Giudecca Island Discovery Tour: Artistic District Exploration in Venice
4.9
14 Ratings
Venice
Explore the artistic district of Giudecca Island in Venice, once an aristocratic retreat and now a trendy hub of art and culture. Discover its history, stunning views, and hidden gems.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Venice - Giudecca disputed history begins with its name. We will learn that its name does not come from one time jewish inhanbitants (an italian word for Jews is also Giudei) but from a Venetian word “zudega” meaning “the judged”, referring to rebel aristocratic families banished here during the 9th century. In recent years, the large abandoned spaces attracted a new set of exiles: artists, who could no longer afford rents in central venice for their lofts and studios.
What's Included
  • Guided by an expert tour leader
  • Nature and interpretive guide included
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Water bus ticket to Giudecca island. Tickets will be purchased on board
Additional Information

Explore the skeletal structure of Giudecca Island, unofficially recognized as the seventh district of Venice. This area has transitioned from a playground for the noble to a hub of industry and is now a fashionable artistic zone. Take a leisurely stroll through the biggest island adjacent to Venice, separated by the expansive, deep Giudecca Canal, while soaking in mesmerizing vistas of the magnificent city. The serene nature of the island has appealed to religious groups and noble families who built grand mansions surrounded by idyllic gardens and plots of land. See how these spaces were transformed into depots, barracks, prisons, factories, and workers’ lodgings after the fall of the Republic, with some now adapted for contemporary artistic endeavors. Your journey will meander not just along the elongated pedestrian promenade stretching the length of its Venice-oriented side, but also along its secluded side facing the lagoon, dotted with gardens, art exhibits, and residential districts.

  • On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Location
Zattere
We will meet in front of the church
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(14 Ratings)
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787hagenb
Jun 3, 2024
Excellent - Valerio is very competent, friendly and very attentive. We will be happy to use his services in the future
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Odyssey83334
Apr 3, 2024
A beautiful journey into the history and heart of Giudecca - Valerio gave us an unforgettable tour of the Giudecca, showing us the rich history of the island and its hidden treasures with an unsurpassed mix of humor and deep local knowledge. His witty anecdotes entertained us throughout the journey, while his deep understanding of the area illuminated lesser-known aspects. Valerio's passion for storytelling and his genuine enthusiasm made the experience truly memorable. We left the tour not only with a new admiration for the island, but also with a desire to explore more of Venice under Valerio's guidance. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an engaging and enlightening journey into the heart of Venice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R4586glpaolom
Apr 2, 2024
Valerio, the guide 2.0: An absolute guarantee! - Thanks to Valerio, I had the opportunity to discover the wonderful Giudecca for the first time. His preparation is evident, but what sets him apart is his communication skills. With him, I explored hidden corners that I would never have imagined, and the time of the visit literally flew by. I highly recommend the experience with Valerio, even if you have already visited Venice in the past: you will discover new perspectives and further enrich your trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rossellam608
Mar 21, 2024
An original tour - Beautiful and original family visit, very knowledgeable guide who was able to involve the children a lot too! Highly recommended
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Francyuly
Mar 20, 2024
An unprecedented tour on a wonderful island waiting to be discovered - I have been to Venice dozens of times, but I had never yet visited the island of Giudecca. The tour organized by Valerio was interesting, fun and engaging. I will certainly take part in his other tours and I recommend him to anyone who wants to discover a new Venice. Thanks Valerio
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrick_delcol
May 7, 2021
Guideca island - This was a super out-of-track discovery with Valerio. Something which helped us understanding better the true Venetian life. Definitely worth....and moreover with the stunning view at the end.
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Ace6of6clubs
Aug 13, 2023
Real Venice, No Crowds - We paid for a regular tour, but it ended up being a private tour anyway, which was great, because we could ask lots of questions and get answers from our native Venetian guide. He was ready with everything from restaurant recommendations to reminiscences about growing up in Venice, and gave us his card after so we could call or contact him with any questions we had during the rest of our stay. Also recommended we get the ACTV pass that covered the length of our stay, which was super convenient for getting around during the rest of our trip. The tour itself was mostly an outdoor walking tour, though we did go in a church and an artist's studio. The studio was in a cloister turned artist colony. We got to see real Venetian neighbourhoods, with kids having birthday parties, cats roaming, and residents raising ducks. It was a great break from the narrow, crowded streets around St. Mark's that most tourists stick to. Our guide kept saying, this is what Venice was like in the 1950s, and it's more sustainable to have tourism spread out over the city, rather than everyone concentrating on the same three sites. Great slice of life tour. My only suggestion would be, when meeting tour groups, have a small A4 sign with the tour company name printed on it so people can spot the guide more easily. (We ended up calling him even though we were standing very near each other - it's the Zattere ACTV stop, not the Alilaguna one that you meet at.) Would recommend tours like this to anyone staying in Venice on more than just a day-trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor