Venice Walk & Gondola Ride: Rialto to Grand Canal

Explore the captivating city of Venice through an immersive walking tour and gondola ride. Beginning at Piazza San Marco, you’ll discover the iconic Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge, as well as hidden gems like the serene Campo Sant’Angelo. The highlight? A enchanting gondola ride through the tranquil canals and the Grand Canal, allowing you to soak in the city’s rich history and architectural beauty. This tour offers an unforgettable way to experience the essence of Venice.

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Key Points

Explore iconic landmarks like Doges Palace, Rialto Bridge, and Teatro La Fenice on a guided walking tour starting and ending at Piazza San Marco.
Discover hidden architectural gems such as Scala del Bovolo and the tranquil Campo Sant’Angelo, away from the crowds.
Enjoy a gondola ride along the serene canals and the magnificent Grand Canal, offering views of opulent palaces.
Learn about Venetian history and culture from an English-speaking guide during the 2-hour activity.
Book the tour online, with no upfront payment required and the option to exchange vouchers for tickets at the Alilaguna Ticket Office.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The "Venice Walk & Gondola Ride" is a 2-hour activity that starts and ends at Piazza San Marco.

Led by an English-speaking guide, the tour offers a chance to explore the city’s hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Highlights include the Doges Palace, Santa Maria Formosa, Rialto Bridge, Campo SantAngelo, and Teatro La Fenice.

The experience culminates in a gondola ride through the serene canals and Grand Canal. Priced from $108.54 to $114.25 per person, the tour allows up to 5 participants per gondola, with children under 2 riding for free.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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Highlights of the Guided Tour

As visitors embark on the guided tour, they discover hidden gems like the Scala del Bovolo, which showcases a stunning blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The tour takes them to the iconic Doges Palace, the grand Santa Maria Formosa, and the bustling Rialto Bridge.

They’ll also visit Campo SantAngelo and the historic Teatro La Fenice, learning about the city’s rich cultural heritage from the knowledgeable guide.

The highlight of the tour is the serene gondola ride, where guests glide through the narrow canals and catch glimpses of the magnificent palaces lining the Grand Canal.

Exploring Hidden Gems of Venice

Although the iconic landmarks of Venice, like the Doges Palace and Rialto Bridge, captivate visitors, the city also harbors a wealth of hidden gems that offer a more immersive and authentic experience.

One such treasure is the Scala del Bovolo, a spiral staircase showcasing a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Scala del Bovolo, a spiral staircase blending Gothic and Renaissance architecture, is a hidden gem offering a deeper Venetian experience.

The tour also stops at Campo Sant’Angelo, a tranquil campo away from the crowds.

As the guide shares stories and historical context, travelers gain a deeper appreciation for Venice’s layers of history and culture beyond the main tourist sites.

Immersive Gondola Ride Experience

After the guided walking tour, visitors embark on a serene gondola ride through Venice’s iconic canals.

The gondola experience offers a unique perspective:

Gliding through narrow waterways, surrounded by centuries-old buildings and bridges.
Admiring the opulent Grand Canal, with its magnificent palaces and churches.
Listening to the gondolier’s tales about Venetian history and culture.
Capturing the tranquility and romance of the city from the water.

This gondola ride completes the immersive exploration of Venice, leaving visitors with lasting memories of its enchanting charm.

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Discovering Venice’s Cultural Heritage

The guided walking tour through Venice’s historic center allows visitors to enjoy the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Led by knowledgeable guides, the walking tour takes guests to iconic landmarks like the Doges Palace, Rialto Bridge, and Teatro La Fenice.

Along the way, visitors learn about Venice’s fascinating history, from its Gothic and Renaissance architecture to the stories behind the city’s most beloved landmarks.

Visitors learn about Venice’s captivating history, from its Gothic and Renaissance architecture to the tales of its beloved landmarks.

The tour culminates in a serene gondola ride through the Grand Canal, providing a unique perspective on Venice’s stunning palaces and bridges.

This immersive experience offers travelers a deep dive into the heart of La Serenissima.

There's plenty more to explore in Venice

Practical Booking Information

How does one go about booking this Venice Walk & Gondola Ride tour? To reserve the experience, no upfront payment is required. Simply select your preferred date and time, and you’re set.

Upon arrival, head to the Alilaguna Ticket Office in San Marco, ensuring you arrive 20 minutes early to exchange your voucher for tickets.

The tour’s logistics are as follows:

Maximum of 5 participants per gondola, with children under 2 riding for free without a seat.
The tour may be subject to weather-related changes, with refunds available for canceled gondola rides.
Unfortunately, the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, and large bags are prohibited.
On certain dates, there’s a €5 access fee for day visitors, though some exemptions may apply.

Preparing for the Tour

Preparing for the tour requires a few key considerations. Arrive at the designated meeting point, the Alilaguna Ticket Office in San Marco, 20 minutes early to exchange your voucher for tickets. Bring only small, lightweight items, as no large bags or luggage are allowed. Be mindful of the weather policy – the itinerary may change if conditions are poor, with refunds available for canceled gondola rides. Lastly, review the restrictions carefully, as the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

| Consideration | Preparation |

| — | — |

| Meeting Point | Arrive 20 mins early |

| Baggage | No large items allowed |

| Weather Policy | Itinerary may change |

| Restrictions | Not for wheelchair users |

| Access Fee | Check for exemptions |

Tour Policies and Accessibility

Although the Venice Walk & Gondola Ride tour offers a delightful experience, there are a few important policies and accessibility considerations to keep in mind.

First, the tour may be impacted by inclement weather, and refunds are available for canceled gondola rides.

Second, the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, and large bags or luggage aren’t permitted.

Third, a €5 access fee may apply on certain dates, so visitors should check for exemptions.

Finally, the maximum capacity per gondola is 5 people, with children under 2 able to ride for free without a seat.

The Sum Up

The "Venice Walk & Gondola Ride: Rialto to Grand Canal" tour provides an immersive experience that allows visitors to discover the city’s iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and rich cultural heritage. From the guided walking tour to the enchanting gondola ride, this excursion offers a well-rounded exploration of Venice’s architectural beauty and historical significance. Practical booking information and tour policies ensure a seamless and accessible experience for all.