VenicePrivate Shore Excursions & Gondola Tours
Private Shore Trips offers Venice shore excursions including private boats, gondola tours, walking tours, Jewish History tours and day trips to Verona and Padua. Available for cruise passengers and hotel-based travelers, our tours include Licensed English Speaking Guides.
$50 Deposit
Reserve private Venice tours with a low initial deposit.
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What Our Customers Say About Venice Shore Excursions & Transfers
★★★★★
"I wanted to let you know that the Cohen Family thoroughly enjoyed their experience with your company. They are raving about the tours and guides you provided. We will definitely keep your company in mind for future bookings."
Tommie
Globetrotter Travel
Venice
★★★★★
"We had a wonderful trip and I want to thank you for helping us with the private tours in Venice and the French Riviera. The guides were punctual, knowledgeable, nice and friendly. It makes a huge difference to find a trustworthy source for private tours in Europe. Thank you very much!"
Patricia P.
Miami Beach, FL
Venice
★★★★★
"We had a very nice guide who met us at St. Mark’s Square and walked us through to the Rialto, pointing out places of interest. She then took us to the Ghetto and later arranged a water taxi to Murano for a glass blowing demonstration. Everything was excellent!"
Tracey Z.
Chestnut Hill, MA
Venice
Touring in Venice
Venice is unlike any city on earth — a labyrinth of 118 islands connected by over 400 bridges and laced with canals instead of roads, where every turn reveals another Byzantine facade, Gothic palace, or hidden campo that has changed little in five centuries. It is also one of the most visited cruise ports in the Mediterranean and one of the most confusing to navigate on your own. A private Venice shore excursion with an expert local guide transforms what can be an overwhelming few hours into a focused, unhurried exploration of the city's greatest treasures — from the golden mosaics of St. Mark's Basilica and the grandeur of the Doge's Palace to the quieter neighborhoods, artisan workshops, and authentic bacari wine bars that most cruise passengers never find.
Private Shore Trips offers private walking tours of Venice, excursions to the lagoon islands of Murano and Burano, a dedicated Jewish heritage tour of the historic Venetian Ghetto, and private
Venice transfers between Marco Polo Airport, Venice hotels, and the cruise terminal for passengers beginning or ending their voyage here. We also offer shore excursions from nearby Adriatic ports including Ravenna, Split, and Dubrovnik.
Frequently Asked Questions — Venice Shore Excursions
Where do cruise ships dock in Venice?
Since 2021, large cruise ships no longer transit through St. Mark's Basin and the Giudecca Canal. Most vessels now dock at the Marghera commercial port on the mainland or at temporary berths outside the historic center, with passengers transferred into Venice by shuttle boat or People Mover. Some smaller ships still use the Stazione Marittima terminal near Piazzale Roma. Regardless of where your ship docks, your Private Shore Trips guide will meet you at the designated disembarkation point and handle all transfers into the city so you can start sightseeing immediately.
How do I get around Venice without cars or taxis?
Venice is entirely pedestrian — there are no cars, buses, or taxis anywhere in the historic center. You move between islands by water taxi, vaporetto (public water bus), or on foot across the bridges. This is one of the biggest reasons a private guide is so valuable in Venice: your guide knows the fastest walking routes through the maze of calli and campi, when to take a water taxi versus walk, and how to avoid the congested tourist corridors between San Marco and Rialto. You cover more ground with less confusion and far less time spent lost.
What can I see in Venice on a shore excursion?
The essential Venice highlights include St. Mark's Square and Basilica with its glittering Byzantine mosaics, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge and the surrounding market, and a walk through the quieter sestieri (neighborhoods) where the real Venice reveals itself. For guests with more time, we offer excursions to the lagoon islands — Murano for its centuries-old glassblowing tradition and Burano for its vibrantly colored fishermen's houses and lacemaking heritage. We also offer a dedicated Jewish heritage walking tour of the Venetian Ghetto, the world's first ghetto, established in 1516.
What is the Venetian Ghetto and why is it historically important?
The Venetian Ghetto, located in the Cannaregio sestiere, was established by decree of the Venetian Republic in 1516 — the first time in history that a government confined Jewish residents to a designated area. The word "ghetto" itself originates here, derived from the Venetian word "geto" for the copper foundry that previously occupied the site. Our Jewish heritage walking tour explores the ghetto's five historic synagogues, the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust memorial, and the surrounding neighborhood, with a guide who specializes in Venetian Jewish history from the 16th century to the present day.
Is Venice a turnaround port or a port of call?
Venice is both. Many Eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic cruises begin or end in Venice, making it one of Europe's major turnaround ports. This means many guests need pre- or post-cruise touring and transfers rather than a traditional shore excursion. We offer private transfers between Marco Polo Airport, Venice hotels, and the cruise terminal, as well as full-day and half-day Venice city tours for guests staying overnight before or after their sailing. For port-of-call visits, our walking tours are designed to maximize your limited time ashore.
What is the back-to-ship guarantee?
Our back-to-ship guarantee means that if an unforeseen delay during your private tour prevents you from returning to the cruise terminal before your ship departs, we will arrange and cover the cost of transportation to your next port of call. This guarantee applies to all private shore excursions booked through us in Venice.
Popular Tours on Adriatic & Eastern Mediterranean Cruises
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