Are you looking for the best walking tours in Venice? We’ve rounded up some of the city’s top guided experiences to help you get started.
Below you can discover my top picks. These are the best walking tours in Venice for families, those who want to enhance their photography skills and those who want to know more about the mysterious history of the city. Read on to discover other fun walking tours which will bring you to landmarks and/or hidden gems in Venice.
| # | Activity Type | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography Walking Tour | From €225 | 3 hours |
| 2 | Sightseeing Tour for Families | From €219 | 2 hours |
| 3 | Ghost & Legends Walking Tour | From €35 | 1 hour |
Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!
1 – Photography Walking Tour with Private Guide
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (57 reviews)
It is a special experience to have a personal guide who is a native Venetian. Vinicio, who was delightful & knowledgeable, not only helped me with photo tips on perspective, light, telling a story, etc., but gave me a real insight into daily life in Venice. It was my 5th visit to this beautiful city, but I saw neighborhoods I had never seen before! Maureen. Viator
See one of Italy’s prettiest cities through the lens on these photography-themed experiences, one of the most romantic things to do in Venice. If you want to capture Venice’s most atmospheric angles on camera, this is the way to do it.
You’ll be accompanied by an expert local photographer, who knows all the top places for those iconic shots. Famous landmarks and secret streets away from the crowds all feature on these unique itineraries.
Ranked among the best walking tours in Venice, these photography excursions are perfect for beginners. Your guide will give you tips on how to bag the best pictures, teaching you about everything from perspective to light.
Summary of the tour:
- Daytime or sunset photography walking tour with a professional photographer
- Visit landmarks (St Mark’s Square, Rialto Markets, Bridge of Sighs, Venice Lagoon, etc.) and hidden backstreets
- Receive tips on lighting and composition
- Kids aged 13 and older welcome
Our review
The great thing about these tours is that the itineraries can be customized to your interests. So, if there’s somewhere in particular you’d like to photograph, just ask.
These guides are all professional photographers, so this is a perfect way of snapping some enviable vacation photos. Just make sure your batteries are fully charged!
2 – Kid-friendly Sightseeing Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (52 reviews)
Federica was amazing! Great with the kids and she made the 2.5 hour tour so much fun! I would highly recommend this tour when you visit Venice. Thanks!! Alyssa. Viator
Kids aren’t usually fans of walking, but on these private tours, they’ll soon be converted to the idea. Venice walking trips for families focus on the interests and needs of everyone, from young explorers to older adventurers.
Get your children excited about sightseeing, with stops at engaging landmarks like Marco Polo’s House and St. Mark’s Square. There will be plenty of short breaks along the way for stories, photos and questions.
The guide’s commentary is kid-friendly, with interactive activities and games to hold everyone’s interest. This immersive sightseeing experience is fun and educational at the same time.
Summary of the tour:
- Private tour designed for families
- Visit landmarks such as: Campo San Bartolomeo, Marco Polo House, Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco
- Kid-friendly commentary, iPad games and interactive activities
Our review
The kids will get such a lot out of these tours, soon forgetting that they’re not fans of walking. Guides are engaging, making sure their younger audience members are captivated from start to finish.
If you want to see your kids excited about history and culture, these experiences are the way to go.
3 – Ghost and Legends Walking Tour by Night
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (3 reviews)
See a different side of Venice on these spooky after-dark walking tours. Keep a wary eye out – you might not be the only ones roaming the streets.
As you delve down hidden alleys and wander beside moonlit canals, your guide will captivate your imagination with tales of ghosts and ghouls. This is a Venice that few visitors get to experience.
Learn about fearsome sea monsters and rat-infested prison cells while exploring the labyrinthine passages and backwater squares. Secret lovers and legends featuring Marco Polo’s wife all play a part in these mystical evening adventures.
Summary of the tour:
- Guided tour by night
- Ghost stories and legends about Venice
- Stroll through the alleyways of Hidden Venice
- Children of all ages welcome
Our review
These unique Venice tours are just the thing if you’ve already ticked off the main attractions by day and want to do something different.
The guides are excellent storytellers, drawing you into the tales and making your spine tingle. Go with a friend if you’re easily spooked!
4 – Guided Walking tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 (1903 reviews)
Discover the highlights of Venice on these locally-led excursions. You’ll wander through the heart of the historic city, taking in many of the iconic sights. The walk begins in St. Mark’s Square where you’ll admire the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica.
Heading further into the maze of narrow Venetian streets, you’ll meander alongside canals, passing churches and traditional markets. Pose for photos beside the Rialto Bridge and check out the former home of explorer Marco Polo. A stop at the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo is also included.
Our review
Perfect for first-time visitors, this tour is both comprehensive and heaps of fun. It’s a great way to tick off the main sights in Venice and get to know your way around.
This popular excursion receives rave reviews and operates with trusted local guides to ensure an enjoyable experience.
5 – Hidden Venice: The Unusual Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.2/5 (19 reviews)
Francesco was a fantastic guide with a wealth of knowledge about parts of Venice that you wouldn’t ordinarily see. He had a great sense of humour and gave us many unique photo ops ⭐️. alan. tiqets
These are some of the best walking tours in Venice if you want to get away from the tourist crowds. You’ll discover a different side of the city, one where centuries of stories will be uncovered.
Hidden gems and ancient legends are the order of the day as you head deep into the warren of alleyways and canals. This is where the locals hang out, so you’ll be in good company.
Check out the “Pantheon of Venice” where many doges – or dukes – are buried. Then admire the spiral staircase of the Scala Contarini del Bovolo – it’s a bit of an insider secret.
Our review
The multilingual guides help you get the most out of your experience with their wealth of local knowledge and insider anecdotes. You’ll get to explore places away from the beaten tourist trail with plenty of photo-worthy views to enjoy. Feel free to ask your friendly leader as many questions as you like.
6 – Guided Walking Tour with Gondola Ride
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (967 reviews)
Amazing experience, much much cheaper, Gondola ride was fantastic. Venice town tour was great, lot of nice places visited. Very recommend to everyone. Thank you. Natalja. Headout
These guided walks in Venice whisk you off into the city’s atmospheric back streets, before continuing the journey by water. St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge are the main stops on your stroll. After exploring the historic old town, you’ll head to the canal for the ride of your life.
As you glide along the iconic Grand Canal in your gondola, you’ll feel like royalty. Don’t forget to wave to the people on the bridges! Watch as famous attractions pass you by – highlights include Mozart’s House, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Desdemona’s House.
Our review
Combining a gondola ride with a walking tour can be a much cheaper way to enjoy a boat trip along the canal. This two-in-one package shows off the best of Venice with all arrangements taken care of by your guide.
The experience represents great value for money, with friendly guides going above and beyond.
7 – Venice in one Day: Grand Canal & St Mark’s Basilica
Rating: ⭐️ 4/5 (3326 reviews)
Tour guide was so sweet and accommodated us with a private tour of the city and water taxi trip in and out of the grand canal seeing unique spots not listed in this description. St. Mark basilica was special and very sacred. Tom and Tammy. Viator
These popular Venice walking tours tick off many of the city’s main landmarks, making them some of the best tourist attractions in Venice. You’ll be experiencing Venice from the water as well as on foot.
Stroll along the Grand Canal and enjoy being in the heart of bustling Venetian life. You’ll learn about the significance of St. Mark’s Square and be awed by the golden mosaics inside the famous Basilica.
Continue to the Rialto Bridge for photos before swapping the main drag for the backstreets. Here, you’ll be charmed by the maze of canals and colorful Venetian residences. Finish on a high with a water taxi ride on the Grand Canal.
Our review
These combination trips rank among the best walking tours in Venice. Not only will you explore some of the city’s most atmospheric streets, but you’ll also enjoy a ride on the iconic Grand Canal.
Skip-the-line tickets to St. Mark’s Basilica just sweeten the deal. A great choice for your first day in Venice.
8 – Walking Tour + Guided Tour of Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica
Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 (642 reviews)
I loved my experience. I believe my tour guide’s name was Katarina. She was fantastic, very knowledgeable, and made sure the group stayed together so no one was left behind. Ciara. Headout
These comprehensive Venice tours combine the city’s major highlights in one easy experience. Popular with first-time visitors, the trips give a great overview of Venice and its famous attractions.
As you stroll along the narrow streets, stop to admire heritage churches, Gothic palaces and tranquil canals. This is the Venice you’ve been dreaming of!
The tour includes guided visits to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Two iconic landmarks that epitomize the essence of Venice, with Renaissance paintings and Byzantine art stealing the show. You can add on an optional gondola ride to round off the experience.
Our review
The guides have in-depth knowledge of their subject matter which makes these some of the best walking tours in Venice. Your leader will regale you with anecdotes about Venice and its famous landmarks.
You’ll come away knowing far more than you’d get out of a guidebook, with a new appreciation for both art and architecture.
Read more: Best city tours in Venice
9 – 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (1384 reviews)
Highly Recommend this tour! Our guide Sara was amazing. We were able to learn as we are and drank like a local around Venice. The portion sizes were more than enough to keep us all satisfied. I was also impressed with the quality of the food and wine at each of the stops. Even made some new friends along the way! christina. Viator
One of the best ways to get to know a city is through its food, and Venice is no different. The cuisine here is among the most delectable in Italy.
On these fun foodie experiences, you’ll visit eight restaurants, bars and cafés to discover the delicious underbelly of Venice. Your guide knows all the top spots, so you’re in for a treat.
Tuck into fresh seafood, sweet pastries and cicchetti platters – the latter are similar to tapas in Spain. Homemade gelato is the icing on the cake. Finish up with a few glasses of classic wine from the Venetian region.
Our review
Avoid the overpriced tourist restaurants and discover authentic Italian cuisine on these Venice walking excursions. The bars here are where the locals go, and they know best!
This is a fabulously convivial experience – sharing cicchetti with your tour mates is a fun way to spend the evening. You’ll soon become firm friends with your guide too.
10 – Private Tour: Venice Half-Day Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (122 reviews)
An amazing experience! Our guide took us to places off the beaten path and told us amazing history of those places. She was very knowledgeable and personable. Would recommend to everyone!. Trent. Viator
These customizable Venice private tours are perfect if you prefer not to go with the flow. You’ll have a say in the itinerary, so you can focus on visiting the places that interest you the most.
Whether you’re into art or architecture, photography or gastronomy, this is your experience to direct. You’ll be able to tick off top sights like the Rialto Fish Market and the Cannaregio district, as well as discover lesser-known gems.
Finish on a high with wine and cicchetti at a traditional bar – it’s a great way to blend in with the locals.
Our review
This is a very personal experience, far removed from the group tours that all follow set routes. On these adventures, you’ll be in charge – if there’s somewhere you’re dying to visit, just ask.
If you’re looking for an authentic Venetian tour with an entertaining guide, this is the answer.
11 – Center of Venice: San Marco Free Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 (4228 reviews)
Excellent tour, It was interesting and fun! Jose. Guruwalk
This tour takes you on one of the most popular Venice walking routes and is an excellent choice for your first day in the city. What’s more, the experience is free! This means that there’s no fixed price, you just give the guide a tip at the end.
You’ll be exploring San Marco, stopping at key attractions like the Fenice Opera House and the Contarini del Bovolo Palace. As you wander beside the Grand Canal, watch the gondoliers ferry their guests along the water.
Finish with a flourish in St. Mark’s Square where the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica loom large.
Our review
These Venice walking excursions are a great introduction to the city and are particularly good for first-time visitors. If you’re keeping an eye on your budget, this is a cost-effective way of exploring. Just remember to take some cash so you can leave a tip at the end.
12 – Murano Island: Glass-blowing demonstration + Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (2 reviews)
Venice is famous for its glass-blowing, and there’s nowhere better to see it in action than on the island of Murano. The canals of this heritage district are lined with colorful houses, which makes it a popular destination for photographers.
See glass working in action during a demonstration at the Murano glass factory. This timeless craft requires concentration and precision – it’s a privilege to watch the glass-blowers at work.
After your factory visit, you’ll enjoy a guided tour through the atmospheric streets, learning about Murano’s history. Transport is by water taxi, with a scenic ride across the Venice Lagoon.
Our review
Once you’ve ticked off the popular sights of central Venice, Murano should be your next point of call. These tours are an easy way to visit one of Venice’s most iconic islands. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable – they make sure you get the most out of your experience.
How to book walking tours in Venice?
If you want to book some of the best walking tours in Venice, there are several companies to choose from. You’ll also find plenty of travel sites selling these excursions online.
Prices may vary between websites so be sure to do your homework. Use the handy TourScanner search engine to compare rates, check out offers and read tour reviews.