Venice Tours
Tour of The Real Hidden Venice
5

Tour of The Real Hidden Venice

By Shome Venice
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 1-80, max of 15 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
  • 1 City Map per person
  • Local guide
  • Local taxes
  • 2 hours walking tour
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Entry/Admission - Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto


Start:
  • Hotel Antiche Figure, Santa Croce, 687 Fondamenta San Simeon Piccolo, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
    In front of "CHIESA DI SAN SIMEON PICCOLO" opposite the Train Station, the church with the big green dome - next to Hotel Antiche Figure. We will have a board with your name.
End:
  • Rialto Bridge, Ponte di Rialto, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy
    The tour will end near Rialto bridge.

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 72276P3

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 72276P3

From
$41.25
per adult (price varies by group size)
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • Santa Croce, 687 Fondamenta San Simeon Piccolo, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
    In front of "CHIESA DI SAN SIMEON PICCOLO" opposite the Train Station, the church with the big green dome - next to Hotel Antiche Figure. We will have a board with your name.
  • Pass by
    Ponte degli Scalzi
  • 1
    Pass by
    Ponte delle Guglie
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • Ponte di Rialto, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy
    The tour will end near Rialto bridge.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Shome Venice
    1,000
    Venice, Veneto, Italy
    Joined in June 2017
  • Sunshine56535498389
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nature Trip
    Our trip was beautiful and very fun and the guide experience was great in the islands and landmarks all the time is excellent
    Written January 10, 2025
  • L8941YIjennys
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun in Venice
    We had a group of 7 and spent and afternoon/evening and the next morning. We had a wonderful walking tour with Nico. He was great , fun ,knowable. We has such a wonderful time with him. The next morning Natasha was there to pick us up for our tour of the Murano Glass factory we were the first group to arrive so it was like a private showing, Just amazing the talent here and the beautiful works of glass art. Next we did a short ride in the Gondola we has a slight hick up with some taxi stuff, but was all worked out. I worked with Leonardo for the months ahead of the trip , he was just wonderful with working with me to accommodate us, they also arranged our transportation and porter to the cruise port. Would use them again .
    Written November 26, 2024
  • Geebee1010
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great private tour with Georgia
    We had an amazing afternoon on this tour with our fantastic guide Georgia. After being picked up in a private boat from our hotel, we visited a glass factory in Murano and then spent some time exploring Burano before being dropped back at the hotel. Georgia is a local and was very knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. Many thanks Georgia!
    Written October 15, 2024
  • S3765FMderekc
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely Amazing!!!
    Amazing experience. Our day could not have been better. We learned so much on our tour, but more importantly the bond our guide had with the islands was genuine and from the heart. We could not help but to feel what a truly special place we were visiting. During our vacation we visited 4 countries with several tours, but this was hands down the best. Thank you for a perfect day.
    Written September 29, 2024
  • kimbO2436RI
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful ride with a very knowledgeable guide.
    Beautiful ride with a very knowledgeable guide. Venice is so beautiful and this is a great way to experience it with insight on the Grand Canal.
    Written September 28, 2024
  • Explorer04203356218
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    RIVA FULL DAY EXPERIENCE !! WOW !!
    The pick-up was super well organised, we were close to St.Mark Square and our boat was already waiting for us !! A super luxury one !! The Captain told us that “Riva” is one of the most iconic beautiful boats coming from Lake Como but we were so lucky to book it for this experience and in the Venice Lagoon is just a marvellous jewel. We started our tour going to Murano Island, the famous one for Glass 😁 here we saw the entire production from one of the most ancient factories and my kids had fun seen everything of it and their Show-room ( Museum too ) Crazy pieces !! We purchased something for our beautiful house, for sure is gonna be a crazy memory remembering always this trip. 2 Stop Burano Island, after our walk we end up eating something in one of those fantastic restaurants ( Gatto Nero ). But in Burano you don’t see just wonderful bright and colourful houses, the lacemaking is part of this island and is just a pleasure to see how they are still do in it for centuries and centuries. Atelier la Perla needs a look for sure. 3 Stop was Torcello Island, the most ancient one in the Venician Lagoon. Not too many things to do or to see but the Cathedral with its mosaic was special. The way back to St Mark Square, was very comfortable.Drinking a very nice glass of Prosecco and enjoying the last view of this Lagoon. This tour was worth it 100 %.
    Written September 5, 2024
  • RS82547
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great addition to Venice
    Had a great afternoon trip to Murano and Barano with Nicko as our guide. He was very informative and an excellent guide. the boat was perfect on each leg of the trip. The glass blowing and gallery were very interesting as was the visit to the colorful island on Burano. After a morning walling guided tour of Venice, this completed a full day in Venice.
    Written September 5, 2024
  • MassimoC1260
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    beautiful day
    THE BEST TOUR OF VENICE!!! We had an amazing time with Pietro on board of the luxury Riva! We felt like Venetian nobles! The Murano Glass factory visit was once in a lifetime experience! Pietro delighted us with some special stories about the different islands. We then reached Burano where we met Andrea and his family in the lace business for centuries. Admiring his grandma working the lace was such an experience! Their staff is incredible! Lunch at Al Gato Nero was superb! We met Massi and Ruggero (father, owner and Chef) and I can say it’s actually the best meal I have ever had in my life! We wanted to book the Riva boat even for the day after as we had so much fun and there is so much to see but unfortunately it was already full. Pietro thank you for your kindness and for welcoming us on board of Dea! We will remember this experience forever, you made us feel so special! Come to the States soon! Ciao ciao Emily & Max
    Written September 3, 2024
  • sofiay231
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Queen of the Sea is waiting for you!
    We fully enjoyed this unique one day trip to the northern part of the lagoon of Venice!! The Queen of the sea Aquariva Yacht was way more than we expected, we felt so relaxed and very privileged to be on board! We learnt so much information thanks to our knowledgeable guide Luca, he introduced us to the amazing crafts of the lagoon such as the glassblowing on Murano, we also witnessed the intricate art of the lacemaking on Burano and its picturesque residences painted with different colors! Last but not least we tried the best Venetian local food on the island of Torcello! Best experience ever, I recommend it!
    Written September 3, 2024
  • N8716VWnicolasa
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
    Our journey with Shomevenice was truly memorable, offering an experience that exceeded all expectations. The quality of the boat was outstanding, making us feel as though we were part of a cinematic masterpiece while gliding through the iconic canals of Venice. What made this experience truly exceptional was the professionalism and warmth of the staff, particularly the driver, who were both incredibly engaging and personable. Their hospitality added a distinctive touch that elevated the entire experience. This is undoubtedly an experience worth repeating, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable way to explore Venice.
    Written September 3, 2024
  • N3572SMsebastianom
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking!
    We had the perfect day! I booked this tour for my girlfriend’s birthday, I wanted to surprise her and I have to say it worked like a charm! Amazing landscapes, the Murano glass shaping left us breathless and the islands of Burano and Torcello were the perfect romantic getaway I was hoping for. Away from the mass tourism, we enjoyed the excursion so much. I really thank Luca, the guide, for the availability and the greatest tour. Really recommended!!
    Written September 3, 2024
  • Suanne W
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must do tour!!
    This was a fantastic tour! The glass blowing demonstration on Murano was amazing! Both boys got the chance to try glass blowing. We visited one of the oldest family owned factories and had a personal tour. It was just our family and our wonderful guide Marta. We were able to take as much time in the factory as we wanted. Next we traveled to Burano, the lace making island. It was impressive to see lace made by a master. We enjoyed touring the island and the colorful painted houses while eating our gelato. Our tour guide, Marta was friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. It was nice to be in our own water taxi. I highly recommend this tour. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!
    Written August 6, 2024
  • Thomasd4444
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great break from the island
    Truly a great experience. Both islands were amazing. The glass making factory was a very cool experience and its really amazing “art productions”. Burano is a really cool unique beautiful town. The boat ride is crazy good. The guide was want of the best I have ever had in 40 years of traveling. He did a completely great job.
    Written June 18, 2024
  • frankaT2029RV
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great overall experience of Venice and surrounding area.
    Our tour of these two islands were fantastic. Got to see glass blowing and then went to Burano and toured the city. Our guide, Natasha was very good. We went on the of the regatta but made both islands.
    Written May 23, 2024
  • Excursion45622
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive experience to see master glass artists at work.
    Saw making of several glass vases and objects in the factory. Great experience to see the craftsmanship and artistic skills of glass artists. Visited showroom with beautiful finished products costing up to thousands of dollars euros, but no pressure to buy.
    Written April 26, 2024
See all 1,000 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles630 reviews
Excellent
584
Very good
33
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
5

David J
San Francisco, CA79 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We took this tour on our first day in Venice and it provided a great overview and helped us get grounded. It definitely got us off the beaten path and took us through parts of the city we otherwise would have never found. Our guide (I forget her name) was very informative but a bit too soft spoken. There was only the three of us plus one other couple on the tour and we appreciated the individual attention we got. I wouldn’t call this a must do, our teenager was a bit bored with it, but do recommend it for those who want to see more than just the main sites and learn more about this enchanting city.
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thehappycouple346
Llandudno, UK73 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Our guide for this was Sophia.

The meeting place was easy to find -right opposite the train station.

There were only 6 of us on the tour… brilliant for us 👏

The tour was excellent - Sophia was articulate, knowledgeable, funny and considered when explaining the history of Venice.

We were privileged to be able so see some of the authentic parts of Venice where local people live.

The tour and history of the Jewish ‘ghetto’ was shared with us with a really outstanding degree of personal compassion by Sophia and enabled us to understand what had occurred.

The tour itself lasted for just under 2 hours and was worth every penny.

We saw a part of Venice which was indeed hidden.. empty pavements… real life.

If you want to see the real Venice please book this tour.. you won’t regret it.
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Thehappycouple346, Thank you for your kind review. We are glad you enjoyed your time in Venice thanks to our tour. It is very important for us to have our clients enjoying the city where we grew up, its beauties and history. We hope to be part of your next stay in Venice, in fact from this year we have many more private tours available! Best regards,
Written January 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

R&G-Opine
Atlanta, GA252 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
There's no true escape from the crowds on a sunny warm day in Venice, but The Real Hidden Venice Tour will get you as close to it as you can get. This 2 hour walking tour with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable local is a great way to spend a morning. Our only criticisms would be that we only saw a tiny portion of the city (only about 2.5 KM or 1.5 Miles total distance covered) and our guide spent about 45 minutes in the Ghetto when 20 minutes would have done for the 260 meters covered. We would have like to have seen more "Hidden" Venice.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

curleys_4
Chesapeake, VA50 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Matteo was our guide for this “hidden Venice” tour, and he was fantastic . . So friendly, energetic and so knowledgeable. We were fortunate to have a relatively small group, and I felt Matteo was basically taking us on a private tour of “his city “. We hit some really interesting spots, and I especially enjoyed walking through the Jewish ghetto and hearing the stories behind what happened there . . fascinating stuff. I would highly recommend this tour. Honestly, I think any tour guided by Matteo would be worth checking out. Our boys declared him the tour guide “GOAT” !!
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Disco Dave
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Matteo was fantastic, fun, and friendly. A brilliant guide with so much local knowledge, which made the tour perfect. He made us laugh as well as explaining some more serious topics very clearly, and it was obvious he was passionate. He also gave us 2 excellent restaurant recommendations.
Written November 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John31621
El Dorado Hills, CA40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
We were blessed to have the amazing Leo as our guide for this tour on our first morning in Venice. As a charming, funny, super informative, native-born guide, he shared delicious stories of the hidden Venice we’d never get from reading a guidebook or watching a narrative. He was easy to understand and eager to answer any questions that came up along the way. What a privilege to hear stories of his growing up in such a magical place and see the delight in sharing his knowledge of this incredible city. Thank you, dear Leo!
Written November 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

clove700
Camberley, UK23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Our guide managed to keep our group entertained and educated even in the rain. It was wonderful to get away from the crowds and learn more about this magical place. Particularly enjoyed learning about the Jewish ghetto, the system of drinking water wells, the story behind the Madonna del’orto church and the statues of the three moors.
We have visited Venice twice before and can thoroughly recommend this tour to those who want to expand their knowledge of Venice
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Timbo9
Sydney, Australia121 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening tour with Nicola. He was excellent, highly knowledgeable and a good storyteller involving all of the 10 participants on the tour. The tour offers some good insight into the history of Venice and takes you away from
the heavy crowds that dominate the main boulevards and attractions.

Thanks for a great start to our Venice tour.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Timbo9, It's been a real pleasure to show you around the Hidden corners of my city, and I'm glad to hear my tour was the best way to start your stay in Venice. Best, Nicola
Written January 14, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Travis A
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The guide walks you through several neighborhoods on the north side of the city and tells you some history. It does get you away from the busy areas and streets, and a few areas were completely quiet. The guide was entertaining throughout the tour. After the tour we felt more comfortable with finding restaurants in neighborhoods and that worked out for us.
Written October 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Travis, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We always try to do our best. We are glad to hear you enjoyed our Hidden Vneice tour! Hope to see you soon Best regards, Alessio
Written January 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elaine C
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
We had a great tour with Nico! He was a friendly Venetian with excellent English and a penchant for trying out his humour with his guests. He was so knowledgeable that it made our trip a bonanza of facts and educated opinion. We were on a small tour [numbering 5] which meant that Nico was able to answer everyone’s questions in great detail. Our favourite part, was going to, and learning all about the Jewish experience in the Jewish Ghettos. Again, Nico displayed great knowledge and delivered his information with sensitivity. All in all, we took away a great deal from our tour with Nico and would highly recommend this tour for anyone who wishes to move away from the ‘maddening crowd’ of commercial Venice…
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Tour of The Real Hidden Venice provided by Shome Venice

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