Top Venice Art & Culture

As night falls on Venice and the crowds disappear, discover the city’s darkest secrets on this devilishly entertaining ghost tour. Wander through narrow passageways and past the blackened, vacant canals to uncover Venice’s haunted history. Listen to your ghost-hunter guide spin tales about the sinister deeds and tragic ends of the figures who once walked the streets—some of whom are believed to still wander as restless spirits.

Get an inside peek into the world-famous glassblowing factories of Murano on a 2-hour escorted tour. Meet your guide in central Venice, and ride a water bus across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Get a private glassmaking demonstration from a master craftsman, and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom featuring finished works of art. Finally, attend your choice of hands-on workshop to create a take-home piece of jewelry or mosaic using authentic Murano glass.

Pay homage to the golden age of Venice with a night at the opera. Enjoy a thrilling program of baroque classics and operatic arias, performed by the orchestra and singers of I Musici Veneziani. The show whisks you back to 18th-century Venice, with performers dressed in traditional Venetian costumes and a spectacular setting in the exclusive Salone Capitolare at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro.

Get an inside look into the centuries-old art of glassblowing with a factory tour on Murano Island, home to the world’s finest artisan glass. Tour the facilities at Colleoni Glass Factory and watch a master craftsman shape molten glass through a combination of heat, blowing and sculptural techniques. Visit the factory showroom to see beautiful finished works of art, and receive a special Murano glass souvenir to take home.

Step back in time to the golden age of Italian opera with this guided tour of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. Learn the history and legends of this decadent Baroque opera house, which was once the heart of Venetian high society and hosted performances by masterful maestros like Verdi, Rossini and Bellini.

Hear Antonio Vivaldi’s magnificent ‘Four Seasons’ performed by Venice’s acclaimed I Musici Veneziani. The 1.5-hour show will whisk you back to 18th-century Venice, with performers dressed in traditional Venetian costumes and a spectacular setting in the exclusive Salone Capitolare at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro.

Beneath Venice’s waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches lies an underground crypt filled with skulls and a mysterious painted skeleton. This walking tour takes you into the depths beneath Venice, where your guide will show you the hidden tomb—complete with religious frescoes and dark recesses. Then, explore two Venetian districts and learn about the city’s dark history of curses, revenge, and mysterious apparitions.

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of baroque music at this authentic chamber performance in Venice. The 17th-century Church of San Vidal provides an intimate historic setting and fantastic acoustics for concertos and symphonies by European masters such as Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. The talented members of the Interpreti Veneziani ensemble bring these musical masterworks to life for a night out you won’t soon forget.

Experience an evening of opera in Venice, surrounded by the historical elegance of a 15th-century palace. The singers and musicians of the Musica a Palazzo ensemble perform classics of Italian opera within the ornate salons of Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. Move from room to room along with the performers and soak up the drama of epics like 'La Traviata' and 'Rigoletto' in a truly intimate environment.

Take a course on mask making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. You can choose from a production class or a decoration class, or you can even take both. In the production class, learn how to make your own papier-mâché mask, and in the decoration class, you can paint or use materials to decorate your mask. No matter which option you choose, you get to bring home your creation—just in time for Carnival.

Get hands-on experience with one-to-one guidance during a private glassmaking lesson. Discover the secrets of Murano glassmaking techniques from one of the most renowned craftsmen of Venice. The 90-minute workshop includes all materials—including your own marvelous glass artwork to take home—plus a 10 percent discount on glassworks from the artist.

After the sun has set and the tourist crowds have departed, the mysterious side of Venice becomes apparent. Discover the myths and hauntings surrounding the popular city on a 90-minute ghost tour. Follow your guide through deserted squares, down quiet alleyways, and into the past. Learn about local legends, unexplained events, and of course, ghost stories that have been passed down through generations.

Take a break from the usual sightseeing and snapping photos in Venice with this special experience that allows you to be an artist for the day. A local Venetian artist takes you to find the ideal corner of the city to paint, where you can create your own artwork with watercolors.

When night falls across Venice, uncover a shadowy world of restless spirits and Old World legends on this 2-hour ghost tour of the historic Cannaregio district. Discover sinister tales that haunt the city’s former Jewish ghetto as you stroll through hidden backstreets and lamplit squares, listening to your guide’s retelling along with the gently lapping water of darkened canals.

For a special night out while vacationing in Venice, book an entertaining evening out at the cabaret. A grand magic show, musical performers, and dancers keep you entertained while you dine on a multi-course international dinner with Italian wine. Choose from among three different menus; a welcome cocktail is included.

Experience the magnificence and mystery of the Doge’s Palace in Venice with this skip-the-line ticket. Head to the front of the queue with your guide, and then wander through the palace’s ornate public rooms as you learn the history of Venice’s powerful rulers. Admire magnificent interior artwork, including Renaissance masterpieces by painters Tintoretto and Veronese. Explore the palace’s darker side with a visit to the prison quarters and a walk across the notorious Bridge of Sighs.

For this private mask-decorating workshop in Venice, arrive at a traditional atelier, and get a blank sand-colored mask that’s ready for your artist eye. Use feathers, sequins, and other materials to make a masterpiece. Your guide will share facts about the history of mask making and can also show you some great techniques to use. Afterward, you’ll get to bring home your decorated mask.

Learn about Venice’s murders, mysteries, superstitions, and ghosts on this exciting evening tour. Wandering around Venice’s maze of cobblestoned alleyways at night can make it easy to get lost, but you won’t have to worry, as your guide will lead the way. Get your bearings of the city as you hear about tales of the unexpected. It’s a fun way to explore the Cannaregio and Castello districts while being entertained with Venice’s ghost stories.

Venetian masks have a long and storied history: during the republic’s heyday, they were used to conceal the identities of residents who engaged in decadent activities. In their masks, peasants and noblemen were equal. Make your own Venetian mask (yours to keep), adorned with sequins, ribbons, and other fineries, under the tutelage of a local artist. All materials are provided.

Visit the famed glassblowing island of Murano via private water taxi, and watch glass artisans at work. Explore the seventh century cathedral in Murano's historical center before learning about the skill required to blow glass. Step inside a traditional glass factory for a full demonstration, peruse showrooms, take advantage of discounts on glassware, and slip your foot into a glass slipper. If it's your size, you'll walk away with a specially made souvenir crafted from Venetian glass.

See two of Venice’s most iconic attractions and save 10% when you book them together with this Super Saver. Head to the front of the long queues with skip-the-line access to the famed Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Learn the history behind these architectural wonders from your local guide, and explore some of Venice’s lesser-known sights on a walking tour. Complete both tours in the same day with a break in between to spend at your leisure, depending on the operational schedule.

The banks of the Grand Canal have over 170 buildings, so exploring this area on a guided tour can sometimes feel rushed. This self-guided tour is ideal for travelers who like to discover a city at their own pace. You’ll avoid timetables and strict itineraries, and instead explore Venice at a time and speed that suits you. You can listen to the tour content easily by downloading a mobile app, and a boat ticket is included too.

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Venetian Carnival with this exclusive experience held in a historic venue. Receive your own carnival mask to wear as you join in with dancing, listen to live music, and taste traditional Venetian sweets accompanied by Prosecco.

Learn the secrets of glassblowing during this activity in Venice. On the island of Murano, visit the Glass Factory Showroom near St Mark's Square to see examples of this highly specialized glass art, beloved by collectors the world over. Learn about this technique's origins in the Roman Empire from you guide, then watch a glassblowing demonstration by a Master Artisan. Walk away with a small Murano glass souvenir.