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Venice Walking Tour: Explore St. Mark's and Rialto
4.4
23 Ratings
Venice
Experience the beauty of Venice on a full-day private tour from Rome. Travel by fast train and explore the city’s iconic landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal.
Duration:
1 day
Cancellation:
6 days
Highlights
- Canal Grande - The Grand Canal is Venice’s primary waterway, stretching about 4 km. It has an inverted “S” shape, dividing the city into two parts, each containing three districts. The canal’s width ranges from 30 to 70 meters, with a maximum depth of 5 meters. Four bridges cross the Grand Canal, the oldest being the Rialto Bridge (1591). The other three are the Scalzi, Accademia, and Constitution Bridge, the latter designed by architect Calatrava and inaugurated on September 11, 2008. Follow this iconic canal to uncover the secrets of a unique city.
- Ponte di Rialto - The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, renowned for its architecture and history. It was once the heart of Venice’s economy. The name “Rialto” derives from “Rivus altus,” meaning “deep canal” in Italian, indicating a flood-free area. The bridge’s structure, similar to its predecessors that collapsed twice and burned multiple times, features two inclined ramps joined by a central portico. Crossing the Rialto Bridge leads to the vibrant Rialto Market, selling fruits and vegetables since 1097.
- Piazza San Marco - San Marco is one of the world’s most captivating squares, famously dubbed “the most beautiful hall in Europe” by Napoleon Bonaparte. Constructed in the 9th century and paved in 1177, it is the lowest area in Venice and the first to flood during high water. In such cases, walkways are installed to facilitate pedestrian movement. Visitors might witness the square submerged in water, depending on the tides. Key landmarks include the Basilica of San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Correr Museum, Campanile, and the Clock Tower.
- Basilica di San Marco - Initially intended as an extension of the Doge’s Palace, the Basilica of San Marco was first built between 828 and 832 to house the body of Apostle Saint Mark, brought from Alexandria as the city’s protector. The current basilica, constructed in Byzantine style starting in 1063, symbolizes the power of the prosperous Venetian Republic. Modeled after two ancient basilicas in Byzantium, it features a Greek cross plan, five large domes, and a blend of ancient and oriental art, resulting in a splendid fusion of styles.
- Doge’s Palace - Likely constructed between the 10th and 11th centuries around a central fortified core, the Ducal Palace underwent its first renovation in the 12th century under Doge Sebastiano Ziani, transforming it into an elegant palace. Between 1339 and 1342, during Bartolomeo Gradenigo’s reign, the palace began to take its current form. Doge Francesco Foscari extended it in 1424 to reach the Basilica of San Marco. In the early 17th century, architect Antonio Contin added the New Prisons across the canal, connecting them to the palace via the Bridge of Sighs. After the Republic of Venice fell in 1797, the palace was repurposed for administrative offices.
- Campanile di San Marco - The Campanile of San Marco, affectionately called “El parón de casa” (The master of the house) by Venetians, is one of Italy’s tallest bell towers at 98.6 meters. It stands prominently in Piazza San Marco in front of the basilica. Its simple design features a fluted brick barrel, 12 meters on each side and about 50 meters high, topped by an arched belfry. Above the belfry is a die with alternating depictions of walking lions and female figures of Venice (Justice). The structure is crowned by a pyramid-shaped spire, with a golden statue of the archangel Gabriel on a rotating platform serving as a weather vane. The base facing the basilica is adorned with Sansovino’s Loggia.
- Ponte dei Sospiri - The Bridge of Sighs, located behind Piazza San Marco, is the only fully enclosed bridge in Venice. Known today as the “lovers’ bridge,” legend has it that kissing under the bridge during a gondola ride ensures eternal love. Historically, the bridge connected the Doge’s Palace to the New Prisons, serving as a secure passage for moving prisoners between the Court and the Prisons.
What's Included
- One Way - Return Water Bus
- Round trip ticket by fast train in second class (1st class option)
- Visit St. Mark’s Basilica (if not possible visit the Bell Tower)
- Professional Tour Assistant
- Pick-up and drop off service offered inside Aurelian Walls
- Emergency number also operational via whatsapp
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gondola ride (optional)
- Tips
Additional Information
A great full day walking tour in Venice, one of the most beautiful cities of Italy, taking the fast train from Rome in a relaxed and comfortable journey. After 3.50 hours you will arrive in Venice, famous for Giacomo Casanova and the composer Antonio Vivaldi. This unique town is an archipelago of 117 little islands connected by 400 bridges. Your assistant will be with you throughout the trip. You will visit Saint Mark’s Square with its Basilica, the Doge’s Palace (external visit, entrance fees not included) decorated by Tintoretto and Veronese, the Bell Tower and Rialto bridge, the most famous monuments of Venice. Do not miss the popular Grand Canal, the largest canal in Venice, built in Venetian-Gothic style. Explore Venice using a water bus or a romantic “Gondola” ride (optional) to enjoy the beautiful and fascinating architecture of the buildings.
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Dress code is smart casual
- Provide the Correct address of your accommodation , hotel, B&B
- Provide the correct phone number with international country code
- One day before call to confirm the pick up
- Without details information we can not guarantee the correct service
- Time for pick up at the hotel must be confirmed the day before between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm on the emergency phone or whatsapp
Location
Canal Grande
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(23 Ratings)
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Stacy_s
Aug 5, 2024
Excellent private day trip to Venice - Our private guide Rashi, was wonderful. We were picked up at our hotel, she walked us right through the train terminal and was with us the whole day in Venice. Rashi asked if there was anything in particular that we wanted to do and see. She took us all around Venice, was absolutely willing to take our pictures, arranged a gondola ride for us, and made awesome recommendations for lunch and a bar and snack place to rest a short while. It was a wonderful day in Venice.
Review provided by Viator
Ileana_v
Jun 26, 2024
Beautiful Venice - Venice was beautiful. Our guide was excellent and the train ride was absolutely wonderful and comfortable. Gondola ride is a must
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Jennifer_l
Nov 12, 2023
Day trip to Venice - Rasi was amazing. She knew so
Much about Italy to have only lived there for 3 years. Our driver picked us up on time and took us to the train station. The train ride was long, but Rasi answered a lot of questions for us on the way. Venice was beautiful. Will definitely go visit again.
Review provided by Viator
Vicki_a
Oct 5, 2023
Venice in one day - The full day tour was AMAZING!!! It’s hard to select one memorable part but I would have to say the gondola ride, which included a serenade. Our tour guide, Anita, had pre-ordered “skip the line” tickets for most of the major attractions, which saved us a lot of time in old Venice, which was packed with tourists. Anita knew her history and kept us spellbound with her knowledge. This trip had been on my bucket list for many years and exceeded my expectations! Thank you Anita!!
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Maryann_t
Sep 6, 2023
Incredible day trip to Venice - We highly recommend this day tour of Venice. We wanted to see Venice but only had one day to see it . From start to finish this day was perfect and stress free. A driver picked us up from our hotel and dropped us off at the train station where our tour guide Giuseppe was waiting to meet us for the ride to Venice. A stress free experience as we did not have to worry about finding a train or where to go. Giuseppe made it so easy and relaxing He was with us the rest of the day He made our first visit to Venice a very enjoyable and memorable one. He recommended a restaurant for us for lunch with great food. He also was able to get us a gondola ride. A must see experience He showed us the different sites in Venice and was very knowledgeable. We would highly recommend Giuseppe if you are looking to see Venice it is a four hour train ride each way however I can honestly say Giuseppe made the day feel relaxed and not rushed. We can’t wait to come back to Venice again!!
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Mary_r
Jun 2, 2022
Private tour is the way to go!! - The Private Tour is the way to go -- our guide, Lorenzo, was with us every step of the way! He greeted us at the train station, helping us get in the right seats on the train, showing us the sights in Venice, getting us lunch reservations, and getting us back to Rome! He was great to talk with and he had tons of information about Venice to share!
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Brandon_w
May 5, 2022
Venice, Italy - The tour of Venice exceeded our expectations. Perfect. Our guide is not just an archeologists but also a certified rock star and an even better person.
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Seaside55542817428
Mar 10, 2019
great experience - This was a great experience. Our guide, Juliano, was amazing. He gave us lessons about the history of Venice. He also showed us some sites that we never would have found, or been given access to normally, For instance, he was able to get us into a private showing at a glass factory to see how glass products are made. The trip was well worth it.
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Donald_m
Oct 16, 2018
Private Tour: Venice by Train - Full Day Tour from Rome - Venice is a great city. I wish we were not so rushed to get everything done on the tour escorts agenda. We had to be in certain places by set times. We did get to go on a gondola ride. The driver did not say anything on the whole trip. The only words he said was to the tour escort asking if we gave a tip. We had no time to shop as we were whisked around so fast. Next time we will stay in Venice. Not a good day trip from Rome.
Review provided by Viator
Balbir_r
May 9, 2024
Bad Rome experience - We have the worse experience last year when we visited Rome. We paid top dollars for our trip , as 1st class train ride and that never happened. Our tour guy was 2 hours late .. I strongly recommend not to book this trip via viator and just plan your own.
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