Venice · PRIVATE

The 15 Best Private Tours in Venice

49 tours  ·  from $29

The 15 best private tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat - Murano glass: a short demonstration with a long backstory
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Murano Burano and Torcello Island Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

1.Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,580 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Travel by private water taxi from central Venice to Murano and Burano with a guide such as Silvia, Frankie, or Elena. Watch glassblowing and lace-making, browse artisan work, photograph Burano’s bright houses, and enjoy free time in a group of 22 or fewer.

“Frankie was our tour guide so easy and an amazing day. She gave us great history, facts, and allowed us to enjoy our time. Would recommend her to anyone!!”

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From Venice: Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat - Leaving Venice by boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Murano Burano and Torcello Island Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Venice: Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat

2.Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,170 reviews · from $61

Spend five hours with an English-speaking guide such as Elena, Manu, or Alexandra, traveling by private or small-group boat from Venice to Murano and Burano. Watch glassblowing and lacemaking, then enjoy free time for photos, food, shopping, and island walks.

“Alexandra was excellent. Knowledgeable, friendly and well organized. We really enjoyed touring with her. She's funny too!”

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Private 3 hrs Venice Tour: St Mark's, Walking tour & Boat tour - Inside St. Mark’s Basilica
Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, St Marks Basilica Tours and Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Boat Tours and Lagoon Cruises, Venice Walking Tours, Walking Tours

Private 3 hrs Venice Tour: St Mark’s, Walking tour & Boat tour

3.Private 3 hrs Venice Tour: St Mark’s, Walking tour & Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,372 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $480

Explore St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, then walk through Castello’s quiet lanes before a one-hour Grand Canal boat ride. English-speaking guides such as Christina Pigozzo, Adriana, and Francesco have led this tour, though the guide varies. Expect a break between the walking and boat portions.

“Grand Canal cruise was in a boat that is used also as a water taxi which is closed in and unable to take photos or move around. Cramped space. Walking tour was good but also too many shops being pointed out during the trip. Use of communication system was excellent.”

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Venice: Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers - From the Grand Canal to the smaller waterways
Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers

4.Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3,106 reviews

Take a private gondola for up to five people through Venice’s Grand Canal and smaller canals. You get about 30 minutes on the water, with no guide, commentary, or serenade included. Day and evening departures are available, and a host can assist in several languages.

“Fabulous experience. Wonderful route taken. Very relaxing and beautiful time had by everyone. Would definitely do this one again!!!”

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Venice: Private Gondola Ride along Grand Canal - Starting near the Accademia Bridge
Private, Rialto and Grand Canal Tours, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Gondola Ride along Grand Canal

5.Private Gondola Ride along Grand Canal

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,475 reviews

Share a private gondola for up to five people and glide along the Grand Canal, past La Fenice, Punta della Dogana, and Santa Maria della Salute. The 30-minute ride includes the Gondola Gallery, while commentary may come from an audio guide or your gondolier.

“Little bit of a wait but only 10 mins. Was 30 mins and most enjoyable. Can’t fault it and we loved it. They also took photos for us on my phone.”

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Private Best of Venice Walking Tour with St Mark's Basilica - Piazza San Marco: a fast lesson in Venice
Private, St Marks Basilica Tours and Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Walking Tours, Walking Tours

Private Best of Venice Walking Tour with St Mark’s Basilica

6.Private Best of Venice Walking Tour with St Mark’s Basilica

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,063 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $242

Meet near the Royal Gardens for a two-hour English-language walk through Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, Santa Maria Formosa, and quieter Venetian lanes. Guides such as Donatella, Francesca, Christina, Lucia, and Andrea bring the city’s architecture, politics, and legends to life.

“Loved our guide and this experience! Highly recommend!!! Learned a lot about Venice and saw the best of the city!”

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Private tour on Murano Island: discover the art of Artisanal Glassblowing - Crossing the lagoon by water taxi
Murano Burano and Torcello Island Tours, Murano Glass Blowing Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private tour on Murano Island: discover the art of Artisanal Glassblowing

7.Private tour on Murano Island: discover the art of Artisanal Glassblowing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 965 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108Top rated

Travel from Venice to Murano by water taxi, watch a glass master work close up, then explore the island and San Donato Cathedral with a private guide. Guides such as Vittorio, David, Syria, and Nicola have been praised for local insight. Burano is available only with the selected option.

“My husband and I took part in a private tour of Murano Island and a glass making demonstration. The only reason we booked a private tour was due to the times and availability of other tours. We were met at the tour office by our guide who turned out to be a sales representative at the factory store. The demonstration was very interesting. But we felt like we were set up to get the big sales push. After the demonstration we were taken through the store and then left on our own to wander around. Had to wait almost 30 minutes for a water taxi to bring us back to…”

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Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Arrival Transfer via Motorboat - Where the boat leaves you in Venice
Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Venice Airport Transfers, Venice Boat Tours and Lagoon Cruises

Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Arrival Transfer via Motorboat

8.Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Arrival Transfer via Motorboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 953 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet a representative after customs at Marco Polo Airport, then ride a private motorboat to Venice, usually in about 30 minutes. Choose airport-to-pier help or full escort to your hotel. Boats carry up to six people and six pieces of luggage, with service available around the clock.

“Horrendous experience. Don't use this tour operator or viator. No rep at terminal as promised waited hours. Didn't pick up phone number or responded to chat through app. Made own way to pier when there they didn't recognise the ticket on the app. Viator response is 'we are not the opeator only agebt not onterested on try9jg to resolve problem at all. Whole experince ruined start to holiday. Used Uber instead 3 minutes stress free much better option. Won't be using viator again.”

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Venice: Private Gondola Ride - What the 20-minute ride really feels like
Private, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Gondola Ride

9.Private Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 757 reviews · 20 min · from $85

Take a private gondola from Santa Maria del Giglio through Venice’s Grand Canal and quieter side canals. Your gondolier drives but does not serve as a formal guide. The 20-minute ride may be shorter or longer, and past gondoliers such as Daniel have added friendly local color.

“Everything was perfect, but Gondola ride could be a little bit longer..”

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Venice: Private Tour with a Local Guide - Meeting at your hotel or Airbnb
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Venice: Private Tour with a Local Guide

10.Private Tour with a Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 718 reviews · from $62

Start at your hotel or Airbnb and explore Venice with a private English-speaking guide for 2 to 6 hours. Your guide may be Paolo, Hala, Luis, Miriam, Lorenzo, or another local, tailoring the walk to your interests, from major sights and art to quiet neighborhoods, cicchetti, and practical city tips.

“Absolutely fantastic! Our guide was knowledgeable about the area, friendly, and well-traveled. Our conversations were so fun and we learned so much! The local food and wine stops and recommendations were amazing!”

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Private 4hrs Venice Tour: Doge's Palace, Grand Canal & St Mark's - St. Mark’s Square and the quieter lanes beyond it
Doges Palace Tours, Private, Rialto and Grand Canal Tours, St Marks Basilica Tours and Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private 4hrs Venice Tour: Doge’s Palace, Grand Canal & St Mark’s

11.Private 4hrs Venice Tour: Doge’s Palace, Grand Canal & St Mark’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 715 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $594

Explore Venice with a private English-speaking guide, skip the lines at Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, wander quieter lanes, and cruise the Grand Canal by motorboat. Guides such as Edi, Cristina, Sabrina, and Stefano are praised for lively storytelling and personal attention.

“We enjoy the morning and afternoon tours very much. Our tour guides are brother & sister (Marco & Marina), they were very knowledgeable and full of history. The boat ride at the end was very relaxing. A good way to end the tour.🤗”

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Venice: Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride - The 30-minute ride through San Paolo
Private, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides, Venice Hidden Gems Walks

Venice: Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride

12.Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 703 reviews · 30 minutes - 2 hours · from $94

Take a private gondola through Venice with an English or Italian speaking gondolier. Choose 30 minutes to two hours, from quiet San Paolo canals to Rialto, St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and Santa Maria della Salute. Your gondolier can explain the city or let you enjoy the ride quietly.

“Our Gondolier Stefano made all the difference. He is a local and is very passionate about preserving the culture of Venice. Besides sharing with us the history of Venice and the attractions, he had shared with us his personal thoughts and views, which we appreciated greatly. He truly made our Venice trip much more memorable, insightful and inspiring. We hope he continues imparting Venice culture and bringing joy to others! Thank you Stefano!”

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Private Venice 2 hrs Tour: Boat & Walking Tour with food tasting - Cannaregio’s quieter water routes
Cruises & Boat Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Walking Tours, Walking Tours

Private Venice 2 hrs Tour: Boat & Walking Tour with food tasting

13.Private Venice 2 hrs Tour: Boat & Walking Tour with food tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 688 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $402

Start near St. Mark’s Square with a guide such as Arianna or Sandro, then cruise the Grand Canal and Cannaregio’s side canals before walking hidden lanes near Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Finish with pastry and coffee or cicchetti with wine. The boat is partly covered and the group is limited to eight.

“Very disappointed no guide showed up at the garden gate. I want my money back. Terrible so disappointed”

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Exclusive Private Venice Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings - Starting with spritz and Venetian aperitivo
Food, Food & Drink, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Cicchetti and Food Tours

Exclusive Private Venice Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings

14.Exclusive Private Venice Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 598 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $147

Meet your private local foodie at Campo Manin for a 2.5-hour walk through Venice, stopping for six or ten tastings such as spritz, cicchetti, seafood, cheese, prosecco, and gelato. Guides including Marina, Giacomo, Alessandra, Giada, and Claudia have shaped the experience around local food and personal interests.

“Giada was fantastic! She was enthusiastic, informative, and made the tour incredibly enjoyable. Her local knowledge and passion for food truly shone through. The tour featured a variety of local specialties, and each stop was a highlight. The tour was well-paced, with enough time at each stop to enjoy the food and learn about the restaurant or vendor. We met some lovely people along the way. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere made the experience even more memorable. The walking distance between stops was manageable, and we never felt rushed. The tour was well worth the price. It offered a unique and engaging way to explore Venice's food scene, and it…”

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Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan - Watching a Master Turn Heat Into Sculpture
Murano Glass Blowing Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan

15.Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 556 reviews · 1h 15m · from $93

Work beside Venetian glass artisan Massimiliano Caldarone in his small workshop near Campiello Widmann. Learn old Murano glass techniques, make a personal pendant or small glass piece, watch a professional demonstration, and take your creation home.

“This was simply an incredible experience. Massimiliano was patient, kind, generous with his knowledge, funny, entertaining, and the best teacher we could have asked for to introduce us to such a beautiful art form. From making the pieces ourselves, to being transfixed as he masterfully crafted a piece right before our eyes - this was a one-of-a-kind, brilliant experience. 5 stars in every way and worth every penny.”

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New in Private

★ 5.0Land of Venice: Verona, Lake Garda and Countryside Private Tour12 reviews
★ 4.59-Day Private Tour of Venice, Florence and RomeFrom $9,93810 reviews
★ 4.0Venice Private Arrival Transfer by Water Taxi: Cruise Port to Central Venice108 reviews
★ 4.0Private Valpolicella Day Trip from Venice: Wine Tasting and VeronaFrom $1,17544 reviews
★ 5.02-Hour Venice with Kids and Family Friendly Private Guided Tour27 reviews
★ 4.5Venice Private Departure Transfer by Water Taxi: Central Venice to Cruise Port116 reviews
★ 5.0Private Venice Family Tour with Saint Mark’s & Doge’s PalaceFrom $30050 reviews
★ 5.0Family Friendly Venice Private City TourFrom $21949 reviews
★ 4.2Grand Canal Private Boat TripFrom $212131 reviews
★ 4.5Venice Private Walking Tour with a LocalFrom $66125 reviews
★ 4.5Private Tour: Venice Half-Day Walking TourFrom $181132 reviews
★ 5.0Off the Beaten Track in Venice: Private City TourFrom $146126 reviews
★ 4.5Private Venice Canal Cruise: 2-Hour Grand Canal and Secret CanalsFrom $521139 reviews
★ 5.0Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private TourFrom $328135 reviews
★ 4.030 min private Gondola Ride with Guide143 reviews

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St Marks Basilica Tours and TicketsVenice Gondola RidesMurano Burano and Torcello Island ToursVenice Cicchetti and Food ToursVenice Walking ToursVenice Vivaldi Concerts
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Explore Venice

Pick a monument, a boat or a counter bar.

The square

St Mark’s BasilicaDoge’s PalaceThe CampanileBridge of SighsSkip-the-Line

On the water

Gondola RidesMurano and BuranoLagoon CruisesIsland Boat ToursKayaking

Eating and drinking

Cicchetti CrawlsCooking ClassesDinner at a Local’sProsecco HillsWine Tastings

Out of town

The DolomitesVeronaPaduaLake GardaFlorence