The Venetian Ghetto, established in 1516, is the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world. Located in the Cannaregio district, it was created by decree of the Venetian Republic, which confined Jews to a small, gated island after sunset and during Christian holidays. Despite restrictions, the Ghetto became a thriving cultural and religious center, enriched by waves of Jewish immigrants from Spain, Germany, and the Levant.

Within this small but vibrant quarter, towering buildings reveal the need to accommodate a growing population in limited space. Hidden on upper floors are five historic synagogues, each reflecting the origins of its congregation. Among the most notable are the Spanish Synagogue (Scuola Spagnola), richly decorated in Baroque style and still in use today, and the Levantine Synagogue (Scuola Levantina), established by Sephardic Jews from the Eastern Mediterranean, known for its elegant 17th-century architecture.

The Ghetto was a place of both segregation and resilience. Restrictions on movement, professions, and ownership remained in place for centuries. It wasn't until 1797, with the fall of the Venetian Republic and Napoleon’s arrival, that Jews were granted full civil rights and the gates of the Ghetto were torn down.

Today, the area remains a living part of Venice, home to a small Jewish community, kosher restaurants, and a museum. It stands as a moving testament to endurance, identity, and cultural richness.

The Spanish Synagogue (Scuola Spagnola) in Venice was founded around 1580 by Sephardic Jews who had fled persecution in Spain and Portugal. It is one of the most richly decorated and architecturally significant synagogues in the Venetian Ghetto, and it remains active for religious services today.

As required by law at the time, the synagogue's exterior is unassuming, with no clear indication of the sacred space within. However, the interior reveals a striking Baroque masterpiece, redesigned in the 17th century by renowned architect Baldassare Longhena, one of Venice’s great Baroque masters.

The prayer hall is lavishly adorned with gilded woodwork, stucco decorations, and crystal chandeliers. The Bimah (platform for Torah reading) and the Aron Kodesh (Torah ark) face each other on opposite walls, a typical Sephardic layout, emphasizing the communal nature of worship.

The wooden ceiling is ornately carved and painted, adding warmth and grandeur to the space. Large arched windows bring in natural light, highlighting the rich textures and gold accents. The Spanish Synagogue stands as a testament to the resilience and artistry of the Sephardic community, blending religious devotion with Venetian splendor.

The Levantine Synagogue (Scuola Levantina) was founded in 1541 by Sephardic Jews from the Eastern Mediterranean—primarily from the Ottoman Empire—who brought with them distinct cultural and religious traditions. It is the oldest synagogue in Venice still in use and one of the most architecturally refined in the Ghetto.

Unlike other synagogues hidden in plain sight, the Levantine Synagogue occupies a prominent corner of the Ghetto Vecchio and is more visible from the outside, reflecting the relative wealth and influence of the Levantine Jewish community. The building was extensively renovated in the mid-17th century, likely by Baldassare Longhena, Venice’s celebrated Baroque architect.

The interior is elegant and solemn, with less ornamentation than the Spanish Synagogue but notable for its harmonious proportions and refined decorative details. The Bimah and Aron Kodesh face each other across the room, in keeping with Sephardic tradition. The Aron, made of intricately carved wood, is richly decorated and dominates the eastern wall.

A wooden ceiling, gently curved and coffered, adds warmth to the space, while tall arched windows allow in natural light. The synagogue’s understated grandeur reflects both piety and the Levantine community’s integration into Venetian society. It remains a powerful symbol of continuity and heritage.

As you leave the quiet charm of the Ghetto, stroll through Venice’s narrow calli—winding alleys full of daily life and hidden corners—on your way toward the bustling Rialto area, the city’s historic commercial heart.

Along the route, as you near the Grand Canal, you’ll catch glimpses of some of Venice’s most important palazzi that once belonged to powerful merchant families. Among them:

Ca’ d’Oro, the “Golden House,” a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, once lavishly gilded and now home to an art museum.

Palazzo Grimani, with its Renaissance elegance and classical inspiration, reflecting Venetian openness to humanist ideals.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a former German merchants' warehouse, now transformed into a luxury shopping center with a panoramic rooftop terrace.

These palaces, facing the water like proud sentinels, tell the story of Venice’s rise as a maritime republic and trading empire. As you approach the Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most iconic crossing over the Grand Canal, the atmosphere shifts—market stalls, vibrant voices, and the scent of fresh produce signal your arrival at the city’s beating heart.

The Rialto is the historic and commercial heart of Venice, named after “Rivo Alto” (High Bank), the area where the city’s earliest settlements began. It became a bustling hub of trade in the Middle Ages, home to banks, markets, and merchants from across Europe and the East.

The Rialto Bridge, the most iconic crossing over the Grand Canal, was inaugurated in 1591. Designed by Antonio da Ponte, it replaced a series of earlier wooden bridges, one of which collapsed under the weight of a crowd. The stone structure was completed in three years (1588–1591) and represented an ambitious feat of engineering for its time. Its single-span design, with elegant arches and lined shops, became a symbol of Venice's wealth and ingenuity.

Adjacent to the bridge is the Rialto Market, active since the 11th century. The Pescheria (fish market building), constructed in the early 20th century in neo-Gothic style, still operates today, offering fresh seafood from the lagoon. Nearby, the Erberia buzzes with colorful stalls of fruits, vegetables, and spices.

The Rialto area was once home to Venice’s main financial institutions, including the Banco Giro and the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the German merchants' warehouse. It remains a vibrant district that blends commerce, history, and daily Venetian life—an essential stop for understanding the city’s soul.

A 30-minute gondola ride from the Rialto stazione is a truly enchanting and relaxing experience—gliding silently through Venice’s serene canals, far from the busy walkways, you’ll see the city from a whole new perspective. The gentle rhythm of the water, the soft lapping against the boat, and the gondolier’s expert navigation through narrow waterways make this an unforgettable moment of calm and beauty.

The gondola is more than just a romantic symbol—it’s a legendary part of Venetian life and tradition. For centuries, it was the main mode of transport in the city. Sleek, black, and asymmetrically shaped to counterbalance the gondolier’s weight, each gondola is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Made from eight different types of wood, it is carefully constructed by hand in a special boatyard called a squero—the most famous being Squero di San Trovaso, still active today.

Gondolas are not mass-produced; they’re custom-built, and each one takes months to complete. The iconic ferro on the prow isn’t just decorative—it symbolizes the city: its six prongs represent the six sestieri (districts), and the curve echoes the Grand Canal.

Riding a gondola offers a timeless connection to Venice’s soul—where tradition, craftsmanship, and quiet beauty come together in perfect harmony.

After the peaceful gondola ride, we stroll through Venice’s charming calli toward its most breathtaking jewel: Piazza San Marco. As you step into the square, a grand panorama unfolds—an open-air stage of elegance, history, and architectural harmony that has awed visitors for centuries.

Often called “the drawing room of Europe,” St. Mark’s Square has been the political, religious, and social heart of Venice since the 9th century. The wide, stone-paved space is lined with grand arcades and historic buildings that reflect the city’s glory as a powerful maritime republic.

At its eastern end stands the magnificent Basilica di San Marco, crowned with golden mosaics and Byzantine domes. Beside it rises the Campanile, the 99-meter bell tower that offers panoramic views of the lagoon. Opposite the basilica is the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and once the seat of Venice’s rulers.

The square is framed by the elegant Procuratie Vecchie and Nuove, Renaissance and Baroque arcades that once housed government offices and are now home to cafés and shops. The Clock Tower, with its blue and gold face and bronze Moors striking the hours, adds a magical touch.

Before exploring further, your guide will recommend a local Venetian restaurant nearby—perfect for tasting traditional dishes while soaking in the timeless atmosphere of this iconic square.

After exploring the wonders of St. Mark’s Square, you’ll enjoy one hour of free time for lunch—a perfect moment to relax and recharge. Your guide will be happy to recommend a selection of local Venetian restaurants, each offering a variety of traditional dishes to suit different tastes and budgets.

Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood risotto, sarde in saor, or handmade bigoli pasta, this is a wonderful chance to experience authentic Venetian cuisine. Pair your meal with a glass of local wine, such as a crisp Soave or a refreshing Prosecco from the nearby Veneto hills.

This break is not only about eating—it’s about savoring the Venetian lifestyle: sitting at a quiet table, watching gondolas glide by or listening to the sounds of the city as you unwind.

Please note that lunch is not included in the tour price, giving you the flexibility to choose what and where you’d like to eat. It's your time to enjoy Venice at your own pace before continuing the final part of the tour.

Your visit inside the Basilica di San Marco lasts approximately 30 minutes, in accordance with official regulations—but every moment reveals the breathtaking beauty and deep history of Venice’s most sacred site.

Originally built in the 9th century to house the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, which, according to legend, were smuggled from Alexandria, the basilica became the spiritual heart of the Venetian Republic. The current structure, completed in the 11th century, reflects a fusion of Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture, symbolizing Venice’s unique position between East and West.

As you step inside, your eyes are immediately drawn upward to the stunning golden mosaics—over 8,000 square meters of glittering glass and gold tiles that narrate biblical stories, saints’ lives, and Venice’s spiritual legacy. The Pala d’Oro, a masterpiece of Byzantine enamel and gold, adorns the high altar and is one of the most precious treasures of the basilica.

The building’s design features grand domes, intricate marble floors, and a sense of sacred grandeur, all echoing the city's former power and devotion. The interior feels both intimate and majestic, a place where light, art, and history merge in timeless splendor.

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the former seat of power of the Venetian Republic. Facing the lagoon with its iconic pink-and-white marble façade, the palace once housed the Doge (Venice’s ruler), the government, and the city’s courts.

Your guided tour follows the historic path of power. You’ll begin in the Courtyard, admiring the grand Scala dei Giganti, where Doges were once crowned. Inside, you'll explore lavish institutional rooms where the Republic's complex government operated—each room more impressive than the last.

Highlights include the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, one of the largest halls in Europe, where the Great Council met beneath Tintoretto’s colossal Paradise—the world’s largest oil painting. Along the way, you'll also see masterpieces by Veronese, Titian, and Palma il Giovane, each glorifying Venice’s power and justice.

You’ll pass through the Sala del Senato, Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci, and the Chamber of the Scrutiny, each adorned with intricate woodwork, gilded ceilings, and powerful allegorical frescoes. The palace tells the story of Venice not just through architecture, but through art, symbolism, and law.

Finally, walk across the haunting Bridge of Sighs to the prisons, where the contrast between opulence and captivity is striking. The Doge’s Palace is not just a building—it’s the living memory of Venice’s golden age.

As our full-day journey comes to a close in the majestic St. Mark’s Square, we hope you’ve discovered not only Venice’s iconic landmarks but also its hidden stories and rich cultural layers. This tour is truly unique—blending the well-known with the off-the-beaten-path, from the historic Jewish Ghetto and its stunning synagogues to the lively Rialto market, a serene gondola ride, and the awe-inspiring basilica and Doge’s Palace.

This is an immersive experience that captures the heart and soul of Venice beyond the typical tourist path. May the memories of today’s discoveries inspire you to explore even more of this extraordinary city.

Arrivederci. Free drop off.