A hidden Venice tour takes you away from St. Mark’s and the Rialto, into the neighborhoods where Venetians still live. Two very different options lead Viator. The walking tour with a native Venetian is rated 4.9 across 2,281 reviews, from about $68. The kayak tour of the small canals is rated 4.7 across 587 reviews, from about $75.
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The verdict
The walking tour is our pick for a hidden Venice tour. For two hours, a guide born in Venice leads a small group through the quieter areas of the city, with stories you will not find in a guidebook and a map to keep. Reviewers love the calm lanes and the guides.
The kayak tour shows Venice from water level. In a single or double kayak, with an English-speaking instructor, you paddle the small canals for about an hour and forty minutes, away from the crowds. It suits active travelers; however, one low review shows it is not for everyone.
Neither tour is wheelchair accessible.
The walking tour runs in the rain, and one reviewer was refused a change of date on a very wet morning, so check the forecast before you book. For the kayak, wear clothes that can get wet and leave valuables behind. For the classic sights, see the Venice in one day tour.
Which one is for you?
Take the walking tour if
- You want the most reviewed option: 2,281 reviews.
- You want a native Venetian guide.
- You want to avoid the crowds on foot.
- It is your first or second day in Venice.
Take the kayak tour if
- You want to see Venice from the water.
- You are active and happy to paddle.
- You want something different from a gondola.
- You have under two hours.
What each price covers
The walking tour, from about $68
Included: a native Venetian guide, a two-hour walk, a city map for each person, and local taxes.
Not included: hotel pickup.
The kayak tour, from about $75
Included: a single or double kayak, a paddle, a life vest, and a qualified English-speaking instructor and guide.
Not included: hotel pickup.
Where each one starts
- Walking tour: in front of Hotel Antiche Figure, Fondamenta San Simeon Piccolo 687, Santa Croce, near the train station.
- Kayak tour: Calle Brazzo 3347, in Cannaregio.
Side by side
| Walking tour | Kayak tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 from 2,281 | 4.7 from 587 |
| Five-star reviews | 2,088 (92%) | 493 (84%) |
| Price | from about $68 | from about $75 |
| Length | 2 hours | 1 h 40 min |
| How | On foot | By kayak |
| Guide | Native Venetian | Instructor-guide |
| Start | Santa Croce | Cannaregio |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the walking tour
Lovely to walk around the quieter areas in beautiful Venice.
Ann_B, September 2026, via Viator
We had a great experience with Nico as our guide!
Matthew_D, September 2026, via Viator
On the kayak tour
I feel like kayaking provided us a unique way to experience Venice, away from the crowds.
Amanda_S, July 2026, via Viator
I had an excellent time going through the small canals of Venice!
Vanesa_S, July 2026, via Viator
Both are reviewed mostly with five stars: 92% of the walking tour ratings and 84% of the kayak tour ratings. Three stars or lower make up about 3% of the reviews on the first and about 6% on the second.
How hidden Venice fits your stay
For the water without the effort, compare the gondola ride; for food, the cicchetti and wine tour. The Murano and Burano tour covers the lagoon islands.
For the whole stay, read our guide to the best tours in Venice for a first visit.
When the day-trippers leave, the same quiet alleys suit a Venice ghost tour, with tales of murders and curses around San Marco.
Questions travelers ask
Which hidden Venice tour should I book?
The walking tour with a native Venetian, rated 4.9 from 2,281 reviews on Viator, from about $68 (checked September 2026). For the water, the kayak tour, rated 4.7, from about $75.
Can you kayak in Venice?
Yes, on a guided tour such as this one, which uses the smaller canals with an instructor.
Where do the tours start?
The walking tour starts in Santa Croce, near the train station; the kayak tour, in Cannaregio.
Does a hidden Venice tour run in the rain?
The walking tour runs rain or shine, so check the forecast before you book.
Can I cancel a hidden Venice tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the walking tour for the quiet side of Venice with a local; book the kayak tour to see it from the water.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 72276P3 and 36029P1), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.