HikingCity tours

Venice Tour by High-Speed Train from Florence

4.8(6 reviews)Venice, Italy
9hDurationGerman, English, Italian, French, SpanishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel

About this experience

This full-day private trip begins at Santa Lucia Station in Florence, where you will receive return train tickets to Venice. Upon arrival, a guide will meet you at the station to lead you through key monuments, museums, and churches that house significant relics. You will explore the great schools of Venice and locations tied to notable figures in Venetian art. The tour includes insights into local social spots, recommended osterias, baccari, and places to enjoy a Spritz and other Venetian culinary delights. You will walk through the foundational areas and major churches of Venice, appreciating their historical significance. The tour concludes with an optional gondola ride, which is not guided. After the visit, you will return to Santa Lucia Station to board your train back to Florence.

Itinerary

1

Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia

Join this easy and hassle-free tour from Florence to wander the little alleyways and float along that canals that give Venice its nickname as the Floating City.

2

Ponte degli Scalzi

The Ponte degli Scalzi is an elegant Istrian stone bridge spanning Venice’s Grand Canal. It connects the Santa Croce and Cannaregio districts right outside the Santa Lucia railway station, making it a striking first sight for arriving travelers. Designed by Eugenio Miozzi and completed in 1934, its clean, single-arch form replaced an older iron structure. The name, meaning "Bridge of the Barefoot Monks," honors the nearby Chiesa degli Scalzi, seamlessly blending history with daily life.

3

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica dei Frari is a massive 14th-century Gothic masterpiece in Venice's San Polo district. Strikingly built from reddish brick, its towering campanile dominates the skyline. Inside, it forms a breathtakingly photogenic sanctuary housing monumental tombs of Venetian elites, including the sculptor Canova and painter Titian. Travelers flock here to view Titian’s iconic, luminous masterpiece, The Assumption of the Virgin, which radiates light from the high altar.

4

Chiesa Rettoriale di San Polo

The Chiesa di San Polo is a 9th-century church anchoring Venice’s largest public square. Rebuilt in Gothic style, its unique exterior features two rare 14th-century stone lions at the base of its bell tower—one gripping a snake, the other a human head, symbolizing betrayal. Inside, it is highly photogenic, showcasing a stunning ship’s-keel wooden ceiling and Giambattista Tiepolo’s The Stations of the Cross. It offers travelers a mesmerizing blend of medieval mystery and art.

5

San Silvestro

The Chiesa di San Silvestro is a hidden gem tucked away in Venice’s San Polo district near the Rialto Bridge. Originally founded in the 9th century, its current neoclassical structure dates to the 1830s. Photogenic and peaceful, the church offers travelers a quiet escape from the crowds. Inside, it boasts a majestic interior housing a rare artistic treasure: Tintoretto’s brilliant canvas, The Baptism of Christ, making it a rewarding, art-filled stop for curious explorers.

6

Ponte di Rialto

The Rialto Bridge is Venice’s ultimate architectural icon, gracefully arching over the Grand Canal. Completed in 1591 by Antonio da Ponte, this spectacular stone masterpiece connects the San Polo and San Marco districts. To capture a rare view of Venetian culture, one gets to witness it at dawn when the rising sun illuminates its brilliant white Istrian stone. This photogenic, bustling thoroughfare features two rows of shops, seamlessly blending historic utility with Venice’s grand, timeless atmosphere.

7

Mercati di Rialto

The Rialto Market is Venice’s vibrant culinary heart, feeding locals since 1097. Located steps from the Rialto Bridge, this historic market features a colorful produce section (Erberia) and a neo-Gothic fish pavilion (Pescaria). To capture a rare view of Venetian culture, one gets to witness it at dawn as fishermen unload the day's catch and vendor stalls fill with seasonal goods—offering a photogenic, sensory masterpiece where rich history perfectly blends with daily life.

8

Campo San Luca

Campo San Luca is a bustling, strategic square serving as the geographical heart of Venice. Linking the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square, it acts as a dynamic hub for local life. Early risers can enjoy a rare, serene glimpse of the square at daybreak before it transforms into a lively social meeting point filled with outdoor cafes. Surrounded by historic buildings, this energetic crossroads offers an authentic, photogenic look at modern Venetian commerce unfolding within a timeless setting.

9

Torre dell'Orologio

A magnificent Renaissance landmark standing at the gateway to St. Mark’s Square, the tower is renowned for its striking blue-and-gold astronomical clock, zodiac details and the two bronze “Moors” that strike the hours. It is one of Venice’s most iconic architectural symbols and a spectacular introduction to the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square.

10

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is Venice’s grand, breathtaking centerpiece, famously called the "drawing room of Europe." This expansive square is anchored by the golden Basilica di San Marco, the historic Doge’s Palace, and the soaring Campanile. Early risers can enjoy a rare, tranquil view of the vast marble pavement reflecting the soft dawn light before the crowds arrive. Framed by majestic arches and historic cafes, this legendary piazza offers a deeply photogenic glimpse into the peak of Venetian art, power, and timeless elegance.

What's included / not included

Gondola Ride(If this option is Chosen)All Fees and TaxesPrivate tour exclusively for your groupRound trip Train Tickets to Venice from FlorenceServices of a licensed Tour-Guide
Food and drinksEntry fees to attractionsCost of use of radio system with earphones for groups 10 and above.Access Fee - Only when enforced

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Good to know

  • There is a total travel time of Approx. 4 hours(Return) on the Train. With your departure train from Firenze S.M.N @ 7:20 or 8:20AM.
  • On certain dates during the month of April - July, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 to €10 access fee.
  • This is a walking tour. Carry/ Wear Comfortable shoes.
  • A valid ID document is mandatory for security checks at the entrance to the Basilica.
  • Additional Services (extra charges) - Audio-receiver devices (for groups over 10 people)
  • Additional Services (extra charges) - One-way transfer: From the hotel to the station.
  • Additional Services (extra charges) - Round-trip transfer: From the hotel to the station and, upon return, from the station back to the hotel. 1 baggage per person is included in the price. Extra baggage: 3€.
  • Additional Services (extra charges) - Entrance ticket to any one of the attractions mentioned in the highlights. The entrance ticket is non-refundable, and in the event of cancellation, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
  • The gondola ride is not guided. Each gondola can accommodate up to 5 passengers, so Groups larger than 5 will be seated across two or more gondolas.
  • Tours may be rescheduled only once, subject to availability. Any changes must be requested up to the 5th day, and any applicable difference in charges will be payable by the guest.
  • As and when applied by Venice Municipality the City Fee payment link sent will be sent for self reservation.
  • Cancellation Policy :Full Refund for cancellation done 7 days in advance. 5 days before the tour: 50% of the gross total is charged as a cancellation penalty. 3 days before the tour: 100% of the gross total is charged, and the amount paid is non-refundable.

Traveller reviews

4.86 reviews

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