Venice Small Group Walking Tour: Rialto Bridge & St. Mark's

Two hours, three bridges, and the squares where Venice's past still lives

A small group walking tour of Venice with a live English-speaking guide, limited to six travelers, covers the Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Basilica (exterior), and the neighborhoods where Marco Polo lived. You'll cross the city's most famous bridges, see its oldest church in Campo San Giacometto, and walk the winding streets that connect the islands Venice is built on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Rialto Bridge20m
2. Bridge of Sighs20m
3. St. Mark's Basilicapassing by

Venice walking tour highlights

• Meet guide at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
• See Piazza and Church of San Giacomo di Rialto
• Walk to Ponte di Rialto bridge
• Admire views of the Grand Canal
• Explore Venice's winding streets
• Visit the Bridge of Sighs
• View St. Mark’s Basilica exterior

The experience

The tour starts at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, where your guide introduces you to the city's oldest church and the square itself before leading you toward the Rialto Bridge. That crossing is the centerpiece: you'll stand on Venice's most photographed span, hear its history, and look out over the Gran Canal from the middle of it. The route then winds through the narrow streets and hidden squares (Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo), where the city reveals itself away from the main tourist flow.

From there you'll reach the Bridge of Sighs, one of the world's most recognizable landmarks, and learn the actual story behind its name instead of the legend. The walk ends at St. Mark's Basilica, where you see the ornately decorated exterior and dome from the outside. The whole route is built around the fact that Venice sits on 118 islands, so you're constantly crossing small bridges and moving between the neighborhoods that make up the city rather than following a single canal.

The group stays at six people maximum, which means your guide can move at a pace that lets you absorb each stop and ask questions without shouting over a crowd. An English-speaking guide leads throughout. Public transportation is available nearby if you need it, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though you'll be on your feet for the full two hours crossing bridges and navigating the city's layout.

What’s included

• The Grand Canal views from the Rialto Bridge.
• Campo Santa Maria Formosa and Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo.
• the Church of San Giacometto.
• the Bridge of Sighs.
• St. Mark's Basilica exterior.
• expert English-speaking guide throughout the two-hour walk.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour for a semi-private groupUp to 6 people · Guide in English · 10:30Small group, maximum of 6 people

Private upgrade including a gondolaUp to 15 people · Guide in English · Available from 29 Mar 2027Gondola ride

Private upgrade including St Mark'sUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 09:00Lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. The upgrade is a private Venice walking tour with St Mark's access and terrace, letting you fully immerse yourself in Italy. Private tour

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 2h, runs Monday to Saturday at 09:00 and 10:30, from € 119 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 09:00Tuesday and Friday: 09:00 and 10:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by LivTours

Is this one for you?Choose the semi-private group option if you want the tour at the standard price and don't need to enter the basilica interior. Pick the private upgrade with St. Mark's if you want to go inside the basilica and have the guide to yourself or your party alone. The small group size, six people max, is what keeps the pace intimate no matter which option you book.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Rialto Bridge and why does the tour spend time there?

The Rialto Bridge is Venice's most famous bridge, crossing the Grand Canal at its narrowest point. The tour stops here so you can see the views from the middle of the span and learn its history and stories.

Can I go inside St. Mark's Basilica on this tour?

The standard tour views St. Mark's Basilica from the outside only. A private upgrade option includes entry to the basilica interior, which costs 30 EUR per person.

What is the Bridge of Sighs and where does it fit in the route?

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the world's most photographed bridges, connecting the Doge's Palace to the prison. You'll see it after walking through Venice's winding streets, and your guide will tell you the true story behind its name.

How many people will be on this tour with me?

The group is guaranteed to stay at six people maximum, making it small enough for an intimate experience while still being semi-private rather than one-on-one.

Where does the tour meet and how do I get there?

You meet your guide at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, the square in front of Venice's oldest church. Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the meeting point.