Private guided tours of Venice

Discover the story of this most incredible city through its most famous monuments!…

…The Church of St. Mark’s – a magical mix of Eastern and Western art, where the body of the eponymous saint has lain for a thousand years, and the Doge’s Palace – home to one of the greatest collections of Venetian masterpieces and where you’ll learn about the inner workings of the oldest Republic in the world.

You’ll start with a short introduction to the Piazza and its history while admiring its incredible monuments such as the Clock Tower, the Procuratorie and the Bell Tower.

Later you’ll visit the Basilica of St Mark’s to marvel at its amazing medieval mosaics plus much, much more. And during summer you’ll skip the line!

After the Basilica, you’ll move on to the Doge’s Palace, the heart of ancient Venetian political life and a veritable treasure chest of art and history.

Visit the Armoury, the state rooms and the dark, forbidding prison cells reached by crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs where you’ll discover the sombre reason behind its strange name…

What with Venice being home to so many world-class art galleries and museums, choosing exactly where to visit and what to see can be a bewildering experience!

We’d be delighted to discuss the various choices available based on your personal interests, and to arrange a specialist private guide to accompany you to your galleries / museums of choice.

Get the lowdown from an expert on the collections of some of the most famous art and historical venues in the world from…

• The Accademia Galleries (paintings from the 14^th century to the Renaissance)
• The Peggy Guggenheim Collection (European and American art of the first half of the 20^th century)
• Palazzo Grassi (Museum of Modern Art)
• The Jewish Museum of Venice in Cannaregio
• Ca’ Pesaro (International Gallery of Modern Art)
• Ca’ Rezzonico (Museum of 18^th-century Venice) and the
• The Correr (Museum of Venetian History and Art) in St. Mark’s Square…

… to lesser-known jewels such as…

• The breathtaking Scuola Grande di San Rocco with its amazing Tintorettos
• Le Stanze del Vetro (glass museum) on the nearby island of Giudecca
• Casa dei Tre Oci (photography exhibitions in a sublime neo-Gothic palazzo also on Giudecca and boasting wonderful views across the waters of the Bacino di San Marco
• Palazzo Mocenigo (atmospheric Museum of Textiles, Costume and Perfumes)
• Scuola Grande di San Marco (Museum of History and Medicine)
• Fondazione Querini Stampalia (the fascinating time-capsule museum of the noble Querini Stampalia family with a garden by Carlo Scarpa) and the
• Gorgeously Gothic Palazzo Fortuny (museum of famous photographer, painter, stage and textile designer, Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo)

– to name but a few!

A tailored tour designed by our art-expert guide covering what they consider the standout, not-to-be-missed highlights of the world-famous Venice Art Biennale ‘La Biennale di Venezia ­– Arte’… a major international contemporary art exhibition taking place from April-November every two years (even-numbered years – the next exhibition is in 2026) at its pavilions at Venice’s Giardini and Arsenale in the Castello sestiere, with numerous collateral events taking place all around the city (often in beautiful historic churches and grand palazzos rarely open to the public at other times!)

First held in 1895 and considered one of the most extensive and provocative art events in the world, the 2024 Art Biennale involved 87 national pavilions and drew almost 700,000 artists, art collectors and experts, members of the glitterati and the public from all 4 corners of the globe during its busy 7-month period.

If architecture’s your passion or perhaps profession, a tailored tour by our architecture-expert guide covering what they consider the standout, not-to-be-missed highlights of the Venice Architecture Biennale ‘La Biennale di Venezia – Architettura’… a major international architecture exhibition taking place from May-November every two years (odd-numbered years) at its pavilions at Venice’s Giardini and Arsenale in the city’s Castello sestiere.

La Serenissima – a city of water with a ‘dual personality’ best experienced from its canals!

During this tour you’ll visit the highlights of Venice – St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo and Rialto – and later take a relaxing water taxi trip through its charming waterways.

Your tour will start in St. Mark’s Square, the heart of Venice and, in the shadow of the winged lion, you’ll learn about the history of the oldest Republic in the world.

After an exciting visit to the Basilica and admiring its incredible golden mosaics – from April to October you’ll skip the line – you can begin your discovery of the much sought-after REAL Venice, crossing picturesque bridges and strolling through shaded narrow streets.

You’ll see the famous Bridge of Sighs while discovering the sombre reason behind its strange name and head off to the Castello district, visiting the impressive Campo Santa Maria Formosa and its beautiful architecture.

Later you’ll arrive at Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, home to the bronze Renaissance sculpture of Bartolomeo Colleoni on horseback by Verrocchio – teacher of Leonardo da Vinci.

At the Rialto Bridge, you can admire one of the most dazzling vistas in the world and visit the ancient market area – the oldest part of the city and birthplace of modern-day banking – and round off the tour by taking a leisurely water taxi ride along the legendary Grand Canal.

Leave the crowds behind on a trip through the Venetian Lagoon and see what ‘Venice’ looked like before it became the city we know today.

Your first stop will take us to the island of Murano where Venice’s furnaces were transferred in 1291, and visit a glass factory to see the glassmakers in action and discover more about this very ancient art.

Next stop will be the island of Torcello – dating back to the 7th century AD and the earliest Roman settlement in the Lagoon. Drift back in time as you make your way to the golden mosaics and Greek marble columns of Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta – built in 639 AD – and its recently restored bell tower dating from the 11th century AD.

And crossing the canal you’ll arrive at Burano – a very different island to the one you leave behind.  Famous since the 15th century for its exquisite lace, which was a favourite with the aristocracy of Europe, Burano today is an island of fishermen, rainbow-hued houses, and a special laid-back atmosphere all of its own.

Strolling the streets of this neighbourhood you’ll escape the tourist crowds and enjoy a lesser-known Venice, but perhaps even more charming, a Venice frequented by Venetians.

The itinerary also includes a visit to the Church of Madonna dell’Orto and the Jewish Ghetto – founded in 1516 and to this day the social and religious centre of Venetian Jewish community life.

This itinerary winds along the calli and campi of what are perhaps Venice’s liveliest neighbourhoods.

Starting from the sunny Fondamenta delle Zattere, you’ll see a nearby squero – a traditional boatyard where gondolas and other wooden boats are built – and cross Campo Santa Margherita, popular meeting spot for Venice’s youth and the centre of university life.

The walk will take you to the Church of the Frari – a splendid example of Venetian Gothic architecture – and through Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio, a lively square full of charm, local flavour and ancient mystery.

Passing through the characterful Carampane neighbourhood, which in ancient times was reserved for courtesans and brothels, you’ll finally arrive at Rialto – once the commercial and financial heart of ‘La Serenissima’ and today the site of the city’s main fish, fruit and vegetable markets.

Once at the Rialto market, you’ll jump aboard a traghetto gondola ferry to cross the Grand Canal and end the tour – for those who are up for it (!) – by taking a lesson in the art of Venetian rowing (standing up style!), giving you the chance to see Venice from the water – a fascinating, fun and totally unique experience!

Let’s experience Venice in a fun and different way!

Whether you’re young in years or simply young at heart, come explore the city on an amazing treasure hunt.

With your family, friends, as part of a group large or small (minimum 4 people), you’ll become navigators, photographers, and hunters of the unusual as you discover facets of a hidden Venice that you never knew were there existed.

And at the end of the hunt your final scores will be revealed, and the winners awarded prizes to celebrate their success!

Venice is SO different – magical, extraordinary, a thrill to explore… and one of the best cities in the world to visit with your kids.

Take a look around you… a stroll in each direction is sure to lead to some hidden historical or cultural gems which come together to make Venice a real treasure trove of delights.

From the spooky prison within the magnificent Doge’s Palace, to the former house of legendary Venetian explorer Marco Polo tucked away in Cannaregio…

… Your guide will accompany you and your children as you venture off the beaten path to uncover legends, curiosities, and tales of La Serenissima… and the unexpected nooks and crannies you’ll unearth along the way.

Designed to entertain and engage your children (and you too!)

Venice is famous for its traditional osterie and bacari (taverns and bars) where locals meet for aperitivi and to catch up on the day’s news.

Join your guide on a visit to some of the most authentic in the city where the tradition of enjoying cicchetti (tapas) and spritz or ombre (small glasses of wine) in the unique atmosphere of Venice is truly alive and kicking and held very dear by those who know it well.

They’ll give you an insight into Venetian cuisine and culture while we relaxing and chilling out with great finger food and wine, and also touch on the ways in which Venice has evolved into one of the most celebrated cities of all time.

History and art by night, off the tourist trail…

Join your guide on a late-night walking tour of the city and glimpse a side of Venice the day-trippers never see!

With your senses heightened and few sounds other than the gentle echo of footsteps along the calli, the soft lap of the water against ancient stones, and the distant, muffled chug of the night-time vaporetti, feel the character of the city shift dramatically in the dark.

And not only at St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the illustrious Grand Canal palazzi, but also in the empty calli and campi so often busy by day.

Enigmatic, mystical, beguiling and sublime – come savour Venezia when she’s at her moonlit best!