Where to Start: the 6 Best Venice History Tours

1.Venice’s Best: Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,478 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Our pick

Spend about three and a half hours around St. Mark’s Square with an English-speaking guide, visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace before a shared gondola ride. Guides such as Lucia, Valentina, Giada, and Alexander have led memorable outings, while the included Venice history VR gallery adds a modern touch.

“Our guide for the Doge Palace was so great! She knew her history and really made it come to life. Her knowledge of art was outstanding. When we were finished we did not end where we started so we were left to find our way out through the prison and rush to the gondola ride. The gondola ride was ho-hum. Got on in a long queue followed the gondola in front of us in a big circle and then got out. Done!”

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2.Venice: City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,873 reviews · 1 - 2.5 hours · from $14Best value

Follow guides such as Ana, Natalia, Valentina, or Francesco through St. Mark’s, Rialto, La Fenice, and quieter calli. Add a gondola ride and a short VR visit to see Venice from the water and through time. The pace is brisk, so comfortable walkers will get the most from it.

“Very good. Lots of information. Covered a larger area than I expected to, but saw many alleys, squares etc which were not full of tourists (like us!). We also stopped for a drink at a small bar and I tried a few cichetta - that was unexpected. A word to prospective customers - if you have any mobility problems, or can only walk slowly, this is not for you. Although the pace wasn't fast, one couple could not keep up and dropped out. The guide explained that she was on a tight schedule, and there would be others waiting at the office for the next tour, so she could not…”

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3.Venice: The History of St. Mark’s Basilica Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 986 reviews · 15 - 45 minutes · from $34

Meet your escort between the lions in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, skip the ticket line, and explore St. Mark’s Basilica with an audio guide. Choose standard entry, the museum and terrace, Pala d’Oro, or the full option. Guides such as Lila and Daniela lead the initial visit, then you continue at your own pace.

“Such a beautiful church and our guide was amazing. She gave us lots of information about the history of Venice as well as current events. Would highly recommend!!”

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4.Venice: Bell Tower & St Mark’s Square History Gallery Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 910 reviews · 1 hour · from $44

Collect your ticket near St. Mark’s Square, watch a short Venice VR presentation, then ride the elevator 98 meters up St. Mark’s Bell Tower. You get panoramic views, History Gallery access, and skip-the-line entry, but no guided tour.

“elevator ride to the top. great sunset view of the city”

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5.Basilica, Doge’s Palace, History Gallery & Bell Tower Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 586 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $116Top rated

Join a small-group Venice tour of Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, led by an English-speaking guide such as Sara, Matteo, or Giovanna. Add the 98-meter bell tower for wide views across St. Mark’s Square, the basilica domes, and the lagoon, or choose a basilica interior visit.

“Giovanna was a wonderful tour guide and had a wealth of information about the site we visited. It was a highlight of our trip to Venice.”

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6.Venice: Doge’s Palace and Basilica Roman Empire Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 485 reviews · 2 - 3.5 hours · from $102

Follow the ceremonial route once used by foreign ambassadors through St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. A guide such as Giovanna, Elena, or Gina brings the mosaics, council rooms, prisons, and Venetian power struggle to life. Add a shared gondola ride, though it may be shorter than advertised.

“Elena was a lovely and personable guide with excellent local knowledge, clearly extremely experienced at the most efficient ways through and the sights to see, knowledgeable on the history and happy to answer our questions. The tour also including the gondola ride at the end and the vr experience was great value for money and allowed for a prime Venice experience”

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