---
title: "Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour"
lang: en
type: tour
city: Venice
country: Italy
price: 272
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.93
reviews: 138
duration_minutes: 180
languages: [en, it]
free_cancellation: "true"
guidekin_pick: Landmarks plus quiet Castello
rank_in_category: 6 of 22 (Walking Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-10-03
data_updated: 2026-11-03
canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/tours/highlights-hidden-gems-with-locals-best-of-venice-private-tour/
---

# Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Venice Private Tour

**Guidekin's take:** A private walk for your party only that pairs the landmarks around the Doge's Palace and Marco Polo's house with the lesser known campi of Castello, one local drink or tasting included. Hotel pickup and food are not included, and the pace needs a moderate level of fitness. 4.93 from 138 reviews at €272 per person.

In our comparison: #6 of 22 in Walking Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Venice from a unique perspective! Get to know Venice on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! 

Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Venice at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Doge’s Palace, Marco Polo’s house, Campo San Francesco della Vigna and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included.

Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: Campo San Giacomo di Rialto,
- Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers
- 16 start times: between 09:00 and 16:30
- Food included: 1 local drink/tasting

**Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

## Key facts

- Price: from €272 per person
- Duration: 3h
- Rating: 4.93/5 from 138 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Withlocals
- Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price
- Group: Private tour, your party only
- Guide languages: English, Italian
- Start times: 16 start times between 09:00 and 16:30
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-03

## Reviews

4.93 from 138 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 136 of 138.

- 5 stars: 131 (95%)
- 4 stars: 5 (4%)
- 3 stars: 1 (1%)
- 2 stars: 1 (1%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers value the local insight and tailored routes, though some wanted more historical depth.

**Praised:**
- Detailed local knowledge of Venice's history, architecture and daily life
- Quiet backstreets and neighbourhoods visitors would not find alone
- Routes and walking pace adapted to personal interests and needs
- Useful recommendations for restaurants, shops and further sightseeing
- Guides keep children and different generations engaged

**Complaints:**
- Some found the commentary detailed while others wanted more historical depth

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2022-08-24 to 2026-09-01); last checked 2026-10-04.

## What's included

- Private Tour
- Local Guide
- 1 local drink/tasting

## Not included

- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food

## Itinerary

1. **San Francesco della Vigna is a Roman Catholic church in the Sestiere of Caste...** (1h) - San Francesco della Vigna is a Roman Catholic church in the Sestiere of Castello in Venice, northern Italy. One of two Franciscan churches in Venice, originally built on a vineyard.
2. **Palazzo Ducale** (1h) - : Get amazed by the beauty of one of the most important jewels of Venice, a palace built between the 10th and 11th centuries that holds plenty of histories. Palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former...
3. **Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo** (1h) - Marco Polo's House: Hear the story of Marco Polo's explorations and see the house where he used to live! Here lived one of the most well-known explorers with his family when he wasn't travelling the world.
4. **Piazza San Marco** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
5. **Ponte di Rialto** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
6. **Canal Grande** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
7. **Libreria Acqua alta** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
8. **Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
9. **Canal Grande** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
10. **Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
11. **Riva degli Schiavoni** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
12. **Riva degli Schiavoni** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
13. **Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
14. **Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
15. **Dalmatian School of Saints George and Tryphon** (pass by, no stop) - Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 16 start times between 09:00 and 16:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-10-03
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Meeting point

Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, near the fountain
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJE-gXt9uxfkcRjSyeJkS95lk

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Private tour: only you & your local guide
- CO2 Neutral: all tours carbon emissions are offset
- 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
- Post Covid-19 regulations are applied to this product with regards to the number of participants, delivery methods of the tour and content of the tour.

## Cost for your party

| People | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | €544 | €272 |
| 4 | €560 | €140 |
| 6 | €582 | €97 |

Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Walking Tours start at €14 per person.

## Compared with other Walking Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #6 of 22** | €272 | 3h | 4.93 (138) | private |
| [Gondola Ride with Private Walking Tour in Venice](/italy/venice/tours/gondola-ride-with-private-walking-tour-in-venice/?format=md) | €79 | 3h | 4.95 (325) | private |
| [Tour of The Real Hidden Venice](/italy/venice/tours/tour-of-the-real-hidden-venice/?format=md) | €39 | 2h | 4.86 (2299) | private |
| [Venice: Commissario Brunetti Walking Tour for Donna Leon Fans](/italy/venice/tours/venice-commissario-brunetti-walking-tour-for-donna-leon-fans/?format=md) | €83 | 2h | 4.93 (178) | shared |

Ranked #6 of 22 in Walking Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €14 to €450, median €90; typical length 2h 30m. 9 of 22 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/walking-tours-venice/?format=md

## More in Venice

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Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/italy/venice/?format=md