This 2.5-hour guided walking tour is the perfect introduction to Venice. Start near the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the Grand Canal then explore the lively fish market area as you learn about Venice’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. Your local guide will take you through quiet alleyways and hidden corners most visitors miss. See historic palaces and step inside a quirky canal-side bookshop before ending in St. Mark’s Square. Skip the long lines and step inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where shimmering gold mosaics and fascinating stories reveal Venice’s unique blend of East and West. In just a few hours, you’ll see the essentials and gain a deeper understanding of Venice from a local expert...
Highlights
2 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
2 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Local English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Headset
Expertly guided walking tour
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Meeting Points
Departure
Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto).
Return
St. Mark's Square
Important Information
•
Public transportation options are available nearby
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
•
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
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This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
•
The Rialto Fish Market is closed on Sundays.
•
Large bags, trolleys and backpacks cannot be accommodated on this tour.
•
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
•
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
•
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Items | Welcome to Venice Express with St Mark Basilica
Welcome to Venice Express with St Mark Basilica
Venice
Select Date & Travelers
From
$71.00
Price varies by group size
About
This 2.5-hour guided walking tour is the perfect introduction to Venice. Start near the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the Grand Canal then explore the lively fish market area as you learn about Venice’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. Your local guide will take you through quiet alleyways and hidden corners most visitors miss. See historic palaces and step inside a quirky canal-side bookshop before ending in St. Mark’s Square. Skip the long lines and step inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where shimmering gold mosaics and fascinating stories reveal Venice’s unique blend of East and West. In just a few hours, you’ll see the essentials and gain a deeper understanding of Venice from a local expert...
Highlights
2 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
2 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Local English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
Headset
Expertly guided walking tour
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Meeting Points
Departure
Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets outside the entrance of the Church of San Giacometto at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (also known as Campo San Giacometto).
Return
St. Mark's Square
Itinerary
1
Ponte di Rialto
Begin your journey near the iconic Rialto Bridge, where your guide will reveal why many once believed this bold structure would never stand.
15 minutes
2
Mercati di Rialto
Step into the lively Rialto Market area, once the beating heart of Venice’s trading empire. Here, you’ll uncover the city’s centuries-old fishing traditions and the flavors that still define Venetian cuisine today. Along the way, your guide will share insider tips on where to eat like a local.
15 minutes
3
Castello
Leave the crowds behind and step into a quieter, more authentic side of Venice. As you wander through narrow alleyways and hidden passageways, your guide will bring daily Venetian life into focus—what it means to live on these islands, away from the main tourist routes.
50 minutes
4
Museo di Palazzo Grimani
Pass by the elegant Palazzo Grimani, once home to one of Venice’s most influential families. As you admire its distinctive architecture from the outside, your guide will share the story of the family’s power, ambition, and lasting mark on the city.
10 minutes
5
libreria Acqua Alta
Tucked along a quiet canal, this beloved bookstore is unlike anywhere else in Venice. Step inside to discover books stacked in gondolas, bathtubs, and every corner imaginable—designed to protect them from rising waters. Your guide will give you free time to explore before continuing the tour.
20 minutes
6
Basilica di San Marco
End your experience inside St. Mark's Basilica with pre-reserved skip-the-line access. As golden mosaics shimmer overhead, your guide will unravel the story behind this extraordinary church—from the dramatic arrival of St. Mark’s relics to the blend of Eastern and Western influences that shaped its design. It’s a breathtaking finale that brings centuries of Venetian history vividly to life.
