Venice tour from Ravenna: Basilica di San Marco and Doge's Palace

Giudecca Canal by boat, then the Basilica di San Marco on foot

A full-day shore excursion from Ravenna port to Venice with a certified English-speaking guide, boat ride, and visits to five major landmarks. You travel by air-conditioned transport from the port, cruise the Giudecca Canal, walk through the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo and the Rialto Market, then spend time at the Basilica di San Marco, Doge's Palace, and Piazza San Marco before returning to your ship on schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Venice Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo20m
2. Rialto Bridge20m
3. St. Mark's Basilica20m
4. Doge's Palace20m
5. St. Mark's Square1h

Full day Venice sightseeing tour

• Meet at Ravenna cruise ship
• Travel to Venice by coach
• Boat ride on Giudecca Canal
• Visit Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
• Walk across Rialto Bridge and market
• Admire Basilica di San Marco
• Explore Doge's Palace
• Relax at Piazza San Marco
• Return to Ravenna cruise ship

The experience

The tour starts with a 2- to 2.5-hour drive from Ravenna port through the Italian countryside, arriving in Venice where a certified guide meets you to lead the day. A boat ride opens the experience: you cruise the Giudecca Canal and see Venice's waterfront unfold before moving into the city on foot. The guide holds a certification in Venetian heritage and culture and knows both the major sites and the stories behind them.

The walking portion covers the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo (called San Zanipolo by locals), the Rialto Bridge, and the Rialto Market, where vendors have sold fresh produce and local specialties for over seven centuries. You'll have time to browse, sample, or pick up ingredients. From there, the route leads to the Basilica di San Marco, Venice's grandest religious building and the third structure built on that site, then to the Doge's Palace, which served as the political and military center of the Venetian Republic. Piazza San Marco, which Napoleon called "the finest drawing room in Europe," closes the day. You can spend time there at leisure or add an optional gondola ride.

Transport is air-conditioned throughout, and the operator coordinates the return to your ship with twenty years of experience timing shore excursions to match departure schedules. The guide stays with you in Venice. No guide service is provided during the transfer from Ravenna.

What’s included

• Certified English-speaking guide in Venice.
• boat ride through Giudecca Canal.
• air-conditioned transport from Ravenna port to Venice and back.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• guaranteed timely return to your ship.

Options for this experience

3 options

Self-guided ExplorationGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:30Lasts 7 hours and covers transportation only. Please note this option does not include a guide or a boat cruise. Pickup is included.

Venice excursion departing from RavennaGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00Lasts 7 hours; pickup is included

Tour from Ravenna, privateGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 19:30Individual; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 19:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by EU Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the guided tour if you want a certified guide to explain Venice's history and lead you through the major sites. Pick the self-guided option if you prefer to explore Piazza San Marco and the city streets on your own pace without a guide. Either way, the boat ride and return transport to the port are included.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Rialto Market like when we visit it?

The Rialto Market has operated for over seven centuries as the center of Venetian culinary tradition, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and local specialties. Vendors typically offer samples of their products, giving you a chance to taste authentic Venetian flavors or gather ingredients for a picnic.

How much time do we spend in Piazza San Marco?

Piazza San Marco is built into the itinerary as a leisure stop where you can spend time at your own pace. You can walk around the square, sit and absorb the atmosphere, or book an optional gondola ride if you'd like to add that experience.

Will the guide be with us the entire day in Venice?

The certified English-speaking guide meets you when you arrive in Venice and leads the tour through all the sites. Guide services are not included during the 2- to 2.5-hour transfer from Ravenna port, but you have a dedicated driver for that leg.

What happens if the ship's departure time is tight?

The operator guarantees timely return to the port and has twenty years of experience coordinating shore excursions to match ship schedules. The itinerary order may shift due to traffic or crowds, but all listed destinations are visited, and the return is timed to get you back before the ship leaves.

Is the Basilica di San Marco included, or do we just see it from outside?

The Basilica di San Marco is on the itinerary as a stop you visit. It is Venice's crown jewel and the city's grandest religious building, with a history spanning three structures on the same site.