WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VENICE HIGHLIGHTS TOUR – APPROX. 9 HOURS

About this wheelchair accessible highlights of Venice tour

Your tour starts at Piazzale Roma, where your private licensed guide will meet you and stay with you throughout the tour. From here, you will travel through Venice by public vaporetto along the Grand Canal, the city’s famous main waterway. As you cruise through the heart of Venice, you can enjoy views of historic places, charming waterfront buildings and daily life on the canals before arriving at the city’s main sights.

The vaporetto is accessible for wheelchair users and has designated spaces for passengers using a wheelchair. Your guide will assist you during the journey and help you use the most suitable access points. Please note that the public vaporetto tickets are not included and need to be purchased separately and directly on the day.

Rialto Market and Rialto Bridge

Your first stop is the Rialto area, one of the historic centers of Venice. Its location along the Grand Canal made it an important place for trade, commerce, and daily life. During the Venetian Republic, traders from across Europe and the Mediterranean came here to buy and sell goods.

The Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous sights in Venice. The current stone bridge was built at the end of the 16th century and connects both sides of the Grand Canal. For centuries, the bridge has been an important connection between different parts of the city. While the bridge itself is not accessible due to its many steps, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the Grand Canal, passing boats and historic buildings along the waterfront.

Nearby, you can visit the Rialto Market, which has been an important part of the area for centuries. Today, the market is known for its fresh fruit, vegetables, and historic fish market, located in the Neo-Gothic Pescheria building.

Your guide will stay with you as you explore the area and help you follow an accessible route. After visiting Rialto and the Rialto Bridge, you will return to the vaporetto for the next stop.

Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

From Rialto, you will continue by public vaporetto to San Tomà, the closest vaporetto stop for the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.

The Frari is a large Gothic Franciscan basilica and one of Venice’s historic churches. Its long history, impressive Gothic architecture and rich collection of artworks make it an important part of Venice’s history and culture. Inside, you can admire important works of art by famous artists, including Titian and Giovanni Bellini. One of the highlights is Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin, which stands above the main altar. The basilica is also home to several important monuments and tombs, including the monument to Titian and the monument designed by Antonio Canova for his own tomb.

The Frari is partly accessible for wheelchair users. The main entrance has several steps, but these can be overcome with removable and fixed ramps, with staff assistance where needed. Inside, ramps provide access to the main church and the area around the main altar. The Pesaro side chapel and Chapter Room have additional steps and require assistance and, in some cases, a removable ramp.

After your visit to the Frari, you will return to the vaporetto and continue towards the heart of Venice.

St. Mark’s Square

Your next stop is St. Mark’s Square, the heart of Venice and one of the city’s most famous historic places. Known as Piazza San Marco in Italian, the square has been an important centre of Venetian life for centuries. It is surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive historic buildings, including St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Procuratie buildings. You can also see the famous Campanile di San Marco, the bell tower that rises above the square.

St. Mark’s Basilica

From St. Mark’s Square, you will visit St. Mark’s Basilica, one of Venice’s most recognizable buildings and a true highlight of the city. With its impressive domes, detailed façade and shimmering golden mosaics, the basilica has a unique Byzantine-inspired style that makes it stand out in St. Mark’s Square. Inside, you can admire beautiful mosaics covering the walls and ceilings, many of which tell stories from the Bible. You can also see the famous Pala d’Oro, a richly decorated golden altarpiece covered with precious stones and Byzantine enamels.

St. Mark’s Basilica is accessible for wheelchair users. The Porta dei Fiori provides step-free access with a ramp, and staff are available to assist visitors with reduced mobility. Inside the basilica, wheelchair users can access the main areas, although the historic mosaic floor can be uneven in some places. The Museum on the upper floor can be reached by lift and stairlift.

Doge’s Palace

After visiting the basilica, you will continue to Doge’s Palace, one of Venice’s most famous historic monuments. The palace was the residence of the Doge, the ruler of the Venetian Republic, and the centre of political life for centuries. Today, you can explore its impressive Gothic architecture, grand halls and historic artworks. You will also see the famous Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace with the former prisons.

The main visitor route is fully accessible for wheelchair users, with lifts providing access to the accessible areas and accessible toilets on the ground floor. Some areas, including the Secret Itineraries, prisons and armoury, are not accessible. Your guide will accompany you along the accessible route.

Your entrance to Doge’s Palace is included in the tour.

After visiting Doge’s Palace, your Venice Highlights Tour comes to an end. From here, you can continue exploring Venice independently or make your own way back to your accommodation.