Venice, the city of love, is famous for its picturesque canals and stunning architectural structures. To explore the beauty of the city, boat tours and cruises are exceptionally popular among tourists. There are a plethora of boat tours available in Venice that offer breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, hidden canals, and historic landmarks. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler to Venice, a boat tour will undoubtedly leave you mesmerized by the city’s charm. In this post, we will highlight the best boat tours and cruises in Venice that provide exceptional experiences and ensure an unforgettable time in the city.

The 5 Best Boat Cruises in Venice

1. Skip the Line Golden Basilica Guided Tour With Optional Boat to Murano Island
2. Private Tour Venice Gondola Ride Including the Grand Canal
3. Grand Canal Gondola Ride and Golden Basilica With Optional Boat to Murano
4. Fabulous Venice Doge Palace Golden Basilica Glass Demonstration and Gondola Ride
5. Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade

The 5 Best Boat Cruises in Venice

1. Skip the Line Golden Basilica Guided Tour With Optional Boat to Murano Island

This guided tour takes you on a journey through the captivating Saint Mark’s Basilica, an iconic sight in Venice overlooking Saint Mark’s Square. With a professional guide, you will learn about the history and architecture of this magnificent place and discover the fascinating legends behind it. One hour will be spent inside the Cathedral exploring its beautiful golden mosaics. Thanks to the skip-the-line service, there’s no need to wait in lengthy queues. You will also be equipped with audio-receiver devices should the group exceed 10 participants. After the tour, you’ll be able to admire Venice’s hidden gems, as more than 200 points of interest are available to explore via a fingertip digital map accessible from your mobile phone. This shared guided tour covers the St. Mark Basilica, the terrace, and the Saint Mark Museum, making for a memorable and educational experience in Venice.

2. Private Tour Venice Gondola Ride Including the Grand Canal

Experience Venice’s iconic canals like a true Venetian with a private gondola ride. On this classic tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the picturesque Rio della Madonnetta and the Grand Canal alongside a knowledgeable local guide. As your expert gondolier navigates through the canals, you’ll pass by some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Accademia Bridge, Ca’ d’Oro, and the Rialto Bridge. Your guide will share interesting facts about Venetian history and architecture, providing a deeper understanding of this unique and beautiful city. This private tour includes a 1-hour gondola ride with a private guide in English, French, German, Spanish, or Italian. Gratuities and hotel pickup and drop-off are also included.

3. Grand Canal Gondola Ride and Golden Basilica With Optional Boat to Murano

Enjoy a skip-the-line guided tour of the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica to explore its fantastic Byzantine architecture and artwork. Afterward, experience a 30-minute classic gondola ride along the legendary Grand Canal of Venice, passing by some of the city’s most iconic sites like Mozart’s House La Fenice Theatre, Peggy Guggenheim Collections, and more. This package includes a shared gondola ride, skip-the-line admission to St.Mark’s Basilica, an audio-receiver device for groups over ten people, and hotel pickup. The gondola ride comes with a commentary to further enhance your experience. The meeting and endpoint of the activity is at the same location. Book your tour now and get ready to have one of the most exquisite experiences of your life.

4. Fabulous Venice Doge Palace Golden Basilica Glass Demonstration and Gondola Ride

Soak up the best of Venice with this half-day package that offers a guided tour inside the splendid Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, a live demonstration of glassblowing in an old factory showroom, and a romantic gondola ride through the city’s famous canals. Discover the secrets behind St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with the help of a qualified guide and skip the long lines. Watch a glass craftsman at work close to Saint Mark’s Square and see Venice from the water on a classic gondola ride. The package also includes an exploratory tour of the city’s most historic quarter with the help of an app and audio guide, and an included ticket to the Procuratie museums of St. Mark’s Square. Hotel pickup and food and drinks are not included, but the package guarantees an unforgettable half-day in one of the most alluring destinations in the world.

5. Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade

Experience Venice in the most Venetian way possible with a shared gondola ride and serenade. Choose between an afternoon or evening ride and hop on the six-person gondola with a gondolier dressed in traditional garb. Join a group of eight gondolas with a singer aboard one of the boats and enjoy the songs as you pass Venice’s main landmarks, including Palazzo Barberino and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection museum. Lose yourself in the romantic melodies as you soak up the passing sights. The shared gondola ride lasts approximately 30 minutes and includes a guide, gratuities, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

FAQs about Venice: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit

If you’re planning to visit Venice, it’s crucial to know what to expect so you can make the most out of your trip. Here are some commonly asked questions by tourists and their corresponding answers.

1. When is the Best Time to Visit Venice?

Venice is an all-year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences. During the summer months, the weather is pleasant, and the city comes alive with various cultural events and festivals. However, it can also be crowded with tourists, and accommodation and flights can be pricey. Spring and autumn seasons offer mild weather, less crowded attractions, and reasonable prices. If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, winter is a good option, although you may have to bear chilly weather and occasional flooding.

2. How to Get Around Venice?

Venice is a pedestrian-only city, and the best way to explore it is on foot. However, its winding alleys, narrow streets, and bridges can sometimes be confusing, so it’s advisable to carry a map or download a map app to guide you. The city’s waterways also offer another way to view its beauty. You can opt for a gondola ride to get an authentic Venetian experience or take a waterbus or water taxi to get around the city’s different districts. Note that water transportation can be costly. As an alternative, you can also rent a bike to cover long distances between districts.

3. What Are the Must-Visit Sights in Venice?

Venice is packed with stunning attractions, and you’ll have a lot to see and explore. Here are some top sights that you shouldn’t miss:

• The Grand Canal – a 2.5-mile waterway lined with beautiful buildings
• Piazza San Marco – the city’s main square, featuring the magnificent Basilica di San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile Tower
• Rialto Bridge – the city’s most iconic bridge built in the 16th century
• Bridge of Sighs – connects the Doge’s Palace with the prison
• St. Mark’s Basilica – a stunning cathedral showcasing beautiful Byzantine architecture, intricate mosaics, and artwork
• Palazzo Ducale – the Doge’s Palace, a beautiful Gothic-style palace with an impressive arts collection
• Torre dell’Orologio – a clock tower in San Marco displaying mechanical figures and beautiful city views.

4. Is Venice Expensive?

Venice is relatively more expensive compared to other Italian cities, given its one-of-a-kind attractions, limited land space and high demand from tourists. However, it’s still possible to find affordable accommodation, food, and activities. Avoid dining near tourist hotspots, as prices tend to be expensive. Instead, explore neighborhoods away from the central districts where you can find local restaurants offering authentic Venetian cuisine at affordable prices. You can also save some money by purchasing a travel pass if you plan to use public transportation frequently.

5. Can I Drink Tap Water in Venice?

Venice’s tap water is safe to drink, but it may have a slightly unusual taste due to mineral content. If you’re not used to it, you can opt to buy bottled water instead. However, contributing to plastic pollution isn’t encouraged, so it’s helpful to bring a refillable water bottle and fill it up at public water fountains scattered all over the city.

6. Can I Visit Other Islands from Venice?

Venice is also a gateway to some other stunning islands that you can visit by taking short trips. These islands include Murano, famous for its glass-making industry, Burano, known for its lace-making and brightly-painted houses, and Torcello, a small island featuring a stunning cathedral and lush green scenery. You can either take a waterbus or water taxi to visit these islands.

7. Do I Need to Book a Gondola Ride in Advance?

Gondola rides in Venice are highly demanded, but it’s not necessary to book a ride in advance. You can find gondolas at several points in the city, and you can negotiate prices directly with the gondoliers. However, note that prices may fluctuate depending on the time of the day and the season. A standard 40-minute ride can cost around €80 during the day and €100 or more during nighttime.

8. How Do I Prevent Floods from Ruining My Visit?

Venice’s high water level can sometimes lead to flooding, which can disrupt city activities. This occurrence typically happens during the fall and winter seasons. You can prevent floods from ruining your visit by carrying waterproof footwear, quality raincoats or adapt to fashion some cheap galoshes that you can buy there, and checking for weather updates before leaving your accommodation to avoid flooded areas. Also, be sure to check out the city’s sustainable tourism initiatives, which aim to promote responsible travel practices such as limiting your carbon footprint through minimizing your water waste.In conclusion, Venice is a dream destination filled with stunning sites, cultural heritage, and gorgeous Venetian experiences. It’s essential to plan your trip wisely, be respectful of the city’s rules and culture, and prepare for any eventualities, such as floods. Remember to book your accommodations, tickets for some attractions, and activities in advance to avoid unexpected expenses and ensure that you get the most out of your visit.

How to Spend Your Time as a Tourist in Venice

Venice is a city unlike any other in the world. The canals, bridges, and stunning architecture make it a must-visit destination for any tourist. With so much to see and do in this beautiful city, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to spend your time as a tourist in Venice.

Getting Around

Venice is a pedestrian city, which means the best way to get around is by foot. However, there are also various modes of transportation available, including water taxis and vaporettos.1. VaporettosThe most common mode of transportation in Venice is the vaporetto, which is essentially a water bus. You can purchase tickets at the station, and they are relatively affordable. You can purchase a single ticket or a pass for multiple days. The vaporettos are a great way to see the city from the water and are also an excellent alternative to walking long distances.2. Water TaxisIf you prefer a more private mode of transportation, you can hire a water taxi. Water taxis are more expensive than vaporettos, but they are also more luxurious. You can book one in advance or find them at various taxi stands throughout the city.3. WalkingOf course, walking is the best way to explore Venice. The city is relatively small, and you can see most of it on foot. Walking is also free, and you can discover hidden gems and stumble upon charming streets and squares that you may have missed otherwise.

What to See and Do

There is no shortage of sights to see and things to do in Venice. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or just want to soak up the atmosphere of this unique city, there is something for everyone.1. St. Mark’s BasilicaOne of the most iconic buildings in Venice is St. Mark’s Basilica. This stunning cathedral is located in St. Mark’s Square and is known for its intricate mosaics and stunning domes. The lines for the basilica can be long, so it’s worth arriving early in the morning or purchasing a skip-the-line ticket.2. Doge’s PalaceThe Doge’s Palace is another must-visit destination in Venice. This beautiful palace was the home of the Doge, the leader of Venice, and is now a museum. You can explore the lavish state rooms, see incredible artwork, and walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs. Similarly to St. Mark’s Basilica, lines can be long, so it’s recommended to purchase a skip-the-line ticket.3. Rialto BridgeThe Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Venice and is a popular spot for tourists. This stunning bridge crosses the Grand Canal and offers spectacular views of the city. You can also explore the nearby Rialto Market, which is famous for its fresh seafood and produce.4. Gondola RideNo trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride. Gondolas are a quintessential part of Venetian culture and are a great way to see the city from a different perspective. You can hire a gondolier at various locations throughout Venice, or you can opt for a group gondola ride.

Where to Eat

Italy is known for its delicious food, and Venice is no exception. From traditional trattorias to high-end restaurants, there is something for every taste and budget.1. Osteria Ai AssassiniIf you’re looking for a traditional Venetian dining experience, head to Osteria Ai Assassini. This cozy restaurant serves up classic Venetian dishes like sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines) and spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams).2. La CantinaLa Cantina is a great spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner. This laid-back restaurant serves up delicious cicchetti (small plates) like crostini with various toppings and fried seafood.3. Da FioreFor a special occasion, consider a reservation at Da Fiore. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves up high-end Venetian cuisine like scallops with black truffle and sea bass with saffron sauce.

Tips for Visiting Venice

When visiting Venice, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.1. Be Prepared for CrowdsVenice is a popular tourist destination, which means that it can get crowded, especially during peak tourist season. Be prepared for long lines and crowded streets and attractions.2. Dress AppropriatelyVenice can get hot during the summer months, so be sure to dress appropriately. However, keep in mind that the basilica and other religious sites may have dress codes, so be sure to dress modestly.3. Use Caution when Walking Along the CanalsThe canals in Venice can be enchanting, but they can also be dangerous. Be sure to use caution when walking along the canals, especially at night.4. Book in AdvanceMany popular attractions, such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, require advanced booking. Be sure to book as far in advance as possible to ensure availability.

Conclusion

Venice is a city unlike any other in the world, and there is so much to see and do. By following this guide, you can ensure that you make the most of your time in this enchanting city. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or simply want to soak up the atmosphere, there is something for everyone in Venice. With a little preparation and planning, you’re sure to have an unforgettable trip.