Venice Canal Cruise: 2-Hour Grand Canal and Secret Canals Semi-Private tour
126 reviews
Explore some of the smaller, secret Venetian canals by motorboat on a 2-hour cruise, and discover the neighborhoods of Cannaregio, the Jewish Ghetto and Dorsoduro as well as the Grand Canal, too! While hearing anecdotes and history about the enchanting city from an onboard guide, look out for sights such as the Arsenale shipyard alongside intriguing lesser-known landmarks. See craftsmen at work at a gondola boat workshop, and then finish the cruise on a high note with a jaunt along the glamorous Grand Canal and underneath Rialto Bridge.
Numbers are limited to 9 on this small-group tour ensuring personalized attention at all times.
Numbers are limited to 9 on this small-group tour ensuring personalized attention at all times.
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In Brief
Location:
Venezia, Italy
Country:
Italy
Duration:
2 hours
Operates:
Varies
Highlights:
Fully narrated tour
Get inside tips from a local
Led by a local guide
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Small-group tour
Meet your guide in central Venice, near St Mark’s Square, and step aboard your motorboat for a 2-hour tour of the canals. While cruising away from the busy city centre, exploring the lesser-visited canals, look out for the Cattedral di San Pietro di Castello. Hear how the sleepy-looking place of worship served as Venice’s primary cathedral for centuries before Mark’s Basilica was ‘promoted’ from humble chapel status.
Pass alongside more quieter canals, seeing streets lined with drying laundry (a quintessential Venice sight), and enter the Porta dell’Acqua city gates into the impressive Arsenale, Venice’s historical shipyard and naval depot. Built at the start of the 12th century, the Arsenale grew to be one of Europe’s greatest shipyards, producing naval and merchant ships on a mass scale.
Relax as you cruise out of the old shipyard to the Cannaregio neighborhood, where some of the city’s most charming canals are found. Work your way around the quieter waterways, seeing romantic canalside restaurants and bars, and then head into the picturesque area known as the Jewish Ghetto. Enjoy a break of roughly 15-20 minutes to walk about and take photos of the pretty streets, and then continue by boat along the backwater canals of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro.
Loop past one of Dorsoduro’s gondola workshops to see craftsmen at work producing traditional Venetian gondolas, and then cruise down the famous Grand Canal. Have your camera ready to capture sights of the Baroque mansions and churches that line the busy stretch of water, and gaze at the thoroughfare of passing gondolas, vaporetto (water buses) and water taxis — all jostling for space on the water.
Cruise beneath Venice’s iconic Rialto Bridge, and return to the start point near St Mark’s Square where your cruise finishes.
Pass alongside more quieter canals, seeing streets lined with drying laundry (a quintessential Venice sight), and enter the Porta dell’Acqua city gates into the impressive Arsenale, Venice’s historical shipyard and naval depot. Built at the start of the 12th century, the Arsenale grew to be one of Europe’s greatest shipyards, producing naval and merchant ships on a mass scale.
Relax as you cruise out of the old shipyard to the Cannaregio neighborhood, where some of the city’s most charming canals are found. Work your way around the quieter waterways, seeing romantic canalside restaurants and bars, and then head into the picturesque area known as the Jewish Ghetto. Enjoy a break of roughly 15-20 minutes to walk about and take photos of the pretty streets, and then continue by boat along the backwater canals of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro.
Loop past one of Dorsoduro’s gondola workshops to see craftsmen at work producing traditional Venetian gondolas, and then cruise down the famous Grand Canal. Have your camera ready to capture sights of the Baroque mansions and churches that line the busy stretch of water, and gaze at the thoroughfare of passing gondolas, vaporetto (water buses) and water taxis — all jostling for space on the water.
Cruise beneath Venice’s iconic Rialto Bridge, and return to the start point near St Mark’s Square where your cruise finishes.
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Transport by motorboat
- Stop at the Jewish Ghetto
- Grand Canal ride
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure Point
St. Mark's Square, Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Returns To
Returns to original departure point
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Tour is not suitable for people in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties as passengers are required to step down onto the boat when boarding. The variation of the level of tides can make the vessel unstable
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Booking Information
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation Terms
This trip is fully refundable up to 96 hours prior to the commencement of your trip.
Booking Terms and Conditions
When you book this trip, you need to read and accept the terms and conditions for booking our day trips in excursions.
Scoring an average traveller rating of 5 out of 5 based on the last 24 recent reviews
“
We have been to Venice several times before. This time we wanted to get an a bit different view to the city and booked this tour (small group!) and we really saw things and got views we did not have before. Our guide Cristina was very knowledgeable, spoke good English, provided much information and shared many interesting stories. And just in the right dose - not too many details but enough to learn something new and at the same time not get overwhelmed with data you will forget the next minute anyway. We really got the impression that Cristina is passionate about this city and enjoys presenting it. And we enjoyed listening to her and watching some of the wonders that Venice has to offer.”
Christian S • Submitted 09 Oct 2019
“
Christina B. was an exceptional guide, she answered many questions about Venice and it’s history. She was knowledgeable about her beautiful city and she made is comfortable and entertained. There was only 6 of us on the tour so it was a nice size for that tour.”
mdzdandan • Submitted 12 Aug 2019
“
Kristina our guide was very engaging and informative. Beautiful views of the city from many angles. Would recommend to anyone and everyone!”
ELI M • Submitted 15 Jul 2019
“
This was a wonderful tour. Christiana was very knowledgeable about the history of Venice and the neighborhoods along the canal. We were able to see sites that you can't see on gondola rides. I also particularly enjoyed walking through the Jewish Ghetto and viewing the monuments.
Christiana was very personable and professional.”
Juanita B • Submitted 10 Jul 2018
“
Great! Fun and informative!”
Kari C • Submitted 22 Jun 2018
“
Excellent tour - extremely interesting - loved seeing the different types of boats used.”
Harvey S • Submitted 21 Mar 2018
“
The tour guide was very knowledgeable on the history and even many fun facts. With this tour, you really feel like you have been able to experience Venice in a unique way. Definitely recommend this tour.”
anisem2001 • Submitted 19 Feb 2018
“
Our tour was changed to one hour, but we were notified well in advance. Our guide, Christina, was excellent, even in very cold conditions. Highly recommend.”
Ftnirish • Submitted 10 Dec 2017
“
The cruise was great. I really liked that it was a small group. Our guide was wonderful. She brought the history and magic of Venice to life.”
Sally E • Submitted 15 Nov 2017
“
My husband and I loved this small group tour. Our tour guide was great and very knowledgeable! Would definitely recommend this tour!”
Brandon • Submitted 19 Oct 2017
“
This was a fabulous way to see Venice by boat. It was the size of and same type of boat as the water taxis. The guide was very informative. It was a small group. He covered most of the Grand Canal, got off briefly in the Jewish Getto, and saw some of the less touristy back canals. Really an awesome tour, well worth it!”
Nicholas S • Submitted 17 Oct 2017
“
What a way to see Venice! Loved the tour
The only downside - one of the boat drivers was on the phone speaking loudly during the early part of the tour which made it difficult to hear the guide. Several of us talked to the tour guide, she immediately spoke with him, it stopped.”
Robinson's • Submitted 01 Oct 2017
“
Loved cruising around the island and learning all about Venice. Our guide Cristina spoke excellent english and was very knowledgable. The time flew by before we realized it it was over. Highly recommend this tour for an overview of some of the best of Venice.”
Jana F • Submitted 29 Sep 2017
“
This was fabulous! It rained on and off during our tour but we didn't have to worry because we could go inside the boat during the showers and opned the roof completely during the sun. Our guide was thoughtful and great at explaining botht the large historical facts and small interesting details about Venice. We gained a much greater understanding of the canal systems than we thought possible. This trip is enjoyable, informative and fun. It is a great way to spend 3 hours in Venice”
JoAnn R • Submitted 26 Sep 2017
“
Comfortable uncrowded boat. Entertaining and informative guide. A great introduction to Venice.”
Robert N • Submitted 18 Sep 2017
“
Great way to explore the island your first day in Venice. Guide was very knowledgable. There was just the right amount of information given.”
Danny D • Submitted 17 Sep 2017
“
Great tour. Small group. The tour uses a private water taxi to tour small canals and waterways such as the dock yard, the Jewish ghetto and several cathedrals and towers. The tour travels down the grand canal visiting many stately houses, museums, public buildings and the Rialto bridge. Get your cameras ready for there's lots to see. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we stopped to take a half hour walking tour of the old and newer Jewish ghetto. Plan to get there early for it is easy to get lost in Venice and the boat will leave without you if you are more than 5 or 10 minutes late.”
Richard Ashworth • Submitted 11 Sep 2017
“
We loved this tour! Only 3 of us actually turned up, so it was more like a private tour experience, but the tour guide was lovely and provided lots of interesting information. I think if there were more people our experience may have been a little less comfortable on the boat, but as it stands we had a fantastic trip!”
Kimberley S • Submitted 04 Sep 2017
“
Absolutely great experience.”
krisgary1 • Submitted 02 Sep 2017
“
Excellent tour of all of the canals in Venice with detailed commentary. The water taxi was smaller in size. Seven were on our tour with three and the guide standing in the front and three standing in the back and one remaining inside the covered boat. An open-air boat would have better served the tour.”
gfunk3881 • Submitted 24 Aug 2017
“
What a great way to get off the beaten path. The tour was on the other side of Venice that's at the edge of maps. Our tour guide was extraordinarily knowledge and pleasant. We really did go where there were no other tourists. It was a nice split between a comfortable boat ride and walking through special neighborhoods.”
Harley S • Submitted 04 Aug 2017
“
Wonderful tour!”
Tammy D • Submitted 03 Aug 2017
“
Christina was a marvelous tour guide. He expertise is unparalleled, and she was entertaining as well. My family and I loved this tour and highly recommend it.”
Alan L • Submitted 03 Aug 2017
“
Barbarella was a wonderful guide and we cruised through canals of Venice in private water taxi. Fun way to spend a couple of hours seeing Venice from the3 water rather than busy streets.”
Italy 17 • Submitted 14 Jul 2017
In Brief
Location:
Venezia, Italy
Country:
Italy
Duration:
2 hours
Operates:
Varies
Highlights:
Fully narrated tour
Get inside tips from a local
Led by a local guide
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Small-group tour
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