fosca, Attila’s Throne, and Devil’s Bridge. Commentary is offered in English, with morning and afternoon departures.

“I expected more in Burano, it was a boring experience to all 3 islands, not entertaining or exciting at all. No energy from the people who live on the islands, selling their products. They almost seemed frustrated we (tourists) are there.”

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Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat - Murano glass, from secret craft to showroom display
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Murano & Burano Island Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

10.Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,580 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $36

Spend five hours visiting Murano and Burano from Venice by private boat. See a glassblowing demonstration, watch lace-making when available, and explore Burano’s colorful canals. Guides such as Silvia, Serena, Frankie, and Alice add local history and practical food tips. Groups are limited to 22 people.

“Silvia was our wonderful guide for the Murano/Burano tour. She provided explanations, education and history at all points of the trip! We attended a glass blowing demonstration (hosted by Nicolo at New Murano Glass), got to browse the showroom at New Murano, and had time to wander the island and grab a coffee. Then we hopped over to Burano for a brief lace making demo, then spent the rest of the time exploring this colorful island. Silvia even shared a list of favorite bars and restaurants!”

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Venice: Shared Gondola Ride Across the Grand Canal - What the route includes, from Campo San Luca to the Grand Canal
Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Venice: Shared Gondola Ride Across the Grand Canal

11.Shared Gondola Ride Across the Grand Canal

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 6,645 reviews · 30 min · from $46

Share a 30-minute gondola ride with up to five other passengers and a master gondolier through Venice’s small canals and the Grand Canal. You’ll meet at the Alilaguna ticket office near the Royal Gardens, then pass sights around Rialto, Campo San Luca, Campo Manin, and Teatro La Fenice. No serenade or commentary is included.

“Amazing! So much cheaper booking here instead of in person was triple the price otherwise!!”

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Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica, and Pala d'Oro - Doge’s Palace and the machinery of the republic
Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice

Venice: Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, and Pala d’Oro

12.Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, and Pala d’Oro

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 6,235 reviews · from $100

Meet your guide in St. Mark’s Square for a 2 to 5-hour walking tour of Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. See the Grand Council Hall, Bridge of Sighs, Casanova’s prison, golden mosaics, the museum, and terrace. Tours run in several languages, with groups limited to 20.

“Marina was an excellent guide. She was sure to share the rich history of the city, Doges palace, and St Mark’s Basilica. For a person who knows next to nothing about historical art and architecture, this tour helped me appreciate everything Venice and these monuments had to offer. Thank you!”

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Venice: Murano & Burano Panoramic Boat Tour w/ Glassblowing - Finding the yellow desk near St. Mark’s
Cruises & Boat Tours, Murano & Burano Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Venice: Murano & Burano Panoramic Boat Tour w/ Glassblowing

13.Murano & Burano Panoramic Boat Tour w/ Glassblowing

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 6,212 reviews · 4 - 4.5 hours · from $29

Leave from St. Mark’s area for a 4 to 4.5-hour boat trip to Murano and Burano. Watch a Murano glass master at work, browse the factory gallery with a 10% discount, then stroll Burano’s colorful lanes, lace shops, and cafés. Multilingual guides provide commentary, though island visits are self-guided.

“lovely boat ride to murano. Glass making experience in the factory was lovely. burano was also sweet. all in all a great half day spent on the tour.”

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Venice: Murano, Burano, Torcello, and Glass Factory Tour - Murano glass: the short demonstration worth seeing
Murano & Burano Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Venice

Venice: Murano, Burano, Torcello, and Glass Factory Tour

14.Murano, Burano, Torcello, and Glass Factory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,563 reviews · from $40

Spend 6.5 to 7.5 hours sailing from Venice to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Watch a short glassmaking demonstration, stroll Burano’s colorful streets, and visit Torcello at your own pace. A multilingual guide gives information aboard the boat, while free time lets you shop, eat, and explore independently.

“Affordable and Brilliant crew (Pink Venice). We will book again.”

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Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access - Doge’s Palace before the crowds
Doge's Palace & St Mark's Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Venice, VIP

Legendary Venice: Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s & VIP Terrace Access

15.Legendary Venice: Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s & VIP Terrace Access

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,033 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

Start in St. Mark’s Square, then explore Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica with an English-speaking guide. The 8 AM option adds early palace access and basilica terrace views, while 3-hour versions offer a slower visit and balcony access. Guides such as Nico, Roberta, Sara, and Iole are praised for clear stories and warm, engaging styles.

“Fantastic tour! A must do if visiting Venice. Our guide Francesca was very knowledgeable of Venetian history. She shared interesting stories which enriched our tour experience.”

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New in Tours in Venice

★ 4.0Lords of the Night Prison’s Palace Cells & TorturesFrom $111,067 reviews
★ 4.2St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Priority Entry TicketFrom $66885 reviews
★ 4.4Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or DinnerFrom $361,102 reviews
★ 4.6Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Guided TourFrom $81458 reviews
★ 4.5Walking tour, Doge Palace, & St. Mark’s BasilicaFrom $142884 reviews
★ 4.3Punta Sabbioni: Murano, Burano & Torcello Guided Boat TourFrom $35236 reviews
★ 4.6Murano: Glass Blowing Demonstration and Artistic Glass GiftFrom $17507 reviews
★ 4.5Murano and Burano ExcursionFrom $35928 reviews
★ 4.5Murano: Glass Blowing Demonstration with Optional DrinksFrom $16294 reviews
★ 4.6Morning Walking TourFrom $29705 reviews
★ 4.3Secret Venice & Gondola TourFrom $71458 reviews
★ 4.3The Majestic Teatro La Fenice: Guided Tour in VeniceFrom $28513 reviews
★ 4.7Guided Canal Kayak Tour at Day, Night, or SunsetFrom $63318 reviews
★ 3.9Murano and Burano half-day trip from Punta Sabbioni JesoloFrom $29204 reviews
★ 3.9Gondola Tour under the Bridge of Sighs & Audio GuideFrom $42617 reviews

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