12 Best Venice Shore Excursions
Chantelle KincyHave you dreamed of visiting Venice, the city renowned for its art, architecture, and beautiful canals?
Now is the perfect time to make your dream a reality with these top 12 best Venice shore excursions!
Don’t feel like reading this whole post? I gotcha covered ⤵️
Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 2 hours (approx.)
Renowned for its romantic canals, flanked by pastel-colored buildings, Venice is a city that has earned its place on most cruise travelers’ bucket lists.
From taking a gondola ride down sleepy canals to admiring ancient monuments such as the majestic Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in the city, there’s an abundance of things to see and do in this fantastic city.
If you’re spending 1 day in Venice as a cruise traveler, it can be hard to decide exactly which shore excursion to book.
To make your decision easier, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best shore excursions in Venice below.
My Top Pick for Best Venice Excursions
Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 2 hours (approx.)
Private Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal
⭐️ Rating: 4.0/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 30 to 45 minutes (approx.)
Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 2-3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Top Venice Shore Excursions for Cruisers
1. Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour with Skip-The-Line Tickets
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 2 hours (approx.) ✅ Book it Here
One of the highlights when cruising in Venice, Italy, especially for first time visitors, is visiting St. Mark’s Square, known as Piazza San Marco in Italian.
This vast square is encircled by fascinating ancient buildings, including the stunning St.
Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. These are arguably the most important buildings in the entirety of Venice.
Built-in a Venetian Gothic style, Doge’s Palace was once the official residence of the Doge of Venice, the ruler of the former Republic of Venice.
On the other hand, St. Mark’s Basilica is an impressive basilica with an interesting history dating back to the 9th century.
The interior is decorated with 85,000 square feet (8,000 square meters) of intricate mosaic tiles.
Being so spectacular, it’ll come as no surprise that these attractions draw in the crowds.
Therefore the best way to marvel at these structures is by a tour guide with skip-the-line tickets.
Skipping the line means that you don’t need to stand in lengthy queues and can get straight to admiring the attractions.
Additionally, being in the presence of a knowledgeable local guide means you can really get the most out of your visit and learn the fascinating history of the buildings.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability for Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
2. Private Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal
⭐️ Rating: 4.0/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 30 to 45 minutes (approx.)✅ Book it Here
One of the most popular things to do in Venice is to take a private tour of the Grand Canal in a traditional gondola.
A gondola is a flat-bottomed rowing boat that has been carefully designed by the Venetians to suit the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon.
Therefore you won’t find these boats anywhere else in the world!
Not only are the boats unique, but the canals of Venice are truly one of a kind, overlooked by colorful buildings which look as if they are floating on the canal.
The exclusivity of this experience really makes it a must-do for first-time visitors to Venice. Gondola rides are offered throughout the city.
A gondola tour typically takes under 1 hour and will take you down the famous Grand Canal under the iconic Rialto Bridge.
You will also have the opportunity to explore some of the quieter canals in Venice.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of Private Gondola rides on the Grand Canal here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
3. Venice In a Day, including Gondola Ride
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️Tour Time: 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) ✅ Book it Here
If you simply cannot decide between visiting St. Mark’s Square and taking a gondola ride, then a full-day tour of Venice highlights may be the perfect shore excursion for you.
This small group tour’s first stop is a walk over Venice’s most famous bridge – Rialto Bridge.
This bridge is the oldest bridge in Venice and is so large it houses a plethora of stalls.
This leads you into a lively fish market, the perfect place to capture a snapshot of local life.
After exploring some of this marvelous city on foot, you will then take to the waters in a gondola, admiring the floating city from a unique vantage point.
After your scenic gondola ride, you will get the chance to marvel at St. Mark’s Square before exploring Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica as your last stop.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability for Venice in a day with a Gondola ride here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
4. Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5.0/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes ✅ Book it here
Italy is a county that’s famous for its incredible cuisine.
Pizza and pasta are some of the many culinary delights that this country has produced. But there’s so much more on offer!
Sample some delicious Venetian delicacies on a small-group walking tour.
On tour, you will visit some of the best bars and restaurants in town, sampling a range of delicious foods, including gelato, traditional Venetian cookies, fresh seafood, and regional wines.
Whilst wandering through the city, you’ll also have time to appreciate Venice’s unique architecture and monuments, passing the Rialto Bridge, amongst other key attractions.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of Small-Group Food Tasting Walking tours here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
5. Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 5 hours (approx.)✅ Book it here
Venice is a beautiful city that sits on the largest island within the Venetian Lagoon, surrounded by a host of smaller islands.
Two of the most populated smaller islands are Murano and Burano, to the northeast of Venice.
A great way to explore these two charming islands is on a small-group guided boat tour which lasts for around 5 hours.
Murano Island is just to the north of Venice. It’s a small island made up of narrow cobblestone streets and is carved up by a handful of canals.
The island is famous for its traditional glass-making.
On a visit to the Island of Murano, you can witness the skilled glass-blowers working on their craft and will be given the opportunity to browse through their works and even purchase some as souvenirs.
Next, you will visit Burano, a colorful fishing island that is famous for its traditional lacework.
Burano is far smaller than Murano, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character.
The buildings of Burano are a patchwork of vivid colors.
On your visit to Burano, you will see local lace-makers hard at work and will also get to visit the Burano Lace Museum.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
6. Prosecco Hills Wine Tasting Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5.0/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 7 hours (approx.) ✅ Book it here
A couple of hours north of Venice is an area known as Prosecco Hills.
As the name would suggest, this area is where the Italian bubbly Prosecco is made.
It’s a fervent area where vineyards stretch out over the hills, broken up by charming villages.
On a private full-day shore excursion to Prosecco Hills, you can spend the day learning all about Prosecco and sampling the delicious beverage at two establishments.
You will also get the chance to visit your guide’s family-run osteria, where you can enjoy an elaborate 4-course lunch, the dishes made using recipes that have been passed down through generations.
The tour starts at Santa Lucia train station in the heart of Venice and includes train tickets to Conegliano, a town that is overlooked by a majestic 10th-century castle and is surrounded by vineyards.
➡️ Check and Availability for Wine Tasting in Processo Hills here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
7. Hidden Venice Walking Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5.0/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 2 hours (approx.)✅ Book it here
Do you want to beat the crowds on your visit to Venice?
If so, perhaps a walking tour through some of the quieter and less visited narrow streets in Venice would be the perfect shore excursion for you.
This small-group Venice guided walking tour promises to take you to ‘secret’ Venice, through authentic neighborhoods to hidden gems such as the Jewish Quarter and Cannaregio, one of the most beautiful canals in the city.
Throughout the tour, your local guide will tell you all about the history of each place that you pass, such as Campo San Geremia, which has an unusual history.
You will also be able to marvel at one of the most wonderful Venice bridges at a handful of the more popular attractions as well, such as Rialto Bridge and the Rialto market.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of the Venice Walking Tour here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
8. Dolomite Mountains Adventure
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 8 hours (approx.) ✅ Book it here
In northern Italy stands one of the most striking mountain ranges in the world.
The Dolomites cover an area of 141,903 hectares and, in 2009, were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Made up of craggy cliff faces, sheer vertical drops, and sharp pinnacles, the Dolomites really are a must for those who love breathtaking landscapes.
The Dolomites are a couple of hours north of Venice by road and are, therefore, the perfect distance away for a full-day shore excursion.
This small-group guided tour of the Dolomites starts in Venice and will take you by road to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a picturesque town that is nestled below some beautiful peaks.
This town is a popular ski resort and has previously hosted the Winter Olympics.
You will also hike around Lago di Misurina, a large natural Alpine lake that sits at 1,754 meters above sea level.
On your excursion, you will get to admire Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a set of three iconic sharp peaks, and Lago di Braies, a stunning lake nestled between mountains.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability for Dolomite Mountains Adventure here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
9. Try 5 Cicchetti & 5 Wines with a Gondola Ride
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)✅ Book it here
There are few better ways to get to know Venice than to explore the city’s food scene.
On this ‘Venice like a local’ food tour, you will have the opportunity to sample a range of Venetian appetizers known as ‘cicchetti’ in traditional wine bars called ‘enotecas.’
These unique dishes will be served alongside some regional wines and Prosecco.
As well as enjoying a range of local dishes, on this tour, you will be able to explore the Grand Canal by a traditional gondola, giving you the full Venice experience.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of 5 Cicchetti & 5 Wines with a Gondola Ride here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
10. Glassmaking Lesson with Local Artisan
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) ✅ Book it Here
Glassmaking is one of the most renowned crafts in Venice.
If you feel like getting hands-on, having a glassmaking lesson with a skilled craftsman within the city really is a unique experience, which will result in you taking home the ultimate souvenir.
The private 90-minute glassmaking lesson will be taught by one of the best glassmakers in town and includes a discount on any of his works that you wish to purchase.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of Glassmaking Lessons with Local artisans here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
11. Authentic Wine Tasting Venice Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 2 hours (approx.)✅ Book it Here
A great way to get to know the real Venice and to leave the crowds behind is to embark on this authentic wine-tasting tour which will take you to some of the favorite spots frequented by Venetian locals.
You will visit some of the best wine bars in town, savoring the exquisite flavors of the regional wines and enjoying pairing them with some traditional dishes and snacks.
This opportunity to sample some of the local cuisines doubles up as a walking tour.
You will get to listen to your guide as you wander between different neighborhoods, learning all about the history of the districts which you are visiting.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of Authentic Venice Wine Tasting tours here!
Best Venice Shore Excursions
12. Stand-Up Paddleboarding on Venice’s Canals
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 ⌛️ Tour Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) ✅ Book it Here
A fantastic way to explore the beautiful waterways of Venice is to take to the canals on a stand-up paddleboard.
This SUP excursion takes you away from the crowds and onto some of the smaller canals.
From your board, you will be able to admire the gorgeous city as you make your way down the canal.
Keep your eyes peeled for ancient churches whilst at the same time learning about their history from your guide.
This shore excursion is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city and enjoy some tranquility on the water.
Stand-up paddleboarding is also a great way to admire Venice in an eco-friendly way.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability of Stand-Up Paddleboarding on Venice’s Canals here!
Venice Shore Excursions Guide & FAQ
What are the best Shore Excursions in Venice?
The best shore excursions really come down to your personal preferences.
Some visitors enjoy seeing the key sights, in which case a tour that includes St. Mark’s Square would be a great option. Other visitors prefer to delve into the food scene, where a walking food and wine-tasting tour may be perfect.
When choosing the perfect shore excursion for you, remember to check online reviews, and I’d personally avoid any which have a large number of bad reviews. Not all tours are created equal.
I’d also recommend booking your shore excursion in advance to avoid disappointment on the day if it gets booked up. Many tours are only small and thus have a handful of slots that could get filled quickly.
What Shore Excursions in Venice are 1 hour or less?
The shortest shore excursion in Venice, which is typically under an hour, is a gondola ride. Many gondola tours take only 30 minutes. Most other cruise excursions take over an hour.
Is Venice a walkable city?
Yes! Venice is made-up of pedestrianized streets that are free of cars. Walking is in fact, the main way to get around the city. It takes just 1 hour to walk from one side of the city to the other. However many key attractions are in the center of the city so you won’t need to walk as far as that.
How long does it take to walk around all of Venice?
It takes just 30 minutes to walk from the Venice port or train station at the west of the city to St. Mark’s Square, which houses the majority of the city’s main attractions. There are, of course, some attractions on the way. Therefore if you were to meander through the city, it could take around an hour to reach St. Mark’s Square.
Is Venice cheap or expensive?
Venice is considered one of the more expensive cities in Europe. This is largely down to its popularity amongst tourists. The more popular a city, the more expensive it tends to be. Additionally, Venice’s remote location on an island means it’s more challenging to get goods in and rubbish out of the city. This also increases the prices.
Should I carry cash in Venice?
Pretty much everywhere takes credit or debit cards, so cash isn’t strictly necessary. However, it’s always useful to have some cash on you, just in case.
Is 1 day in Venice enough?
1 day in Venice is enough time to see the key sights within the city. You may wish to visit for more than 1 day if you’d like to enjoy the surrounding area, such as the Prosecco Hills or the Dolomites Mountains.
What’s the best month to visit Venice?
Venice is an extremely popular city. Therefore, the best time to cruise in Venice is just outside of the peak season. April, May, September, and October are all great times to visit Venice. It will still be busy, but numbers won’t be quite as high as in the peak of summer.
What is the currency in Venice?
The currency in Venice and the entirety of Italy is the Euro.
Final Thoughts on Best Venice Shore Excursions
Venice is a beautiful and unique city that is pretty much guaranteed to take your breath away.
With so many experiences, finding one that suits your needs is easy.
Whether you prefer an intimate gondola ride in its romantic canals or a guided tour of local landmarks to its tantalizing food scene, you’ll have an unforgettable experience—all while taking in sights of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Which shore excursion has got your name on it?
If you need any help at all planning your European Cruise, please reach out! I help at no additional cost to you!
