Venice: St Marks Square Walking Tour & Gondola Ride

Exploring the enchanting city of Venice is an unforgettable experience, and the "St. Mark’s Square Walking Tour & Gondola Ride" offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the city’s rich history and captivating waterways. This 3-hour tour takes guests through the iconic St. Mark’s Square, showcasing its architectural wonders and providing insights into the city’s past. The highlight, however, is the serene 30-minute gondola ride, where visitors can soak in the stunning views of Venice’s canals and iconic buildings. With a small group size and multilingual assistance, this tour promises an intimate and personalized experience that will leave you longing to uncover more of Venice’s secrets.

This experience made our list of the 20 Best Walking Tours In Venice.

Key Points

• Guided walking tour of St. Mark’s Square and surrounding landmarks, including Marco Polo House, Santa Maria Formosa, and Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo.
• 30-minute shared gondola ride with live commentary, providing stunning views of the Grand Canal and the Bridge of Sighs.
• Tour duration of 3 hours with multilingual assistance and audio-receiver devices for larger groups.
• Pricing ranging from $64.69 to $80.85 per person, with a 20% savings available and no upfront payment required.
• Overall positive customer feedback, with knowledgeable guides, smooth transportation, and excellent value for money.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The "Venice: St Marks Square Walking Tour" offers visitors a comprehensive experience, combining a guided walking exploration of Saint Mark’s Square and its surrounding highlights with a tranquil gondola ride through the city’s iconic waterways.

Priced from $64.69 to $80.85 per person, the tour provides a 3-hour duration and the flexibility of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Guests can save up to 20% on the cost and reserve their spot without upfront payment.

The tour includes a walking exploration of key Venice landmarks, a shared 30-minute gondola ride, and access to a mobile app with digital maps and audio commentary.

Tour Highlights

This walking tour offers an immersive exploration of Venice’s iconic landmarks. Travelers will stroll through St. Mark’s Square, the heart of the city, and discover the Marco Polo house. The tour also includes visits to the captivating Santa Maria Formosa, the grand Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, and the famous Rialto Bridge.

Tour Highlights
St. Mark’s Square	Marco Polo House	Santa Maria Formosa
Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo	Rialto Bridge	Gondola Ride

The highlight of the tour is the 30-minute shared gondola ride through the St. Mark’s Basin and minor waterways, offering stunning views of the Bridge of Sighs. With audio commentary and a digital map, this tour provides an exceptional opportunity to experience the best of Venice.

Tour Experience

Typically, this small group experience limits participants to just 9 individuals, fostering a more intimate and personalized tour.

During the walking portion, a qualified guide leads the way, providing live commentary to enhance the experience. For larger groups, the tour utilizes audio-receiver devices to ensure everyone can hear the guide’s insights.

When it’s time for the gondola ride, multilingual assistance is available to aid participants.

The 30-minute shared gondola excursion through the St. Mark’s Basin and minor waterways offers stunning views of iconic sights like the Bridge of Sighs, all while a live commentary provides context and history.

Important Information

Participants must meet at the Venice Tours Office near St. Mark’s Square to start this tour.

The specific times for the walking tour and gondola ride vary depending on the date. It’s important to note that the gondola ride may be canceled due to inclement weather, tide issues, or local strikes.

The gondolas can accommodate a maximum of 5 people per ride, and the seating is determined by the gondolier based on weight distribution.

Multilingual assistance is provided during the gondola portion of the tour.

Participants should review the tour details carefully and arrive on time to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

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Customer Feedback

The tour boasts an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on over 100 reviews.

Travelers highlight the tour’s strengths, including:

• Knowledgeable guides, rated 4.5/5
• Smooth transportation, rated 4.3/5
• Excellent value for money, rated 4/5
• Unique and beautiful sights during the gondola ride

Positive reviews praise the guided walking tour’s exploration of key Venice highlights and the enchanting gondola experience.

Guests appreciate the small group size and multilingual support, finding the tour to be a well-organized and immersive way to experience the city’s iconic landmarks and waterways.

Exploring Saint Mark’s Square

Stepping into the iconic Saint Mark’s Square, visitors are immediately enveloped by its grandeur.

The vast piazza, flanked by the magnificent Basilica di San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, offers a glimpse into Venice’s rich history.

Travelers will explore the Marco Polo house, a significant landmark associated with the renowned explorer.

Beyond the square, the tour ventures to Santa Maria Formosa and the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, each with its own unique architectural and cultural significance.

The iconic Rialto Bridge, spanning the Grand Canal, provides a picturesque vantage point to admire the city’s iconic waterways.

Throughout the tour, the guide’s expert commentary brings the sites to life, offering a deeper understanding of Venice’s enduring charm.

Gondola Ride Through Waterways

After exploring the iconic landmarks of Saint Mark’s Square, the walking tour seamlessly transitions to a serene gondola ride through Venice’s enchanting waterways.

This iconic Venetian experience offers a unique perspective, allowing visitors to glide along the minor canals and catch glimpses of the city’s stunning architecture and bridges.

The gondola ride includes:

• Live commentary from a multilingual gondolier
• Views of the famous Bridge of Sighs
• A tranquil journey through the St. Mark’s Basin
• An opportunity to take in Venice’s rich history and captivating ambiance.

Despite the possibility of cancellations due to weather or other factors, this 30-minute gondola ride is an essential part of any visitor’s Venetian adventure.

Multilingual Assistance and Commentary

Multilingual guides provide assistance during the gondola ride, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all participants.

These knowledgeable professionals offer live commentary in multiple languages, allowing visitors from diverse backgrounds to fully enjoy the beauty and history of the iconic Venetian waterways.

Through their insightful narration, travelers gain a deeper understanding of the sights they encounter, from the picturesque canals to the iconic Bridge of Sighs.

This multilingual support enhances the overall tour, catering to the needs of an international audience and elevating the gondola ride into a truly memorable and culturally enriching activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Dress Code for the Walking Tour?

There is no specific dress code for the walking tour. Casual, comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended to fully enjoy the experience in Venice’s historic streets and landmarks.

Can We Take Photos During the Gondola Ride?

Guests are generally permitted to take photos during the gondola ride, though they’re advised to be mindful of other passengers’ experiences. Photography is allowed, but it’s best to avoid disrupting the tranquility of the journey.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

There are no age restrictions for this tour. Both children and adults can participate. However, the gondola ride may have weight restrictions that the gondolier determines based on the total number of passengers and their weights.

Do We Need to Bring Any Special Equipment?

Participants don’t need to bring any special equipment for this tour. The tour provider supplies all necessary items, including audio receivers for larger groups. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended to fully enjoy the walking portion of the experience.

Is There an Option for a Private Gondola Ride?

The tour does not offer a private gondola ride option. The gondola ride is a shared experience with up to 5 people per gondola, with seating determined by the gondolier based on weight.

Recap

The "St. Mark’s Square Walking Tour & Gondola Ride" offers an enchanting way to experience the beauty of Venice. Explore the iconic square, admire historical landmarks, and embark on a serene gondola ride through the city’s captivating waterways. With multilingual assistance and a small group size, this tour provides a personalized and immersive experience, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the charm of Venice.

You can check if your dates are available here: