A Venetian palace, wood engraving c. 1880.

Venice, Ducal Palace

Basilica di San Marco, aquatint c.1830

Venice Tours

Our small-group cultural tours of Venice take you further and deeper into Veneto. With special, out-of-hours access to the Basilica di San Marco - as well as on-the-spot insights by our expert lecturers - we give you an unrivalled view of La Serenissima.

Featured Venice Tours

Exploring Venice on a cultural tour

Few cities reward our painstaking approach as comprehensively as Venice. Amidst the swirling crowds, we thread carefully-chosen, thoroughly-researched paths and visit the widest possible range of monuments. Our Venetian Palaces itinerary includes dinner in a private Gothic palazzo as well as a close inspection of the Doge’s Palace. Meanwhile, on our Venice Revisited tour we explore rarely-seen trading houses in the Rialto district as well as Palladio’s magnificent Il Redentore church.

Masterpieces by Titian, Bellini and Tintoretto, Vivaldi’s work as musical director at the Ospedale della Pietà, the city’s quarantine station at Lazzaretto Nuovo: all are grist to our mill as we find new ways into this most beautiful and evocative of subjects.

Expert speakers

Spotlight on Venice

Basilica di S. Marco

Basilica di San Marco: an 11th-century Byzantine masterpiece, adorned with stunning mosaics, intricate sculptures, and precious relics, reflecting centuries of artistic and cultural influence.

Private, out-of-hours visit on: 'Art History of Venice'

Palazzo Ducale

Palazzo Ducale, a Gothic icon, boasts a 14th-century pink and white marble façade, the resplendent Golden Staircase, and grand halls adorned with Tintoretto’s Paradise and Veronese’s 'Rape of Europa'.

Visited on: 'Venetian Palaces'

Biblioteca Marciana

The beautiful Biblioteca Marciana, in Piazzetta S. Marco, was begun in 1536 by Sansovino and finished by Scamozzi in 1591. Within are many sculptures, Fra Mauro’s 1459 world map and important manuscripts and books.

Visited on: 'The Printing Revolution'

Important information

Local currency

Euro (€)

Time difference

GMT +1

Flight time from London

2 hrs

Transport

A vaporetto pass for the duration of the tours is included. On some departures there are private motoscafo transfers between the hotel and airport in Venice.

Essential Venice All the unmissable splendours of La Serenissima

The Printing Revolution Renaissance print culture in Rome & Venice

Venetian Palaces The greatest and best-preserved palaces of La Serenissima

Art History of Venice Painting, sculpture and architecture in the world’s most beautiful city

Essential Venice All the unmissable splendours of La Serenissima

The Printing Revolution Renaissance print culture in Rome & Venice

Art History of Venice Painting, sculpture and architecture in the world’s most beautiful city

Venetian Palaces The greatest and best-preserved palaces of La Serenissima

" For the type of traveler who is seeking a deeper cultural experience, Martin Randall's very well-organised tours are perfectly suited. " Essential Venice - All the unmissable splendours of La Serenissima

" I really enjoyed it, and had some overwhelming experiences of important and sometimes under-appreciated libraries, books, art and architecture. Many of the books and several of the library rooms I saw just took my breath away. " The Printing Revolution - Renaissance print culture in Rome & Venice

" The itinerary was splendid and access to otherwise closed venues were an added plus. " Venetian Palaces - The greatest and best-preserved palaces of La Serenissima

" Thank you for all you do to provide such superior service. Really — a standout in the industry. " Art History of Venice - Painting, sculpture and architecture in the world’s most beautiful city

" Susan was a delight and we benefitted so much from her incredible knowledge. " Essential Venice - All the unmissable splendours of La Serenissima

" It was wonderful to see inside the libraries on this tour, to peruse the early printed books shown to us and to learn about the development of printing. " The Printing Revolution - Renaissance print culture in Rome & Venice

" What makes this tour so good is the quality of the lectures and the variety. The private visit to St Mark's is unforgettable. " Art History of Venice - Painting, sculpture and architecture in the world’s most beautiful city

" After an initial look in the lengthy domed entrance area of St Mark's Basilica, we were asked to sit in the nave. The lights were extinguished and after a minute or so, began to gradually come on, one by one, first quite faint and then slowly increasing in intensity until we were all totally swathed in gold. " Venetian Palaces - The greatest and best-preserved palaces of La Serenissima

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Venice Tours