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Offered languages
- German
- English
- Italian
- French
- Spanish
Experience the magic of the Venice Carnival all year around on a private tour of the Old Town. Explore San Marco and San Polo and hear the legends of the bauta mask and the Plague Doctor. Extended option: paint your own Venetian mask.
Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests:
2-hour: Venice Carnival Tour
Choose this option to discover the traditions of the Venice Carnival and see St. Mark's Square, Torre dell'Orologio, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, and more.
3-hour: Venice Carnival Tour & Mask-making Workshop
Choose this option to do a 1-hour mask workshop and go on a 2-hour walking tour to discover the traditions of the Venice Carnival and see St. Mark's Square and Rialto.
Do you know why people put on elaborate masks when celebrating the annual Carnival of Venice? Get a first-hand experience of local culture and discover the history and traditions of the most famous masquerade ball in the world on a private tour of The City of Masks.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide in front of Colonna di San Todaro, P.za San Marco 3, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy (next to Caffè Gelateria Al Todaro Dal 1948).
Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide in front of Hotel Londra Palace (opposite Monument to Victor Emmanuel II), Riva degli Schiavoni, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy. Please do not enter the building, as the staff are not informed about the tour.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Discover what the Venice Carnival is all about, from special events to festive snacks. Whether you have been to the festival before or not, the amazing stories from your Local Guide will make you experience the fun and excitement of this unique Venetian tradition. Learn about the origin of this annual event, the famous carnival masks and costumes, and the legend of the white girl and dove as you stroll around the historic St. Mark’s Square.
50 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Imagine how the entire square transforms into a runway that features an endless parade of excited masquerades and see the beautiful Basilica of Saint Mark, the Doge’s Palace, and the Astrological Clock of Torre dell'Orologio.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4
As you meander in the charming back alleyways, the guide will tell you the history behind Festa delle Marie, the Plague Doctor, and the long mask making tradition. Pass the crowds gathered at the iconic Rialto Bridge and admire San Giacomo di Rialto, the oldest church in the city, and the medieval merchant houses from the Venetian Golden Age around Campo San Polo.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Learn about the La Festa Veneziana sull'acqua water show on the Grand Canal and admire the Palazzo Zeno, which hosts the famous Casanova Grand Ball. You will pass the imposing Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and end the tour outside a traditional mask making atelier. Enrich your carnival experience with the exclusive "paint your own mask" workshop! Masks are what makes Venice Carnival so unique, and it's an ancient tradition that dates back to the 5th century. This hands-on experience allows you to learn how to decorate your own Venice Carnival Mask. A master artisan will guide you through the process and the techniques, and when your mask is done you can take it home as a souvenir from Venice. It’s a fun activity for both adults and children.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please check your email the day before the tour to receive important information.
- Please arrive at the meeting point on time you won't be able to enjoy the full itinerary if you are late.
- Please note that the number of attractions depends on the option selected. The “decorate your own mask” workshop is not included on the basic 2-hour tour.
- For the comfort of all guests, it is best to have 1 licensed guide per maximum of 25 guests. If there are 26-50 in your group, we will provide the service of 2 licensed guides so that all guests can get the best experience, ask questions and hear the guide well.
- Your Private Guide will not participate in the workshop.
- The Venice Carnival runs for 2 weeks before Shrove Tuesday but you can book this tour every day of the year.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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