Welcome to Venice Express with St. Mark's Basilica (by WALKS)

This 2.5-hour guided walking tour is the perfect introduction to Venice. Start near the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the Grand Canal then explore the lively fish market area as you learn about Venice’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. Your local guide will take you through quiet alleyways and hidden corners most visitors miss. See historic palaces and step inside a quirky canal-side bookshop before ending in St. Mark’s Square. Skip the long lines and step inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where shimmering gold mosaics and fascinating stories reveal Venice’s unique blend of East and West. In just a few hours, you’ll see the essentials and gain a deeper understanding of Venice from a local expert.

If you’ve just arrived in Venice, it can feel like stepping into a maze of canals and bridges. This 2.5-hour express tour is designed to help you make sense of it all—quickly, but meaningfully—through the eyes of a local expert.

Your journey begins near the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most enduring symbols. Nearby, you’ll pass through the historic Rialto Market area. You’ll hear about the city’s long fishing traditions and the ingredients that define its cuisine, along with a few insider tips on where to eat.

From there, leave the busier paths behind and slip into quieter corners of the city. As you wind through narrow alleyways and hidden passages, your guide will paint a picture of what it’s truly like to live in Venice today. You’ll pass by elegant palaces that once belonged to Venice's powerful families. And you'll stop by a quirky bookshop along a canal, known for its charming chaos and resident cats. You’ll have free time to step inside the store, explore at your own pace, and take in its unique atmosphere. Your experience culminates in St. Mark’s Square, where the grandeur of Venice is on full display. With pre-reserved skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight inside St. Mark’s Basilica. As golden mosaics shimmer overhead, your guide will reveal the stories behind this extraordinary space—from the dramatic journey of St. Mark’s relics to the cultural influences that shaped its design.

In just a few hours, you’ll move beyond surface-level sightseeing and gain a deeper understanding of Venice. You'll learn about its history, its people, and the details that make the Floating City unlike anywhere else.

Important: You must provide the first and last name that matches a valid ID of every guest in your party at the time of booking. All guests must bring ID on the day of tour that corresponds with the name on their ticket, as it is required to visit the St. Mark's Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument. Name changes are not permitted.