A Venice ghost tour takes you into the alleys and squares that empty out after the day-trippers leave, with tales of murders, curses and assassins. Two walks by the same local operator stand out on Viator. Ghosts and Murders, around San Marco, is rated 4.7 across 145 reviews, from about $57. Crimes and Legends at Sunset, around Rialto and San Polo, is rated 4.7 across 27 reviews, from about $45.
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The verdict
Ghosts and Murders is our pick. It has five times as many reviews, a cap of 10 travelers and an itinerary past Marco Polo’s house and Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, ending in St. Mark’s Square. One reviewer who has done about ten ghost tours in the US ranks it among their top two.
Crimes and Legends at Sunset is cheaper and focuses on crime: assassinations, robberies and secret alliances, from Campo San Polo past the Rialto Bridge. It has fewer reviews, and the listing allows groups of up to 100, so the atmosphere can vary. The supplier warns that it may not suit children.
Both last about 90 minutes and offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. A note on the most-reviewed Venice ghost walk we found on Viator: it has more than 850 reviews but only 3.9 stars, which is why it is not compared here.
The Ghosts and Murders listing reminds visitors that on certain dates day-trippers must pay the Venice access fee. Our guide to the Venice access fee explains how it works. For the rest of Italy’s haunted walks, see ghost tours in Italy.
Which one is for you?
Take Ghosts and Murders if
- It has the most reviews: 145 ratings.
- You want a small group, 10 at most.
- Ending in St. Mark’s Square suits your evening.
- Ghost stories matter more to you than price.
Take Crimes and Legends if
- You want the lower price, from about $45.
- Crime stories interest you more than ghosts.
- You want to see Rialto at sunset.
- You are traveling without young children.
What each price covers
Ghosts and Murders, from about $57
Included: a licensed Venetian guide and a 90-minute walk in the center of Venice.
Not included: gratuities.
Crimes and Legends, from about $45
Included: a licensed Venetian guide and a 90-minute walk in the center of Venice.
Not included: gratuities.
Where each one starts
- Ghosts and Murders: outside the pharmacy in Campo San Bartolomeo, ending in St. Mark’s Square.
- Crimes and Legends: outside the pharmacy in Campo San Polo, ending at the Church of San Canciano.
Side by side
| Ghosts and Murders | Crimes and Legends | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 from 145 | 4.7 from 27 |
| Five-star reviews | 122 (84%) | 24 (89%) |
| Price | from about $57 | from about $45 |
| Length | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Area | San Marco, Castello | San Polo, Rialto |
| Group size | Up to 10 | Up to 100 |
| Focus | Ghosts and murders | Crimes and legends |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On Ghosts and Murders
I’ve done about 10 ghost tours across the US and this was easily top two
Ravyn_J, May 2026, via Viator
Was a nice break from a typical “museum” tour.
Tamara_N, April 2026, via Viator
On Crimes and Legends
Nice way to spend the evening learning about the history of venice.
Jessica_B, August 2026, via Viator
Very entertaining and considerate of everyone’s tired feet !
Raul_C, November 2025, via Viator
Both are reviewed mostly with five stars: 84% of the Ghosts and Murders ratings and 89% of the Crimes and Legends ratings. One reviewer of Ghosts and Murders found it more of a history walk than a ghost tour.
More of Venice beyond the crowds
For the quiet side of the city by day, compare the hidden Venice tour. After dark, see the Venice cicchetti tour for food and wine, or book a Vivaldi concert in Venice.
For planning, read our guides to 3 days in Venice, the best tours in Venice and dark tourism in Italy.
Questions travelers ask
Which Venice ghost tour should I book?
For most travelers, Ghosts and Murders around San Marco, rated 4.7 from 145 reviews on Viator, from about $57 (checked September 2026). For a cheaper crime-focused walk, Crimes and Legends at Sunset, rated 4.7 from 27 reviews, from about $45.
How long is a Venice ghost tour?
Both walks compared here last about 90 minutes.
Where do Venice ghost tours start?
Ghosts and Murders starts in Campo San Bartolomeo, near the Rialto Bridge. Crimes and Legends starts in Campo San Polo.
Are Venice ghost tours suitable for children?
The supplier of Crimes and Legends warns that it may not suit children because of its macabre stories. On Ghosts and Murders, one reviewer’s family, from a 10-year-old to a 21-year-old, loved it.
Can I cancel a Venice ghost tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book Ghosts and Murders for the small group and the best-reviewed stories; book Crimes and Legends to save money and see Rialto at sunset.
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 326991P10 and 326991P29), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.