Original Venice Walking Tour

For the perfect introduction to Venice, spend a couple of hours walking with an experienced guide through the city's most important sites. You'll see St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, the "Bridge of Sighs," Campo Santa Maria Formosa, and much more for a truly Venetian experience you will not forget.

Your Venice walking tour begins with a visit to St. Mark's Square, known as the heart of Venice. As you explore the area, visit St. Mark's Basilica with your skip-the-line tickets. After your St. Mark's tour, walk a short distance to the Doge's Palace, and admire the exterior which was built in Venetian Gothic style. This is one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice, and it is connected to the New Prison by the infamous Bridge of Sighs, which was constructed in 1602. Prisoners who were interrogated in the Doge's Palace found themselves sighing and walking across the bridge before entering the prison, where they'd likely spend the rest of their days.

After your Saint Mark's Square tour, discover a hidden part of Venice. With your knowledgeable English-speaking guide, stroll along the city's small passageways, over ancient bridges, and above narrow canals. As you venture to all of these sites, you'll learn about the city's epic history. Your expert guide will share interesting facts about what you're seeing, giving you details that will allow you to form a deeper connection with the city.

Your next stop is Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where you will discuss Venetian architecture with your guide as you admire the church's Baroque and Renaissance facades. This Venice walking tour continues through the back streets of Venice into the Cannaregio district. There you can admire the Pantheon of Venice, where many famous Venetians are buried. In addition to your visits to these famous monuments, hear stories about Venetian characters like Marco Polo and common citizens that, together, made this city of stone and water the place that it is today.

Please Note: Bags and backpacks are NOT allowed inside St. Mark's Basilica. Please do not bring any bags with you, as you will not be allowed to enter the Basilica with them. The Basilica is sometimes closed unexpectedly due to high water or religious ceremonies. On those occasions when St. Mark's Basilica is open with high water, skip-the-line tickets will not be accepted, as all visitors have access to the church through only one door.

This tour departs from the St. Mark's Square area ends in central Venice, near the Rialto Bridge. Depending on your ship's docking location, a vaporetto, water shuttle, or walk may be required. Transportation from your ship to St. Mark's Square and from the Rialto Bridge back to your ship is not included in the tour price.