Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride 2026
Private or small group options | 4 tour stops | Reserve now & pay later
About Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
Discover the beauty of La Serenissima on a Venice walking tour and gondola ride. Walk through St. Mark’s Square and admire the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica. Learn about the city’s rich and significant history from an expert guide. Visit the famous Rialto Bridge and other iconic landmarks before relaxing on a scenic gondola ride through the canals. Book your Venice walking tour and gondola ride today to experience Venice’s charm firsthand!
Admire the exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica and the St. Mark’s Campanile, a 325-foot (99-meter) high bell tower standing right in front of it. See its stunning interior featuring 5 domes, gold-leaf mosaics full of biblical symbols and Byzantine art.
Learn about the Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most famous bridge in Venice. Built in 1591 to connect the districts of San Marco and San Polo, the bridge is a wonder of Renaissance engineering.
This house, located in the Cannaregio district, is where Polo’s legendary journeys started. Learn about his travels to Asia and how, during the Middle Ages, his stories influenced how the West perceived the East.
Glide past the city’s charming waterside houses and grand palaces, and pass through the Grand Canal - the largest canal in Venice.
This was a great tour! I loved seeing the Rialto Bridge and walking across it. It’s crazy to think that it used to be the only bridge in Venice. Our guide was great and the tour took us through all the must-see landmarks. Ending with the gondola ride through the canals was the perfect touch, and seeing Venice’s beauty from the water was unforgettable.
I’m very happy with this tour! St. Mark’s Basilica was beautiful and I learned so much about its history and its Byzantine influences from our guide. The Rialto Market was very lively, and I liked walking through the Cannaregio district which was more peaceful. The gondola ride was my favorite part, I was able to fully relax and enjoy the city.
DESCRIPTION
Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
- Guide
- Gondola ride
- Walking tour
- Headset
- English
EXPLORE VENICE’S ICONIC LANDMARKS
The Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride begins at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, near the legendary Rialto Bridge. This 16th-century engineering marvel was initially thought to be too ambitious to build, but it defied the odds by still standing strong today. This bridge was once the only bridge in the city crossing the Grand Canal. Your guide will explain how, thanks to this bridge, the city developed into a thriving commercial center that bolstered Venice's economy during the 16th century. You’ll then move on to the Rialto Fish Market, which has been active for over 700 years. There, you’ll learn about the city’s dependence on fresh seafood and traditional dishes like “sarde in saor”.
WALK THROUGH THE CANNAREGIO DISTRICT
The tour will continue to one of Venice’s six sestieri, the Cannaregio district. Here, you’ll see the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, a Renaissance church completed in 1489 and made from over 140 different types of marble. While walking around the district, you’ll make a stop at the birthplace of Marco Polo, the renowned 13th-century explorer whose explorations connected Europe to Asia and inspired trade routes such as the Silk Road.
THE MAIN CITY SQUARE AND GONDOLA RIDE
The walking tour will continue to St. Mark's Square. There you can take in the beauty of St. Mark's Basilica, which was constructed in 1094 and has more than 8,000 square meters of golden mosaics. If you take the 2 PM tour, you’ll get to see its interior which includes golden mosaics, impressive domes, and the tomb of St. Mark. Finally, enjoy a relaxing 30-minute gondola ride around the serene canals of Venice. Your gondolier will lead you past graceful palazzos and provide a peaceful perspective of the city from its historic waterways.
The Devil’s Deal at Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge carries a chilling legend. When the bridge was being constructed, architect Antonio da Ponte’s bold single-arch design was doubted by many skeptics. They said the bridge would not endure, and claimed that it was doomed to collapse. One legend says that da Ponte struck a deal with the devil, who promised him the bridge’s success in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross. To outwit the devil, he sent a rooster across instead. The devil, furious at the trick, cursed the bridge, promising that it would eventually crumble. The Rialto Bridge has endured for centuries in spite of the curse, surpassing all expectations and emerging as a testament to the tenacity of the Venetian people.
Want to learn more similar stories? Make sure to book our Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride!
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Baby strollers, wheelchairs, luggage, and large bags are not allowed due to the narrow streets and gondola seating limitations.
- Entry to St. Mark’s Basilica is only included in the 2 PM tour. The morning tour does not grant access to the interior.
- In cases of high tides, or heavy rain, the gondola ride may be replaced with an alternative experience.
- The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly if you're hoping to visit this historic spot.
- This tour includes free cancellation and the option to reserve now and pay later, a policy that applies to most of our Gondola Rides Venice.
Meeting Point
The meeting point for this tour is outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto, located at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto.
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
FAQ - Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
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- Expert tour guide
- Free cancellation
- Reserve now & pay later
- Small or private tour
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