Italy · VENICE TOURS

The 15 Best Venice Tours & Boat Trips

100 tours  ·  from $5

Venice runs on two timetables: the day boats that arrive at ten and the city that reappears when they leave. The 15 below cover the palace, the basilica, the lagoon islands and the gondola, priced and honest about when each one is worth doing.

Venice: Doge's Palace Reserved Entry Ticket - Entering Through the Reserved Ticket Line
Doge's Palace Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

Venice: Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket

1.Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket

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

Enter Doge’s Palace with a reserved digital ticket and explore at your own pace. See the Golden Staircase, Great Council Chamber, armory, prison route, and Bridge of Sighs. Your ticket also includes Museo Correr, the National Archaeological Museum, and Marciana Library, but no guide or audio tour.

“Really beautiful palace and so much to see. Very interesting to visit as variation throughout to cater for many differing interests.”

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Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary - Meeting near St. Mark’s Square
Gondola Rides, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary

2.Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary

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

Meet your host near St. Mark’s Square for a short gondola introduction, then ride shared through the Grand Canal and quieter canals. See La Fenice, Peggy Guggenheim’s palace, Salute Church, and Punta della Dogana, with app commentary and a Gondola Gallery VR experience afterward.

“Great experience! Beautiful Gondola, nice views and great guide! He was so friendly and funny ! Gave us a lil background of Venice and Gondola history. Would definitely do it again !”

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Boat Trip: Glimpse of Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands - Finding the departure point near Venice’s center
Boat Tours in Venice, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

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

Cruise from near Saint Mark’s Square or Santa Lucia Station to Murano, Torcello, and Burano. You’ll watch a glass-blowing demonstration, see Burano’s lace tradition, and explore each island independently, with about 45 minutes per stop and commentary in five languages.

“the trip was really nice, the Burano stop should be a bit longer, perhaps an extra 30 min, apart from it it was perfect.”

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Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary - The introductory walk gives the gondola a purpose
Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary

4.Grand Canal by Gondola with Live Commentary

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

Start with a 20-minute walk about gondolas and Venice’s water heritage, then share a 30-minute ride through side canals and the Grand Canal. Guides such as Beatrice, Emma, and Aurora have earned warm praise for clear, friendly explanations. A Gondola Gallery visit and 3D experience follow.

“The host was lovely I think her name was Melanie. Everything was coordinated perfectly and the gondola ride was beautiful 😍”

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Venice: La Fenice Opera House Entry Ticket with Audio Guide - Finding the entrance and collecting the audio guide
Audio Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

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 La Fenice without waiting in the ticket line, then follow a self-guided audio tour through Venice’s famed opera house. You’ll see the lavish auditorium, royal box, artwork, and a small Maria Callas exhibition. The audio guide is available in seven languages, and you can explore at your own pace.

“It is an extraordinary theatre. Practically makes you gasp as you see it in person. The audio tour was very thorough and well-done, and there were even a few places to sit and listen to the longer portions. The audio tour itself only takes maybe 45-60 minutes, but there is plenty of stopping and staring along the way. If you aren't able to see a show here, this is the next best thing. And be sure to go around the side of the building afterward to see the gondola entrance.”

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Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access Tour - St. Mark’s Basilica and the terrace above the square
Doge's Palace Tours, St Mark's Basilica Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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

Explore St. Mark’s Basilica, its first-floor terrace, Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and New Prisons in three hours. Guides such as Federica, Elena, Matteo, and Francesca bring Venice’s past to life with clear stories and humor. Choose a private or small-group tour in five languages.

“The tour was well organised and very informative. Thank you very much”

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Venice: Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing - Murano: a close look at Venice’s famous glass
Boat Tours in Venice, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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

Ride a panoramic boat from St. Mark’s to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. You’ll see a glassblowing demonstration, get free time on each island, and hear multilingual commentary from a host such as Francesca. The pace is brisk, but the $28 price covers a lot of Venice lagoon scenery.

“This trip was awesome for a visit to all of the close islands to Venice. We had great transportation with an amazing view, were given very clear instructions on meeting points and times, and had lots of time to visit each island ourselves. This was 100% worth our money.”

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Venice: Murano and Burano Boat Tour with Glass Factory Visit - Meeting the boat near San Marco or the train station
Boat Tours in Venice, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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

Sail from San Marco or Venice’s train station to Murano and Burano with a multilingual guide and assistant. Watch a short glass-blowing demonstration, then explore both islands independently. Expect a comfortable boat, open-air terrace views, fixed return times, and no food included.

“Fantastic day trip. Just the right amount of time with kids, and our guide helped with timing to ensure we were back in time. The glass blowing demonstration was fantastic, about 10 minutes, but not much free time in Murano although not needed. Free time around Burano was great, beautiful little village.”

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Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour - Murano: glass, canals, and a sales stop
Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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

You’ll cross the Venetian Lagoon by shared motorboat, watch a Murano glass-blowing demonstration, admire Burano’s painted houses, and visit Torcello’s old churches, Santa Fosca, Attila’s throne, and the Devil’s Bridge. Expect short stops, multilingual commentary, and no lunch.

“It was a beautiful day in Venice and I visited the 3 Islands. Our tour guide was wonderful and as she explained about the other island during the tour. All three islands, especially murano, were fantastic.”

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Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat - Burano: handmade lace and houses painted for the sea
Boat Tours in Venice, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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

Cruise from central Venice to Murano and Burano with a guide such as Silvia, Frankie, or Elena. Watch glassblowing, see hand-stitched lace when available, explore colorful Burano, and return by private boat. Groups are limited to 22, with about two and a half hours on each island.

“Our adventure on Murano and Burano was a wonderful experience. Rachel our guide was excellent. She was very knowledgeable with also personable as well. I would highly recommend this tour and Rachel as a guide!”

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Venice: Shared Gondola Ride Across the Grand Canal - From the Grand Canal to Campo San Luca
Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

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

Meet at the Alilaguna ticket office near the Royal Gardens, exchange your voucher, then share a gondola with up to five other people. The route combines the Grand Canal with smaller waterways near San Marco, Rialto, Campo San Luca, and La Fenice. No serenade or commentary is included.

“really relaxing. the gondolier was really skilled. overall a really nice experience. takes around 25 minutes depending on the number of ppl around.”

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Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica, and Pala d'Oro - Meeting your guide in St. Mark’s Square
Doge's Palace Tours, St Mark's Basilica Tours, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

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

Walk through Venice’s political heart with a live guide, entering Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica through priority access. See the grand council hall, Bridge of Sighs, Casanova’s prison, gold mosaics, Pala d’Oro, museum, and terrace. Guides may lead in English, French, German, Spanish, or Italian.

“The guide Tonatta was extremely perfect. Recommend this tour”

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Venice: Murano & Burano Panoramic Boat Tour w/ Glassblowing - Finding the yellow desk near Hotel Danieli
Boat Tours in Venice, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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, then stroll Burano’s painted houses, lace shops, canals, and cafés. Commentary is offered in English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German.

“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 - Starting from San Marco or the train station
Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours

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 touring Venice’s lagoon islands by boat. Watch a Murano glass artisan at work, stroll Burano’s colorful lanes, and visit historic Torcello. A multilingual guide provides information aboard, while free time lets you shop, eat, and explore at your own pace.

“It was perfect. The boat was great. The guide spoke many languages. The first island where they make glass don't spent too much time in the store there is a whole island to explore. Second island was the best with all the colorful buildings. So much to see. They take card almost every where. Third island but to much to see has a mueusum.”

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Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access - St. Mark’s Basilica and its golden interior
Doge's Palace Tours, St Mark's Basilica Tours, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours, 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

Explore Venice’s two essential landmarks with an English-speaking guide. See St. Mark’s golden mosaics, Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and, with the right option, the basilica terraces overlooking St. Mark’s Square. Early 8 AM departures offer special palace access.

“Be aware that striking Water Bus teams can ruin your trip and cost you a lot of wasted money. $569 pissed away.”

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New in Venice Tours

★ 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: Glass Blowing Demonstration with Optional DrinksFrom $16294 reviews
★ 4.5Murano and Burano ExcursionFrom $35928 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
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