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Veneto Culture & history

Our most recommended Veneto Culture & history

Venice: Doge's Palace Reserved Entry Admission Ticket

1. Venice: Doge's Palace Reserved Entry Admission Ticket

Visit the Doge's Palace, an important historic landmark that served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. Skip the ticket line with to explore the seat of a 1,000-year republic, you’ll travel back in time to the Middle Ages. Marvel at the rich details of the magnificent gold staircase and spectacular works of art. Relive the anguish of the prisoners as they crossed the famous Bridge of Sighs. Your admission ticket also includes entry to the Correr Museum on St. Mark's Square. The building was originally designed as a residence for Napoleon, and later became the Venetian residence of the King of Italy.

Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access Tour

2. Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access Tour

Delve deep into Venice’s history with a 3-hour guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace, either as a private tour or shared group experience. Take in two of the city’s most important landmarks while discovering the history of the one-time mercantile capital of the Mediterranean.  Start by exploring St. Mark's Square with your guide before heading into the cathedral. From the first-floor terrace you’ll be able to admire views across the lagoon and see the famous bronze horses up close. Hear how they traveled all the way to Paris and back in Napoleon’s time. St. Mark's Basilica sometimes closes to visitors without warning. If this happens, visit the Church of San Zaccaria or the Correr Museum instead, depending on availability. Take a tour of the beautifully ornate 15th-century church and its flooded crypt or learn about the art and history of Venice. Next, you’ll use the priority entrance to reach Doge's Palace, formerly the residence of the leader of the Republic of Venice. Enjoy visiting the Chamber of the Great Council and courtrooms among other things. Highlights include frescoes by Tintoretto and the Giants’ Staircase.  After this, cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs that links to the New Prisons. Learn how the bridge got its name and the purpose for its construction in the 17th century as you take in the amazing views of the canals. At the end of your tour, feel free to stay and explore the Doge’s Palace with tips from your guide.

Venice: Murano, Burano, Torcello Island & Glass Factory Tour

3. Venice: Murano, Burano, Torcello Island & Glass Factory Tour

Sail across the emerald waters of the Venice lagoon on this full day trip to the islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello. Choose from an option with a shuttle transfer from S. Lucia Train Station to the departure point in San Marco or pick a tour option that meets in San Marco.  Hop aboard a comfortable water taxi in the morning and glide through the Lagoon of Venice. Admire views from the boat's panoramic terrace and listen to commentary from your guide.  Upon arrival at your first stop, Murano, find out why the island is renowned for its glassworks with a visit to a local glass factory. Watch a skilled artisan during a glass processing demonstration. Afterward, have approximately an hour on the island for shopping in one of the many glass shops. Next, head for Burano, which is known for its lacework and brightly colored houses. Follow your guide to the heart of the town and have 2 hours of free time to purchase a nice lunch, typical Venetian aperitifs, or get an ice cream at one of the many cafes.  Venture from Burano to Torcello, the first center of civilization in the estuary. Spend an hour of free time where you can go to see the Venetian-Byzantine mosaics at the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. Return to San Marco in the early evening. 

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide

4. Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide

Save time during your visit to Venice with a skip-the-line ticket to the popular St. Mark’s Basilica. Admire the hundreds of golden mosaics in the Basilica and learn details about the byzantine art inside with your audio guide. Download your audio guide to your mobile device and head to St. Mark’s Basilica to begin your tour. Breeze past the long lines and put in your headphones. Explore the five-domes and an array of artworks. Hear legends and stories surrounding this church which has stood for almost a 1,000 years.  Witness the dazzling effect of the 43,000 square feet of mosaics in the church. Take in the stunning marble inlay work on the floors. Soak up the atmosphere in the building that dominates St. Mark’s Square. 

Venice: Four Seasons Concert Ticket at Vivaldi Church

5. Venice: Four Seasons Concert Ticket at Vivaldi Church

Delight your ears with a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by the "I Virtuosi Italiani" ensemble in the church of Santa Maria della Visitazione in Venice. Experience the emotion of listening to Vivaldi's music in the places where it was composed. it's sound, it's musical notes, it's the art of a great Baroque composer, but above all it's the energy of this place, Vivaldi's Church. It was here that Antonio Vivaldi spent forty years of his life and composed his magnificent works.  Enjoy inspired performances of the Four Seasons where in the music you can sense the reaping of the wheat, the grape harvest, the summer storms, the snow falling in winter, the warm fall colors, and the bright blossoming of flowers in springtime. Watch talented musicians play in the church where masters like Francesco Gasparini and Antonio Vivaldi trained the Daughters of the Choro to become virtuoso musicians that were renowned for their art all over Europe.

Venice: Highlights Tour, St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace

6. Venice: Highlights Tour, St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace

Discover two of Venice's top highlights on a small group guided tour including tickets. Visit the Basilica of St. Mark and the Doge’s Palace and soak up the splendor of these Venitian landmarks. Entry to the Correr Museum, National Archeological Museum, and Biblioteca Marciana is also included. Meet your expert guide at St. Mark’s Square and start delving into the origins of Venice. See the most renowned public space in the city and find out its historical, social, and political importance. Learn about the Clock Tower and the Marble Lions. Continue to the Basilica of St. Mark and enter the cathedral with pre-reserved tickets. Savor its amazing sheer size and the fascinating golden mosaics. Learn about its opulent design and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power. Bask in all the exotic elements of Venetian Renaissance Art. Listen to the story of the life-size horses of St Mark’s Basilica, and have all your questions answered. Follow your guide through Doge’s Palace at a relaxed pace. Acquaint yourself with the supreme authority and wealth of the ruling Venetian Doges in the palace’s Gothic architecture. Learn about the 14th-century sculptors that worked on the palace. Enjoy stunning views across the Lagoon as you explore this world-famous landmark. Continue to the Old Prison that was part of the Doge’s Palace, learn why the New Prisons were built, and understand the significance of the Bridge of Sighs, another highlight of Venice. Listen to the extraordinary story of the famous Casanova and his life in Venice. Your admission ticket also includes entry to the Correr Museum on St. Mark's Square. The building was originally designed as a residence for Napoleon, and later became the Venetian residence of the King of Italy. Entry to the National Archeological Museum and Biblioteca Marciana is also included.

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Visit & Terrace Access

7. Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Visit & Terrace Access

See the highlights of St Mark's Basilica with a local guide, including its museum, mosaics, and masterpieces. Marvel at the views of St Mark's Square from the basilica. Meet your guide near the famous Piazza San Marco and head straight to visit St Mark’s Basilica. As soon as you enter the atrium, admire the ceiling and see a glittering expanse of golden mosaics that will lead you to the interior of the church.  Discover masterpieces from the past such as the famous golden domes, the iconostasis, the ciborium, the main altar housing the tomb of St. Mark the Evangelist, and other wonders. Then, climb a steep but fascinating staircase to the 1st floor which houses the Museum of St Mark. Here, see the wonderful inside of St Mark's Basilica from above.  Next, reach the St Mark’s Basilica terrace where, in the shadow of the famous 4 bronze horse statue (a copy), experience one of the most beautiful views of St Mark’s Square. Finally, visit the original horse statue that once stood on the upper part of the church facade.  At the end of the tour you can stay longer in St Mark’s Basilica Museum to explore at your leisure – the entrance ticket is included in the tour. Alternatively, admire the splendid panorama of the Piazza from the Basilica’s terrace once more or return to the ground floor to explore at your own pace.

Venice: Jewish Ghetto 2-Hour Walking Tour

8. Venice: Jewish Ghetto 2-Hour Walking Tour

See a side of Venice that is missed by most visitors on this walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto around the Cannaregio district.  Join a small-group tour on a leisurely stroll to see such landmarks as the Deportation Memorial, which has stories to deepen your understanding of Venice’s Jewish history. Start your Jewish Ghetto tour at the Cannaregio district, now a fascinating residential area in the northern part of the city. Learn about the historic Jewish influence the minute you enter this area as you see yellow signs in Hebrew and Italian directing you to the Synagogue.  This charming area is teeming with artisan workshops, galleries, shops, and delis and is best explored at a leisurely pace. Cross the bridge into Campo del Ghetto Nuovo (New Ghetto Square) which belies its name as it was founded as a fortified island in 1516. Hear how the Venetian Jews were confined to the island and how it became densely populated.  The resourceful residents found the solution to the overcrowded conditions; building tenement blocks up to six stories high. Walk past the Deportation Memorial, the Levantine Synagogue, and the Jewish Museum of Venice on this captivating Jewish Ghetto Venice Tour.  One of the most significant highlights of your Jewish Ghetto Venice tour is a series of bas-reliefs in the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo – a sight most visitors to Venice never get to see. Discover how Napoleon's decision to tear down the gates of the Jewish Ghetto gave Jews the right to live anywhere in Venice. Visit a hub of Jewish culture, with bakeries, restaurants, and handicraft stores, and your local guide will bring the hidden niche of cultural life with tales of past residents.

Venice: Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Tour

9. Venice: Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica Tour

See the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, two of the most iconic sites in Venice, on a guided tour. For centuries, the destiny of the Most Serene Republic was decided in the majestic halls of the Doge’s Palace. Walk through the magnificent halls and marvel at the well-conserved priceless treasures, art masterpieces, and frescos. Visit the prison, passing over the celebrated Bridge of Sighs, so called because prisoners often sighed while looking at their beloved lagoon and freedom for the last time before reaching their cells. Among the famous guests of the Doge’s Palace prisons was Giacomo Casanova, the celebrated seducer and adventurer who managed to escape from the prison in 1756. Next, head to St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the world’s most stunning churches. As the name suggests, this cathedral is bound tightly to Venice’s patron, St. Mark, and the saint's remains are in fact here. Admire the breathtaking golden mosaics covering the high walls, and see the Pala d’Oro, an altarpiece made from hundreds of pieces of enamel on a golden leaf.

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour with Terrace Access

10. Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour with Terrace Access

Journey through the centuries with a tour of the iconic St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Marvel at the intricate mosaics and architecture that make this church one of the most stunning religious sites in the world. Follow your guide as they walk through the history of this sacred place, from its origins as a simple chapel to its current grandeur. Learn about the basilica's role in the political and religious life of Venice and discover the stories behind its many treasures. Explore the first floor's intricate details and exquisite beauty, which boasts a unique blend of Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. Choose to include the famous outdoor terraces, climb the steps and experience St. Mark's Basilica from a new perspective. Step outside and take in the stunning views of Venice from the basilica's elevated vantage point. See the famous horses and explore the details and hidden corners of the outdoor terraces. Admire the intricate stonework and sculptures up close as you take in the sights and sounds of the city below. Bask in the sunshine and fresh air as your tour ends.

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What people are saying about Veneto

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 16,399 reviews

We had an amazing day, so glad that we booked this trip. Great value for money. Murano and Burano were brilliant, there was less to see on Torecello but glad we booked it as we had longer at Burano than those who had just booked the Murano & Burano trip. Watching the glass making in Murano was really interesting too.

All around excellent performance in an awesome setting. Highly recommend. Being an old church, if visiting in the winter, wrap up warm. Even fully booked full of people it got quite chilly. Well worth the extra for a front row seat.

We loved it, really a great show! We are enthusiasts, and these are some of the great international talent! Go the bathroom before you go, very long line during the intermission

Very interesting tour, we really enjoyed the experience.

It was breathtakingly beautiful well worth a visit.