Venice: Grand Canal & Secret Canals 2-Hour Motorboat Cruise

Two Hours Through Venice's Quieter Neighborhoods & the Grand Canal

You board a motorboat with a small group and an English-speaking guide who knows the neighborhoods. The route takes you through the back canals of Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and Santa Croce, past the active gondola shipyard, into the Arsenal through its historic water gate, and then along the Grand Canal under the Rialto Bridge. Two hours total. No separate tickets or transport to arrange.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. St. Mark's Squarepass by
2. Rialto Bridgepass by
3. Venice Jewish Ghetto20m
4. Cannaregiopass by
5. Dorsoduropass by
6. Accademia Bridgepass by
7. Santa Crocepass by

Venice canal cruise and neighborhood tour

• View St Mark's Square and Doges Palace
• Cruise Grand Canal with English guide
• Pass by Rialto Bridge
• See Arsenal of Venice
• Walk in Jewish Ghetto
• Enter back canals of Cannaregio
• See first basilica in Castello district
• Cruise canals of Dorsoduro district
• Pass Accademia gallery and bridge
• Cruise small canals of Santa Croce
• Pass Ponte degli Scalzi near train station
• See Baroque church Santa Maria di Nazareth
• See Squero San Trovaso gondola workshop

The experience

"The canals tell you who we are," the guide said as the motorboat pulled away from the dock, and for the next two hours that became clear. The 2-hour private Venice canal cruise moves through the smaller waterways first (Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce), where the city feels less like a postcard and more like a place where people actually live. You pass under low bridges, past laundry strung between buildings, and stop at the Squero San Trovaso, one of the oldest active gondola shipyards, where craftsmen are still building boats the way they have for centuries. The guide points out details most visitors miss: the height of the buildings in the Jewish Ghetto (they had to build up instead of out), the way the Arsenal's brick walls still stand from when Venice controlled the Mediterranean.

The boat holds eight or nine people, which means you're not packed in with fifty others fighting for a view. After the quieter canals, you head onto the Grand Canal itself, the main artery, and pass under the Rialto Bridge, see the Accademia Bridge and gallery slip by, and get a view of St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace from the water, which is different from seeing them from the crowded piazza. The motorboat is fast enough that you cover real distance in two hours, but slow enough that the guide can actually talk and you can actually listen. You also pass the Arsenal, Venice's historic shipyard, entering through the "Porta dell'Acqua", the water gate, which is not something you can do on foot.

The one thing to know: tides matter here. High water can make the boat unstable, and on certain dates if you're visiting Venice for the day from outside the city, there's a €5 access fee (check the city's website for which days apply). The tour runs in all weather, so bring a jacket. And you do need to step down onto the boat when boarding, so it's not accessible for wheelchairs or people with significant walking difficulties. Otherwise, it works for any fitness level. You're sitting the whole time.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• motorboat ride on the Grand Canal and smaller canals.
• stop at the Venice Jewish Ghetto.
• visit to the Squero San Trovaso gondola shipyard in Dorsoduro.
• entry to the Arsenal through the historic water gate.
• views of the Rialto Bridge, Accademia Bridge, and St. Mark's Square from the water.

Days and timesDaily · 5 departure times, from 13:00 to 17:30

AgesAges 3+ · Under 3 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Entrance to the Royal Gardens, on the waterfront of St Mark's Square - You'll meet Avventure Bellissime tour coordinator outside the Royal Gardens, in front of …”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Avventure Bellissime

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Grand Canal and the quieter neighborhoods in one trip without arranging separate boat tickets or walking the crowded streets. The motorboat gets you to places and views you can't reach on foot, and the small group size means you actually hear the guide.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Under 3, free.

What's included in the cruise?

The guide, the motorboat ride, stops at the Jewish Ghetto and gondola shipyard, entry to the Arsenal, and passage along the Grand Canal with views of the Rialto Bridge, Accademia Bridge and St. Mark's Square.

How many people are on the boat?

Groups are kept to 8 or 9 people maximum.

How long is the tour?

Two hours total.

What language is the guide?

English.

Do I need to pay an entry fee to Venice?

If you're visiting Venice for the day from outside the city, a €5 access fee applies on certain dates. Check the Venice city council website (cda.ve.it) to see which days and if you're exempt.

Can I book this if I use a wheelchair?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchairs or people with significant walking difficulties, as you need to step down onto the boat when boarding.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather. Dress appropriately and be prepared for the guide to adapt the route slightly if conditions are rough.

What happens during high tide?

The tour still runs, but the boat can become unstable. The route may be partly adjusted depending on water levels.