Grand Canal Venice
Explore the hidden neighbourhoods of Venice on this private walking tour around Cannaregio, San Polo, Rialto & Santa Croce including cicchetti and wine tastings.
Venice’s unique topography, architecture and food culture make it a truly enchanting destination that has captivated visitors for centuries. Its most traditional districts, known as Sestieri, each have their own distinct personality, so it is well worth exploring them. Navigating the winding streets of the Floating City can be tricky, so treating yourself to a private tour with a local expert is the best way to uncover the most charming corners of Venice, not to mention its tastiest bites, in the form of characteristic small plates known as Cicchetti.
On this private walking tour, you will:
Travellers looking to experience the true flavours and ambience of Venetian life and find hidden gems will love the irresistible combination of history, gastronomy and culture on this tour, an exhilarating journey through winding canals, bustling markets, and historic squares with a culinary climax where you can enjoy traditional cicchetti and ombra. Your voyage of discovery begins at your centrally located hotel where your passionate local guide will come to meet you, ready to lead you through Venice’s rich cultural landscape.
Beyond the crowds of San Marco, you will proceed to explore Cannaregio, one of Venice’s most storied neighbourhoods. As you stroll along its peaceful canals, your guide will share the fascinating history of this district, home to the Venetian Ghetto and brimming with old-world charm. You will then cross into Santa Croce, Venice’s quietest and most tranquil sestiere. Here, you’ll experience a side of Venice rarely seen by tourists, where narrow lanes open up into peaceful squares surrounded by beautiful old buildings. Santa Croce is where Venetians themselves unwind, and it offers a true glimpse into local life.
From Santa Croce, you will make your way to San Polo, one of Venice’s liveliest neighbourhoods. As you wander the vibrant streets filled with artisan shops you can admire the area’s impressive architecture. Your guide will make sure to show you Campo San Polo, the city’s second-largest square and a beloved gathering spot for locals and of course the Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most famous bridge in all of Venice. There you will take in spectacular views of the Grand Canal before exploring the Rialto Market, where Venetians have shopped for fresh produce and seafood for centuries. Your guide will reveal stories of the area’s bustling trading history, providing a deeper understanding of Venice’s cultural and culinary heritage.
No authentic tour of Venice would be complete without sampling some Cicchetti, Venice’s traditional small bites, paired with ombra, small glasses of local wine. You’ll visit three celebrated Bacari (wine taverns), where you’ll enjoy a variety of Cicchetti such as baccalà mantecato (whipped salted cod), sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines), and fried polpette (meatballs) along with a crash crouse in Cicchetti culture. Each tasting is accompanied by an ombra, often sourced from a nearby wine region like Prosecco, Soave, or Valpolicella, giving you a delicious taste of Venetian viticulture at each bar.
Your guide will bid you farewell in the heart of the Rialto area where you are free to keep exploring, equipped with a whole host of personalized recommendations for the rest of your stay and a newfound appreciation for Venice’s lesser spotted neighbourhoods, having seen them through the eyes of a local.
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Visit the must-see sites of Venice in a full-day private tour from St. Mark's Basilica & the Doge's Palace, to the Rialto Bridge & the neighbourhoods of San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco & Castello.
Cross the Venetian Lagoon in a private boat to Murano and enjoy a glassblowing demonstration in the oldest workshop in Venice and an exclusive tour of its glass exhibits, usually closed to the public.
Enjoy a private tour of The Accademia Gallery of Venice, the world-famous museum of Renaissance masterpieces, followed by a visit to the beautiful Frari Church and a stroll in the San Polo district.
Visit two of Venice's most popular landmarks: St. Mark's Basilica & the Doge's Palace, followed by a city walk towards the Rialto bridge on this private half-day walking tour.
Watch Venice come to life as you explore the fish, fruit and vegetable Rialto markets that marvel both tourists and locals with their scents, colours and fresh produce on this private walking tour.
Learn the traditional skills of navigating the iconic canals of Venice by gondola in this private 1.5 hr lesson, and become a gondolier in this fun, family-friendly experience.
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