8 Private Tours in Venice, Priced and Compared

1.Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,580 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Cruise from central Venice to Murano and Burano by private water taxi with a local English-speaking guide. Watch glassblowing, see lace-making when available, browse artisan work, and explore Burano’s colorful canals. Guides such as Silvia, Serena, Frankie, and Alice are praised for their stories and local tips.

“Elena was great! Taught us a ton and made us feel so welcome. Murano Glass Factory Tour was informative. Burano is a fun and beautiful town.”

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2.From Venice: Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,170 reviews · from $61

Travel by boat from Venice to Murano and Burano with an English-speaking guide. Watch a glassmaker shape molten glass, see lace made by hand, and enjoy free time for photos, shopping, cookies, and island walks. Guides such as Elena, Anna, and Manu are praised for lively local stories and useful advice.

“Christina was a wonderful guide for this tour to Murano and Murano. She provided interesting information and also had great suggestions for our group. This was the best tour of our visit to Venice. 5 stars”

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3.Private 3 hrs Venice Tour: St Mark’s, Walking tour & Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,372 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $480

This Venice tour pairs a guided walk through St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Castello with a one-hour Grand Canal boat ride. English-speaking guides such as Cristina Pigozzo, Adriana, and Francesco have led guests through the city’s churches, palaces, and back canals. Expect a break between the two parts, a group of up to 16, and smaller boats holding about 8 or 9 people.

“our guide Christina, knew everything about her city and was really enthusiastic giving us all the information Also the boat tour was great However the price was rather high”

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4.Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3,106 reviews

Book a private gondola for up to five people and glide through Venice for about 30 minutes. The route combines the Grand Canal with smaller waterways, offering views of Gothic palaces and old bridges by day or after dark. There is no included commentary or serenade, so you pay for the private ride and the views, not a guided tour.

“A little bit expensive but i did it for the expr, I don’t if i will pay the same price again for 30 minutes”

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5.Private Gondola Ride along Grand Canal

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,475 reviews

Share a private gondola for up to five people and glide from Rio dell’Orso or Campiello Traghetto along the Grand Canal and quieter canals. You’ll pass La Fenice, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Santa Maria della Salute, and Punta della Dogana. The ride is self-guided, though some gondoliers, including Matias and Andreas, have added friendly commentary.

“the activity was as expected. the boatman spoke a little about the sights and kept quiet most of the time which is my preference.”

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6.Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 556 reviews · 1h 15m · from $93Top rated

Meet Venetian glass artisan Massimiliano Caldarone at his small workshop near Campiello Widmann. In a private 75-minute lesson, you will learn old Murano glass techniques, work safely with heated glass, make a personal pendant or small artwork, and watch Massimiliano create a more complex piece. Your creation goes home with you.

“Loved making a glass pendant. Didn’t feel rushed and he’s a great teacher”

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7.From Venice: Murano and Burano Private Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 190 reviews · from $124

Take a private boat from Venice to Murano and Burano with a live guide in English, French, Italian, or Spanish. Watch a master glassblower at work, visit San Donato, see lace being made, stroll among Burano’s colorful houses, and sample Buranelli biscuits. Hotel pickup is available on Venice Island.

“Our guide Tobia Navarro was excellent. Picked us up promptly at the hotel. He was very passionate about Venice and answered the many questions we had. Murano glass was amazing and we purchased some glass made by the master who was doing the demonstration. My husband was desperate to try green crabs but we couldn’t find a restaurant who did this dish. Tobia rang round some restaurants while we were on the glass tour. He found one on Burano and very kindly booked a table and reserved the dish for us After a very interesting visit to the lace making, and yet another purchase, we had the most fantastic meal…”

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8.Venetian Private Sandolo tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 184 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $82

Meet sandolisti Valentino, Franco, or Giuseppe at Campo Santa Maria Formosa for a private 30 or 60 minute ride through Venice’s canals. The flat-bottomed sandolo is steadier and less showy than a gondola, giving you a quieter look at palaces, side canals, and daily life on the water. Your English or Italian-speaking boatman may add local stories.

“You get reasonable price for advance booking. Tour was on time and well organised. We were met by a representative who spoke English at the meeting place at the appointed time. There is no guide on the boat. Gondola looks nice and well maintained. The trip was a lovely experience as it travels into the small canals in the heart of Venice near San Marco areas. In the morning, there are less boats and traffic and very cooling. I would recommend this tour.”

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