The Mercerie, Venice

Gondola Tours

Discover Venice from land and water on a combined half-day tour of 3 distinct itineraries; a walking tour from St. Mark’s Square to the Rialto Bridge and market, a 30-minute gondola ride on some of the smaller canals and a guided visit to St. Mark’s Basilica. First, meet your guide near St. Mark’s Square for a walking tour from St. Mark’s to the Rialto Bridge. Your guide will reveal the magic and history of Venice outside some its most famous buildings. Admire the Byzantine façade of St. Mark’s Basilica and the imposing Doge’s Palace before you depart. Head towards Campo Santa Maria Formosa to learn the story of one of the most beautiful churches in Venice. See the former home of the explorer Marco Polo, and pass the Malibran Theatre, known for having the most extravagant stage in the city. Finally, walk to the Mercerie to discover a fascinating array of narrow streets where the valuable goods brought to the city from distant markets were sold. The second part of the tour includes a gondola ride to discover some new and not very well-known areas of one of the most beautiful cities in the world! The gondola tour will let you discover the Basilica della Salute, one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture, which offers a different perspective view according to the point from which it is observed. Re-group outside St. Mark's Basilica to skip-the-line to see its gilded interior around 30 minutes after the conclusion of the gondola ride. Learn the history of one of the world’s most iconic cathedrals, getting up-close to its gilded mosaics and the rarely seen Pala d’Oro (Golden Pall), one of the most accomplished works of Byzantine art. Get advantage of this combined tour, which covers three fascinating itineraries at a lower price than purchasing the individual ones!

Travel to the heart of Venice and its Byzantine art heritage with a combination of three tours. Discover the enchanting side of Venice through a morning walk, its Byzantine heritage through the St Mark's Basilica, and its deepest side through a romantic gondola ride. Go to the enchanting Venice made up of countless bridges, channels, and "campo" (little squares), the pulsing heart of a water city. Follow your experienced tour guide and learn more about Venice, it's past, and interesting facts about life in a city built on water. Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo, and Church SS. Giovanni e Paolo, and the Mercerie, are only some of the highlights which you will admire. Let yourself admire Venice from a unique perspective: the water. In an eye glimpse, it will be like being projected into another world, away from the crowded alleys of the historical center and ready to discover a deeper side of Venice. Discover not only one of Venice's most famous sites and symbols but also one of the world's most beautiful and breathtaking cathedrals: The St Mark's Basilica. Immerse yourself in the majestic interiors of the Basilica, learn more about Venice's history and in particular about its patron saint, St Mark.

Combine an engaging 1.5-hour walking tour of Venice, strolling the streets between St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge and market, with a Venice experience that everyone must try: a 30-minute gondola ride! During the 1st part of your itinerary, an expert guide will reveal the magic and history of Venice outside some its most famous buildings. Walk from St. Mark’s Square at the heart of the former Venetian Republic. Admire the Byzantine façade of St. Mark’s Basilica and the imposing edifice of the Doge’s Palace before you depart. Head towards Campo Santa Maria Formosa to learn the story of one of the most beautiful churches in Venice. See the former home of the explorer Marco Polo, and pass the Malibran Theatre, known for having the most extravagant stage in the city. Finally, walk to the Mercerie to discover a fascinating array of narrow streets where the valuable goods brought to the city from distant markets were sold. Then, climb aboard a gondola for a 30-minute punt along the canals of Venice. Be lulled by the gentle sway of the lagoon as you move deeper into the minor canals. Coast past lesser known areas to see quaint corners and majestic palaces from a new perspective. Admire the Basilica della Salute as you drift gently back to St Mark’s Basin and the start of the Grand Canal.

Walk through the most characteristic and important places of the history of Venice through the millennium of the life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the past full of charm on an essential tour to understand Venice. Visit Piazza San Marco and learn about its origins, history, and the description of the main monuments such as Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Bell Tower, Clock Tower, and Procuratie. Explore Santa Maria Formosa Square and hear about the history related to this characteristic square. Then, head to Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, the "Doge’s Pantheon," the Great School of Charity, the Captains of Fortune, and Marco Polo’s House and Malibran Theatre. See how the past and recent history cross each other in this beautiful corner of Venice. Return to San Marco Square through the Mercerie, a vital connection between Rialto and San Marco and the main street for the city shopping.  Board a gondola for a tour along the Grand Canal and minor canals followed by a guided tour of the area between Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, passing by Teatro la Fenice, Scala del Bovolo, Rialto Bridge to get to St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most majestic cathedrals in the world. Enjoy a visit to this masterpiece of Byzantine art, unique of its kind in Italy. Have the pleasure to savor beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlays on the floors, while the guide shows you the represented biblical scenes, the history, and the particularities of this ancient basilica.

Enjoy a tour of Venice that gives you the luxury of seeing it from two different perspectives. First, a walking tour which will take you to visit some of the most beautiful and hidden locations surrounding St Mark's Square. Second, a gondola ride which will have you marvelling at the reflections and majestic facades dotting the channels. A unique way to discover Venice away from the crowded alleys. Your walking portion of the tour of Venice will take you to discover some of its more famous sites as well as hidden gems. The first highlight is St. Mark’s square and the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica, the elegant Doge’s Palace, the Clock Tower and the Procuratie (only external). From St. Mark’s square you will head to Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where you will admire the SS. Giovanni e Paolo church with the famous Pantheon. Follow the Scuola Grande di San Marco also known as “Great School of Charity” (the Captains of Fortune). Last but not least, head back to St. Mark’s and admire the Malibran Theatre, step through the famous Mercerie, once the pulsing heart of commercial life. On the second part of your tour you will have the opportunity to experience a gondola tour through the canals of the city. An enchanting and relaxing way to enjoy the colors, lights, sights, charm and beauty of Venice. Get the chance to admire elegant bank-side palaces, unique bridges and experience the charming and magic atmosphere that only a city like Venice can give you. 

Discover the highlights of Venice by foot on a 2-hour walking tour of the historic city center. Then, experience the imperial city sights by gondola on a shared 20-minute gondola ride. First, take a guided walk around the most characteristic places from the history of Venice, including St. Mark's Square, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doges’ Palace. Learn the history of one of the world’s most beautiful squares, and experience the charm of Venice up-close. Feel part of ancient traditions and experience the city like the locals have for more than 1,000 years. Then, climb aboard a gondola to experience the magic of Venice on its most traditional mode of transport. Immerse yourself in the charm of its canals and grand mansions. See the rich-toned façades of age-old villas and churches along the Grand Canal and Salute. Drift down some of the minor canals in Fenice, before returning to the starting point.

Walk through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice through the millennium of the life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the past full of charm. On this essential tour to understand Venice, visit Piazza San Marco and learn about its origins, history and description of the main monuments such as the Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Bell Tower, Clock Tower and Procuratie. Visit Santa Maria Formosa Square and see the history and anecdotes related to this wonderful and characteristic square such as Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, the "Doge’s Pantheon," the Great School of Charity, the Captains of Fortune, Marco Polo’s House and Malibran Theatre. Hear the anecdotes of the past and recent history cross each other in this beautiful corner of Venice. Return to San Marco Square through Mercerie, a vital connection between Rialto and San Marco and the main street for city shopping. Continue to the gondola station for a tour along the Grand Canal and minor canals. At the end, an optional visit to a Glass Furnace for a touch of the Venetian greatest art.

Your tour begins at St. Marco’s Square, known to be the heart of Venice. Your expert guide will give you a brief historical introduction to Venice’s history as the most powerful maritime empire on the Mediterranean. After a thorough history of the gothic beauty of St. Marco’s Basilica, head off to the Doge’s Palace, the iconic palace of Venice’s imperial ruler.  Continue your path through Venice, stopping by the Campanille, a stunning bell tower that is, to this day, the tallest structure in Venice. Afterwards, you’ll end up in the Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, where the Pantheon of Venice, the largest church in the city, stands. Listen to the history of the menagerie of ornate statues that surrounds the church before heading off to perhaps the most ornate building in Venice, the Scuola Grande di San Marco. After hitting all the main sights, your guide will take you through the smaller alleyways of town to uncover some hidden gems, like Marco Polo’s home, among other local secrets. Continue down the Mercerie, the city’s most bustling shopping street, to feel the true energy of the iconic city. After your thrilling tour, settle down for a 30 minute gondola ride down the winding canals, where you’ll experience the sights you’ve seen from a new perspective.