Luxury Venice River Cruises

Luxury Venice River Cruises

There’s no place like Venice. Often referred to as the “City of Canals,” it’s spread across 117 islands with the Grand Canal and a maze of other waterways, lagoons, and picturesque bridges, combining to create a unique UNESCO-listed enclave. Like a living museum, it’s long been revered for its art and architecture, with ancient palaces and beautiful churches. St. Mark’s Square is its heart, hosting 11th-century St. Mark’s Basilica with a bell tower that can be climbed for a panoramic view.

Just a few of the other highlights include the Bridge of Sighs and the Palace of the Doges. About 15 miles north is Chioggia Island, or “little Venice,” an off-the-beaten-track destination with picturesque canals, colorful buildings, and a large fish market where boats unload their daily catch. Discover Murano, renowned for its glassblowing, Burano with its brightly painted homes and delicate lacework, historic Padua with Italy’s largest square, and beyond.

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A river cruise on the Venice Lagoon is special due to its exclusive access to iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, often without the crowds. Feel like a celebrity on a boutique floating hotel in the heart of Venice, providing incredible value on an all inclusive basis. It’ll also give you the chance to explore further afield, to the lagoon islands, beautiful town of Chioggia and the region of Veneto, showcasing vibrant Italian culture.

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Perian

Italy Specialist

The Best Venice River Cruises

When designing well-curated itineraries, we keep in mind that the best Venice River cruises are enjoyed on what’s like a “five-star floating boutique hotel,” with all the modern comforts and delicious onboard cuisine as well as offering a variety of shore excursions for getting to know each destination more in-depth.

When to go: April - November
Uniworld

Venice & The Veneto Discovery Cruise

Venice, Mazzorbo, Burano, Murano, Torcello, Chioggia, Venice
7 Nights
From £2,398 PP
The ultimate discovery of Venice and the Veneto region, there's no better way to explore it than...

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Why we love Venice River Cruises

Perian

European Specialist

Luxury Venice River cruises allow us to marvel at the famous highlights and the hidden treasures of the region. With those large ocean liners banned, the smaller size of the river vessels provides an added layer of exclusivity that allows for cruising into the heart of Venice. Along with the captivating sights right in Venice itself, including the UNESCO-listed Grand Canal, the world’s oldest and longest of its kind, you’ll also spend time in lesser-known places, including Chioggia, Burano, Murano, and Padua which paints a much more complete picture of life in the Venetian Lagoon. From active adventures to luxury experiences enjoyed in a vibrant local atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this incredible destination. It’s the perfect combination enhanced with exceptional service provided by the crew, something that comes naturally with a high crew-to-passenger ratio, making for a more personalized journey where you won’t feel like just another number.

Cruise Lines

Uniworld

Best places to visit on a Venice River Cruise

Venice river cruises not only include the chance to explore Venice and its top attractions but also other islands in the Venetian lagoon, with these top destinations the most coveted on any Venetian cruise.

Chioggia
Charming Chioggia in the Southern Lagoon has managed to preserve its authentic feel while often named among Italy’s most beautiful towns with pretty canals linked by bridges and historical architecture.
Murano
Murano is best known for its glass production which began in the 13th century. At fornaces (glass factories), visitors can watch the creation of these world-famous works and perhaps purchase a piece.
Burano
Burano is a colorful island with vibrantly painted homes reflected in the still water of the canals. Elderly women embroider Burano lace while fishermen pull up in traditional boats with their daily catch.
St. Mark’s Square
Venice’s main public square and the heart of the city since the 9th century, St. Mark’s is home to many of the iconic landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace.
Padua
Located about 23 miles west of Venice, the Bacchiglione River runs through historic Padua, home to Italy’s second-oldest university with the 13th-century Basilica of Saint Anthony its crown jewel.
Grand Canal
Venice’s most famous and largest canal, the Grand Canal stretches 2.5 miles, dividing the city in half while filled with gondolas and vaporetti (water buses) plying their way from one stop to another.

Best time of year to cruise in Venice

Venice can be visited year-round, with each season and even month having its pros and cons. Most visitors come between May and October, which bring the warmest temperatures and longest days for sightseeing. This is also the most expensive and crowded time to visit, particularly in July and August. Sightseeing is likely to be more enjoyable around mid-spring and mid-fall, April through about mid-May, and October through early November with thinner crowds. If you don’t mind bundling up a bit with temperatures averaging around the mid-40s to low 50s, November through January (outside of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays) is ideal for those on a budget who want to enjoy Venice at its quietest.

Glass Blowing in Murano

Hop on a vaparetto to Murano Island to visit one or more of the glass factories, there’s no need to take a tour. You’ll learn how works are made by watching glass-blowing demonstrations and will have the opportunity to purchase a piece.

Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza

Less than an hour inland from Venice in Vicenza, Teatro Olimpico is an artistic wonder. The UNESCO-listed theater is the world’s oldest enclosed theater, inaugurated on March 3, 1585, with the production of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King.

Art Galleries in Venice’s Dorsoduro Area

Dorsoduro is Venice’s artistic quarter, located along the banks of the Grand Canal, often described as its cultural and artistic heart. It hosts the famous Peggy Guggenheim collection along with hidden treasures that seem to be around nearly every turn.

Visiting the Artisans and Workshops

On the island of Giudecca, the former Convent of Saints Cosma and Damiano hosts a dozen artisan workshops. Witness the various techniques used to create everything from pottery and paintings to high-quality glass-blown items, upholstery, and nautical décor.

River Cruises for After-Hours Entry to St. Mark’s Basilica

For an especially unforgettable experience, river cruises can include after-hours entry to St. Mark’s Basilica when it’s closed to the public, allowing you to take it all in without being elbow-to-elbow with countless others, in peace and tranquility.

Witnessing the Titian Artworks in Basilica Santa Maria della Salute

The Basilica della Salute, built to commemorate the end of the 1631 plague, is a treasure trove of art, featuring three Titian paintings that depict Abraham and Issac, David and Goliath, and the Murder of Abel, revealing the influence of Michelangelo’s style on the Renaissance painter.

Rent a Bike or Hit the Lido di Venezia Beaches to Escape the Tourists

Feeling in need of an escape from the tourist crowds? Rent a bike and pedal around to discover Venice’s more hidden places. Or head to Lido di Venezia to enjoy the beaches on this island tucked between the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic.

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