Private Venice in a Day Tour | City Highlights
LivTour’s Private Venice in a Day Tour is the perfect tour for those who wish to make the most of their time in the city of canals. Your private guide will entertain you with the myriad of stories associated with this centuries-old city. Starting in Saint Mark’s Square where you will get a perfect view of the breathtaking 9th century Saint Mark’s Basilica. Formerly the private chapel of the Doge (Duke) until the 19th century, there is a covered walkway that connects the Basilica to the Doge’s luxurious palace which you will get a chance to explore with exclusive VIP entrance and your knowledgeable private guide.
With a solid introduction and insight into the history of Venice, your day continues in the open air, as you guide accompanies you on a journey back in time-sharing with you highlights such as the Rialto Bridge, Marco Polo’s house and Campo Santa Maria Formosa as you wind your way through the narrow streets and hidden bridges that make Venice the most romantic city in the world.
A day in Venice would not be completed without a gondola ride! Your LivTours guide will make sure you are comfortable in your own private gondola before waving you off to enjoy a 30-minute ride, gliding through narrow and peaceful canals.
Come spend the day with us and make your trip to Venice as memorable as possible!
- Take advantage of your time in Venice by seeing the major highlights in one day!
- Gain an understanding of the pivotal history with your own private local guide
- Enjoy LivTour’s exclusive entry into St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace
- Explore the city on foot and on water with a private gondola ride on narrow canals
Exclusive private Tours and Experiences. Also offered in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Swedish and Russian
Our prices always include tickets and reservations fees (no waiting in lines!)
Our tour guides and staff are selected experts and speak perfect English
Easy to book and prepay your tours with our secure payment system
Eco-sustainable tourism, designed to respect and support local culture, art and traditions
Your LivTour’s Private Venice in a Day Tour starts in St. Mark’s Square with amazing views of the 9th century St. Mark’s Basilica. In the company of your private LivTour guide, you will enjoy privileged access as you bypass the often long line of visitors waiting to gain access. This grand Basilica is covered in golden mosaics giving it the apt nickname of “Basilica d’Oro”, Basilica of Gold! This intriguing basilica dates back to the 9th century and has been playing a key role in the history of Venice since then. Venetians love to say: ‘When you’ve heard the stories about the Basilica, you know the story behind the city.’ Your LivTours private guide will make sure you have time to explore its numerous treasures.
Next, it is on the see the Doge’s Palace, the political center of Venice. Conveniently connected to St Mark’s Basilica by a covered walkway, you will get privileged access here by skipping another potentially long line with your LivTours private guide. For seven centuries, this powerful palace has housed the Doge, the Duke. Not only has this been the luxurious home of the Doge, but also the government offices before Italy’s unification, as well as the prisons and courts. Your private guide will share with you the secret stories and the history of the Doge’s private, luxurious apartments, and the impressive halls such as the Hall of the Great Council. Your private tour continues, with the exploration of the spooky prison, the extensive private weapon collection, and a stop at the notorious Bridge of Sighs.
Upon leaving the Bridge of Sighs, the rest of your day will take place outdoors, but first, it is time to refuel by treating yourself to some Venetian delights. Your private guide will get you set up with some excellent suggestions for a quick, but authentic, lunch before continuing your tour.
Setting off on foot, your guide will lead you through windy, narrow streets, into unexpected squares and over bridges all the while sharing with you the history and anecdotes of this romantic city. You will see Marco Polo’s house, hear about his discoveries and the inside scoop on what Venetian thought of him, the picturesque Rialto Bridge, and your guide will say goodbye to you in Campo Santa Maria Formosa, but first they will make sure you are comfortable on your own private gondola. Your half-hour ride takes you through the narrow, picturesque canals in the style of the aristocratic of days gone by and no trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride!
- St Mark's Square
- VIP entrance into Doges Palace
- Hall of the Great Council
- Doges Prison
- Bridge of Sighs
- Skip the line entrance into St Mark's Basilica
- Rialto bridge
- Marco Polo’s house
- Campo Santa Maria Formosa
- 30 minute private gondola ride
- St Mark's Terrace
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
- During the low season (November 3 – March 30) it is not possible to reserve tickets to Saint Mark’s Basilica and we cannot skip the line, however, due to the low number of visitors there are normally no lines during this period.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed in St Marks basilica.
LivTours’ group size of max 6 participants is and always has been based on sustainable travel, and we are proud to be at the forefront of change and innovation in the industry. LivTours is committed to providing travelers with truly sustainable tours with the lowest possible environmental impact, all while supporting the local industries and people of each unique destination. To learn more about how you can actively support sustainable tourism and how LivTours is contributing, click here.
When you book a LivTours Private Tour or Experience, you are guaranteed a dedicated, expert guide that allows you the flexibility to start your tour at a time which is convenient for you, making planning easy. Our private tours ensure that you will get a tailored experience to meet all your needs so we go at your pace, perfect for families with younger children, elderly, or individuals with accessibility needs. Please be advised that all private tours begin at a base price starting at two people*. Prices are inclusive of entry tickets where applicable. *Some Ferrari private experiences are inclusive of one person only.
Make your day even more unique and comfortable by upgrading your tour with a customizable LivTours optional add on!
A perfect day in Venice with Nico
"Nico, our guide, was fantastic and he showed us so much of Venice that we never would have seen on our own. He had so much knowledge on the city and its customs and we tried to soak up everything he told us. It would not as been as good as an experience without him. Venice and Nico were perfect. "
Nancy B - United States
Venice in a day
"My son and I loved this tour with our guide, Tullia. We learned so much about the history of Venice and one day just did not do it justice. Tullia's energy and passion made the city come to life, and we were able to see so much. Thank you!"
John P - United States
A perfect tour
"We could not have expected, or had, a better tour. Nicola was absolutely perfect. He quickly recognized what our interests were and tailored his guided tour to make sure we saw and spent our time together on the things that we should see and experience. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND LIVTours and specifically Nicola to anyone visiting Venice."
David M. - USA
By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.