Best of Venice Tour
St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace










Relaxed Pace
Pick-up at your hotel
Skip-the-line tickets
Private Guides
avoid big groups!
Duration about 3 hours
Family Friendly price!
Best of Venice Tour – Private Guided Experience
Our Best of Venice Tour is a private, skip-the-line Venice Tour designed to help you discover the highlights of one of the most extraordinary cities in the world.
Once the capital of a powerful maritime republic, Venice is a place unlike any other, shaped by water, trade, and centuries of political and artistic ambition.
With a professional private guide, our Venice Tour offers a clear and engaging introduction to the city’s history, art, and legends, all at a relaxed pace and without the crowds of large group tours.
Sights included in your Best of Venice Tour
St. Mark's Square
- St. Mark's Basilica (skip the line)
- Bell Tower (from outside)
- Procuratie (from outside)
Doge's Palace
- Room of the Great Council
- Scala dei Giganti
- Scala D'Oro
The Prisons
- New Prisons
- Bridge of Sighs
- Cells of the prisoners
Included in the Price:
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Pick-up at your hotel
- Professional Guides
- Curated Private Experience
1. St. Mark’s Square & St. Mark’s Basilica
Your Best of Venice Tour begins in St. Mark’s Square, the symbolic heart of Venice and one of the most famous squares in Europe. Here, your guide will introduce you to the history of the Venetian Republic, its power, and the role Venice played as a bridge between East and West.
You’ll then enter the spectacular St. Mark’s Basilica with skip-the-line access. One of Italy’s most impressive churches, the Basilica is a unique blend of Byzantine and Western traditions, richly decorated with golden mosaics and precious materials. Your guide will explain its architecture, symbolism, and the fascinating story behind the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist.
2. Doge’s Palace
The Best of Venice Tour continues with a guided visit to the Doge’s Palace, the former residence of Venice’s rulers and the seat of political power for centuries.
This extraordinary Gothic palace was not only a royal residence, but also the center of government, justice, and administration. As you walk through its magnificent halls, you’ll admire masterpieces by Tintoretto, Veronese, and Titian, while your guide explains how Venice was governed and why its political system was so unique.
3.Bridge of Sighs & Venetian Prisons
Your Venice Tour concludes with a visit to the famous Bridge of Sighs, which connects the Doge’s Palace to the historic prisons.
Here, you’ll learn about the darker side of the Venetian Republic and hear the story of Giacomo Casanova, Venice’s most famous prisoner, who was held in the nearby prisons before making his legendary escape. This final section offers a fascinating glimpse into justice, punishment, and daily life in historic Venice.
Our private Best of Venice Tour is designed for travelers who want more than a standard sightseeing experience. With skip-the-line tickets, a dedicated guide, and a pace tailored to you, the tour is both informative and enjoyable.
And for the perfect ending to your day in Venice, why not enjoy a gondola ride after the tour? Just ask your guide for information.
Book our Best of Venice Tour and experience the magic, history, and beauty of Venice in the most meaningful way.
Why Choose Our Private Best of Venice Tour
Historic Venice & Lagoon Atmosphere
Walk through the historic heart of Venice, where canals, bridges, and magnificent palaces reflect the city’s centuries as a powerful maritime republic.
Expert, Private Guides
Be accompanied by a professional private guide who will introduce you to Venice’s history, art, and political system, bringing the stories of the Venetian Republic to life.
Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Details
Discover Venice’s most celebrated sights, including St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace, while also uncovering lesser-known details often missed by visitors.
Pick-up at Your Hotel & Skip-the-Line Access
Enjoy pick-up at your hotel, skip-the-line tickets, and a carefully paced itinerary designed to let you fully appreciate Venice without rushing, with the flexibility to adapt the experience to your interests.
Our Best of Venice Tour Location
Book Your Best of Venice Tour Today!
Our Best of Venice Tour is ideal for travelers who want to discover Venice’s most important highlights with a professional private guide, enjoying a well-paced itinerary and meaningful historical context.
Explore Venice with a professional private guide, gain a deeper understanding of its history, art, and political power, and create unforgettable memories in one of Italy’s most unique and fascinating cities.
IMPORTANT INFO!
- You MUST bring a valid ID (passport or driver’s license) if required to enter specific sites during the tour.
- Pick-up at your hotel is included only within our free pick-up area.- You must have your shoulders and knees covered the enter St. Mark's Basilica
Included in the Price:
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Pick-up at your hotel
- Professional Guides
- Curated Private Experience
Tour Price
Private Best of Venice Tour
-
Skip-the-line tickets
-
Professional Guides
-
Curated Private Experience
-
Pick-up at your hotel (only within our free pick-up area ).
79€
for additional person
Contact Us!
If you want more info or to design a tailored tour!
Send us a message using the form below, contact us via WhatsApp or call us at +39 376 165 1457
EXCELLENT Based on 123 reviews Posted on Scamper13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As an individual living with a hearing disability, private tours are my preferred choice when visiting major historical sites. Italian ArtVentures did not disappoint with the Underground Colosseum Tour with Arena. Giovanni was highly knowledgeable and his passion for Roman history was evident when providing details of various points throughout the tour. He also went at a very comfortable pace so I could capture as much information as I could. I walked away with more golden nuggets of information than when I started. The Italian ArtVentures team strives to provide their customers an excellent experience from the moment one books with them.Posted on Kyle MerkerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing day touring Rome with Giovanni Vergineo from Italian ArtVentures Private Tours. Giovanni was kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable — he’s an archaeologist, and it really shows. His stories and insights brought every site to life. From the Vatican to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, he took wonderful care of us and made sure the day moved at a comfortable, relaxed pace. It was the perfect way to experience the city — informative, seamless, and memorable. Highly recommend Giovanni and Italian ArtVentures to anyone visiting Rome! 🇮🇹Posted on A M FLANNERYTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Knowledgeable guide with great insight into the Vatican museum combined with an engaging personality and presentation. I highly reccomend GiovanniPosted on Patrick ScrogginTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked a tour of Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum with Giovanni to help us use our time in Rome most efficiently. Giovanni’s explanations in perfect English helped us to understand the history behind the grand monuments and fascinating architecture. We covered a lot of ground and a few steps up and down too. His background as an archaeologist was so interesting to get a feeling of how the sites looked originally and what it took to restore them. Highly recommend getting a tour with him!Posted on Mark v.V.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend you to consider Italian ArtVentures for a fantastic guided experience. Giovanni is incredibly knowledgeable and nice to listen to. I think he just knows how to find the right balance between humor and seriousness, between intens passionate storytelling and relaxed admiring of the beauty that Rome has to offer. Sights that seem uninteresting, or sometimes not (clearly) visible anymore nowadays, he brings to life with his extensive knowledge of archeology and the history of Rome. Be clear in your wishes and preferences, ask him any kind of question, he really seemed like a capable guide able to provide something extra, something special and definitely more depth. The Colloseum was great and impressive, but thanks to you I will mainly remember how you showed me around the Palantino Hill and Forum and turned ruins and rubble into an astonishing educational origin story of such a beautiful city. Thanks Gio! Greetz Mark (& Debby)Posted on Debby Van KlijnenbreugelTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Een onvergetelijke privé tour door het hart van Rome! Wat een fantastische ervaring! Onze gids nam ons mee op een privé tour langs het Colosseum en het Palatijnse Forum, en het was werkelijk magisch. Vanaf het eerste moment voelde het alsof we terug in de tijd stapten — onze gids wist zóveel interessante verhalen en verborgen details te vertellen, dat de ruïnes echt tot leven kwamen.😁 Geen eindeloze rijen, geen drukte — alleen wij, de geschiedenis en een gepassioneerde gids die precies wist hoe hij alles boeiend en persoonlijk moest maken. We hebben zoveel geleerd én gelachen. De combinatie van kennis, humor en enthousiasme maakte deze tour echt onvergetelijk. Als je Rome bezoekt, boek deze tour! Het is absoluut de beste manier om de geschiedenis van het Colosseum en het Palatijn te ontdekken. Wij zouden het zó weer doen! 🇮🇹✨ Thanks Giovanni !Posted on John OwensTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My spouse and I enjoyed a fantastic tour with Giovanni V. His deep knowledge of the Colosseum and its surroundings brought the history to life in an engaging and enjoyable way. We wholeheartedly recommend Giovanni as your tour guide.Posted on Paula Mèndez AzuelaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our tours where amazing. We booked a day for Pompeii and This tour was amazing. I highly recommend doing both Pompeii and Ercolano, and another day for Paestum. Being with an archeological expert is a game changer for the experience. Italian Artventures was incredible providing guidance in what to book according to interests and time available, and where attentive during our whole trip. Our guides where amazing and experienced. We would absolutely repeat a tour with the company and the guides.Posted on Jim JaramilloTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Emiliano was an amazing guide. So much knowledge of history. To bypass the lines was completely worth every pennyPosted on Shane GasbarraTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were extraordinarily fortunate to have Giovanni (the founder of Italian ArtVentures) as our private tour guide, not once, but twice: for a visit to the Etruscan Museum at the Villa Giulia and for a day trip to Hadrian's Villa and the Villa d'Este. Giovanni is both a true expert and an engaging storyteller, in addition to being a personable and easygoing guy. All details were handled seamlessly, including a professional driver for pickup from, and return to, our hotel in Rome, even though one of our tours was scheduled at the very last minute. Best of all, he has an innate "sixth sense" of how to adapt his tours to suit the interests and pace of his clients, whether they be art history lovers (like us) or casual tourists. Highly, highly recommended!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more